ComplaintsforChicago Tribune

Newspaper

View Business profile

Need to file a complaint?

BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.

File a Complaint

Initial Complaint
07/26/2024
Complaint Type:
Billing Issues
Status:
Answered
The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
I got charged ***** for a CHICAGO TRIBUNE subscription on June 27, 2024 I never ordered this as my card has been compromised and I have been a recent victim of identity theft as well I've tried getting my money refunded from my VARO BANK debit card. ********* said CHICAGO TRIBUNE is okay one to refund this fraudulent payment they took! Iam disabled and on fixed income I never authorized this charge and have never used this subscription!
Business response
08/02/2024
August 2, 2024
Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or misunderstanding associated with your former Chicago Tribune digital subscription.
The information you provided within this BBB Complaint and your digital account is being reviewed. Your feedback regarding your customer experience is acknowledged and proper course of action will be taken, if needed. After reviewing your subscription, it seems that you did dispute the credit card charge of which $19.96 was return back to your credit card. This charge back prompted the account to have a negative balance associated with email address ************************. Due to your feedback, and in the interest of fairness, I have processed a credit adjustment in the amount of $43.25 for any remaining outstanding balance due for digital services rendered therefore please disregard any prior bill statements you may have received associated with this digital account which started using our online services on November 27, 2023.

Please do not hesitate to contact our *************************** at ************ for any other concerns or need additional assistance and reference Account *********.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center
Initial Complaint
07/25/2024
Complaint Type:
Sales and Advertising Issues
Status:
Answered
The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
A few years ago I filed a complaint to stop delivery of the Chicago Tribune's "Inside Shopper" since I contacted them both via phone and email ***************************************** and ************) and my requests were being ignored. They were not handling this after months of contacting them directly. Yesterday the published paper ended up on my driveway again and I would like to come back and resolve this with you again since they ignored my requests last time and this is where things were resolved.
Business response
08/07/2024
August 7, 2024

Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or frustration you have experienced due to the free deliveries associated with the Chicago Tribune.

Your feedback is acknowledged and proper course of action will be taken, if needed. After researching this concern, there are no active accounts associated with your delivery address. The request to have the free deliveries stopped has once again been escalated to the local Distributor has been notified of the information you have provided and ongoing request. Thank you for your patience and understanding as this is being reviewed for assistance. Your delivery address has been designated as "Do Not Deliver" in our system due to your request.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused and if you have any further issues, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune ***************************** at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center
Initial Complaint
07/22/2024
Complaint Type:
Delivery Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
I subscribe to Wednesday and Sunday delivery.I have not received either on 7/17 or 7/21.When I called the robot said I would receive the paper within 24 hours.I have received nothing.Ever since they switched printing, thru simple greed, there have been delivery problems. Example - sports scores from 2 days previous.Subscription expires on 8/13. I already received a notice to re subscribe. I guess they do not have a problem getting that delivered.It will be a cold day in H--- when I re subscribe.
Business response
08/05/2024

August 5, 2024

Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or frustration associated with your Wednesday and Sunday Chicago Tribune home delivery and digital subscription.

The information you provided within this BBB Complaint and your home delivery account is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed. Please be advised there were Production issues associated with the Storm during the week of delivery service you discussed causing delivery delays in the area at this time therefore your deliveries could have been missed or received after standard delivery times. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we worked towards a resolution to the delivery concerns in your local delivery area. As there were no missed delivery complaints processed with ***************** I processed a credit adjustment for the two missed deliveries and adjusted the account further of which extended your paid thru date 2 weeks until December 3, 2024. Also, I tried to contact you directly but was unable to process the call as it was not accepted at time of call. Thank you for your most recent payment which was processed on July 30, 2024. Please be advised all subscriptions are continuous unless you contact Chicago Tribune so deliveries will continue unless notified. For more details and to view the Complete Subscriber Terms and Conditions please go to www.tribpub.com/tc.
Should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our *************************** at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center

Customer response
08/08/2024

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
07/17/2024
Complaint Type:
Sales and Advertising Issues
Status:
Answered
The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
Please take me off your email list. I'm not going to hit "unsubscribe" since those links can be used for password phishing.
Business response
08/01/2024

August 1, 2024

Our sincere apologies regarding any misunderstanding or inconvenience associated with the Chicago Tribune.

After reviewing the information you included in this BBB Complaint, your email address ****************************** was reviewed and not found associated with any current or former subscription. Your feedback is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed. Your email address has been designated as "Do Not Email" and unsubscribed from any further newsletters as well as escalated to our Privacy Team for assistance.

If you need any further assistance regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact our *************************** at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive *****************
Customer response
08/09/2024

Complaint: 22005337

I am rejecting this response because:

Please reopen this complaint and **** it "Not resolved" as the company continues to ******* me with unwanted emails.

Sincerely,

***************
Business response
08/09/2024
August 9, 2024
Once again, sincere apologies regarding any misunderstanding or inconvenience associated with the Chicago Tribune.

After reviewing the information you included in this BBB Complaint, your email address ****************************** was reviewed and not found associated with any current or former subscription. Can you confirm what kind of emails and which email address you are receiving these emails to as your email address in not in our system? Your feedback is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed. Your email address ****************************** has been designated as "Do Not Email" and unsubscribed from any further newsletters as well as escalated to our Privacy Team for assistance. **************** will be following up with you within the next 7-10 business days to provide further assistance and to obtain this information I have referenced to further troubleshoot this request.

If you need any further assistance regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact our **************** Department at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center
Initial Complaint
07/12/2024
Complaint Type:
Product Issues
Status:
Answered
The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
This report is to investigate the Chicago Tribune digital subscription & billing practices. I subscribed to the online access during their trial period and at the end desired to cancel the subscription. I logged into my acct settings and there is no way to alter or change subscription preferences. The credit card information is not in the settings so there is no way to delete the card on file. There is also no option "to cancel". The only option the Tribune gives is to call their offshore call center ********** which I did. The call center rep advised I could get 4 more for $6.50 if i did not cancel. I agreed. The next day I got a notice I was billed for 6.50 for 3 weeks NOT four month as I was advised was the promotion...... I wrote an email to customer service requesting a cancellation and refund due to the bait & switch & wrong information stated on recorded line by their offshore ********* Tribune should allow their subscribers to be able to manage their accts online in the account settings feature vs forcing to call their offshore customer service center. Also withholding key information about billing/card that is being billed, rates, upcoming cycles and more importantly feature to cancel seems like shady business practices causing consumers to spend an inordinate *** of time changing their preferences. My situation remains unresolved with two outreaches via email to their customer service. There is also no way to file a online complaint with the newspaper to nofity them of this highly irritating issue with their business. All businesses should provide an avenue to receive customer complaints directly. Because I cant manage my account online and unwilling to call back their offshore customer service circus, my issue remains unsolved after much time spent on this. I do not do business with entities that make billing/cancelling a herculean effort. i have no way to cancel my subscription preferenc Email is *********************
Business response
07/26/2024

July 26, 2024

Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or frustration associated with your Chicago Tribune digital subscription. Thank you for continuing to be a valued subscriber.

Your feedback s acknowledged and information you provided within this BBB Complaint and your digital account is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed. **************** was in contact with you this week and provided assistance to this matter. Your account was applied the discussed promotional offer and will be cancelled after the 6 months effective the paid thru date. For more details and to view the Complete Subscriber Terms and Conditions please go to www.tribpub.com/tc.

Should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our **************** Department at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center
Initial Complaint
07/03/2024
Complaint Type:
Delivery Issues
Status:
Answered
The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
For the past two months, I have called and emailed the Chicago Tribune to ask them to stop delivering their circular, "Inside Shopper," to our condo building's four addresses. Every time they tell me delivery will cease in 2-3 weeks, but it has been over 2 months and delivery is ongoing. I send them weekly emails after every delivery asking them to stop; they say they will expedite my request and stop delivery; every week, the free circular that junks up our courtyard because no one wants it returns.
Business response
07/17/2024
July 17, 2024

Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or frustration you have experienced due to the free deliveries associated with the Chicago Tribune.

Your feedback is acknowledged and proper course of action will be taken, if needed. The request to have the free deliveries stopped has been processed in our system therefore the the local Distributor has been notified of the information you have provided and ongoing stop requests. After researching this concern, there are no active accounts associated with the delivery addresses located at **********************, **********************, ******************************** and *************************************** Thank you for your patience and understanding as this is being reviewed for assistance.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused and if you have any further issues, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune ***************************** at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center
Customer response
07/17/2024

Complaint: 21937778

I am rejecting this response because: we are still getting deliveries of Inside Shopper every Wednesday morning. In fact, when I left my building today to go to work, there were three fresh ones sitting in our courtyard.
While the Tribune may not have a record of us, their distributor still does. Maybe I have to start filing complaints with the distributor, if you can give me their name.
As long as we continue to receive 3 Inside Shoppers a week, I will continue to complain.

Sincerely,

*********************************
Business response
07/24/2024
July 24, 2024
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience or frustration you have experienced due to the free deliveries associated with the Chicago Tribune.

Your feedback is acknowledged for any recent Inside Shopper deliveries and proper course of action will be taken. The request to have the free deliveries stopped has been further processed in our system therefore the the local Distributor has been notified of the information you have provided and ongoing stop requests. After researching this concern, there are no active accounts associated with the delivery addresses located at **********************, **********************, ******************************** and *************************************** Thank you once again for your patience and understanding as this is being reviewed for assistance.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused and if you have any further issues, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center
Initial Complaint
06/26/2024
Complaint Type:
Billing Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
I was living in **********, ** last year and subscribed to the Chicago Tribune e-version/online. I moved in February and wanted to cancel my subscription. There was no way to do it online. I was continually sent into a backwards loop. So, I called the customer service line. I was asked for an account number, which I did not have, and their automated system didn't recognize my email - although their system had emailed to me. (No account number on any emails though.) I finally reached someone and was told my subscription was canceled. But then I continued to be charged. So, I called again - went through the same annoying problem because I didn't have an email or account number. Finally reached someone again. They said, oh, you must have had two different accounts. I said, well that's weird, but ok, please make sure everything is cancelled. They said everything was cancelled and I wouldn't be charged again. But I was. I called again. They said it looked like everything was cancelled. Then I received an email stating I was due a refund and could they please have my mailing address to send a check. I sent it. In the meantime I was charged again. I continued to use the email thread they had sent to me about the refund. Now they said I had a refund of ***** and it was refunded to a card with the last four number that I did not recognize. I emailed again saying that was not my card number. I went back and forth a couple of times with them, and finally stated I was going to file a complaint with the BBB. Yesterday, I received a check for $4.95. Honestly, their practices are predatory in that it makes it extremely difficult to communicate with them and VERY difficult to cancel. The people they have answering the phones are difficult to understand and they don't seem to be able to work outside a set of specific circumstances. At this point, I'd love to have a full refund from whatever 2 accounts I had.
Business response
07/09/2024
July 9, 2024

Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or misunderstanding associated with your Chicago Tribune digital subscription(s).

The information you provided within this BBB Complaint and your digital accounts are being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Please be advised that multiple accounts are not uncommon for digital subscriptions as we have Schools, Libraries and ******************* using several accounts and managed by one person. Each account would need their email address formally activated to each subscription in order to have digital access.
After reviewing Account *********, it seems **************** did provide assistance with processing a refund of the remaining monies reflected as this refund was discretionary associated with our no refund policy. This refund check was processed as initially this payment declined but due to your feedback a second refund in the amount of the difference of the last payment in the amount of $15.68 was applied back to the credit card on June 25, 2024. This second refund would equate to the full amount payment processed on June 11, 2024.
Also, **************** has been contacting you directly by email to assist further to any of your digital or billing concerns so please respond back if any additional assistance is needed. ****************** was in contact with you to provide assistance and you can contact us at anytime to assist with your **************** needs online at ***************************************************** or by calling directly at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center

Customer response
07/09/2024

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 because it's not worth continuing. I find their communications reflect a misunderstanding and continue to apply a cookie cutter response rather than try to resolve the problem I actually had, but I think at this point there is nothing further to do. Likely their communications and response center practices will not change.

Sincerely,

***********************
Initial Complaint
06/25/2024
Complaint Type:
Billing Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
On 11/4/23 I contacted Chicago Tribune in response to a mailed offer where I could receive the Sunday and Wednesday paper for a rate of $1.99 for 26 weeks of the paper. I provided my credit card and was billed for the full 6 months. The correct amount was *****, but they charged me *****. I then had to call back for a refund. The overbilling continued throughout the term of the subscription, and I even ended the subscription early because of the aggressive billing. They claim that there are special sections I was being billed for, but in violation of Illinois consumer law, they did not notify or detail them at any point. Tons of surprised bills, including the final one that was quickly sent to collections over a mere $20. Insane that a newspaper subscription is this aggressive. Ironically, I was a loyal seasonal subscriber to the paper for 10 years, but after they treated me like a criminal for re-subscribing using a promotion, I doubt I will ever subscribe again.
Business response
07/08/2024
July 8, 2024

Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or frustration associated with your former Chicago Tribune subscription.

The information you provided within this BBB Complaint as well as your account have been reviewed and it seems the additional charges associated with premium issues associated with the subscription shorten your original paid thru date. Thank you for your feedback as proper course of action will be taken, if needed. Please be advised these additional costs, which shorten your paid thru date, are associated with the premium issues reflected within your account disclaimers and Terms and Conditions. Criteria and details regarding these additional charges are noted on all our new start promotional offers, billing statements and any other correspondence. For more details and to view the Complete Subscriber Terms and Conditions please go to www.tribpub.com/tc. After reviewing the subscription, It seems that the prior payment was already pending associated with the automated EZ payments therefore the refund of $42.51 needed to be processed by **************** manually. In the interest of fairness, due to the information provided I have processed a credit adjustment in the amount of the outstanding balance due on the account in the amount of $20.10 therefore no further outstanding balance due is reflected on this former subscription.
Once again, sincere apologies for any misunderstanding regarding this matter. Should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our **************** Department at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center
Customer response
07/08/2024

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. They have agreed to remove the additional charges.

Sincerely,

***************************
Initial Complaint
06/24/2024
Complaint Type:
Product Issues
Status:
Answered
The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
I paid them $299.00 to publish my manuscript in Book format, place in stores,etc. Sent my manuscript to them June 13, 2024 and arrived June 20, 2024 at their base address: *******************************************. Tribune told me that I should have sent it to ********. I said, can't you return it and I will send it to ******** or if that's your base, why can't you have it sent to ********?? They have spent days and nights telling me that they were having meetings about the problem. I kept saying, "why is this so difficult for you to do? They had my money...just ship it to ******** or back to me!! I contacted *** and they told me that someone in ********** accepted it so it couldn't be returned to me!!! Today the Tribune Publisher was going to say that they Never received it but someone in ********** did((their base). So now they have stolen my money and my book!! I am 74yrs old, on Social security and can't afford a lawyer!!!!
Business response
06/25/2024
This BBB Complaint is not correct for the Chicago Tribune. Please send to the correct company for assistance.
Thank you, ******
Executive Resolution Center
Initial Complaint
06/10/2024
Complaint Type:
Billing Issues
Status:
Resolved
The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
Since August-September, 2022, I have only subscribed to the electronic edition of the Chicago Tribune after ***** years of receiving the delivery of the print edition at my home.. For the last 3 months, they started charging another of my credit cards for a duplicate charge for the electronic edition, $19.96 a month while charging me $27..96 a month on another credit card. They claim that I did not cancel the subscription for $27.96 a month, however, my account online shows that it was stopped. They have refused to identify or rectify the payment problem, in addition to being extremely rude when I spoke to the billing department. I asked to be connected to a supervisor, and instead was disconnected.
Business response
06/24/2024

June 24, 2024

Please accept our sincere apologies for any misunderstanding or frustration you have experienced involving your former Chicago Tribune digital subscriptions.

After reviewing the information you provided, it seems another account was started in our system for Chicago Tribune digital service. Please be advised that multiple accounts are not uncommon for digital subscriptions as we have Schools, Libraries and ******************* using several accounts and managed by one person. Each account would need their email address formally activated to each subscription in order to have digital access.

As a valued former Chicago Tribune digital subscriber, we value your feedback and appreciate your patience and understanding. It seems that **************** did process a refund of the several payment amounts charged from one of the digital subscriptions in the amount of $59.88 during the **************** contact on June 19, ********* refund will process back to your credit card charged within the next 7-14 business days due to our standard processing times. Your feedback regarding your ****************** experience will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.

Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate our **************** Department at ************.

Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution Center

Customer response
06/24/2024

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,

*********************

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. ↩

BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

Cookies on BBB.org

Need to file a complaint?

Complaint Details

Showing all complaints

Business response

Business response

Business response

Customer response

Business response

Customer response

Business response

Business response

Business response

Customer response

Business response

Business response

Customer response

Business response

Customer response

Business response

Business response

Customer response

BBB Rating & Accreditation

Contact Information

Customer Complaints Summary