Customer ReviewsforHouston Chronicle

If I could give less than one star I would. The worst customer service I’ve ever experienced and they make it impossible to cancel subscriptions. I have now formally requested TWICE that my digital subscription be canceled because I can’t afford it and they continue to charge me. I’ve called multiple times but usually their phone systems send you in circles so that you don’t get a live person. The two times I have been successful in reaching a person once she told me it was cancel effective end of month. When I called back they told me they wouldn’t cancel because I owed. I said I owe because I requested you cancel! Then suddenly they “lost my call”. I don’t know what to do. How is this legal?

Ms. Mitchell, I found 2 accounts, one that you called and canceled in 2023 and the comments mentioned are noted on the account but nothing on the current account. I will pull the calls to see if there are any recordings. The service you signed up for is non-refundable. I have canceled the account on the effective date of 9/10/24 and you will not have any more charges to your credit card.

Has taken a total of $90, have never received one paper since signing up. I went online to file complaint through website, and I had no subscription to them. Called to find out what was going on, and inform them of the issue. I was given the run around, I haven’t been charged since April according to them and subscription was hence cancelled, informed them I was currently looking at my bank statements and was in fact charged. I also told the supervisor I had a pending charge for the month as of 6/13 and I was wanting it to either be returned or cancelled because now that I was on the phone I wanted to no longer do business with them. She informed me I was not going to be charged. It did go through as well as a SECOND charge for this month. Not one paper or access to digital has been given, employees blamed carrier and said if they did not deliver they can not be at fault and they will reach out and hopefully it gets resolved. I have asked for refunds and denied. I highly do not recommend signing up for this service or paper, full of lack luster customer service and thieves.

Ms. ****, After reviewing your account, I see this account started in April. I only show 1 complaint processed on your account dated 6/12/24. In order to resolve delivery issues, you need to call the Houston Chronicle so we can reach out to the field and correct your delivery. I see one refund has processed for $19.50, as a courtesy I will refund the remaining $70.50.

The Houston Chronicle makes it nearly impossible to cancel a digital subscription. You have to call between 8-5 Monday through Friday which wouldn't be a problem if they answered the phone, but I repeatedly called the listed number on your website for cancellations 10 times this week, pressed 2 for digital and 1 for cancellation and the phone would ring once, transfer and then drop the call! Today, I finally got through today without issue and politely told the rep that i would like to cancel, he refused me five or six times and continued trying to sell me a new subscriptions. I finally screamed "I WANT TO CANCEL THE DAMN SUBSCRIPTION!" He refused and I screamed it again. He finally relented and asked if he could place me on hold for 10 seconds, I said yes and he came back on and told me it was cancelled and I politely thanked him. This is no way to run a business.

Mr. ****, After reviewing your account, it will cancel on the expiration date and you will no longer be charged going forward. We do ask our representatives to ask why you want to cancel to see if its log in issues, price, etc. In most cases we can assist the subscriber to continue their subscription.

Houston Chronicles have been charging me for service they never delivered , and I did not realize I was sign up for delivery , the guy representing the Paper said they was going digital ( on line) no more paper so he lied he was in there to sign up monthly subscription if he would have said that my answer is no thank you but the fee was quoted 18.00 plus , the young lady had problems trying to operate the card machine they was using to get payments she did it twice , he help her. and I ask he said if went there but when I get the bill to my account it was 30.00, I call my credit card company they told they look into about second month I was contacted by credit card people and they told I was been billed every month 30.00 I got on them they told me it was a recurring fee, I disputed that because they never delivered a paper I never sign up for 30.00 a month for Houston Chronicle, but my problem is you deducting money out of my account for service you not deliver I didn’t call because I seen no paper at my door not one time my ring would have shown my neighbors ring would show so they are charging me for service they not delivering when I call them and told about it I though it was settle but then I find out on Saturday 11,2024 they said I owe them 120.00 I told if anybody owe anything it’s Houston Chronicle for taking money from my account without my permission and continuing on charging me for service the NEVER full fill, so they need to return all my money back on my card

Ms. *********, After reviewing your account I see you signed up for the subscription at HEB dated 1/12/24. The receipt you received explains the billing process that you will be charged every 4 weeks to the credit card you provided at the time of sale. When the paper is not received you must call the Houston Chronicle to report missed deliveries so we can alert the field to deliver your paper. As a courtesy I removed the outstanding balance of $120.00 and confirmed your account is closed.

They have been charging me for a subscription that I cancelled a year ago. I am currently on hold with them and it's been 30 minutes trying to cancel the subscription yet again. "John" won't cancel just keeps trying to get me a better deal. Told him I need to speak with his supervisor and he keeps asking "why?" I had to yell at him to get me a supervisor and I am going on 20 minutes now on hold. Awful Awful company and customer service. There has to be some sort of class action lawsuit for this fraud. I only gave 1 star because I have to.

Ms. *****, I did confirm one of your accounts was canceled effective 5/5/20. I was able to locate a 2nd account by your address which canceled on 5/2/24. The only notification on your account was dated 5/1/24 when you requested to cancel your digital service. In regard to offering a better deal the rep will always offer a reduced rate to keep you as a subscriber. My apologies your hold time was longer than expected.

I signed up for the houston chronicle due to a promotion at ****** I was signed up never received one news paper I confronted in person to another representative at ****** about it my address was correct everything was correct said I would be resolved it was never resolved then I got charged for the subscription again and called to cancel since I've never received not one paper it I received my news papers I paid for I would not have no problem keeping the subscription I was not able to get refunded due to me not calling its very confusing when I never told by a representative to call

Ms. ***** I do not show any complaints stating missed deliveries. It’s a possibility you live in a gated community and the carrier would need the gate code to gain access. As a courtesy I have refunded the charges totaling $90.00 back to your credit card on file.

If I could give 0 stars I would. I called and canceled the digital subscription on 7/21/2023, well in advance of the deadline set to cancel. I have phone records to prove this. I just discovered the Chron has been charging my cc without my authorization for the past three months, for $19.96/month, and a total of $59.88 taken without authorization. I called to speak with someone and provide the Chron the opportunity to do the right thing and refund me my money. Spoke with a supervisor who refused. This is a scam. Do not subscribe!!! They will not properly document the account, there is no way to cancel the subscription online, and because it is all "verbal" there is no record to prove your cancellation. But I have phone records from 7/21/2023 to prove I called - and my request was to specifically cancel the service. I will be disputing the charges and am leaving reviews wherever I can.

Ms. ********, After reviewing the account, the notes on 7/21/23 you called and agreed to continue the subscription and would callback after the promotional offer ended and would decide if you wanted to renew the subscription. Next communication was dated on 2/6/24 when you called to cancel the subscription. We don't have any other records of you calling the Houston Chronicle. As a courtesy I will refund you the last 3 charges but if you have disputed them with your bank, I will not be able to refund you.

Dishonest billing practices. I signed up for a "3 month" intro rate on 10/26/23. 3 months would be until 1/26/24 but I put it on my calendar for 1/17/24 just in case they tried to change the definition of 3 months to 12 weeks (which would be the 18th). But they billed me on 1/17 before I got a chance to call and cancel. When I called to cancel and complain they said it expired after 13 weeks which makes no sense. That's not this week either. They are cheating the system. I will never read their crap again.

Ms. *****, The promotion you signed up for was a 13 week offer which expired on 1/27/24. The Houston Chronicle bills 10 days in advance of the renewal date which I why you were charge the standard rate of $3.99 week, $15.96 every 4 weeks. I did confirm you account has now been canceled.

Deceptive business practices. Do not try the trial!!! When you sign up, it says you can cancel ANY TIME through their website, which is a LIE! This is what it says: By subscribing, I agree to a CONTINUOUS SERVICE SUBSCRIPTION that will continue until I cancel. I can cancel at any time by calling 713-362-#### or by visiting HoustonChronicle.com/account. When you go to that URL, it says you have to call the phone number. There is no way to cancel through the website. The phone number they provide is only available during the hours most people are at work. They know what they’re doing, this is an obvious scam to take advantage of people.

Mr. *********  We do ask you to contact us by phone to cancel your subscription that gives us the opportunity to find out why you want to cancel your service. The Houston Chronicle is open 7 days a week, Monday-Friday 7am-5pm. 7:30am-11am weekends. I have confirmed your account has been canceled.

I am trying to cancel my subscription for last 2 days. The Susan mentioned here, no matter what option you choose, it disconnects you. I would like to cancel my digital subscription. Please let me know alternate way of canceling the subscription. I wonder I am not able to do myself online, when I payment cards.

Venkata ****** *******, I have confirmed your account has been canceled effective 12/7/23 and the remaining balance refunded back to your credit card.