Their on line subscriptions are a rip off. You sign up on line, but can't cancel on line. They automatically charge your account and to cancel you have to catch them in the abbreviated business hours on central time. When looking up a recipe, the direct you to their other websites, and then tell you that you need to upgrade your membership to access them. I signed up for the free trial. In order to do so you have to give them your credit card, which is fair & reasonable. However, since I had not used the site during my free trial, I went on line to cancel. But I couldn't; I had to call. But it was Saturday, so no answer; need to call Monday. However, Sunday they charged my card. I thought that was dishonest on the face of it, but thought I'd give it a try anyway, so I didn't cancel. Three weeks later, I searched for a recipe, selected the only match in the list to my request, & was told to access it, I needed to upgrade my membership! This outfit has good tv shows, but their corporate management is poor. It's as though they are nickel & dining you at every turn. To cancel yr membership, call (800) 611-0760 before 4:00PM central time. Good luck. read more

Other reviewers are right! I REALLY tried to give Julia and Bridget a chance because I know they're nice people BUT they just don't have it. They are so fake. They try too hard. The one that isn't cooking the recipe pretends she is surprised with either the ingredients or the method of cooking. Instead of saying something like, ..."as everyone at home I'm sure knows by now, you add a pinch of salt." She will say, ..."why do you add salt?" With this puzzled look on her face like she has no idea. I mean come on. Also, the "jokes" and the perky script are cringe worthy. Stop already. I tried but I can't watch it anymore. read more

It is near impossible to cancel their online membership. You can't do it online. They just continue to charge your credit card every year. So I tried to call them per their website instructions but they don't answer the phone. I've used their "EMAIL US" option but nobody has responded. Canceling your credit card may be the only option to avoid continued charges. I will NEVER use their services again. I've so upset with their customer service that I've stopped watching their shows. read more

I hate that they show you recipes and force you to subscribe. I love their show, but hate that you can't get recipes. Can't compete with food network about that read more

CAUTION.....CAREFUL giving this company your info or signing up for anything. You WILL be billed and get lots of email spam

REALLY disappointed that ATK decided to stop offering dvds of each season. I have all of them so far, and would probably have kept up with them, but now that they've stopped AND since the quality of the show has declined so much without Christopher Kimball, it might be time to move on and find a new fave.... it really was SO much better before.... sad to see it dwindle. read more

Without Chris Kimball.. The show is an absolute disaster. The Two over weight former presenters on Test Kitchen seems over whelmed and down right Goofy.. I loved Bridget Lancaster now in partnership with the grand daughter of the German who loved Kale Seems like the most disastrous food show on TV. The show needs immediate improvement and sooner the better. Thank God for Martha Stewart who follows on PBS in chicago. read more

I hate to be dishing out low score reviews, but if there was any establishment that deserves a low score, America's Test Kitchen should be on top of your list. I ordered their book America's Test Kitchen Complete 2001-2015. I was not pleased with this book and have attempted to return it. I called numerous times only to get a recording asking me to leave my name and phone number. I also E-mailed them three times. None of my calls or E-mails have been answered yet. I am not sure how I can resolve this case amiably other to go to the next step and that is to dispute the charge with my bank. Very poor Customer Service from such a nationally known company. Shame on you America's Test Kitchen.!!! I will never order anything from them neither should you. read more

I used to like this show and Cook's Country to some degree until Chris got pushed off the show. Now it is too scripted and contrived. At least when Chris was there, for good or bad, it felt spontaneous. The sad part is that Julia and Bridget used to be great in their roles as the recipe presenters. As hosts, they are terrible and just plain goofy together. The new presenters that have come to the show in the last 2 years come off more like kindergarten teachers than professional cooks. There is an overall silliness that just doesn't come of as funny. The other thing that has always bugged me is how they bastardize regional recipes. They go out and find regional recipes like Brunswick stew, Korean bibimbap or Cincinnati chili and several regional variations. Then they proceed to make a "better" version that doesn't resemble any of them. Or they make a less spicy version of a traditionally spicy dish like pasta with arrabiatta sauce or fra diavolo. If you don't like spicy food, make something else, don't dumb it down. They have no respect for tradition. The same goes for their past review of country ham. They chose a "city" ham as the winner over true "country" hams because of its lack of saltiness. They obviously don't know how to cook or use a true country ham. It is supposed to be salty and you don't eat big chunks of it. You slice it thin and serve it on biscuits or rolls. Regional favorite recipes should be respected "as is", not "improved" to suit the taste of someone who didn't grow up eating them. Once again, if you don't like the original, make something else. The one place that they sometimes shine is taking a complicated restaurant recipe that uses obscure ingredients and making it more accessible to home cooks by developing substitute ingredients. I don't have an issue with this as long as they admit that the end result is not authentic or better, but just an easier way to get something close to the original. I do like the teaching aspect of the show, but teach recipes the way they should be done if you are going to imply in any way that they are authentic. If not, say right up front that the recipe is not authentic and why and how it has been modified. As the show stands, they regularly teach mediocrity and inauthenticity without explaining the way things should be done. read more

BAD!!!! DO NOT use the free trial subscription. Canceled after having to phone and be on hold for a very LONG time, and it still charged $49.95 to my card and it is HELL to try and get it back. Had to file a report with the Better Business Bureau after many calls and rude customer service. Do not use any of the services connected to the Boston Common Press LTD. read more

I needed to write this review because of the difficulty everyone has had regarding cancellation. I almost had a stroke when I realized that I could not cancel my web subscription on-line. I sent numerous e-mails that remained unanswered. Before my last resort, which was to block the charge on my credit card, I decided to try and call them just once. I did not use the main number but the one specifically listed under the explanation of how to cancel. My call was answered on the second ring, the cancellation process completed in approximately two minutes, a confirming e-mail was sent immediately, and the operator was pleasant. Does this redeem them? Absolutely not. But maybe this process has improved. read more

I signed up for the online culinary school videos. During the trial I realize I did not want to continue because I really didn't utilize it. When I tried to cancel I received a message "stay on for $9.95 a month. " I continued with the subscription. Within the first month I see a charge on my credit card of $19.95. I called to see what that reflected and it was for the online culinary school. The representative said the charge was increased to $19.95 a month. I was flabbergasted and literally wanted to say WTF!!! My response was "cancel my subscription as I never received a notice about the increase, nor was I called, nor did I agree to $19.95 a month." So I canceled all of my subscriptions. The representative never apologized or didn't even try to keep me on for the agreed-upon price or anything lower than what they were arbitrarily charging me. Be careful these people will rob you blind! I would give them less than one star if I could. read more

I wish I had thought to Yelp ATK before buying an expensive but worthless coffee maker based on their "winning recommendation." It was a short term deal at Christmas and I honestly didn't read carefully enough to know it could not be returned, but even if I had, I still probably would have purchased it because of their stellar recommendation. (And it was the same price and returnable from Williams Sonoma. Dang.) I emailed to see if they stand behind their recommendations (like Good Housekeeping, etc.) and no. No they don't. He offered me a free 6 month subscription or a book. More media from an unreliable resource who's winning recommendations are worthless because they don't stand behind them for the consumers who spend money based on them? No thank you. read more

My rating is 0. The recipes may be good, but the business model is unscrupulous. When you sign up, the price is quoted by the month, but when I received my credit card bill, I was charged for the entire year. When I called to cancel, I was told that the company's policy was that I had to pay for the entire year and that my membership would be cancelled then. Whenever I tried to access a recipe, I was urged to upgrade my membership. Even when I was trying to access a previously downloaded recipe, I could not get beyond this screen. DON'T SIGN UP!!!! read more

All of the complaints on Yelp concern America's Test Kitchen's rapacious business practices. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE. But the other Yelpers have well-discussed this fact. I will lodge a different (and I think well-deserved) complaint: the vast majority of their recipes are astonishingly unhealthy. The show focuses on flavor and texture, and does a good job of that - but, in my view, that's the easy part of cooking. The hard part of cooking for a family day-in and day-out is getting flavor and texture right, but also not serving up a lifetime of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease. America's Test Kitchen is pretentious, and bloviating with an undeserved air of superiority and yet fails to understand the most basic principles of healthy food and healthy eating. Yuck! read more

I cancelled my online account in Nov and still getting charged through Feb. Yes I called the numbers because somehow.... you can signup online but MUST call to cancel. Bad and dishonest business. Snakey tactics. read more

As other people have mentioned before me, membership only allows someone to access about 1/4 of the website/recipes. I'm currently on hold on the phone right now to cancel my membership, since it's not accessable online to do so. I've been waiting on hold for over 20 minutes already. read more

I love learning the other side of cooking. From the science behind why meat should sit 15 minutes after cooking to tried and tested kitchen products. America's Test Kitchen is a valuable resource that I am extremely grateful for. Thanks ATK! read more

As much as I love their TV show, I wish I could say the same about their online services and bookstore. I purchased two of their cookbooks off their website, and they shipped two completely different books. When I eventually got the books I ordered, one of which was their Cooking School Cookbook, it was supposed to come with a three-month free trial, but instead they started charging me immediately. I signed up following all the appropriate instructions in order to get the free trial, and I was still charged. I've had issues with them in the past where I would see random charges from them on my bank statement, with no way to trace online why I was charged (i.e. they don't send you an email saying they are going to charge you, and there is no accounting for it on their website). I love their recipes, but I will no longer subscribe to any of their services online. I'll stick to referring to paper copies of their cookbooks. read more

Don't give them your e-mail address. They're spammers. I subscribed to the print magazine and they sent me e-mails. I asked them to stop. And I asked them to stop. And I asked them to stop a third time and I cancelled my subscription and got my money back for the unsent issues. The e-mails stopped for a year, and now they're starting again. I have clicked on their unsubscribe link but I doubt it will do any good. They just don't respect their customers', and former customers', wishes. read more

Horrible and unethical. They make it super easy for you to subscribe, but a nightmare for you to unsubscribe. They force you to call them to do that. When I called, the offices were closed. I'll try to call again, hopefully I'll be able to cancel. Otherwise, I'm gonna report them to my credit card provider and request a charge back. read more

So they make it easy to sign up online for web access, but they keep your credit card information, and if you decide not to renew after a year, you have to call them to cancel, you cannot cancel online, you can't remove your credit card information. And of course they are only available during normal business hours on weekdays, not on the weekend. Really unethical business practices. read more

I subscribed to them for one year and they was going to automatically charge me $39 for a renewal of my subscription. I do not do business with someone that automatically charges my credit card. I searched for one hour on line to cancel my subscription and could not find out how to do it. I called and was on hold for 37 minutes & they told me the only way to cancel was to call them. I have never heard of this before. Plus, I was very limited to get recipes with their on line subscription. The recipes that I wanted I could not get unless I upgraded and paid more for the privilege. I always like to pass these scams to other people so they don't get screwed. read more

I USED to think that this was a awesome show. But then I Discovered how to cook. Since I am not a fan anymore I figured that I Would give some perspective here. I don't think that people who are excellent cooks like myself would find much value in the show, My feeling is that when I knew zero about cooking it was a fab. show to watch. But It really never encouraged me to actually follow what they do and that is cook or show people how to cook. I wish I COULD give 5 stars but I just don't have it in me. a-ok for effort read more

I finally got reimbursed from ATK after I notified the MA Attorney General's Consumer Complaints division, which was effective and prompt. Either call the Consumer Hotline at 617-727-8400, or submit the AG's Consumer Complaint Form online at: https://www.eform.ago.state.ma.us/ago_eforms/forms/piac_ecomplaint.action Did anyone ever get relief by responding to Rebecca after she responded to some of the old Yelp complaints on 9/25/15? Or were her notes just another part of the ATK scam? read more

Tricky advertising. Offer free recipes and then trap you into joining for a fee. Don't be fooled. Stay away from this webpage and avoid the "free" recipe pitch. read more

After gifting subscriptions for both my spouse and my elderly parents, both have started to receive numerous unsolicited products from the America's Test Kitchen folks. A book will arrive in the mail along with instructions, "keep this and we'll charge your credit card on file, otherwise purchase a UPS approved box, package it back up, fill out a return form, affix the form to the box, and return via the post office." It is a shame that a company associated with public television (and no doubt receiving some federal subsidies) would engage in such overtly crooked business techniques. I'm sorry I ever gave them my address. read more

Should have checked YELP! before dealing with these people. Ordered 3 books 12/9, was charged for them 12/12, and here it is 1/5 and I still don't have them! Not only do I not have them, but they refuse to provide me with a tracking number for the re-shipped books. Their phone customer service is terrible. To even log on to their bookstore, you need a customer number which they do not provide on the invoice -- you have to call their terrible customer support number to ask them what your customer number is! NEVER AGAIN read more

Bad customer service. Bad website. I'm trying and trying to get a refund for my all-site access that I could never access. Christopher Kimball left this organization, because the investors wanted new management to increase already healthy profits. Who suffers? The customer. We aren't dealing with cooks. We're dealing with greed. read more

When you have to cancel an online service by phone - you lost me! Love the show, but their business structure sucks!

I ordered the complete 21 season cook book. I noticed that the address was incorrect on the confirmation email. I emailed customer service and they said the address was corrected. When they sent an update later the address was wrong again. Another email with customer service and the said the address had been corrected. Next they send an email saying the book was shipped and again the wrong address was on the shipment. Now I call customer service and they say they will be sending the book to me at the correct address. This book never arrives so I call again and the operator says that the book would arrive the next day. That day goes by and no book. The next day I call customer service and they said it had arrived at their distribution facility. Further books would no be available until the end of May. I have canceled the order and they say they will refund the money and send me a book when they are available. I will be surprised to if any of these actions are taken. What a shame, great show and great cooks and books. Should sell directly with amazon so their products arrive as scheduled. Obviously, customer service is not in their wheelhouse. read more

Great products - lousy corporate policies. No refunds once charged even if you don't use the online service unless you contact them within 48 hrs. read more

Can't stand this show. The presenters (whose names I forget) drive me nuts. I've stopped watching it. I wish WNED would drop the show, and replace it with a real cook, people like Lidia Bastianich and Maryann Esposito. And yes, charging for all these recipes, when you can find thousands of great recipes online, is such a ripoff! read more

Fraud charge on my credit card. Unable to cancel online. The website says you need to call for cancellation. malpractice

Beware of the "free trial." I found it to be nearly impossible to cancel. In my case, I couldn't cancel online and was required to call an 800 number. That number was about three or four minutes of advertising and then the line went dead. I called another number listed under "contact us" and the announced wait time was 15 minutes. I waited until the hold music stopped playing. Awful experience. read more

Biggest scam ever! I signed up for the FREE trial, and tried to cancel after I noticed I continued being charged. I continue to be charged even after calling to cancel. Just called to cancel AGAIN...I'll see if I am charged again. I loved America's Test Kitchen, but I will never purchase anything related to this scamming company, watch the show again, or use any of their recipes. read more

The website is a total rip off and when i called to cancel (which they force you to do because they are trying to capture the "free trial" to yearly sub people unknowingly) they would not refund even a portion of my money so i paid $35 for nothing. the website is not user friendly and recipes are not simple. I really hate companies that will not treat you like a customer, just want your money. Well, they wont get any more of mine ever again. read more

Took them 8 days to follow through on their promise to re-ship the order immediately. Pathetic customer service.

I, too, have found America's Test Kitchen to engage in deceitful business practices. I visited their website at Thanksgiving in the hopes of locating a recipe for a dish I saw prepared on one of their shows that aired on PBS. I registered for access to the site, providing my mailing and e-mail address. As it turns out, I wasn't able to locate the recipe, so logged off the site and thought nothing of it. Now I have received a copy of a Cook's Illustrated magazine and a bill in the amount of 24.95 for a year's subscription. I did not order this magazine. In fact, while on the website, I was careful not to request any materials, including the free newsletter. I have returned the magazine and invoice and intend to lodge complaints with PBS, the Better Business Bureau, and other consumer protection agencies. I am truly disappointed that PBS would air America's Test Kitchen. Even though it's a good program, it is clearly aligned with unethical business practices. read more

Like other reviews.... I thought I canceled my subscription only to have it charge. After waiting on hold multiple times, their phone system would drop my calls. I emailed them with no reply. Finally got through today and they won't roll it back even though I haven't used it and tried to cancel. read more