ComplaintsforThe Republican

• Initial Complaint

  06/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This is regarding the subscription charge. For several years, the price has been $81.45 for 7 days a week, carrier home delivery of the newspaper. Last week I called them to change my credit card number and asked for confirmation of the charge. I was told $ 77.45 plus a $ 4 tip ( equals $ 81.45). I said wait a minute, you discontinued the carrier service several months ago, except for the Sunday delivery. I asked if they were giving the tip to the US *************** They said I could discontinue the tip payment, but when I asked about the retroactive amount, they declined. Now if the Sunday carrier is delivering 50 newspapers, I really doubt that he is receiving a $200 tip. I would have discussed this policy with the Business Office* but Customer Service says they don't have their number and it isn't available on line. This is totally deceptive and wrong in that they are charging the extra amount for a service that has been discontinued. I bet they are keeping the funds. It may seem like a small amount, but it collectively adds up. This needs to be addressed.

  Business response

  07/12/2024

  To whom it may concern,
  
  We are in receipt of the complaint filed by ********************************** on June 24,2024.
  
  We reached out by phone and connected with **************** on July 8.
  
  The complaint referenced Ms. ******* carrier tip payment for her Republican home delivery subscription.
  
  Our records indicate the $4.00 tip from Ms. ******* payments are allocated to the carrier. We advised her of this and was satisfied with the explanation.
  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and helping us resolve for ****************.
  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ************. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I receive daily newspaper Mon-Sat via ***** I never receive the Sunday edition and as a result purchase every Sunday for $3.00. Payment due 02/01/2024. I want a discount on my 12 week subscription since I only receive 6 papers per week. Called 2Xs last week with no results and was disconnected both times. This problem has been going on since 07/2023 when newspapers began being mailed. Every time I speak to customer service, their answer is we will look into it with no results. Newspaper will issue credit if I call, but calling every week or month is tedious. It should be easy to give me a discounted rate. Acct # ********

  Business response

  02/05/2024

  We apologized for the inconvenience and addressed the delivery concern with our home delivery team. Every effort will be made to ensure ************************ does not experience any further issues. We confirmed delivery of the newspaper was made on Sunday, February 4. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  For the past 7 years we had excellent delivery for our daily and Sunday newspaper. If we experienced any issues, we had a carrier number to call and had prompt results.Over the past three weeks our paper is never delivered to our porch, and even though we had a vacation hold placed the paper was still delivered.When we called the district manager we get no return call. Sadly if this cannot be resolved we will need to terminate our subscription.

  Business response

  10/09/2023

  We addressed the paper placement concern with our home delivery team and every effort will be made to ensure ****************** does not experience any further issues. We confirmed delivery of the newspaper was made as requested on October 8. We apologized for the inconvenience and as a courtesy, applied a one-week credit to his account extending his subscription period to 11/09/23.

  Customer response

  10/10/2023

   
  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

  07/14/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We get the Republican newspaper on Thursdays and Sundays. It was not delivered yesterday and the Sunday paper was missing about a month ago. This has also happened on several other occasions. My daughter has called the Republican each time this has happened. She gets a foreign customer service rep who says it will be reported and she will get the paper that day. The paper is never delivered. My daughter has asked to speak to a supervisor and the rep has refused, saying the supervisor has the same tools that he does. I've never heard of a company where a complaint cannot be escalated. This is very frustrating. I am 98 years old and want to keep my paper, but this poor delivery and lack of communication is not aceptable. It looks like we did get a phone call from the Repunlican yesterday. I was not able to make it to the phone and the person did not leave a voicemail. The person should have left a message. We can see this type of a problem happening on occasion, but it seems to be happening more often these days. Why can't I reach anybody local to report my problem? The customer service reps outside of ***************** are of zero help; they just put up roadblocks.

  Business response

  07/30/2023

  We have addressed the delivery of the newspaper with our home delivery team and every effort will be made to ensure ****************** does not experience any further issues. We apologized for the inconvenience and confirmed delivery of the newspaper was made as of July 27.

• Initial Complaint

  06/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I never subscribed to receiving The Republican newspaper. It is thrown at my address every Sunday since April.I have called ************** Offices at ************ several times since April to have it stopped and was told each time that the delivery would stop. It has not stopped. I called 5 times this morning and was put on hold, disconnected and hung up on. I asked each time to speak to a Supervisor and thats as far as I got. I would deeply appreciate if someone could please look into getting this newspaper stopped from being delivered to my address. Most times its out there soggy and wet with bugs on it.

  Business response

  07/06/2023

  July 6, 2023
  
  The Republican 
  **********************> ***********, ** 01103
  
  Re: ***************************** ID#: ******** 
  
  
  To whom it may concern:? 
  
  We are in receipt of?the?complaint filed by?*********************************?on?June 12,2023.??
  
  We reached out but were unable to connect via phone on July 5 and July 6. 
  
  As requested, we?have placed Ms. ********* address?of ************************************************************?on our company do not sample list, and every effort will be made to ensure no further deliveries are made.? 
  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and helping ** resolve for ******************** 
  
  If you have any questions, please feel?free to contact me at ************.?? 
  
  
  Regards,? 
  
  
  *****************************|?Senior ************* Representative? 
  
  
  
  
  

  Customer response

  07/06/2023

   
  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

  05/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Have attempted to have my rural newspaper delivery tube replaced for more than two years with zero success. Have made the request with my delivery persons and the customer service department countless times. Every conversation is nothing but excuses. ( supply chain problems, inventory, promises of it being taken care of, *** get back to you, will be done in two weeks, passed up to the next level of responsibility, outside contractor responsibility, etc. etc. etc.! Perhaps your leverage as the BBB has some clout to influence said vendor to satisfy a 40 plus year customer. Thank you.

  Business response

  05/24/2023

  May 24, 2023
  
  
  The Republican? 
  ********************
  ***********, ** 01103 
  
  
  
  Re: ************************; ID#: ******** 
  
  To whom it may concern:? 
  
  We are in receipt of the complaint filed by ******************************* on May 19, 2023.?? 
  
  We reached out by phone and connected with ******************** on May 24, 2023.? 
  
  We received Ms. ********* request for a replacement newspaper tube for her home delivery of The Republican.
  
  Our home delivery team installed a replacement tube on May 22 and ******************** confirmed the tube was installed. We apologized for the inconvenience and as a courtesy,we have applied a two-week credit to her account, extending her subscription period to 07/13/23. 
  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and helping ** resolve with ********************? 
  
  If you have any questions, please feel?free to contact me at ************.??? 
  
  
  
  Regards, 
  
  ***************************** | *********************** Representative? 
  
  
  
  

  Customer response

  05/24/2023

   
  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

  04/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We get the Republican newspaper 7 days a week. It was not delivered today and was also missing two weeks ago. My wife has called the Republican in the past with the same complaint and nothing was done about it. This doesn't happen often but enough times for me to want it resolved. Several times in the past when we didn't get the daily paper it was delivered with the next day's edition, delivery person sick maybe, but this hasn't been done the last few times.

  Business response

  04/28/2023

  April 26,2023
  
  The Republican
  *******************
  *********** ** 01103
  
  
  Re: ************************* ID#: ********
  
  To whom it may concern, 
  
  We are in receipt of the complaint filed by ***************************** on April 24, 2023. 
  
  We reached out by phone and connected with ******************** on April 25, 2023. 
  
  The complaint referenced home delivery issues with his subscription to The Republican. 
  
  We reviewed Mr. ********* account and addressed the delivery concerns with our home delivery team. Every effort will be made to ensure ******************** does not experience any further service issues. We apologized for the inconvenience and as a courtesy, we have applied a one-week credit to his account.  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and helping us to resolve with ********************* 
  If you have any questions, please feel?free to contact me at ************.?
  
   Sincerely, 
  
  ***********************
  *********************** | ******************** Representative

  Business response

  06/26/2024

                                                                                                                                                  June 26, 2024
  
  The Republican 
  *********************************************** 01103
  
  Re: ************************* ID#: ********
  
  To whom it may concern,
  
  We are in receipt of the complaint filed by ***************************** on June 17, 2024.
  
  We reached out by phone and email but were unable to connect.
  
  The complaint referenced service issues with his home delivery of The Republican.
  
  We apologized for the inconvenience and addressed the delivery concern with our home delivery team.Every effort will be made to ensure ******************** does not experience any further service issues. As a courtesy, we applied a two-week credit to his account extending his subscription period to 09/01/24.
  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention for ********************.
  
  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ************.  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************** | ******** Care Supervisor

• Initial Complaint

  11/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I wanted to cancel the newspaper, I called and was pressured not to cancel I would be given a better rate. I charged the fee to my credit card. When I received the statement for Aug. 2022, the amount due was $29.00. I called again to cancel this time I was pressured again and I agreed to get the paper on Sunday only for $19.00 four weeks . My credit card statement for Sept2022 had a charge of $29.00 I called the newspaper again and wanted a refund and the paper stopped. I was told NO the charge had been posted the previous week so NO refund. The newspaper is paid for thru Sept 2022. I called the credit card to dispute the charge which is happening. October 31,2022 I received a bill for $80.16 from the newspaper co. I did not receive a statement phone call or email for from the Republican paper before that invoice. The letter states "to avoid further attempts to collect the balance, please pay this amount now." I received 6 newspaper during the month of Oct 2022. I do not want to pay $80.16 for six newspapers.

  Business response

  11/03/2022

  Consumer called BBB and verified that after receiving the complaint the business reached out to her and rectified the issue and resolved her complaint.

  Customer response

  11/03/2022

   
  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

  10/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I started getting the Reminder thrown in my driveway a little over a year ago. As I didn't ask for this, I called the stop delivery number, *************) 11 time over the cores of the last 12 months, and it hasn't stopped! Three weeks ago, as a different approach I e-mailed them at their Stop Delivery e-mail address (*********************). I got an e-mail the next day from ************ RE: Restaurant Contact Form stating that it would be stopped with in 8 to 10 business days. For the last 3 weeks since that e-mail, they sent me stating it would stop, I am now getting TWO Reminders thrown in my yard and driveway. I'm at my **** end and asking for any help you can give to stop this as all 11 times I called I spoke with a different person and none of them have stopped this nuisance. Thank you for any help you can give or offer me *************************

  Business response

  10/26/2022

  The ********************************************************** address was removed from the carrier delivery list on 9/8/2022.  Delivery should have stopped at that time. It appears that the carrier missed the message.  We are sorry to hear that Reminder delivery continued and we have notified the carrier to stop.  I left a message for ****************** letting him know that we are working on the problem.

   

   

  Customer response

  10/27/2022

   
  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

  11/02/2022

   
  Complaint: 18315355
  
  The consumer called BBB directly to let us know that although the business indicated that they would rectify the issue, the issue is still occurring and the papers are still being thrown into his yard.   He would like a resolution to the issue.
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  11/02/2022

  I was surprised to hear that  there has been another delivery.  It would be helpful if I could contact ****************** directly to get more details.  Trying to find out if ****************** received the 11/3 edition of the Reminder or the 10/26 version. Last week, our distributor may have already delivered the 10/26 Reminder before they were notified stop delivery to *** ******************* in ***********.  As of this morning when I received this message, the distributor told us they have not started to deliver of the 11/3 Reminder. 

   

  Customer response

  11/22/2022

   
  Complaint: 18315355
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The BBB was contacted directly by the consumer and he has advised that the delivery of the paper has not stopped.  He advised that when he came home last night the paper was again delivered in his yard.  He advised that he has made upwards of 11 phone calls to the business to rectify this issue and it still continues.  He advised he has filed a complaint with the Attorney General's Office and will hire an attorney if needed to get the delivery of this paper stopped.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  11/25/2022

  It is our understanding that ***************** lives at *** ******************* in *********** and does not want to receive delivery of the Reminder. The address was removed from the delivery list on  September 8 and the carrier was notified to stop delivery.

  Since then we received two messages through the BBB that the Reminder was delivered again. On each occasion, our distributor told us that the carrier is aware that they should not be delivering to *********************** and said they did not deliver.

  To better understand what is happening, I would like to speak to ***************** to find out more details about the delivery. I have called a number we have on file but was not able to leave a message. Would it be possible to relay a message for him to call me?

  Thank you,

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

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

• Initial Complaint

  10/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Springfield Republican has not delivered our paper, for the last 3 days. Dates Oct. *****th. I have called them and still no deliveries. They say they will send it, but never receive the paper. We have had many times we did not receive our prepaid paper 2022.

  Business response

  10/27/2022

  I spoke to **************** about the service problems he has been having. Told him we are working with our independent distributor to have them corrected. We were told the carrier has had health problems.

  **************** said the paper was delivered yesterday but that today was the first day this week that the paper was delivered on time.  I told him he could contact me if the issues continue and that we will extend his subscription by two weeks due to the service problems.

*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. ↩