Comments regarding Scout Gardening (aka Gardening How-To, National Home Gardening Club)

YES I'M A REAL PERSON, AND YES I LOVE THIS CO.! I've read a few negative comments and have come to 1 of 2 conclusions, either u r one of those people that just love to screw with ratings and reviews or two ur an absolute idiot. Harsh? Yes. If you call up ANY customer service with an attitude do u really expect to get far with them? Or if your so bent out of shape that u have already convinced urself that ur getting screwed over u don't bother to listen to the person on the other line. I've NEVER had a problem with this co.

Yes I initially signed up for the 1 year at $12 and they billed me for two. When I called they told me I could just pay for the 1 if I wanted. I got the 1st magazine I sent in my subscription for 2 years, I like the magazine that well.

Within that year they gave me the option to become a lifetime member. I looked at overall how much the subscription would cost me at the $12 a year rate and ALL of the gardening tools I would get. Just adding up the cost of the gardening tools for the lifetime member (I went to my local walmart on SR 26 here in Lafayette, IN for all of u who still think this I'm bogus) The price of the tools and the magazines was yes I thought it might be too good to be true. I went ahead and did it anyway. What I got a telescoping clippers which I love and have outlasted the pair I had bought at walmart, gloves which I love...I even bothered to sow them back up when my son decided to take the gardening pocket clippers, I also got and are a great tool, to them lol! I've also gotten hand shovels, hand trowels, and several others all in a great bag to carry around the yard if I need to. All the tools I have gotten have out latest the cheapies I have purchased at Walmart over the years!

I've gotten several other gifts seeds, tester items etc...

As for the getting charged for the books I got sent one book and opted to never get anymore. I put the book back in its box attached the return label and have NEVER received another book again. I had forgotten all about this till I read someone else's comment on it and remember.

Last year I even attend the Ball Canning class they held at Ball State University. I was completely green to canning and came away with so much knowledge about canning and freezing! Yes the classes they offer are a bit pricey but for what you get and walk away with you get your moneys worth.

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to give this co a chance. If your NOT into gardening then NO this isn't for u. If you want to learn and have some place to go for advice then I COMPLETELY RECOMMEND THEM!!!

Now I'm going to gardeningclub.com to get some help with my honeysuckle bush.

National Home Gardening Club IS NOT A SCAM! I have been a member for about 10 years and have always received what I have paid for. I love their magazine and I have had the opportunity to test several products over the years. In 2003 I was sent a $500 lawn vacuum to test and was allowed to keep it. I don't see the scam in getting what you pay for. I will continue to subscribe to their magazine and hopefully will get the opportunity to test many more great products. For those of you that think the positive reviews are plants I am signing with my real name and city of residence. You can google me and see I am a REAL person.
Dr. Krista L. Ottino, Hudson, WI

Posted on Sep 19, 2008, updated on July 30, 2010

Well, first of all - I am not a scammer as one poster inferred about anyone making a positive comment about this club. I have been a member of the club for over 10 years, about 7 years as a life member. I have been very satisfied with what the club has had to offer. When I converted to being a life member, I had no problem receiving the credit for the years I'd paid an annual fee. I've never received products that I did not request from them. They do, however, send out packets of information about products and trial offers. If you accept the trial offer, you do need to tell them that you don't want to continue receiving the products, if they are a series. I did accept an offer for gardening books and when I decided I no longer wanted to receive them, I notified them and did not receive any further mailings from them. If you join only to get expensive products free through the product testing, you will likely be disappointed - not everyone gets a tiller or lawnmower to test. Many of the test products are things like seed packets, gloves, etc., although there are limited opportunities for major product testing. The bi-monthly magazine is colorful and while the articles are generally of a basic to intermediate nature, they are interesting and well written. The bulletin board is probably my only disappointment about the club. The intent of the board to share gardening successes, failures, and knowledge is good, but I feel like too many people use it like a social network and seem quite persistent about getting others on the board to march to their negative drummer. I'm not sure that is the club's fault, though. All in all, it seems to me like a pretty good deal for the money. I'm not aware of any other garden magazine you can get for $12 a year.

I haven't joined, and probably won't based on the negative feedback I found here. The dead giveaway that this was a scam is the line "it's no secret among your firends and neighbors that you are an outstanding gardener". LOL...my yard is ALL weeds! I can't grow grass. I sent away to Gurney's for a few plants (which I promptly killed) and so they were obviously the ones that sold my name/address. It just sounds too good to be true...and after hearing about their scammy tactics, I want no part of them...and have my doubts about Gurney's too if they will sell my info (though they've been great about replacing the dead plants - twice). So as you can see, they will send this to ANYONE, including me.

I just want to thank all of the contributors to Dave's Garden for always steering me in the right direction. After reading many of the comments, I have decided to pass. I always have to remind myself, "If it's too good to be true...it probably is".

THIS IS JUST A COMMENT - NOT A RATING.

I came here to check out this co. after receiving a solicitation from them today to join. I noticed that ALMOST EVERYONE WHO GAVE THEM POSITIVE RATINGS DID SO ON THE DAY THEY JOINED DG, AND MADE NO OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO DG OR RATINGS OF ANY OTHER COMPANY, SO I BELIEVE THEY ARE COMMENTS POSTED BY THE COMPANY IN QUESTION, OR AT THEIR REQUEST. Based on all the other comments (negative), I will not join, despite the offer of 4 gifts including a fiskars bypass pruner, a kneeling pad, $20 in gas rebates, and a $100 grocery coupon card (not sure what exactly the last 2 are).

My mother-in-law is part of the club and talked of them highly, suggesting I should join. I sent for information, received quickly a magazine and cosmos seeds with more information on the "freebies" I'd receive (kneepad/pruners/2 years of magazine subscription), AFTER paying $24.00 for 2 years of membership.

After reviewing this initial information I decided to decline the offer, seeing as though bait and switch tactics were used. I don't mind paying for good offers and I know that people really get the "freebies" from this group...seeing that my mother-in-law received hers. I just request that groups ask for money up front and tell you what you will get later, not try to trick you.

I didn't call to cancel membership because I never actually paid or became a member in any type of official capacity. The company however registers you as a member from the moment they get your name and address. Yesterday, May 10th, I received a letter from "Retrieval Masters Creditors Bureau, Inc." with "Collection Agency" in the headline, demanding my payment of $24.00 for services rendered and never paid for, with a subscription to the National Home Gardening Club's magazine being mentioned.

The back of this collector's notice states that "This is an attempt to collect a debt...You are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations...You have the right to make a request that telephone calls regarding your debt not be made to you at your place of employment...etc" (Please feel free to email for a copy if you are interested in seeing the real McCoy).

I first called the NHGC. "Courtney" informed me that I never responded to their requests for membership, which meant I had an outstanding request with them and that after 90 days the "invoice" I received would be mailed. I read her the direct words off of my "invoice" (ie: Debt Collector's notice) and asked if they in fact contacted a debt collector and if they were reporting bad information to bring down my credit score. Courtney responded that it was an "invoice" I received and that she cancelled the account since I called. Her avoidance led me to ask once again about the debt collector part of this-I told her this "invoice" I received says they can contact my place of employment, get an attorney involved and ruin my credit. From what she kept repeating to me, this collection notice is a fake (my words) and is only an "invoice" of my requested membership dues (her words).

I then called the phone number for the Debt Collector notice (1-914-345-7136) to talk to someone and find out what was going on. The notice states that I have 30 days to supply them with written notice of the following: that this debt is invalid or has been paid. When I called there was NO option to speak to a real human being. I had to enter a "PIN #" and then had about 8 or 9 options. After hearing that "speak to someone" was not an option, I clicked 2 for "My order/service has been cancelled". The automated voice told me "Your account will be updated and Thank You". Then a dead line.

I filed a BBB report, seeing that the NHGC says that they are BBB affiliated. (Note: The BBB notes that this company has a high rating, but you must realize that the NHGC is in fact just a smaller part of some MASSIVE company called the North American somethingorother) Even though the customer service representative who I talked to quickly dismissed my account and "made it all better", mycomplaint centered around their bait and switch tactics as well as the overly aggressive and fake scare tactics they use to get you to pay.

This company, even though they give you the "freebies" you paid for, uses absolutely deplorable techniques to gain membership. I was suprised more people haven't complained about them. I'm sure most people hear the "great" news from the representative telling them everything is cleared up after receiving a debt collectors notice and feel relief that the debt collector has been called off their heals. The debt collector is a farce, but it sure is scary-I couldn't believe for $24.00 and a membership or freebies I NEVER accepted or receieved, I'd have to deal with such threatening realistic bluff to get me to pay up.

As I mentioned earlier, please feel free to contact me for more information if you are considering joining the club. The freebies are great-just make sure you pay on time and up front or you may be threatened into paying.

Like most others, I got the offer through the mail, and I was intrigued. I sent in my intent to join the club for $12 per year, and I promptly received the magazine (6 issues per year.) This is where the guerrilla tactics begin. Contrary to the offer, the National Home Gardening will charge you for two years of subscription, not one year as suggested. I initially refused to pay, and quickly they sent me nasty, threatening letters. I gave in and paid. I then received only one of my free gifts, a small pair of pruners.

By this time I had read other reviews about bad experiences with books. I contacted them via email that I wished to receive only the magazines and no books or test products. I have, to this date, not received any of the books as other customers have, so I cannot comment on the quality of the book club, however, I was grateful that my request was promptly fulfilled. I have received a fair quantity of junk snail mail, which I am not pleased with.

The magazine, which club members receives only 6 times a year, is colorful, organized, and well-written. The magazine is targeted toward beginners, as other reviewers stated, but the articles remain enjoyable. Overall, however, the magazine remains wanting. It is simply too little with too few articles.

The website has plenty of potential. The layout is bright and professional. The articles are concise, although sometimes a bit too concise. There is an active forum for its members. There's even an events calendar (albeit the events are pricey to attend.)

If it were not for the sketchy tactics of the management, the National Home Gardening Club would be a small step above mediocre. I will, however, not recommend anyone but the brave to dare venture into this club.

I have been a member of the National Home Gardening Club for over 10 years. What I paid for my life membership was well worth not only the magazine, which I devour from cover to cover as soon as it arrives, but also the purners and other tools sent me as a welcome gift are the best tools I've seen anywhere. The limb pruner I got is still my favorite, and I have several, but it works better than pruners I paid way more for. The hand tools and gloves too are far better than anything I've seen in any farm or garden store. The articles and information included are such that I keep all the copies so that I can refer back to them if I need to. Any offers I received I've never been charged for...ever. If I don't want them, I don't reply. In my opinon, they are great!

When you get contacted by National Home Gardening Club, I suggest you think back to who you have ordered seed/plant catalogs from. Then contact all of them and tell them if they are selling their customer lists to NHG Club, they should stop. When or if you find the responsible company, let your fellow gardeners know and tell that company they have lost your business by not carefully screening who they share your information with!
It is a BIG SCAM. An honest company would not send out bills to people who have never even contacted them!
Luckily I recognized it as a scam right away, but obviously the many people ALL OVER THE INTERNET complaining and warning about this company were not as lucky.
DOES ANYONE DESERVE TO GET A MARK ON THEIR CREDIT JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT THIS COMPANY'S PRODUCTS? NO- But that is what happens when some people have refused to pay for something they never asked for.

Its a great club! I signed up really for the magazine subscription... cheaper price than ANY OTHER MAGAZINE. To add to that, its a GREAT , WELL very good mag. too!! The free perks, are... FREE, and well received surprises in the mail. Are they top of the line... not usually, but so what... they are usually useful, compared to the crap other companies send you, like "totes" or other useless crap...LOL!! As for sending you stuff you didn't order... well I am NOT the type that likes or usually tolerates stuff like this, but I guess because my heart was favorable to them so far, and gardening IS my hobby, I was not too angry... I liked the book, but it was too much, I felt, so I called to get info on sending it back and canceling any further books or things sent... they took $10 off if I was still interested...well I was...it was now worth the money...and they said to take $10 off any others I keep too. I got a nice group of hard back books, reasonably priced... one was just SLIGHTLY, I MEAN SLIGHTLY damaged on the spine, and called just to mention it, they sent me a new one AND the next book free...this IS NOT A SCAM...my finances got strapped 6-8 months ago, as many peoples have with our economy, and decided although I liked the books, it was a corner I should cut in my expenses to save money...so I called and cancelled...simple as that, they said I may receive 1 or 2 more till the cancellation goes through, and said they were sending out return postage labels immediately to hold on to for my convenience. The magazines are great and encourage you to get involved, sending tips, pictures etc...its very in touch with its readers... I understand why some of the peoples reviews are the way they are, but I also think they need to be out gardening more, to release all that negative energy, anger, and ill will they harbor, and just relax...its not the end of the world and the company ALWAYS RULES IN YOUR FAVOR AND AGAINST THEMSELVES... giving away something for free rather than challenging a customers account of an issue has been my experience with them... they are NEVER "out to get you" like some places are. My advice.... b4 you go POSTAL on them, stay calm and give them a chance to show you that they aren't sneaky, and that they ALWAYS COMPLY with your requests... and NEVER challenge you...charges can and will always be removed if you say its in error. That doesn't sound like a scam to me. I hope my finances get better so I can continue my collection. I hope this review is of some help to you all, and HINT HINT call after your 1 book recieved and complain about price as factor in keeping it.. I saved $10 per book because of that...maybe you can too!!!

I was reading the comments left by other people and decided to also leave my opion on this company. A few people are saying that only life time members are leaving the positive remarks about the gardening magazine or people that just signed up so being that I've been with them for almost 2 years I'll tell you how I feel about this company. I joined up because of the price, 2 yrs/ $24.00 that's extremely cheap for a good magazine. It has a lot of good info in each issue. I've bought gardening magazines at the store before and paid close to $8.00 each. The price this company charges is very cheap. I enjoy most of the articles they have, not all but most. I've had to call customer service a few times with questions and never had a problem. They are always helpful. I also received the gardening books the club offers, no I didnt ask for them to be sent but they can be returned. No big deal! They pay the return shipping for any book you dont want to keep, the return shipping label for returns is always in the box. It just so happens I kept most of them. They are great books. You DON'T have to keep them and if you don't want to preview them call and tell them or write on the bill you don't want any books and to cancel sending them. On the 1st book that's sent they have on the bill a space to check Yes - if you want to continue previewing the books or No you don't want any more books to be sent. It's not a big deal to have them stop sending the books to you. It might take 5 minutes to put a check in the NO box and stick the return label onto the box and hand it to the mailman to be returned. I even had 2 books lost in the mail (at different times) and never had any trouble getting the credit for them. Customer Service made a note to the account and the charge was reversed. The cost of 2 books were $60.00 and they took the charge off my account with no problems. This company also has a sister company called "Creative Home Arts Club" I've been a member with them for 5 years. Both these companies have great magazines and most of the books are really good. A little exspensive but awesome books. Again, you do not have to keep anything you don't want! As far as thinking this company is a scam???? I'm sorry but I totally disagree with everyone thinking that. They offer a magazine with gardening information that is well worth the money they charge. They don't demand you keep it unless you choose to keep it. The FREE GIFTS are a little Perk to getting the magazines. You must remember they are "FREE" so how can anyone really think they are going to receive top of the line products. I have received a few items that are good quality items though . I didnt expect to get really exspensive gifts when it said free. It's rare if you ever do with any magazine, not just this one. Everyone needs to remember it's not just this company that offers "rewards" to get a subscription. All magazines do this. The thing is you have a choice to buy it or not. I personally enjoy the magazines and I'm very happy I signed up for them. I look forward to getting them in the mail. As far as cancelling a subscription, my sister did this. She signed up and after a couple of months decided that she just wasnt reading them so she called up and got a refund. She never was harassed to keep the subscription. Money was returned to her account that she paid from. I feel bad that some people have had a bad experience dealing with the company and didn't enjoy the magazines. I have nothing but good things to say about this company. I would recommend people trying them and see for yourselves if you will enjoy the magazines. Everyone has a different opinion. I personally think National Home Gardening Club is a good company. Hope everyone has a Great Holiday Season!

I have been a member of National Home Gardening Club and reader of Gardening How-To since 1999. I enjoy the magazine. The articles are short, but useful. The photographs are very good.

I have been a product tester four times for products appropriate to the gardening I do on my 1/4 acre suburban lot. It's fun to get the products, but the lack of instruction on how to conduct a test made it quickly apparent that these user tests aren't science and shouldn't be given great creedence. For example, I tested a deer repellent and a fertilizer. There was no suggestion like fertilize some plants and not others and compare how the two groups grew.

I have also received free items for renewing my subscription, specifically pruning shears and gardening gloves. They were pretty flimsy, but what reasonable person would expect otherwise regardless of the purported "retail value." They were, after all, inducements to renew a magazine subscription, and should be expected to be about the quality of the tpe of instamatic camera Time and Newsweek used to give away to induce subscriptions. I'm not surprised to hear from some commenters that some if these items have worked well lasted quite a long time, and it is very surprising to hear the vitriol from some commenters who apparently though they would get military spec equipment.

I am a little preplexed at the reports by some commenters of $12.00/year membership dues. I wonder if those were new subscriber promotional rates. I don't remember my initial subscription price. I have kept copies of some of my renewal invoices. My subscription has been $20.00 a year since at least 2005, as it is for 2010, and the 2000 invoice shows I paid $18.00 that year. I renew annually rather than take lifetime membership. Heck, if Lehman Brothers can go under . . . .

Every annual renewal invoice includes the option and urges me to renew for more than one year, at an increasingly large multi-year discount, as do many magazines, but I have never been billed for more than one year when I mailed in a renewal for one year only. I have never ordered a product from National Home Gardening Club, received a bill for something I did not order, or receivd anything unsolicited.

In sum, the magazine is worth the price. I pay my money, it comes in the mail. What's wrong with that?

I decided to comment after reading some of the negative remarks...mostly by people who obviously don't know the difference between a rake and a dinner fork. I became a lifetime member because they offered to apply all of my yearly subscription costs towards the lifetime fee, reducing it by about 30%. Obviously, if you don't expect to be reading the magazine for at least 15 years, it's no deal. If you continue as a lifelong gardener for over 25 years, then it's a great deal.

As far as the tools, the telescoping pruning shears that I received are absolutely awesome. I have even cut small ironwood and other tough hardwood saplings (clearing a lot) with them and they continue to give me great service. The other smaller gardening tools are still working fine, no problems here.

I have yet to receive a major free tool for inspection and rating but I have received lesser gifts (a Rake-O rake, a large bag of fertilizer, etc.) and I can absolutely tell you that there is NO cost...no postage and handling, nothing! I'm not sure where the previous naysayer got his info but it's wrong...he should stick to what he knows and not to what he thinks.

Also, it was stated that ALL of the positive reviews were by members who had just joined when they posted. What I found is that it was the lifetime members (those who had been with the club for more than a few years) who sang the highest praises.

Maybe they do treat lifetime members with more respect, I don't know. What I do know is that if you are really into gardening, you could do a lot worse.

Gardening How-To is a winner in my plot!

I have been a member of this club since in the mid 90's, first as a yearly member and then became a lifetime member.
I love this club. It's soo much more informative than other clubs. I am a Master Gardener, but still learn a lot from the forums. People are so willing to answer questions. The magazine alone is great. I have tested 5 products and am waiting for another to be sent. They do send unwanted books, mostly ones that I already have. Requests are honored when asked to not send any more.
I can't figure out what those who are negative expect from the club. It's just to exchange gardening info. A few of their products were disappointing. I don't order any more of them. There is a free test time period.

I have been a life member for over 10 years. I received at least 5 test products. The most recent was the mosquito vacuum that retails for $279.00. I received it last year and it works awesome. Not all of my test products were that expensive,but I enjoyed trying all of them. Also under their member benefits I found an excellent seed sorce from England. Maybe it is because I am a life member that I do not receive any unsubscribed items. I am pleased by my membership. Wish everyone could have a happy subscription!
ReggieL

I regret having become of member of this club. Their merchandise and publications are quite ordinary and extremely overpriced. Nothing about this club impresses me. I had to demand that they discontinue sending me endless gardening books that I had not ordered, which they did stop sending. I also demanded that they stop the endless e-mails with their ridiculous lifetime membership offers, but I continue to receive these offers, although not as frequently as I had before my request. Now, I find that they have sent me an unordered calendar that my mail carrier damaged by cramming it into my locking mailbox that has limited space to insert large items. Regardless of the fact that this unexpected, unordered calendar was damaged, I wouldn't want to use it. It's rather ordinary and overpriced, just like everything else they produce. I have demanded that they never send me another thing unless I personally order it, and if they do, I plan to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Perhaps it would be excellent idea if their Attorney General's office got involved in an investigation of this club and put them out of business.

We received the offer to join the club in the mail and I tore it up after reading the details. A few days later we got another letter thanking us for jopining and that we would receive our 2 prizes, how they know we won both prizes, since I threw away the scratch off is beyond me, perhaps everypne wins, how convenient. So they start sending us magazines we never requested and eventually the bill shows up... still haven't gotten the free prizes though... we send the bill back and tell them we never requested to join, and how surprizing, we get the nastygram saying our account is being affected negatively. Suppose it's time to file a complaint with the Maryland Attorney General.

Isn't it funny that almost all, and I mean just about all, the Positive Remarks were made from members who signed up the day they made the positive remark!

Seems like that company will make a new member, have them post a very Positive Remark, then that's the last you ever hear of them.


Now, I saw an advertisement for this company on Facebook. I decided to check them out. What I saw is what many have posted here - it's basically a scam.

They tell you you're getting this great pruner and trowel for free - but they leave out that they are poorly made. The one photographed isn't even the one your supposed to get.

The Scam is that they'll give you all this stuff during your free 30-day trial. You get a magazine plus these two garden tools (that's their current offer).

Then they'll bill you for your subscription - $12 annually they say. But what really happens?

According to the reviews on Dave's Garden and other websites that I checked - you get a bill for $24 - two years.

If you agree, then they'll send you an offer for a lifetime membership - $200. I guess they figure since you were a sucker to pay the $24 instead of the originally offered $12, then you're enough of a sucker to pay $200 for a lifetime membership.

As P.T. Barnum used to say: "A sucker is born every minute!"


And what about the testing of tools and all? They claim if you qualify they'll send you a garden tool to test. And they say that you may also qualify to keep it. Sure you can keep it if you pay for it! Or if you pay for the "P and H", where the "P" now stands for "processing fee" and the "H" stands for "handling fee". Gee, I thought processing and handling were the same thing, didn't you? Years ago the "P" stood for postage, but now these scammers have changed it to processing. Check that out, more and more ads on TV are saying "P + H", then in the fine print you find out the P is for processing, not postage.

Anyway - this company will send you items then bill you for them. They could be items you think were free, but then a few weeks later you find out that they want you to pay for them. If you don't pay, they'll send you threatening letters demanding that you pay up.

Shoot folks - check out this company on other websites that review companies - you'll see for yourselves.

And don't forget to disregard any POSITIVE POSTS by "members" that just joined that day. Those posts are usually by reps of that particular company trying to sucker you.

Check out the Better Business Bureau too -

Find out the truth about these company's offers.

You'll be glad you did!


Ken

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me

i agree this club IS a scam
i joined for $12 to receive yearly subscription and free items.

the free item is a piece of garbage. you can actually buy BETTER GARDEN SUPPLIES AT DOLLAR STORES

The pruning shears WOULDNT EVEN CUT A CHIVE! (alleged value 39.99$)

when reading 1st issue, i knew the rave reviews and talk of free items were all lies - just like the positive reviews posted here are obviously fake- to lure you in.

Now i confirm the LIES. I didnt even receive the free gloves .

now they expect me to renew for 24$ for life

I SAY no way b/c the FINE PRINT READS THEY CAN SEND U SAMPLES AND attempt to FORCE U TO PAY FOR IT!!! THAT IS THE SCAM AND IS ALSO ILLEGAL.
(the sent me a moronic book and demanded i pay for it)
i will repond with a formal complaint to ohio's attorney general

THEY WERE HELPFUL ON THE PHONE THOUGH B/C THEY KNOW THIS IS AN ILLEGAL PRACTICE.

I have been a member for about 12years now. What cracks me up about these negative remarks is that most of you complain about the cost. The bag of gardening tools I received for joining as a lifetime member is still being used today!!! 12years later!! I have learned quite a bit about gardening and about new plants I would like to put in my gardens. I have never had the opportunity to test a product but I believe I have still received more than enough for the amount I paid for my lifetime supply of magazines I have totally enjoyed. I have received books etc. and never had any trouble returning any of the items.

I have a hint for many of you complaining of junk mail
1. get on the do not call government list
2. get on the no junk mail government list

there now was that so hard to stop receiving junk mail!!!!

I just recieved the letter in the mail and I WILL be mailing it back so long as i can get my fiancee to go with it. I called the number up top today and talked to one of the customer service people. He reassured me about everything and even if all you get out of it is a magazine.. point me to another magazine for ony 12 bucks a year!

~The Mistress of Darkness..
~But you can just call me DarkMistress

This is a scam, don't join. You can buy any of these non-quality products including gardening magazines for under the price they charge and can even buy them at the dollar store! Don't be fooled by their letter, any thing printed in LARGE text like that is designed to scam little old ladies.

Ditto all the bad vibes on this company. Received an unsolicted club membership, called and thought I had cancelled, received 'free gift' and dunning letters. I mailed back the 'free gift' unopended and sent a letter to the home office.,

I had a feeling there was something up with this company after reading comments here I folded everything back up minus the part with my name on it. I even folded up the big envelope it came in and stuffed it all in the return envelope so they can pay the return for it. I do this often with companys that will not stop sending me there junk mail. Just imagin if everyone did this.

I got the offer in the mail yesterday from the National Home Gardening Club, sounded like a good deal and was thinking about joining. But after reading the reviews it is going in the trash. Thank you all for sharing your experience so others don't get scammed.

Does it seem a little strange that one gardening club forum has an entire area dedicated to reviewing what I assume is a competing club? I appreciate the Garden Watchdog with mail order companies but something just seems odd about this. I'd feel better if Dave's Garden stuck to reviewing mail order companies who aren't necessarily offering the same membership services as Dave's offers. Less perception of a conflict of interest.

Three times now I have received the "dunning notice" from a company whose product I did not order. As we all fear for our credit rating, I was concerned with the words "you've left us no choice", "official notification", "please be advised that if we do not receive your payment" etc. Last year when I called and challenged them (the toll free number is placed in an odd place at the top, right side of the notice) I was informed that they simply blanket send the magazine to a list that they purchase (mine was from MANTS) and take their chances on who will pay. This year I called and unloaded on the poor customer service rep and told her that it was a shame the company uses 'guerilla marketing tactics' because they have a good website and magazine but will never get me for a customer.

Glad I read the comments here.

I received a "Due Invoice" today with a "thank you for activating your membership in the National Gardening Club" Something that I didn't sign up for. I have ordered some seed catalogs in the last couple of weeks, so, someone there must have 'sold' my information to them.

I couldn't find anyway of contacting them on their website (kind of sneaky)...Thanks to Dave's Garden, I got their phone number. So, today I called to cancel my membership that I didn't sign up for in the first place. And requested they remove me from their mailing list.

We'll see if it actually happens.

I really dislike companies that do business this way.

The sad thing for them is that I might have actually signed up and paid online for a membership if they had done their soliciting honestly.

I first joined a few years ago at the $12 per year rate...although I'm not sure I actually "joined" anything--basically I got a magazine subscription (if I recall 6 issues per year). The welcome package consisted of junk seeds which were and probably still are generic packs of baby's breath, red corn poppies and a wild flower mix. These no name seed packs are sold in bulk as promotional tools to various businesses. I received a cheap metal spade that bent quickly and rusted.

I eventually let the subscription lapse and a few years later I thought about ordering the magazine again and that's when they started trying to bully you into getting the "lifetime" subscription/membership. $200+ for a bi-monthly let's face it, skimpy, magazine?! NO Thanks.

If you are looking for a very valuable gardening resource with something for all levels of gardening experience--spend your hard earned money at Dave's Garden--steer clear of "joining" this subscription peddler masquerading as a gardening club!

This company is a big scam like every body know right now.
The company National Home Gardening Club and Handyman Club of America is the same,with the same owner K. Pope and the same address.
I think,like many members of this blog said,is time to start to stop this scamers.If some of the members of this blog want to make a complain with the BBB or any other entity about this matter,we are ready to sing .
If we said another member is for the reason our English is not precisely good for a letter to the authorities of the government
But we going to support the idea with our sign any time.

I have been a member for several years and have nothing but good things to say. I have never been sent anything that I did not order other than several testing items that I didn't have to pay for. I have received a set of jumbo extra big velcro thingys (real tech term there :) ) to wrap stuff with, 3 gorgeous rose bushes with a retail value of $90 or so; several perennial plants that I can't remember the name of that come up beautifully in my garden each year and something else that I'm forgetting. I do get the mailers every so often asking me to be a life member and maybe one of these days I will but I just toss it in the recycling, its not a big deal. I love getting the magazine each month! I really don't see how anyone can call it a scam, even if all we got was a magazine out of it, it's ONLY $12 a YEAR! A bargain if you ask me AND I got to get all the neat things to test on top of that! They're A OK in my book and I will continue to be a member and enjoy it.

I got a promotion from National Home Gardening Club today and thought it looked too good to be true. The negative and neutral reviews here confirmed this. There is a reason that not a whole lot of joiners got tools to review. They state that they have currently 600,000 + members. Further down the same page, they say that 380,000 members over the years have tested products. Do the math: only about half the members got one tool to test.

Received an application to join NHGC in the mail for $12 per year. Got the bill and the charge was $24 for two years. I said 'NO THANK YOU.' Oh yeah, they included 2 'free' sample-sized (not full sized) packets of seeds with about 10 seeds in each packet. WHOOPEE!! I've never received any 'free' tools or other 'goodies' they promised. Their promo is bunk! I decided to forget the whole thing and wrote CANCEL on the bill. It's 6 months later and I'm still getting letters every few weeks demanding payment on a $24 membership I never agreed to. They are also threatening to report me to a collection agency. WHOOP-TEE-DOO. Go ahead. This 'company' is running a scam and I've told them so. If I get another letter I am reporting them to the State Attorney Generals office for fraud. I think everyone needs to do the same if we are to put a stop to one more con game going around in this country. I'll gladly join with the previous postee to form a class action law suit against this nonsense, and for the harrassment practices they employ. I encourage others to do the same. It's time we all stop rolling over for these scammers. Just say 'NO' to the National Home Gardening Club. You'll be glad you did. Oh yeah, don't be surprised if the few 'positive' responses on this web site were written by the scammers themselves. I seriously doubt there are any real people out there who are 'happy' with the quality of anything they received from this con game.

Received an application to join NHGC in the mail. Ignored it. Then started getting demands for $24 membership. Wrote and told them I wasn't interested in joining NHGC, but have received three more demands for money. The last one threatened me with a collection agency!
I think it's time to put a stop to this practice, and recommend all people that have had negative issues with this company contact their respective attorney general's office. I am in the process of writing to them one more time. If this doesn't work, and I get more threatening letters, I plan to take out a law suite for harassment.
M Clarke

I joined for the free testing of products. I only received the shears to test. Have never been offered anything more to test since. It's been a year now. I DO however get repeated attempts for me to be a life time member! Yeah! RIGHT!!!!!!

Uh, I think I need to go to the mailbox and take my check out of it!! :-)

Thanks for the heads up!

I joined this club a year ago, when we bought our first house with a large yard full of nothing but grass. I have read others postings about how awful this company is, and while I find it distressing, I can honestly say that my experience so far with them has been nothing but positive.

After signing up I did receive some seeds and a set of pruning sheers, which were not of good quality, but worked for light pruning. I did receive a book, with promises of more to come, which, after reviewing, I decided to send back. I have not been bothered with any other books since.

Next I received a LARGE, heavy package, which turned out to be a 40 pound bag of soil supplement (organic compost from a company in Oklahoma). I was unable to use it last year, but used it when I cut some new beds this year and so far it is excellent. I wrote my review and am hoping to receive more products to test.

I have not signed up for the lifetime membership, and I don’t think that I will be (I am a budget gardener, I just bought my first house, that means EVERYTHING is budgeted), but I will continue with the basic membership.

I enjoy the website and have found many helpful and interesting items and articles. I love the magazine. It is basic in its information, but has fun facts and helpful suggestions.

For what I have paid for my basic membership, I am more than satisfied and feel that I have received what I was promised when signing up.

I'd like to thank everyone who posted about this "club." Just today I received my letter to join the life time membership club. I decided to look up some info about them before joining, and I'm soooo glad I did. I originally went looking for info to see if there is anyone who isn't "invited" to be a life time member...because according to the form letter they sent me "[my] name was chosen form thousands of Club Members for an extraordinary distinction. It's a singular privilege--that effectively allows [me] to join a small 'inner circle' of elite gardeners and receive numberous privileges and benefits not available to others..." Yeah, ain't I special?? They picked ME and I better join now before I let this chance slip away...

I joined the regular club a few months ago. Not long after that I received 2 (yes two) of the free gift kits. There was a pair of pruners and a cheap kneeling pad in each kit. I wondered what the heck was going on, this company is so out of it that they can't even keep track of how many free gifts they are sending out. Oh well.

Then another package came. It was the first book. I know I will be billed around $10 for that. There were also some seed packs in the box too. Nothing I was interested in planting though. I think it was a wildflower mix. Not my thing...who knows what's really in it and if it'll be invasive or not. No thanks.

I have written them an e-mail and told them to cancel my account and to quit sending me junk...I'm not interested and I'll never join. If I hear from them again I won't take it lightly. I don't want collection agencies calling me over something I never agree to. If that does happen I'll post it here...and also alert the BBB, my credit card company, the Post Office and anyone else I can think of.

This is a scam and no one should put up with it. They keep doing it because they are making money because people are putting up with it. They aren't getting another penny from me.