Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  12/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I signed up for a trial digital subscription with Sunday delivery with the Boston Globe that would expire on December *******, I called customer service on December ****** and cancelled the trial offer. My credit card has been charged $27.72 and when I called customer service to inquire about this, I was informed that it was an automatic renewal that processes 1-2 weeks prior to the expiration date, I believe this is deceptive and should have the $27.72 charge refunded,

  

  Business response

  12/20/2024

  Hello,

  I apologize for any inconvenience you may have incurred with misunderstanding our introductory offer.  As stated in our terms, ************************** is automatically charged in advance every four weeks.

  ************************** digital subscription is a credit card only offer. Your credit card will be automatically charged in advance every four weeks unless a different billing term is specified in the offer. At the end of your introductory period, you will continue to be charged every 4 weeks for $27.72 (99/day) unless you cancel your subscription. Offer valid for those who have not had digital access in the last 90 days. Prices are subject to change. Additional terms and conditions may apply. All purchases are subject to the Terms of Purchase, available at ********************************************************************.

  If you need any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

  Thank you for your readership,

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

• Initial Complaint

  12/18/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The Boston Globe refused to refund an automated charge on an intro offer to a subscription $27.72 ! I was not aware I had to call and they had an outdated credit card. I gave them another one not realizing they would then charge this Still not sure this is a scam which has been very stressful. I have called to be sure my card is destroyed and account cancelled. With no refund and rude agents. No one calls back from management. ******** customer service and taking advantage of long standing customers

  

  Business response

  12/19/2024

  Hello,

  Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.  I apologize for any inconvenience you may have incurred with the misunderstanding of our introductory offer.  Your account was correctly charged as stated in our offer.

  ************************** digital subscription is a credit card only offer. Your credit card will be automatically charged in advance every four weeks unless a different billing term is specified in the offer. At the end of your introductory period, you will continue to be charged every 4 weeks for $27.72 (99/day) unless you cancel your subscription. Offer valid for those who have not had digital access in the last 90 days. Prices are subject to change. Additional terms and conditions may apply. All purchases are subject to the Terms of Purchase, available at ********************************************************************.

  If you need any further assistance, please contact me directly. 

  Thank you for your readership,

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

• Initial Complaint

  12/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  The Boston Globe has charged my account $638.00 on 3/11/2024. Multiple demands were sent to **************** to justify the charge, to no satisfaction. Below are the charges from the Boston Globe.On 1/8, invoice for delivery thru 2/18, $542 On 2/5, invoice for delivery thru 3/17, $159.50 On 2/12, invoice for delivery thru 3/24, $159.50 On 2/19, invoice for delivery thru 3/31, $159.50 On 2/26, invoice for delivery thru 4/7, $159.50 On 3/10, the charge in question, $638.00 On 4/5, invoice for delivery thru 5/12, $638.00 On 5/3, invoice for delivery thru 6/9, $638.00 ...and so on. I could find all invoices for the other transactions, besides the transaction on 3/10. I've requested it multiple times but were given the invoices before the charge or after the charge.Please justify the charge and provide an invoice, or provide a refund to the credit card on file. Thank you.

  

  Business response

  12/20/2024

  Hello,

  Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.  I apologize for any inconvenience you may have incurred.  I appreciate your patience and confirming you received the invoice you were requesting. 

  Please feel free to contact me directly if you need any further assistance.

  Thank you for your readership,

  *****

  Customer response

  12/20/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved. 
  
  Regards,
  
  Bermjoon ***

• Initial Complaint

  12/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I subscribed to ************************** on 6/12/2025 at the rate of $1 for 26 weeks. On 12/2/2024, my credit card was charged $27.72 for an additional month of subscription. I am requesting a refund for the following reasons:(1) I did not receive a notification of renewal. The Globe's Terms of Purchase state, "You will be notified in advance of impending renewals to the extent required by law." I don't know whether the law actually requires notification, but this statement would lead a reasonable person to expect notification.(2) I did not receive notification of rate change. The online confirmation and confirmation email, which are attached, make no mention of a rate of $17.72/mo. The Terms of Purchase state: "We will notify you in advance if the rate that you will be charged for a product changes from what was stated at the time of your order."(3) The charge was placed before the expiration of the 26 month term.--- I telephoned the Boston Globe at the number given on the confirmation email on 12/16/2024, the first business day after receiving my credit card statement.. The first ***** to whom I spoke said he would transfer me to an "account *****". The second ***** to whom I spoke said he would transfer me to "a supervisor." I then received music on hold until the line disconnected, IMO about 30 minutes later.Thank you for your consideration of this request.

  

  Business response

  12/19/2024

  Hello,

  Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.  I have confirmed your request for a refund has already been processed.  Here is the disclaimer of the offer you accepted, for your review:

  ************************** digital subscription is a credit card only offer. Your credit card will be automatically charged in advance every four weeks unless a different billing term is specified in the offer. At the end of your introductory period, you will continue to be charged every 4 weeks for $27.72 (99/day) unless you cancel your subscription. Offer valid for those who have not had digital access in the last 90 days. Prices are subject to change. Additional terms and conditions may apply. All purchases are subject to the Terms of Purchase, available at ********************************************************************.

  If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me directly,

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

• Initial Complaint

  10/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I signed up for a digital subscription today with the Boston Globe, however upon doing so, I found that there is no way to simply cancel the subscription online. Instead, you must call to cancel. I want this subscription to be canceled without my having to listen to someone's sales pitch numerous times and then find that my subscription is still not cancelled. "The ************************ has proposed a click to cancel rule that would require companies to make ending a recurring subscription no harder than signing up."Not doing so is taking advantage of customers. I cannot even view my credit card information on my account in order to delete it. My request is to please cancel my subscription now and delete my account.

  

  Business response

  10/11/2024

  Good afternoon Ms. ****************** you for reaching out to The Boston Globe. Upon review, I see your subscription is already set to end as of April 10, 2025, and your credit card information has already been removed.

  We do ensure our subscribers are able to cancel through My Account, chat, email, or by reaching out to our call center. You can manage your subscription at *****************************************************************************. However, upon review I see you signed up on 10/9/2024, the same day you filed this complaint. Your subscription information, including the ability to cancel, may take a few hours to generate in My Account.

  At this time, your subscription has been cancelled. We welcome your readership of The Boston Globe and invite you to use My Account, located in the top right corner of our website or directly at ***************************************************************************** if you choose to re-subscribe in the future.

  Thank you for your readership. Have a great day!

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We accepted a six-month subscription, but we weren't informed when the subscription ended and the Globe started charging us $27.72 per month. A simple text or email could have alerted us, but the Globe couldn't be bothered. What a scam. They charged us for five months before we caught on. Like I said, what a scam.

  Customer response

  10/08/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  

  Business response

  10/11/2024

  Good afternoon Ms. ***************** you for reaching out to The Boston Globe. Upon review, I do see your phone number was used to sign up for a promotional rate in November 2023 using the email address ************************. The promotional rate expired in May 2024, and you were subsequently charged our standard rate of $6.93 per week, as advised during checkout at sign up.

  The Boston Globe does not send out reminder emails of when promotions expire as most readers continue their subscription at the standard rate. However, we do regularly add invoices to My Account, located in the top right corner of ************************ or directly at *****************************************************************************. You would not have received notification of these invoices at the email address you provided, ***********************************.

  Additionally, I do see we have already refunded your most recent payment of $27.72, which was returned on 9/30/2024 to your **************** card ending in 1011.

  We appreciate your readership of The Boston Globe, and I hope you have a great day.

• Initial Complaint

  09/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Approximately three months ago, I clicked on an article from the Boston Globes website. Since then, I have been receiving periodic marketing emails from the Boston Globe, asking me to subscribe to their newspaper online. I did not sign up for these emails, and despite clicking the "unsubscribe" link multiple times, the emails have not stopped. I have included an example of the emails I receive every week or two as evidence.I am requesting that the Boston Globe immediately cease sending me these unsolicited marketing emails. I expect them to honor my request to unsubscribe and stop any further email communications.

  Customer response

  10/03/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  

  Business response

  10/11/2024

  Hello Mr. Kimberlain?,
  
  Thank you for contacting The Boston Globe. I am happy to get this resolved today. We apologize that the unsubscribe option in the email you received did not successfully ensure you received no further marketing offers.
  
  As requested, I have added your address, phone number, and email address to our "Do Not Contact" list for advertising.
  
  Please allow up to four weeks for you to be completely removed from all offers.
  
  Please contact Boston Globe Customer Success with additional questions or concerns by responding to
  this e-mail or by contacting us at 1-888-MYGLOBE (694-5623).

  Customer response

  10/19/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #22320675. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved. 
  
  Regards,
  
  Todd Kimberlain

• Initial Complaint

  08/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was erroneously billed / treacherously charged for larcenous late fees that I knew absolutely nothing about. I was insidiously mislead to believe / perfidiously hoodwinked to think that my storage bill was paid and therefore everything was alright. Mail , INSTEAD OF BEING SENT TO MEv AT THE ADDRESS I SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF THE STORAGE UNIT INITIAL RENTAL ; WAS SURREPTITIOUSLY SENT TO MY EMERGENCY CONTACT WHICH IS ANOTHER STATE ; INSTEAD OF ME ; TO THE ADDRESS I GAVE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE STORAGE UNIT. This corrupt cowardly act was done to insure it would take longer for for me to find out about ; prolonginging my ability to fix default the deficiency / remediate the descrepency ; SO THAT LARCENOUS LATE FEES COULD ACCRUE ; SO THEY COULD CONTINUE TO TREACHEROUSLY CHARGE ME TRUMPED UP LATE FEES. Yes ; I have a different number but had thry called my aunt instead of sending a letter ; THAT THEY COULD OF SIMPLY SENt ME ; she would of gladly gave them the number to reach me ; to contact me so I could promptly fix the problem ; PRONTO. They delerberantly and deceptively made me believe that my bill was paid and that everything was alright ; SO THEY COULD PROCEDE TO ROB a poor man who receives SSI and currently resides in a homeless shelter

  

  Business response

  12/05/2024

  Hello,

  Unfortunately I cannot help you with your complaint since this is The Boston Globe newspaper.  Please contact the storage unit company for assistance.

  ***** Creedon 

• Initial Complaint

  08/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We moved to ********* in 2022. WE subscribed to the Boston Globe digitally in late 2021 . The monthly fee was $27.72 In 2023 we returned to ******** ******. ****** 6 months ago, approximately February 2024, we contacted circulation and told them we wanted to terminate our subscription since we had moved. The customer service representative offered to reduce our subscription to $12 a month so we agreed. However, instead of reducing the subscription price, we received TWO bills per month, the original $27.72 bill AND the new $12 monthly fee. We continue to receive both bills.Approximately 3 months ago, I again called customer service and asked for a refund of the $27.72 back to the time of the new $12 price AND I asked to terminate the subscription.The customer service representative said she would terminate the $27.subscription and ask the business office to get back with me regarding the refund. She also said she would reduce the monthly cost to $ 6.00. I agreed.However, we continue to receive BOTH bills. Yesterday we were again charged $27.72. I called customer service again today and they tried to sell me a ******** advantage plan and said they could not help **** need your help. We have two requests:1. Immediately and permanently terminate the Boston Globe subscription.2. Full refund of the monthly $27.72 back to our first call where the price was reduced to 12 dollars.

  Customer response

  08/18/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  

  Business response

  12/05/2024

  Hello,

  Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.  I apologize for any inconvenience you may have incurred.  I am thankful we were able to resolve your concerns.

  Thank you for your patience and readership,

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

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We have been a Boston Globe home delivery subscriber since 2017. On May 7, 2024 we resumed delivery after a vacation hold and since then our delivery service has been exceptionally poor. During that time period (31 days), there have been 12 missed deliveries, 9 wrong location instances, and 1 wrong paper delivered - a total of 22 distribution issues. We have repeatedly brought the problem to the attention of the Boston Globes customer service agents and been informed they would escalate the issue to upper management as well as the distributor, but the problem persists. In addition, when I asked to speak with a customer service supervisor I was told he was busy and there would be a long wait before he would be available. It almost seems as if there is collusion at some level between the Globes staff and their distributor to squash complaints about delivery issues. Great publication, but a terrible distribution system.

  Customer response

  06/16/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint. Since filing my complaint on June 6, 2024 until today - June 16 - we have not received the paper for 9 out of 10 days. Because the paper has not reached out to us to resolve the issue, we will contact both their customer service management (***** *******) as well as executive management about the continuing problem.

  

  Business response

  12/05/2024

  Hello,

  I apologize for any inconvenience you may have incurred.  I have reviewed your Boston Globe account and do not see any recent issues. I appreciate your patience and readership.  If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me via the number I provided in a separate email.

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

*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. ↩