ComplaintsforBradenton Herald

• Initial Complaint

  10/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I had a subscription to the Bradenton Herald newspaper. The subscription included Monday thru Sunday hard copy and digital. On June 29, 2022 I accessed the Bradenton Herald app and cancelled the subscription. The only proof I have of my cancelling the subscription is a notation I made on my calendar. The newspaper was delivered to my home through August, 2022. In early September, 2022 I received a bill from the Bradenton Herald in the amount of $131.47. I ignored this request since I felt that I was being charged for a service that I did not request. September 13, 2022 I received a letter from ****** ********** **** a debt collector seeking payment in behalf of the Bradenton Herald in the amount of $131.47. I returned their letter indicating that I disputed the debt but if I had incurred any debt prior to June 29, 2022 I would pay it. The ****** letter indicated that if I contacted them directly regarding a dispute I would receive documentation that I indeed owed the requested amount. I received no documentation. On October 13, 2022 I received another letter from ****** requesting payment for $131.47. As ****** ********** **** nor the Bradenton Herald has provided any documentation that I actually owe them anything I don't feel obliged to pay them anything.

  Business response

  10/27/2022

  We apologize for not stopping the account when requested.   We have cleared the balance owed of $ ****** and also notified ARM Solutions this has been cleared.

  The account registers a zero balance.   

  Customer response

  10/29/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************************

• Initial Complaint

  07/30/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I have emailed the Bradenton Harold a couple of times asking them to stop delivering papers to our address. Sometimes the delivery person leaves more than one newspaper in our driveway. We do not read this newspaper nor do we want any copies of it. They litter our driveway and have not stopped delivering. We do not want any further contact from the Bradenton Harold.

  Business response

  08/08/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/05) */ Our Distribution Manager has followed up with the delivery in this area. Our carrier for the Bradenton Herald is not delivering to this household of XXXXX ***********. The only paper being left in this area is for the Observer, which is a free publication and not delivered by our newspaper carrier. The customer will need to contact the Observer at XXX-XXX-XXXX to stop the deliveries of this publication. Thank you. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/08/05) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) I'm not sure why I was getting this paper then. The lady who lives across the street from us was having the same problem. Sometimes, they would throw 2 newspapers in her driveway. I am certain we were receiving this paper. I hope this will resolve the issue.

• Initial Complaint

  07/23/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  For 9 months I have tried to stop the Bradenton Herald paper delivery with many phone calls to customer service, letters, a registered letter that was returned and many many emails. I have never gotten a response. Often 2 or 3 papers are thrown in our driveway but always at least one. I haven't paid for the paper either. If you can even make contact with someone it will be a miracle. I couldn't get in on my trip to their office. So tired of picking up trash in the driveway. When we are gone it accumulates telling thieves to stop here. Thank goodness for kind neighbors. Although I will be shocked if you succeed, I will be the most grateful Bradenton resident ever!

  Business response

  08/02/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/07/26) */ We apologize for this terrible inconvenience. The account has been stopped and Home Delivery Management will be notified immediately to make sure the delivery will be stopped. Customer has also been added to our Do Not Contact list. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/07/29) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) They are STILL throwing daily papers in my driveway. Consumer Response /* (2000, 9, 2022/08/02) */ Complaint has been resolved. Disregard the notice that I was still receiving papers. Thank you for your help. It is truly a miracle!

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I dispute your claim on behalf the the Bradenton Herald ..... . AGAIN. !!I Your information is incorrect claiming that I RECENTLY cancelled my paper. I have received previous notices from the Bradenton Herald, as well as phone calls, asking me to renew and/or remit payment. To each and every one of them I responded I DID NOT ORDER THE PAPER I DO NOT WANT THE PAPER I WILL NOT PAY FOR THE PAPER You are demanding payment from me for an false order that. ... I never made. UNTIL you can PROVIDE EVIDENCE to me that I did in fact order the paper, I repeat for your benefit. I DID NOT ORDER THE PAPER I DO NOT WANT THE PAPER I WILL NOT PAY FOR THE PAPER

  Business response

  07/12/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/07/12) */ Balance has been cleared of $ 41.59 with *** *********. We have also placed the customer on the Do Not Contact list.

  Business response

  07/12/2022

  Balance has been cleared of $ ***** with ARM Solutions. We have also placed the customer on the Do Not Contact list.

  Customer response

  07/26/2022

  Please see attached additional information received from the consumer.
  See Attachment/File: Additional Information C.pdf

  Customer response

  09/15/2022

   
  Complaint: 17817370
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  see attached 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  09/15/2022

  The delivery contractor was informed, again, to stop delivery on 07/12/22.    Is a paper still being delivered to **************** ?

  Also, the balance that was showing on the account, has already been cleared as of 8/3/22.   There is no balance owed.

  Please let us know if a paper is still being delivered to ******************************;   We will follow up immediately with the Distribution Manager.

   

  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  06/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I signed up for the Herald Tribune with Sunday only delivery to **** ******** ** ******** ** XXXXX for my elderly neighbor ****** ******** The payment in the amount of $45.47 was processed on May 23, 2022. I found out that it was the Bradenton Herald when it was delivered. This is not the paper we wanted. I called to cancel and was told that there are NO cancellation, and I would have to wait until the subscription expired in September 2022. On June 5, 2022, there was another charge to my credit card in the amount of $45.47. I called to find out why I was charge again, considering that I didn't want this paper in the 1st place and told them that I wanted a refund. I'm still waiting for a reply. This is a call center out of the US, and it is hard to understand them. Now I'm constantly getting emails and calls not to cancel my subscription. I would like to get a full refund and for them to stop delivering the paper.

  Business response

  06/23/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/06/14) */ Both payments of $ 45.47 will be refunded back to the customer's credit card. Customer signed up for the Bradenton Herald instead of the Herald Tribune newspaper which is not associated with us. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/06/20) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Per their response they were to refund both charges. They only refunded one the $45.47. Plus they stopped the Sunday delivery of the paper, which is fine never wanted it in the first place. Per their answer still waiting on the other amount to be refunded and I would like the date they are going to do it. Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/06/21) */ We apologize for this error and see there was a 2nd payment of $ 45.47. We will refund this amount back to the customer also. Consumer Response /* (2000, 11, 2022/06/21) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

• Initial Complaint

  05/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Bradenton Herald account $ ************. Past due invoice for $101.19. For address specified in this complaint. In December 2021 I received a 'FINAL NOTICE' from the Bradenton Herald concerning my newspaper subscription effective December 19, 2021. I no longer wanted the newspaper and thought they would stop delivering it as they have always done in the past when I wanted to cancel. On January 3, 2022 I called to notify them to stop delivery as I no longer wanted the paper. I know the date as I was departing on a 5 week trip the next day. Approximately 2 weeks after that I received an email from my neighbor letting me know I was still receiving the paper, I then sent the Herald an email, which they acknowledged and apologized and confirmed. When I returned on Feb 9th, for 2 days before departing again I discovered I was still receiving the paper. When a subscription expires, it expires. In March I started receiving invoices retro to December 19, 2022 for a subscription I didn't want and didn't renew, and tried to cancel numerous times billing me $101.19. I called to dispute this invoice and offered to pay for the paper between December 19, 2021 - January 3, 2022 for the amount of $19.40, but they declined and insisted I pay the full balance. They have now sent this for collection to A.R.M Solutions. I will send a copy of this submission to A.R.M. whose collection letter is attached.

  Business response

  06/06/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/05/31) */ We apologize for this oversight. The balance of $ 101.19 was cleared on 5/2/22 with Bradenton Herald. We notified ARM Solutions to clear this balance also as of today, 5/31/22. Please disregard any notices dated prior to 5/31/22. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/06/01) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) Thank you very much for your satisfactory solution.

• Initial Complaint

  04/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I have tried numerous times to cancel my subscription, however customer service is a call center out of the country who stick to a script, try to get you to not cancel, then say your subscription has been cancelled yet the paper still arrives every sunday for months and you get calls 2-3 times a day asking for payment for a Sunday subscription I have not wanted since my very first purchase.

  Business response

  04/14/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/04/05) */ This account has been stopped immediately. Account has been closed. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/04/07) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) Since they response I have still been getting calls and harassed up to 4 times a day from a ************* displaying "Herald" (see attached), which when answered has a short delay until someone in an outsourced call center picks up and asks to speak to me. I have since had to block this number and have never in my life heard of a newspaper you can't cancel or stop from calling. I would like to be contacted from a manager based here in Bradenton and have this account cancelled and all charges that were not approved to stop immediately Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/04/11) */ We apologize for this inconvenience. We will process the refund of $ 29.80. The customer has been placed on the Do Not Call list. Consumer Response /* (2000, 11, 2022/04/12) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) Calls have ceased as of Sunday, 04/10, and money has been refunded as of 04/11.

• Initial Complaint

  02/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On 2/15 I received my Discover credit card statement which I reviewed this morning and which card is used to pay for my annual subscription. Much to my chagrin, I noticed a charge by the Bradenton Herald for an annual subscription of $418.99. . An increase from $239.26 last year or a 75% increase. I did not receive any type of correspondence in January 2022 which would have informed me of this increase and allowed me to address this matter before today and before the charge was put through on my Discover card. Now, I realize that inflation is a real problem and you have costs to cover, but a 75% increase? I called the CSR number and told your representative, Stephanie, that the increase was not acceptable and I wanted to cancel home delivery of the Wednesday and Sunday paper. I would retain the digital account and was informed that the annual fee would be $100.71. As my credit card was charged $418.99, I requested that the charge be removed from Discover and a charge for the new fee of $100.71 be processed. I was told that this type transaction could not be processed. I was told that the $418.99 charge would remain and the annual digital fee would be amortized over 4+ years. I was incredulous. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that none was available. At 9:29 2/16, I placed a call to Mr. Bob M at ************, whose name I found by searching the BH website. I was unaware that he is a Miami Herald employee, but left a message with the above information, requesting a callback. Spoke to Gia at the MH customer service number and was told that no credit card refund could be processed and that I would have to pay $418.99. Today, 2/17 I spoke with Gia, a CSR at the MH and she affirmed that a credit would not be processed against my credit card. I would like a refund of the $418.99 and have them charge my Discover card for $100.71, an annual fee for digital access only.

  Business response

  02/18/2022

  We apoologize for this inconvenience. **************************** subscription has now been changed to digital access only. We will refund the difference of $ ****** back to his Discover Card. Thank you.

  Customer response

  02/18/2022

  (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
  My credit is supposed to appear in 3-5 days according to *****, the *** I spoke to. I was going to wait until the credit appeared on my cc before I responded, but am ok with closing this complaint. Not sure why they couldn't do this from the start. Not very smart business, but, in my opinion, that's the ********** Group.
  Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. Very muchy appreciatedc.

  Business response

  02/23/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/02/18) */ We apoologize for this inconvenience. Mr. **********'s subscription has now been changed to digital access only. We will refund the difference of $ 318.28 back to his Discover Card. Thank you. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/02/18) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) My credit is supposed to appear in 3-5 days according to Nancy, the CSR I spoke to. I was going to wait until the credit appeared on my cc before I responded, but am ok with closing this complaint. Not sure why they couldn't do this from the start. Not very smart business, but, in my opinion, that's the ********** Group. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. Very muchy appreciatedc.

  Customer response

  11/23/2022

  In February 2022 I renewed my subscription for the digital product. On November 3, I was charged $155.99 on Discover. On November 5, I spoke with ***** and was told that the Feb. payment was only for 200 days. An accurate count reflects 269 days since the last charge. I told her to cancel my subscription and credit my Discover for $155.99. On November 17, I called again, ************, and spoke to ****** and explained my problem telling him I wanted to cancel my digital subscription and credit my CC for $155;.99. Put on hold for about 10 minutes. He came back and told me that they would refund the charge and that I would have digital access until Feb. 2023. I asked him to repeat his statement that I would have digital access until Feb 2023 and the November CC charge would be removed. He confirmed that statement. No credit has been received. And isn't it ironic that I just received a text from a neighbor down the street that they had their digital account renewed for $49.99 for a year and here they are trying to charge me $155.99 to renew my digital account. They are nothing but scam artists for what I consider to be an inferior product. Please assist in getting my subscription canceled and my a refund processed to my CC. Would also appreciate a response from the business why there is such a price difference between me and my neighbor. Also attaching an email from my February dispute for which I filed a complaint with your office.Thanks. *******************************

  Business response

  11/23/2022

  We apologize for your refund of $ ****** not being processed when you requested.

  We have escalated to our ****************** to process $ ****** refunded back to your Discover card.

  You will still have digital access until 2/15/23.

  In regards to sale prices, we offer 1 time discounts to new subscribers only.

   

  Thank you,

   

   

   

   

  Customer response

  11/23/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

  Customer response

  03/21/2023

  This is a new complaint, however, please reference my complaint #********. On 2/13/23, I renewed my Bradenton Herald subscription on my Amex card for $155.99. Received an email from ** confirming transaction. My November complaint which was resolved stated I would have access to the ** till 2/15/23. Yesterday, 3/19/23 and this morning I could not access the digital ** product. Called the ************ number and explained my problem. I was given a run around that my AMEX had been charged, which it was on 2/13 and some nonsense about a refund. I have no clue what is going on. I paid for a year subscription on 2/13/23 and wish to have that honored until 2/15/24. In addition, I would like days added to my subscription expiration date of 2/15 to account for the days I have been locked out of the digital app. As of today, that is 2 days. This is now the 3d complaint I have filed with BBB going back to 2022 with the **.

  Resolution: Delivery

  Business response

  04/03/2023

  The digital account was corrected on 3/23/23 and the expiration date has been extended to 5/21/24.

   

   

  Customer response

  04/03/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

• Initial Complaint

  11/03/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I subscribed to the paper for a 13 wk period for a online deal I had seen. After my 13 weeks and several attempts to start the delivery, I called and canceled my subscription so it would not renew automatically. I then started to receive mail/bills suggesting I should renew and that I still owed the company $33 from my previous subscription that was overdue. I had previous paid upfront online for the 13 wks and had found the reciept from it online. I called the paper back in Sept 2021 to explain I didn't owe overdue fees for subscription and they said this would be resolved and my account balance zeroed out. I then received two more subsequent letters from a collection agency authorized by them that had my info and the $33 bill saying this was overdue and to pay immediately to the collection agency it had been turned over to. I called back again today (Nov 3 2021) and reported the collection mail again and they said my account was closed but the collection agency was never notified of the zero balance. Customer service said that they would now be notified via note to stop mailing but I question if this has resolved the issue completely.

  Business response

  11/22/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/11/04) */ The account has been cleared and ARM Solutions has also been notified to clear the balance owed.

• Initial Complaint

  09/21/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I used airline miles to get the Bradenton Herald on Sundays for a few weeks. I never agreed to a subscription nor agreed to pay to receive the Bradenton Herald for money at all. I kept getting calls to continue to receive this paper and told every caller clearly that I did not want to continue to receive it. Now I received a "final notice" bill for $27.82. This is completely unacceptable and fraudulent and I can see that another consumer filed the same type of complaint recently against the Bradenton Herald through bbb.org. I will take you to court if you don't immediately correct your records to show that I am not subscribed and don't owe any money! I have used airline miles in the past to receive other magazines and this has never been an issue. You should be ashamed of yourself for portraying yourself as a serious news source and then trying to defraud readers! Account number on the fraudulent bill is ************.

  Business response

  09/29/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/09/22) */ The balance of $ 27.82 has been cleared. Customer needs to disregard any notices dated prior to 09/22/21. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2021/09/23) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩