(YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against New Beginning Enterprises Inc. (New Beginning) for failing to deliver magazine subscriptions it sold to consumers in Ohio and other states.
"This business sent representatives door-to-door selling magazine subscriptions," Attorney General DeWine said. "In many cases, consumers paid in cash or by check for the subscriptions, but they never received the magazines. My office worked with the business to try to resolve these issues, but complaints continued to pour in."
New Beginning, based in Youngstown, Ohio, offers magazine subscriptions through door-to-door sales in Ohio and throughout the country. The Ohio Attorney General's Office and Better Business Bureau have received more than 100 complaints against the business. The Better Business Bureau gives the company an "F" rating.
In their complaints, consumers say they paid New Beginning for magazine subscriptions that never arrived. Although the business resolved some consumer complaints by providing refunds or delivering the subscriptions, other complaints went unresolved.
The lawsuit charges the business with violating Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act and Home Solicitation Sales Act. Specific counts include failure to deliver and failure to honor consumers' cancellation notices. In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks consumer restitution, civil penalties, and injunctive relief.
Attorney General DeWine reminds consumers to research businesses with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and Better Business Bureau before making any payments.
For most door-to-door sales, consumers have three business days to cancel a contract they sign in their home. Under the Home Solicitation Sales Act, the seller must give consumers notice of their right to cancel, and cancellations must be in writing.
Consumers who believe they have been treated unfairly should file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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Documents
Copy of Lawsuit (PDF)
Media Contacts
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840