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Business Profile

Newspaper

The San Diego Union-Tribune

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

This profile includes complaints for The San Diego Union-Tribune's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 38 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 11 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/29/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have had an online subscription (with Sunday paper delivered) to the San Diego Union-Tribune for some time. I noticed a charge on my credit card statement that seemed high. I called them on August 20th and a representative told me that there had been a rate increase. I stated that I would like to cancel and get my money back. The representative said they have no policy on refunding money, and offered to bill at the old rate. I repeated my desire to cancel and have my credit card credited. She stated that they do not give money back. At that point, I insisted on speaking to a supervisor. She then stated that she would cancel the subscription and issue a credit. After more than a week, while they did stop the subscription, there has been no credit, or email confirming this action. So, I called again this morning, and was told that you pay in advance and the payment is nonrefundable.I dont believe I ever heard these words when I subscribed. They should not charge for a service not delivered; they are not out a ***** or a paper.Their business practices are unscrupulous.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/28/2024

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have a weekly/Sunday subscription to the Union Tribune for paper delivery. They have a credit card on file for every 8 week billing. There are NO DATES on these receipts, simply "8 weeks". I put a vacation hold on my paper for which I have a confirmation from UT customer service and yet they just billed me again for my "8 weeks" completely neglecting the 2 week hold timeframe. The paper also did not resume as scheduled and I missed an additional 2 days of the paper before that issue was corrected with a phone call to customer service. I have asked in the past for their platform to have dates on it but never got any response from them so now I have had to start watching like a hawk the 8 week timeframe they use. I have contacted them and requested to make sure my billing was pushed out the additional 2 weeks for the vacation hold but they billed me on the regular 8 week timeframe today.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/10/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Ive been cut off from access my (already) paid annual subscription to the San Diego Union Tribune via their app unless I agree to let them share information about [me] you. They do not give any explanation as to what information or why. Until I agree to let them share information about me I cannot get my paper via their app on my phone or iPad. This has to be a very recent change because I have been accessing my paper via this app for over 3 years and just renewed in January 2024. It worked until now (August.)

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/22/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have been a print subscriber at my current address since 2020. There are no barriers to delivering at this address, it's not a gated community. It's a single family home clearly marked with the address. In March of 2024, I stopped receiving my Sunday through Thursday paper deliveries. I have called weekly to request redelivery and report not receiving my paper. I am assured each time my complaint is being "escalated." My paper continues not to be delivered. They refuse to refund or cancel the subscription they fail to deliver. I want delivery or a refund.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/28/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I never read newspapers. I subscribed because people in my school needed help and helped me reimburse the subscription fee. After that, I sent multiple emails asking to cancel my subscription, but no one ever responded to me. I have never received any information on the website or email about the $5.95 fee for the premium version. But a few days ago they charged me the fee without any advance notice. And I was notified that I had to pay the money a week after the billing data. At the same time, there is no online payment setting, and you must fill in your bank card information or use a check. It makes me doubt the intention. What makes me angry is that consumers are not notified of these hidden costs in advance, and the unsubscription instructions on the website are very vague and difficult to use, so I have to contact customer service. But in fact no one responded to my email! ! At the same time, my delivery address was never the address I filled in but an address in ************************** that I didnt recognize! ! Very poor experience! ! I only accept cancellations of this order, I do not accept these charges.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/14/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      April 7 2024 I subscribed to the Union Tribune for Sunday delivery. I still have not receive any newspapers although I have called to complain. I was assured they would fix the problem. After this past Sunday with another non-delivery, I called to cancel the subscription. I was told it is against their policy to give refunds.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/06/2024

      Type:Delivery Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I subscribe to the union tribune Sunday only delivery on March 16, 2024. We have only received one paper that was delivered on March 24, 2024. I have made numerous phone calls and theyve always promised that they would extend my subscription by another week. This is unacceptable and I want my money back.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/08/2024

      The money is being refunded back to the card, but I just spoke with ******************* and offered to resolve the service by providing the next 3 weeks of service on us.

      I will be monitoring her service in the weeks to come. 

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/10/2024


      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

      Regards,

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

       

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/13/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I cannot get a bill mailed regularly. My rate changes frequently and without notice. When I call customer service I get lots of apologies, poor explanations, and zero help. I have great difficulty understanding the folk who have been outsourced to cover customer service.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/18/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On January 2, 2024 I was autocharged $55.44 for my usual 8 week digital subscription, an increase of nearly 100%. From $31.50. There was no notice of this. I called their department and was offered a refund and a 6 month offer of $17.84 for each 8 week period.
      I have not been credited anything on my credit card even after calling about 10 times. I cannot talk to anybody about this except the telephone operators in India who cannot make this refund happen.
      I am skeptical anything will happen. I do not wish to do business with a company who has the ability to take money from me at unexplained and ridiculous rates. They seem quick to take and unwilling to repay.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/10/2024

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      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.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have contacted the San Diego Union Tribune customer service many, many times about not receiving consistent delivery service even though I have paid for such service. This is not a delivery driver issue. This is an issue with the service I am getting from Customer Service. Customer Service assures me each time that the problem has been solved, but it has not. I have asked to speak to supervisors, who also tell me the problem has been solved, but it never has. Once again, I did not receive a newspaper on January 8, 2014. Once again I called and had to give my credit card, which I have given numerous times. I really don’t know what to do. I can’t reach anyone who can help me at the local office. I have paid for a service and I am not getting that service nor am I receiving any true help.

    The San Diego Union-Tribune is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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