Hartford Courant

Review: My complaint is that I continue to receive direct mail from the Hartford Courant even though I have written emails asking them to stop. Specifically, I receive mail from CtShopHere and Valumail. I was never a customer of the Hartford Courant and they should not be contacting me. I don't appreciate being spammed continuously, especially given the fact that I have asked them to stop.

Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Other (requires explanation)

I want them and all of their subsidiaries to stop sending me mail. My address [redacted] XXXXX

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/06/05) */

June 05, 2013

Revdex.com Case# XXXXXXXX

I'm writing in response to your concern submitted to the Revdex.com regarding unwanted Hartford Courant mail and advertising supplements being delivered to your home.

Your request to discontinue delivery of our CTShops and ValuMail products was forwarded to the appropriate department on Wednesday, June 5. Please note that cancellation of the CTShops product takes up to three weeks for processing and discontinuation of the ValuMail monthly product can take up to six weeks.

We sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding regarding your initial request to discontinue delivery of our advertising supplements. We also regret any inconvenience that continued delivery of these products may cause during the cancellation processing period.

I hope the information provided is helpful. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me directly at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Sincerely,

Senior Customer Service Representative

Review: For the last 2 Monday snowstorms I have had to make multiple phone calls to have those Monday editions delivered. Last week it took 4 phone calls and the paper was finally delivered on Thursday. This week its now Friday and 5 phone calls later and still no paper.Desired Settlement: I want my papers delivered as paid for. Daily and in the tube that they required me to have and not thrown in the driveway.

Business

Response:

March 02, 2015

Revdex.com Case# [redacted]

Please accept our sincerest apology for the inconvenience you’ve suffered as a result of your newspaper delivery issues. We have contacted regional manager [redacted], who has contacted you and has addressed delivery issues with the distributor for an immediate resolution.

You are a valued subscriber and we will do everything possible to ensure that you receive your newspaper every day and delivered in the paper tube. We hope you find this resolution satisfactory. Please contact our customer service department at [redacted] should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Senior Customer Service Representative

Review: Approximately 1 1/2 years ago the Hartford Courant offered a special price on home delivery. It was under $30 for a Thursday through Sunday delivery to last for one year. They did not stop, and began to bill me. I tried numerous times to contact them - returning the statement noting that I did not wish to continue. They noted that a phone call was required but when I tried I could never get through. Now they have sent me to a Collection Agency located in California.

This is not the kind of treatment I would expect from a long standing, well thought of institution. I hope you can help me with this matter.Desired Settlement: Cease any further contact, including any deliveries, which for some unknown reason, are still happening, and cease any further billing or collection notices.

Business

Response:

February 16, 2016

Revdex.com Case# [redacted]

Please accept our sincerest apology for the inconvenience

you have suffered in regards to your Hartford Courant subscription.

This communication will confirm that the charges of $18.29 have been

cancelled and account is paid in full. Account information has been updated

with our collection agency and collection process has ceased. Also, request to

immediately stop delivery of the Thursday thru Sunday newspaper to your

household has been forwarded to the local distributor.

We again apologize for the obvious frustration

you suffered when trying to cancel your subscription as well for any

inconvenience this may have caused. We hope you find this resolution

satisfactory. Please contact our

customer service department at ###-###-#### should

you have any questions regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

Carmen T[redacted]

Senior Customer

Service Representative

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

Review: I continue to receive weekly advertisements in my mailbox that was not requested by me, even after sending them a few online messages telling them to stop.Desired Settlement: I would like them to stop sending the weekly advertisement circulars to my mailbox and remove my address from their mailing list.

Business

Response:

December

10, 2013

Review: I enrolled for a one year subscription with The Hartford Courant. The deal was $50.00 for the year for 4 days of delivery: Thursday through Sunday. I paid the $50.00 in full in November of 2014. On 02/17/2015, I received a notice from [redacted] a collections agency, telling me I owed The Hartford Courant $17.81. I have paid this amount to maintain my credit, but I do not see why I owe this money. Believe me, The Hartford Courant owes me money, as for most of the 12-month subscription, I did not receive the paper 4 days per week.

Business

Response:

March 04, 2015

Revdex.com Case# [redacted]

I’m writing in response to your concern submitted to the Revdex.com regarding your newspaper subscription.

Please accept my sincerest apologies that you experienced non delivery of service with your Thursday thru Sunday newspaper subscription and for any inconvenience you experienced after receiving notification from Arms Solution.

As noted on your renewal notice, delivery service of your newspaper subscription is a continuous subscription. The following verbiage regarding the continuous subscription and not to write or send correspondence appears on all notices:

This is a continuous subscription that may be cancelled at anytime. To cancel or make changes to your service or subscription, you must call us at [redacted] or [redacted] We do not accept written correspondence. You must notify us by phone. You will be charged for any newspapers delivered prior to cancellation.

We value you as a former subscriber. The charges of $17.81 have been cancelled. Your account information has been updated with our collection agency and collection process has ceased. Please be advised this does not get reported to any credit agencies nor affects your credit. Your payment of $17.81 received on 02/23/15 has been refunded. Please expect to receive your refund check within 3-4 weeks.

I hope the information provided is helpful with any questions or concerns reference your newspaper subscription. If you have any additional questions, please contact our Customer Service Department at [redacted]

Sincerely,

Senior Customer Service Representative

Review: The billing representatives were unable to provide correct information resulting in my having to pay late charges to A.R.M. Solutions, Inc.

The billing representatives were unable to provide satisfactory customer service despite repeated attempts by me to close my account and pay the fill amount due, according to the information I was provided by the Hartford Courant.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of the $8.17 that I incurred in late payment fees due to the incompetence of the Hartford Courant billing staff.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/09/03) */

I am writing in response to your concern submitted to the Revdex.com regarding recent activity on your Hartford Courant newspaper subscription.

Our records reflect that delivery of your Sunday paper was stopped on 06/02/13. Your payment of $14.14 to Arms Solutions paid for your newspaper subscription from 03/24/13 through 05/26/13. No late fees were incurred.

Our records also reflect a recent charge to your credit card in the amount of $5.97. This transaction was processed in error and a refund to your credit card has been requested.

We apologize for this unusual mishap and the obvious concern and inconvenience you have suffered. Should you decide to resume your subscription, we will do our best to better serve you in the future.

Sincerely,

Senior Customer Service Representative

Consumer Response /* (2110, 7, 2013/09/05) */

(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the partial settlement response from the business.)

Review: Subscribed to the Hartford Courant on Wednesday 12-3-2014 for Thurs through Sunday delivery. I was told subscription would start Thursday, Dec 4, 2014. I did not receive the paper on Thursday 12-4, Friday 12-5, Saturday 12-6 or Sunday 12-7. I called the paper each day I did not receive the newspaper and was assured I would get it the following day. I don't know if there is a communication problem with the representatives I have spoke to, (obviously these reps are not in the USA and have heavy accents) but I was assured my delivery problem would be taken care of, to date it has not been.Desired Settlement: Receive the newspaper subscription I paid for.

Business

Response:

December 12, 2014

Revdex.com Case [redacted]

Review: I canceled my advertising ad back on July 2nd at 3:14 pm I was charged a large fee to cancel my ad and I have continued to get billed and just received my first bill since July on oct 1st I've called and they say they'll return my call which never happens I also sent proof of the email I have that shows I canceled the ad back on the 2nd of July with one of the empoyles in the billing department and now when I call they will not answer I leave messages and none get returned I email and never receive one back and Im not paying for something I canceled back in July. I'm very upset with the situation and they won't even return a phone call or an email!Desired Settlement: That they erase the charges I been charged and stop billing me for the months I didn't even want to be advertising with them. I have proof of the email stating I cancelled back in July.

Business

Response:

Revdex.com,

Review: I did not agree with a continuous subscription and sent a check for 1 year. I am told by them that by accepting the paper I agreed to this "contract"

When I accepted the subscription, I purposely didn't pay with a credit card because I didn't want to be trapped into a continuing subscription at any price they might choose to charge. In this case an increase of about 100%. I was called every day for the last 2 or 3 months by the marketing department. I told them I did not want to pay 100% more for the renewal. When the paper stopped coming a few days ago, I called to inquire about a new subscription at the price their inserts and flyers offer. I was informed that I owed $27 from March 10 to June 9 and they were turning this over to collections if I didn't want to renew at Approximately $100 a year. I got nowhere explaining that I never agree to this practice and that is why I paid for one year by check. Perhaps I should write to TBL with this scam.Desired Settlement: Stop using this unethical practice. Do not try to collect the "unpaid balance" for papers delivered after the end of my subscription.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/06/25) */

June 25, 2013

Revdex.com Case# XXXXXXXX

Account# XXXXXXXX

I am writing in response to your concern submitted to the Revdex.com regarding continuous delivery of your newspaper. Our policy, which appears on all invoices and marketing pieces, states:

This is a continuous subscription that may be cancelled at anytime. To cancel or make changes to your service or subscription, call us at XXX-XXX-XXXX local or X-XXX-XXX-XXXX outside of the Hartford area.Please do not write or send any correspondence in the reply envelope.

Our records reflect that delivery of your newspaper was stopped on 06/13/13. While the charges of $27.16 for the delivery period from 03/10/13 thru 06/09/13 were appropriate per our continuous subscription policy, we have honored your request and closed out the full balance of $27.16.

If I can be of further assistance, please contact me directly at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Sincerely,

Senior Customer Service Representative

Review: The Hartford Courant delivery services are extremely unreliable. The paper is not delivered on a daily basis as it is supposed to be. It is also not delivered in time. Every week we have to call a number of times to report a delivery problem. This morning I called before I went to work to report no newspaper, and by the time I got home it still has not been delivered so I had to call again! When swe twice in one day we get a live person for the second call, not the automated service. She is always very polite and apologetic and says she will report it, and sometimes someone actually will bring us a paper late in the day, but still the hit or miss morning delivery situation does not improve. We spend more time calling up to report missing newspapers then we do actually reading it!

Sadly if you have to call later in the day to report the same missing paper you usually only get a credit. The additional problem is that we are no longer able to look up our account info on the Hartford Courant website. They took this privilege away so we have no idea if they are actually crediting our account or if the accounting is as haphazard as the delivery.

We have subscribed to the paper for a number of years and this problem never improves.

We actually enjoy the paper and we haven't found any other news papers in our area that are as interesting as this one. I do think it is time to quit the Hartford Courant altogether, as the aggravation far outweighs any newspapers we ever receive!Desired Settlement: Regular daily delivery without having to make so many phone calls!

Business

Response:

October 30, 2015

Review: I stopped the delivery of our newspaper when we went on vacation. When we arrived back home, the papers had been delivered. I called the newspaper because I wanted to make sure I had not been charged for the papers and to let them know they had delivered while we were away alerting passerbys to the fact that we were not home. I also wanted to enter another vacation stop. When I asked if the stop had been entered I was told it had been. When I asked what my expiration date was prior to the stop and after the subscription was extended by the number of days we were away, I was informed that the Courant no longer credits you for vacation time under 28 days even if you enter a stop of delivery. You are still charged for the paper even during the time your subscription is stopped. I couldn't believe the policy change, especially with the fact that they never notified the consumers of this change.How can it be legal for them to charge you for something you do not receive. I then asked if I had been credited for days when we never received the paper during the bad snow storms and the delivery driver could not deliver the paper. The lady, very rudly told me that she did not know what I did not understand but that NO credit is ever issued for any reason unless you stop your paper for MORE THAN 28 days.

Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Refund

I am owed for a total of two weeks' cost of delivery for storm related missed papers and for my vacation time that the paper was stopped for.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2013/07/18) */

July 12, 2013

Revdex.com Case #XXXXXXXX

HC Account# XXXXXXXX

This letter is in response to your concerns submitted to the Revdex.com.

We are sorry to learn that newspapers from 05/09/13 to 05/15/13 were delivered to your home in error. We apologize for this mishap and the obvious concern that resulted. Please be assured that the local distributor has been contacted in order to prevent any future occurrence.

Over the years,The Courant has evolved into a media service organization, much like our local cable companies. When customers subscribe, we agree to make home delivery service available through a period of time, regardless of when or how often our product is used. The Hartford Courant vacation policy was changed in December of 2011, and since that time, the following verbiage appears on all invoices:

"Adjustments for service credits extend your expiration date and are reflected in new delivery dates. Vacation holds do not extend your expiration date."

Additionally, this policy change can also be found in our Publisher's box on page A2 of the newspaper and on the FAQ page of our website www.courant.com listed under Courant Services.

We appreciate your feedback and have applied a one-time credit of $4.85 for your most recent vacation stop from. Your account has also been credited for two weeks of missed papers due to the storm. These adjustments have extended your account expiration date to 08/17/13.

You are a valued subscriber and we thank you for your feedback. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me directly at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Sincerely,

Senior Customer Service Representative

Review: An ad in the form of a sticker appeared on the front of the June 21 paper for entering a sweepstakes. When I entered it I also opened up a digital account at a small additional expense. I called Customer Service the next day and was told that when you enter the contest you automatically open the digital subscription. no such statement is made in the ad that any expense is incurred to enter the sweepstakes.Desired Settlement: Hartford Courant reps should be contacted and told to stop this sweepstakes and to apologize for the misleading offer.

Business

Response:

June 30, 2015

Review: My telephone calls have gone without response, and with that, please allow this correspondence to serve as my formal written notice of complaint to the Revdex.com of [redacted]. On the 2nd of March, 2015 after a heavy snowfall, I was snow-blowing my driveway when my snow blower made a strange noise and shut down. During the course of inspecting my snow-blower, I observed a Hartford Courant Reminder in its plastic bag, jammed inside. A few weeks earlier, a similar incident occurred, causing the auger of my snow-blower to seize, forcing my Cotter Pin to break. I ordered two (2) new Cotter pins (receipt on file) and repaired my snow-blower. The Hartford Courant Reminders consistently throw Reminder Newspapers in our driveway. Often times, we come home after dark, and do not see the bags to collect them. Sometimes we inadvertently drive over the bags, which only further conceals the bags from view until we drive out. If there is wind and rain those bags fly all over the yard and into the wooded areas where they become a threat to the wildlife and environment. What is another term for paper and plastic bags thrown on the ground? LITTER! Non-subscribing homeowners should not be held accountable for picking up those bags wherever the Hartford Courant Reminder News employees whimsically elect to toss them. On the 2nd of March, 2015, I called [redacted] to report this claim. I called at 8:11 a.m. and again at 8:44 a.m. I was referred to another number ([redacted]) which I telephoned at 8:47 a.m., 8:52 a.m., 9:09 a.m., and again at 1:52 p.m. This particular telephone number goes directly to voice mail -without even ringing - as though the phone is turned off. On the 9th of March, 2015, at both 10:08 a.m. and 10:10 a.m., out of sheer desperation, I telephoned the initial number of [redacted], and was advised that I would receive a call within 48 hours. I have not received a return call to date. My snow blower is completely out of order as the bag and newspaper are not just entangled but wedged in that entangling. I spent the duration of the winter hand-shoveling a large area. I suffer from hyper-tension (High Blood Pressure) of which I have been treated for decades. The stress and strain shoveling put on me is inexplicable, and it is all due to their LITTERING! I demand that my snow-blower be replaced. Should I have to resort to legal action, I will make sure I am compensated for pain, turmoil and an exacerbation of my physical conditions. I will further report the Hartford Courant Reminder News to the city of [redacted] for allowing this type of marketing as it is ruining the environment, including wildlife and terrain. It is my sincere wish that we can reach an amicable resolution with the Hartford Courant Reminder News.Desired Settlement: Replace the Snow-blower and One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for other damages.

Business

Response:

April 09, 2015

Revdex.com Case# [redacted]

Review: At 7:50 am on 11/24/14 I called the Hartford Courant stating I had not received my paper of the day. The person answering stated they would handle this and a paper would be delivered. At 11:10 am I called again requesting the delivery of my paper. At that time a representative stated I would be lucky to receive the paper by 5 PM and they would notify the District Manager who possibly could deliver the paper within 60-90 minutes. Again at 1:10 PM I called and requested to speak to a supervisor after giving the same information for the third time, that I had not received my paper and wanted it today. At that time the person answering the phone stated I would get the paper tomorrow morning. I stated that I paid for the paper for today and wanted my paper today. I then spoke to an [redacted] who said she would look into this and call me back at 3 PM. She did call back and spoke to my husband and stated that she had looked into this matter and contacted the District Managers office and left a message. At 4:10 pm I called again. I spoke to the same [redacted] and she reiterated how the District Managers was left a message. I asked her to look at the time of that request and she said it was around 1 Pm. I said to forget notifying them again that apparently they were not responding or had left their office. She again said she would look into this matter as I continuously stated I wanted my paper especially as it was now over 8 hours and no one had attempted to deliver me a paper. This is totally unexceptable. When you call Customer Service this is what is expected, not a total run around. Again some time around 5:30 - 6 PM this [redacted] called and stated that I would not receive a paper today that it would come with tomorrows paper.

I will tell you that I had a hip operation which I was telling everyne I spoke with and could not leave the house. The importance of receiving this paper was to see and read an obituary of a family member. Throughout the day my computer was down and I couldn't go online to read this. I do believe that the inconsistancies I was hearing from staff at the Hartford Courant were to pacify me and not rectify the situation. The [redacted] did state I would receive an extended week of delivery. I recently paid for the entire year and would prefer the weekly amount sent back to me.

Business

Response:

December 8, 2014

Revdex.com Case # [redacted]

I’m writing in response to your concern submitted to the Revdex.com.

Review: I have been receiving the Hartford Currant newspaper for over 40 years and I know that I am a valued customer. I am also disable and so is my husband. Last year and this year we have been having problems with the delivery of the newspaper,often I call to the costumer service as soon as possible when I don't see my paper on the stoop behind the front door. Yet sometimes the paper came and it was in the middle under one of our cars and how can I with fragile bones get under that car and get the paper, enough is enough they always offer to refund the money but that is not what we want we want our paper to be delivered from thursday to sunday every week on the stoop behind the front door. this time they have gone too far back in December we missed going to a funeral of one of our dear friends because the paper was not delivered. This month on 1\23\14 the paper was under the car once again I could not get it, on 1/24/14 the paper was not delivered my husband called 3 times in the morning I called 2 more times and they said that it was reported to the highest level and that the paper would be delivered yet it was not. On 1/25/14 no paper called now they said I would get a call from the district manager but all we really want is to have our paper delivered on time and on the stoop it's important for us to get the paper. Maybe we are not so valued after all so we have spoken with Josh, Leila, Sheila and Andrea they were all very nice and I know that they have been well trained they all use the exact words to calm the situation but no resolution. Please help us resolve this issue so that it does not happens again. Thanks [redacted]Desired Settlement: I would like to have my paper delivered at my front stoop behind the door from Thursday to Sunday on a timely manner from now on and I do hope the the delivery person speaks English enough to understand instructions because this on does not and I really do not want to miss my paper.

Business

Response:

January 29, 2014

Review: Beginning in approximately September of 2014 I stopped recieving newspapers that I was contracted to be recieving through the end of the year. Between November and January I made four different phone calls to costumer services and each time was told they were sorry and would credit my account for the papers not recieved and that the issue would be resolved. After still not recieving any newspapers my husband contacted the Hartford Courant in approximately February and notified them that we would like to cancel our account and be refunded for the newspapers not recieved. He was told that a check would be issued in the amount of $12 and some change. After that conversation we occasionally recieved newspapers unsolicitated and did not recieve our refund. On May 19, 2015 I recieved a notification from [redacted]. to inform me that my account with the Hartford COurant had been submitted for collection in the amount of $11.50, and that if I wanted to dispute this debt I would have to submit letter in writing, taking more time out of my schedule to correct The Hartford COurants mistake. I was then called at home by A.R.M Solutions on June 12, informing me of the debt that I owed and I informed them of the dispute.Desired Settlement: I wish to recieve the originally agreed upon refund and I would like my name and account removed from any collection agency!

Business

Response:

June 25, 2015

Revdex.com Case # [redacted]

Review: The carrier never delivers the paper on time. It is supposed to be delivered by 6:30 and ussually doesn't show up before 8. Within the last ten days the paper never even came on 5 of the days. I have called to complain many times but nothing ever changes. this has been on going for over a year. If this isn't resolved immediately I am canceling the subscription. The time is now 7:40 and the paper has yet to be delivered.When the paper does come and it rains that day, the paper is soaking wet by the time I get home and useless. If the paper came ontime I would be able to bring it in the house before I leave for work.Desired Settlement: The carrier is incompetent. Ever since the the old carrier left there has been serious issues with delivery. The carrier needs to be fired and replaced with someone who can actually perform the job correctly. Furthermore the management seems incompetent as they have never made any attempt to resolve the issue.

Business

Response:

July 14, 2014

Revdex.com Case# [redacted] I’m writing in response to your concern submitted to the Revdex.com regarding your Hartford Courant subscription. We value our customers and strive to provide them with exceptional service. Clearly, we’ve failed you in this regard.

Operations manager, [redacted], has been notified and has informed us that she’s left you several messages. In addition, she has contacted the distributor who has assured us that this issue is being addressed with the contractor.

Please accept our sincerest apology for the obvious frustration and inconvenience you have suffered. We will do everything in our power to better serve you in the future.

Sincerely, [redacted] Senior Customer Service Representative

Review: Both myself and my room mate contracted the HC for newspaper delivery. Mine was to be Thursday through Sunday, and her's only Sunday. I was told there were coupons in the Thursday paper, there are not. We only received one Sunday paper for the last 5 weeks called every week asked for re-delivery, asked for supervisors, they kept promising to fix it, but it never was. We are tired of being frustrated and having to call and wait for the product to be delivered almost 12 hours later, and after we have gone shopping which is what we wait for the coupons for. They did nothing to remedy the situation but say that they were going to put reports in. This should have been fixed weeks ago! I have since cancelled my subscription and I am awaiting refund! Customer service is clearly outsourced and needs to be handled in a more appropriate manner!Desired Settlement: I would really like us to both get our papers on time and as ordered. I don't want to have to call and say you only sent one, I want both on my door step when I wake up in the am. If I wanted to order 800 Papers to my address that is my prerogative as long as I pay for the service I am receiving and since I pre paid for both of these papers this is what I expect!

Business

Response:

January 16, 2014

Revdex.com Case #[redacted]

Review: Since the Courant took over the [redacted] Reminder I have not been receiving the Thursday flyers now called: The Courant Community. I have been patient and have called 6 times since Oct. 1st and have been told there isn't any reason why I am not receiving the flyers. The last time was Monday the 9th of Nov. and it was escalated to the Manager and I was told I would receive it this week. I called again on Thursday afternoon to state I have not received it and was told it would be at the end of my driveway by Friday. Well guess what, it was not there. I noticed several other driveways had the paper on the ground. I am located on the corner of [redacted] and [redacted]. I have a posted house number and have lost my patience. I am retired and look forward to the sales before I shop. Thank you for your help! Hope this issue can be resolved quickly!Desired Settlement: Delivery of flyers.

Business

Response:

November 25, 2015

Review: Have subscribed to the Courant for many years. Renewed my one year subscription in December of 2014 after moving to [redacted]. Since that time we have experienced more issues with either no delivery or receipt of an unreadable edition due to not being properly wrapped during inclement weather. Calls to the out of country service utilized by the courant do nothing more than try to pacify the customer with a credit for that day's paper. Having paid two hundred dollars plus for a product that I do not receive or cannot view is totally unacceptable. I cannot total the number of newspapers discarded as unreadable because they were just thrown away in disgust.Desired Settlement: Make the complete lack of service right.

Business

Response:

November 16, 2015