I've been burned - never use 'Interstate Subscription Services'

Interstate Subscription Services, Inc.
4835 Fredericksburg Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78229

The sad part is I'm usually smart about these things, and can smell fraud from pretty far off...
A girl came by the apartment selling magazine subscriptions, and I bought a 2-year subscription to Hot Rod for $32...When I decided to sign up, she neglected to mention in any way the $10 process fee (which I nevertheless paid, to my regret). She informed me that the first magazines would come within four weeks of my check clearing.
Four weeks later, no magazines...I just called the office in Texas (their website www.intersubserv.com is useless for customer service; I had to do a web search to even find a phone number), and the woman on the line tells me it will take 90-120 days!!! AND I can't cancel, because the window to do it is three business days after signing up!!! So I've overpaid for a deal I thought I was getting, and it will take three more months before I get my first issue, AND I can't cancel...I now consider it a lesson well learned, but honestly, WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE THESE? I literally could have gone to the local gas station; rip out a subscription card from a Hot Rod, mailed it, and ended up paying less, getting my product sooner, and canceling anytime....
I know there isn't much I can do, other than warn others..I've filed a report with the BBB. So everyone beware...If some fresh-faced youth is sniffing around your neighborhoods trying to sell subscriptions to win their "dream trip to Paris," tell them to piss off....

If it was, at least you can feel a little resolve about helping the students.

Salesperson had a pitch that said they got 10% of every subscription applied toward continuing education, blah blah blah, I'm a sucker.

Well not completely. After the salesperson left, I got online to check out the organization. Canceled the check before it was cashed - they're pretty well documented.

http://www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/default1105.htm

You'll see 7 other complaints about this company. File your own. It's fun, and all the cool kids are doing it.

Sorry you got screwed.

after reading some of those reports...

One thing struck me about the salesgirl after talking with her, though...She was college age, and in casual conversation she spoke about how much she dreamed and wanted to go to Italy (Milan), but what struck me as odd was that she didn't seem to know the first thing about Italy in general (i've never been there, but at least I can tell you SOME things about the country)...I had a (obvious) desktop wallpaper picture of Rio displayed on my computer, and she thought it was Paris...I also found it strange that as I was writing the check, she asked for a little cash up front to 'secure' the subscription (I gave her $5, which I am now wondering if she kept for herself)

This is the report of a former employee from http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff43048.htm:
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I used to work for a branch of ISS called millenium sales. i read a help wanted add in the paper that said "cool travel job" so i called. three days later i was on a bus. to what i thought was going to be a great oppertunity. the first day or two went ok. but then the slavery set in. first was the brain washing of what they call there first five. they not only made you memorize it but live by it. repeating it time and time again day after day after day. our days started at 530 am when we all woke up then it was off for coffee. followed by what they called morning meeting. AKA Brain washing. after the meeting we went to breakfast most of the kids couldnt rub two pennys together. they gave us 15 dollars a day to live off of. after supper the night before and a pack of cig's most of the kids couldnt afford breakfast or lunch. so we got sent out starving. we traveled in 15 passenger vans usually craming up to 20 kids in them. they would pick out a neighbourhood like a hawk. then someones name would be called out they would drop us off and give us a time they would be back and where to meet them. it was usually about two hours. this all started at about 11 am we would usually have 5 "drops" bringing our day to an end at about 9. then after the last drop we would have to drive back to the motel. it was usually about 10 pm by the time we got back. then we had to do turn in. which was giving them the money for the magazines we sold. turn in was usually over at about 11 to quarter after 11. then if you werent able to get 5 people to help you and buy a mag. you had to go to what they call under 5 meeting. which usually started at midnight. it was about 1 am when the meeting was over. then it was off to your room where they crammed up to 5 of us in a room which ment that 3 of us would have to sleep on the hard floor. by the time you got settled in and ready for bed it was almost 2 am. your feet ached from walking non stop for 10 hours a day every day. your nuckles were sore from having to knock on doors all day long. i got athleats foot while i worked for them but off 15 dollars a day i couldnt afford new socks. shoes. not even anything to put on them to get rid of the athleats foot. my feet started to fall apart skin was comming off in sheets. it burned to walk . but it got no attention. i told the boss. and he said work or get left behind. so i had to keep going. they would have left me in some town thousands of miles from home if i didn't no money. not knowing anyone.sundays were supposed to be our days off. but when we woke up sunday morning we would have to pack our stuff. then load it into trailers. then thy would cram about 20 of us in a 15 passenger van and set off for the next town.driving all day and all night. no way to get comfortable and sleep. when they stopped for gas. we would all try and get out and streatch. but not having any money we couldnt eat. usually monday morning we would pull into a differnt town most times a different state. we would get our rooms about 9 am unload all of our stuff then be expected to get ready to go to work. no sleep no food. not a sign of energy. just exausted but we couldnt say anything or we would get left behind. if we didnt sell we didnt get paid. it might only be 15 dollars a day. but our lives depended on it. so next time you have a kid knock on your door. dont slam it in their face. yuo dont need to buy a magazine if you dont want. but maybe you could offer him or her something to drink. or a bite to eat or maybe give him or her a dollar or two. its not alot of money but it means alot to them. believe me they will be thankfull. you might have just saved them from starving for another day. i can only hope that someone reads this and understands what i had to go through. and i would like to thank a very wonderful lady who lives in pacifica california. i knocked on her door one day. she didnt buy a magazine but she gave me 10 dollars. it wasnt much money to her but it ment food for me i hadnt eaten in two days. i will never forget her.

Bruce - Lake Havasu, Alabama
U.S.A.
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BBB is just a club for good ole boy businessmen. The only time they really take action is when they perceive non-member competitors are threatening their membership. If you have a complaint against a member, the best you can hope for is a form letter.

ISS will just keep ripping off uninformed suckers?? maybe some state business agency in TX they can be reported to?

if they have a consumer affairs office try them. It might also help to write to the local newspaper telling them how this outfit does business.

i'll try the AG office here in RI

I've had my checking acct. info stolen and someone decided to print their own checks with my info.

That alone is a reason to not buy anything from someone that comes to the door.


sorry to hear of our hassle.

fair warning for all DUers