Complain About Country Living - learn how to file a complaint

Trying to find the right person to talk to can be a headache. Here are the most direct ways to get in touch. Be prepared with your account number to save some time.

Immediate to 30 minutes on the phone, but honestly, it often feels longer with all the menu options.

• Call right when they open in the morning on a weekday to avoid the longest queues.
• Have your subscription account number ready. It's usually on the magazine's mailing label.
• State your desired outcome clearly at the beginning of the call (e.g., "I am calling to cancel my subscription and request a refund for the latest charge.").

If your emails are ignored and phone calls go nowhere, it's time to escalate. Your best bet for a magazine subscription issue in the US is the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

How to use the BBB:

1. Go to the BBB website and file a complaint against "Hearst Communications, Inc.," their parent company.
2. Clearly describe your issue, what you've done to resolve it, and what you want (e.g., a refund, cancellation confirmation).
3. The BBB will forward your complaint to a corporate contact at Hearst.

This usually gets a response. The BBB process works, but prepare to wait. Hearst typically responds after the BBB sends them a formal notice, which can take a couple of weeks. You must try to resolve the issue with the company first before the BBB will step in.

Here is a template you can adapt. It's polite, firm, and shows you mean business.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unwanted Charges on Account [[Your Account Number]]

Dear Country Living Customer Support,

I am writing again to address an unauthorized charge on my account. This is my second attempt to resolve this issue, as my previous efforts have been unsuccessful.

On [[Date]], I was charged [[$Amount]] for a subscription renewal I explicitly did not authorize. I had already requested to turn off auto-renewal, and seeing this charge was both surprising and frustrating. Frankly, having to track this down and spend my time correcting your company's billing error has been a significant inconvenience.

To resolve this, I require a full refund of [[$Amount]] to my original payment method. I also need you to provide written confirmation that my subscription has been terminated and my account will not be charged again.

If this is not resolved within 5 business days, my next step will be to file a chargeback with my bank and submit a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

[[Your Name]] [[Your Account Number]]

• Ask for a supervisor immediately. If the first-level support agent is just reading from a script, politely ask to speak with a manager or supervisor who has the authority to issue refunds or solve your specific problem.
• Use the magic words. When canceling, specifically say, "Please confirm my subscription is canceled and that auto-renewal is turned off." Get them to say it back to you.
• Request a confirmation number. Whether you cancel by phone or online, always ask for a cancellation confirmation number or email. Don't hang up without it.
• Reference other complaints. One user on a BBB forum mentioned they only got a refund after stating, "I am aware of the hundreds of other complaints filed against you for this exact issue." It shows you've done your research.

Tired of navigating Country Living's endless website loops just to manage your subscription? Sound familiar? It's a common headache. Instead of wasting another afternoon trying to find the right contact form or waiting on hold with that terrible music, let Pine AI handle it. We deal with the back and forth, the follow ups, and the persistent pushback for you. No more confusing renewal notices or surprise charges. We get it done so you can move on with your life.