Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Review: More than a year ago, I began receiving "free trial" papers from the PG, without having requested a free trial. It went on for some time. I complained, they stopped briefly, but then I received a telemarketing call saying I was a "former subscriber," which is why they were allowed to contact me, despite being on the National Do Not Call Registry (which is a lie, I was never a subscriber).The papers started again. I called, emailed, tweeted, wrote letters, all to no avail. Finally, I complained here, to the Revdex.com, and the deliveries stopped. For a while.

They have started back up again, for over a month. Once again, while I was out of town, papers piled up on my porch, advertising that no one is home. I can pause mail delivery, but I cannot pause delivery of a subscription I do not have.

Whatever list I am on, get me off of it. After this nonsense, I will never, ever subscribe to the PG. Why would I? I can't seem to get you to stop delivering FREE papers! No more papers, no telemarketing calls. I am not a subscriber and I never will be. Help.Desired Settlement: Stop deliveries forever, no telemarketing calls.

Business

Response:

June 6, 2016Revdex.com[redacted]Re: #[redacted] – [redacted]I am writing in reply to the consumer complaint filed by [redacted]. I apologize that the Post-Gazette newspaper was delivered to her home without her permission. I referred her complaint to the Distribution team to address with the carrier. Jeff M[redacted], the Home Delivery Distribution Operation Manager sent me this reply:“The carrier stated that she delivered the paper intended for [redacted] to [redacted] in error. She apologizes for the mistake of delivering to the wrong house, and will make sure that she does not throw a paper there ever again”.Delivery to Ms. [redacted]’ residence should have ceased as of the date of this response. If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at [redacted]. Thank you,[redacted]Pittsburgh Post-GazetteManager of Audience Interaction

Review: Yesterday my wife subscribed to the Post-Gazette for one year. She was given a very good price to get 5 days of the paper (No Monday or Tuesday papers). So we thought we would get 52 weeks of the paper minus Monday and Tuesday's.

Then today we get a piece of paper tucked in the paper (from the Audience Department) that was dated July 2016.

1. In this letter we were told that the paper will no longer be printed on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. OK I can live with that, but it would have been nice to be notified prior to purchasing the contract

2. The letter also mentioned a new policy for vacations: You can still stop the paper during a vacation, you will still be charged as if you were getting the paper, You have to option of having the paper held for up to 2 weeks, and have them delivered to your do the day you return,

2A. How can they charge you for something you didn't get, or something that is out of date?

2B. What happens if I am gone for more than two weeks, it is not explained.

2C. We often go on 14 day trips or cruises, which are actually at least 15 days (with the loss of a day over to Europe, what happens then?

2D. We are gone for a month or better at least every other year, what is their policy?

3. Rates are subject to change without notice, which will affect my subscription date. This means that they can give me a great rate, then up the price the next day.

4. They can now automatically renew your subscription. According to #3 above, they can up the rate a month or two prior to your end date, your end date shifts and you are automatically re-enrolled before your actual end date.

5. Now for the major objection, they are now charging $2.00 for each of 15 "Holliday and Bonus days". If you are a seven day customer you will not have to pay the $2.00. Then there is some words about weekend subscriber, and non-frequency days (did a search on PG's website for "non-frequency" and could not get PG's definition. I assume that since we are only getting 5 of 7 days, we now have to pay for these extra papers.

We were not told about all of these new rules prior to subscribing, I think this is unfair practice on PG's part.Desired Settlement: If the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette can not rectify the new terms that we were given to us a day after we agreed on the new contract, which is most of the terms that were changed from our previous contract, we would prefer a full refund.

Business

Response:

Re: #[redacted]I am writing in regards to the complaint filed by [redacted]. I am sorry to see that Mr. [redacted] has cancelled his subscription. The subscription policies he refers to in his complaint were reflected on the renewal invoice that was sent to him on July 17, 2016, prior to his payment on July 26, 2016. The letter that was delivered by his carrier on Thursday, July 28, 2016 was the second notification of a these policies. The policies are also stated on our website: www.post-gazette.com Mr. [redacted] will receive a full refund of $143.00 back to the MasterCard that was charged. Hopefully in time, he will change his mind and choose to resubscribe. If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at ###-###-####. Thank you, Mary S[redacted]Pittsburgh Post-GazetteManager of Audience Interaction

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is OK by me. It was a big part my fault for not reading the outrageous and possibly illegal terms. Who would have thought they would have come up with such unbelievably underhanded terms. These terms amount to unfair business practices.

Review: I am contacting regarding my father's subscription to the Post Gazette. Since Oct, 2015, I have been trying to get a paper invoice sent to my residence as I take care of his affairs. I have phoned numerous times (holding on for at least twenty minutes) and also E-mailed. Some people were very nice but some were very rude. I also subscribe to the Post Gazette and have been getting an invoice mailed to my home for years. The invoice states to contact the customer service team by phone or E-mail. When I contacted them by E-mail I was told that this was only for on-line customers. If I was trying to avoid payment, why did I keep contacting them? Why should I have to take verbal abuse when I'm trying to do the right thing? One rep hung up on me and another suggested that I give my credit card number.

I was told to be patient as it takes time. Well I think I have been very patient as it is now June. At one point they cancelled his service and was threatening to cancel the service again. Since I didn't want this to happen to him, I paid with a credit card. I don't want to continue paying on the internet. When I set up the account I stated that I wanted a paper invoice.

I had no idea what his account number was but one person did tell me that his account is [redacted] as he also qualifies for the senior's rate which he originally wasn't receiving. At this point there is no way that I know when his subscription will expire. Neither of us read the paper on line as I find it very annoying.

I also sent a letter to the corporate office but here again I had no response or follow-up. All I'm asking is for an old fashion paper bill which I want to pay by check. Is this an impossible task? Post Gazette service years ago was wonderful. I still enjoy reading the newspaper even though the paper is shrinking but I can understand why people cancel.Desired Settlement: Please send paper invoice for A/C [redacted] to my attention at my address. My phone number is listed in the complaint if someone needs to contact me.

Business

Response:

July 6, 2016Revdex.com[redacted]

[redacted]Re: #[redacted] – [redacted]I am writing in reply to the consumer complaint filed by [redacted]. I apologize that her interactions with the Circulation department have been less than professional. The billing information has been updated on her father’s subscription account to reflect Ms. [redacted]’s address. The next billing invoice will be mailed to her. The last payment of $55.25 on May 15, 2016 will cover delivery through July 28, 2016. A renewal invoice is scheduled to be sent shortly. The subscription is also set up on the senior discounted rate. Ms. [redacted] can also view her father’s subscription status through our customer portal at any time at www.post-gazette.com/subservices If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at [redacted]. Thank you,Mary S[redacted]Pittsburgh Post-GazetteManager of Audience Interaction

Review: I began receiving charges on my credit card from the post-gazette in regards to merchandise. Each charge has been the same amount for 129.48. The first occurred on 7/3/15. I disputed charge through credit card company. The post-gazette claimed I spoke with one of their telemarketers and made this order which is a lie. Anyway, the charge was refunded on 7/9/15. I received another 2 charges on 7/22/15 and 7/23/15. Again, I disputed charges through credit card company and one charge was refunded on 7/22/15. I disputed the other through the credit card company but after hearing nothing for a few days, I contacted the post-gazette sometime in the last week of July. They informed me that my credit card had been removed from their system and I would be receiving another credit and would no longer be charged. I received the credit back on 7/30/15. I assumed the hassle was over but Lo and behold I checked my credit card account online today 8/14/15 and on 8/12/15 I was once again charged 129.48 by the post-gazette for merchandise I never ordered or received. As of now I cannot even dispute this charge online as it doesn`t show under this particular charge which means I now have to call the credit card company and the post-gazette to try and straighten this matter out again.Desired Settlement: Credit the charge from 8/12/15 for 129.48 on my credit card and do not ever apply this charge or any other on my credit card ever again. Every time the charge appears I am being charged interest on this. I have an electronic subscription to the post-gazette in which my debit card is charged every April. This is all I want and nothing more..

Business

Response:

Re: #[redacted]I am writing in regards to the complaint filed by [redacted]. The credit card charge of $129.48 was for the digital subscription Mr. [redacted] initiated on April, 2011.His annual renewal date had been in July since 2014. The payment amount of $129.48 has also not changed. It was $129.48 in 2014 and $129.48 in 2015.Mr, [redacted] disputed the July 2015 charge of $129.48 with his credit card company. The subscription account was active when his credit card company removed the payment credit of $129.48 from the Post-Gazette. There was not enough credit in his account to cover the refund of $129.48. This chargeback reverted the account to an arrears status. This difference left a balance owed in his subscription account.Since Mr. [redacted]’s subscription account was set up in 2011 for automatic renewals using his credit card; when the account went into the arrears status, a charge was made to his credit card to bring the account current. This is the payment from July 22, 2015 that Mr. [redacted] mentions in his complaint. The Post-Gazette did not also charge him on July 23, 2015.The Post-Gazette did refund the July 22, 2015 payment to Mr. [redacted]'s credit card; however, a second dispute from his credit card company was received after the refund was issued. Mr. [redacted]’s credit card company removed the payment credit of $129.48 from the July 22, 2015 payment from his subscription account. The subscription account was still active and once again reverted to an arrears status.There was not enough credit in his account to cover the second chargeback of $129.48. This difference left a balance owed in his subscription account.Since Mr. [redacted]’s subscription account was still active and still set up for automatic renewals using his credit card, a charge was made to his credit card to bring the account current. This is the payment, on August 10, 2015 that Mr. [redacted] mentions in his complaint.Mr. [redacted]’s account is not currently active. His credit card company has since reversed its decision of the second chargeback and credited the Post-Gazette back for the August 5, 2015 payment. There is a credit balance of $129.48 in his account.The Post-Gazette can either refund this credit back to Mr. [redacted]’s credit card or restart the subscription account. !t is Mr. [redacted]’s choice.If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at ###-###-####.Thank you,Mary S[redacted] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Manager of Audience Interaction

Review: I have repeatedly asked the post-gazette to cease delivery of their "free" Sunday magazine product to my home. As recently as July, I filled out the form at https://[redacted] to get them to stop. On July 6th, 2015, I received the following in email from them:

"Dear [redacted],

Thank you for contacting the Post-Gazette Circulation Department.

Your out-out request for Sunday Extra at "My Address Redacted" has been processed.

Follow us on Twitter @[redacted] address redacted

[redacted]"

Today, August 8th 2015 they placed another "PG Sunday Extra" in my driveway.Desired Settlement: I want the Post Gazette to now and in the future and in perpetuity stop littering unsolicited newspapers on my property. I have, over the course of the past 3 years, told them at least 5 times on the phone, twice in writing, and twice on their website that I don't presently nor EVER wish to receive their product.

Review: I purchased a ad in the obituary section on March 8, I was promised a tear sheet of the ad mailed to my home. I have repeatedly called the paper about the tear sheet and kept getting excuses why it hasn't been mailed to me. I paid a lot for the thank you ad for my deceased sister, and I am very upset with the unprofessional way I been treated.It's a simple request.Desired Settlement: I just want the tear sheet of the ad I was promised.I think it's disgraceful how I was treated.

Review: the week of July 1, the PG began delivering newspapers to my house despite the fact that we did not order the service - not to mention that we have asked on several occasions for them to remove us from any calling or mailing lists. 1-2 days after the 1st paper arrived, we got a voicemail welcoming us to the Post-gazette and that we would be sent an invoice if we did not call to cancel the subscription. I wasted 15 minutes calling and being put on hold to ensure I was not billed for something I never ordered. This practice is unethical.Desired Settlement: Please have them ensure that they will never again send me a paper or call me unless I initiate a subscription.

Business

Response:

Review: The Pittsburgh Post Gazette keeps throwing unwanted and unordered Sunday papers in my driveway. I do not subscribe to the paper, I do not want the paper, and I have called them numerous times to tell them to stop placing it in my driveway. They stop for a few months, and then they just start doing it again.I know from experience that if I do not go through the great inconvenience of calling their circulation department and insisting they stop delivery, they pretend I subscribed and eventually call me claiming that I owe them money.Desired Settlement: I want them to stop placing newspapers in way driveway. I do not have a subscription to the paper, and I do not want the paper.

Business

Response:

Re: #[redacted] – [redacted]

I am writing in regards to the

complaint filed by [redacted]. The

Post-Gazette has a program that provides Sunday Extra newspapers for a

specified length of time to households that currently do not currently receive

delivery. I was unsure, after reading

her complaint, if Ms. [redacted] was referring to a Sunday Extra newspaper or the

regular edition of the Post-Gazette. I

spoke with Ms. [redacted] on June 19, 2014 to clarify the matter.

The newspaper that was delivered

to Ms. [redacted]’s home at [redacted] was in error. On June 15th, the independent

contractor in her area missed delivering the daily Post-Gazette newspaper to her

next door neighbor, the Post-Gazette subscriber at [redacted]. The customer at 2[redacted] requested a replacement paper that day.

The customer service representative notified an employee to redeliver

the newspaper to that address, [redacted]. Unfortunately, the person that replaced the

newspaper threw the copy to Ms. [redacted]’s driveway at [redacted] instead of [redacted].

Ms. [redacted] can be assured that

there isn’t an active subscription at her address. We apologize for the error that occurred on

June 15, 2014 and have addressed the occurrence with the employee.

If you

need further assistance please feel free to contact me at ###-###-####.

Thank you,

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Manager of Audience Interaction

Review: Pittsburgh Post Gazette turned us into a collection agency even though we discontinued our subscription. We spoke with a gentleman from the Post Gazette on two occasions explaining to him that we discontinued our subscription and therefore, should not have a balance. On both occasions, the man replied, "please disregard this phone call." However, then we get a bill from a collection agency. I immediately called the Post Gazette and spoke with Denise, the floor supervisor, and was treated with disrespect, unprofessionally, and basically called a "liar." The irony of it all is that the paper is still being delivered to us even after this situation! I expected better customer service from such a large company. Also, the honesty to tell me that I owed a balance instead of telling me to, "disregard the phone call" and then turn us into a collection agency. Desired Settlement: A refund would be the proper thing to do, but I don't expect that after the disrespect and unprofessional manner that the Post Gazette has handled this situation. I just wanted the Revdex.com to be aware. Thank you.

Review: I received a collection notice for payment due to the Post Gazette. The reason I received a notice, is that I let my subscription lapse. When I contacted the Post Gazette, they told me that I was to have notified them in writing that I wanted to cancel. However, they sent me to collection. I paid the bill - $77.82.Two months later, my credit card was debited in the amount of $77.82. I have never given the Post Gazette my credit card #. I called the Post Gazette to see why they debited my account, for which they have never had access. They said it was an error. They told me I need to pay $77.82. I am filing a complaint for accessing a credit card that was never given to them and for threatening to send me once again to a collection agency.I need your assistance.Thanks.Desired Settlement: Post Gazette needs to close my account and stop any further transactions to my credit card and any notice to collection agency.Thanks.

Business

Response:

Re: #[redacted] - [redacted]

I am writing in reply to the complaint filed by [redacted]. The collection notice Ms. [redacted] refers to in her complaint was sent to her by [redacted] in May 2014, [redacted] notified the Post-Gazette in July 2014 that Ms. [redacted] paid the past due balance of $77.82. As a courtesy, the Post-Gazette refunded to her credit card, an amount equal to her payment. The refund of $77.82 occurred on August 7, 2014. I see no record of any charge by the Post-Gazette to Ms. [redacted]’s credit card, since her last subscription payment of $124.80 on July 12, 2013.

Ms. [redacted] states in her complaint that she has never provided the Post-Gazette with her credit card information. When she signed up to restart her subscription on April 8, 2013, she provided her credit card to pay for the past due balance at that time and for automatic future renewals on the same credit card.

Ms. [redacted] had been a long time subscription of the Post-Gazette. The PostGazette’s renewal policy has been the same throughout the entire time Ms. [redacted] has been a customer. This information was on all of the billing notices that were sent to her since her first subscription in 2001. The information is also displayed on our website: http: //www.post-gazette.com/pgdel iverv/faq. asp

The renewal policy states that delivery and billing will continue throughout a grace period, beyond the current paid term. Simply not remitting payment does not immediately cancel the delivery account. We ask that the customer notifies the PostGazette when they decide they no longer wish to receive home delivery service.

Ms. [redacted]’s former subscription is cancelled and per her request, all future Post-Gazette home delivery subscription solicitation will be blocked. We are sorry to lose her as a customer.

If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at ###-###-####.

Thank you,

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Manager of Audience Interaction

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.

Review: The Post-Gazette (via their telemarketing partners) ignores the do-not-call list and does not per Pennsylvania law honor do-not-call requests.I do not have a prior business relationship with either [redacted] or the business they are telemarketing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I began to receive an _unsolicited_ copy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on vacation. I called to have this discontinued--I did not want the paper they gave me, I did not request the paper they were dropping in my driveway. At _no_ time did I initiate or request a "Business relationship" with either the P-G or [redacted]. I repeat for clarity--at no time did I initiate or request a "Business relationship" in the form of the unsolicited newspaper dropped into my driveway. It took several days for the unsolicited newspaper to stop being dropped into my driveway.Several days later, I began to receiving telemarketing calls from the Post-Gazette via [redacted] on my home phone, a number which has been properly registered on the Pennsylvania and Federal do-not-call lists for years. on 21-July during one of these unsolicited calls, the [redacted] telemarketer was asked to put my number on their do-not-call list. On 25-August, despite the number being on the do-not-call list, they called again trying to sell me a Post-Gazette subscription after having been previously told on 21-July to place the number on their do-not-call list. During this call, the telemarketer was again told to put the number on _all_ [redacted]'s do-not-call lists as well as the P-G's do-not-call list.On 5-September, [redacted] again called my home phone trying to sell the Post-Gazette At this time, the representative was again told to place the number on their do-not-call list.Desired Settlement: 1. Get the Post-Gazette to cease the practice of putting unsolicited newspapers on people's property. If nothing else, it's a giant "rob me" sign, particularly when an unsolicited newspaper begins to be dropped when one is on vacation.2. Get the P-G and their telemarketing partners to follow Pennsylvania and Federal law and actually honor the do-not-call lists.3. Get the P-G and their telemarketing partner to take my home phone number off their lists. Permanently.

Business

Response:

Re: #[redacted] – [redacted]

I am writing in reply to the complaint filed by [redacted] The Post-Gazette does supply free editions of its newspaper to certain non-subscribing households. The distribution of the product is aimed at securing new subscribers and furthering the market reach for advertisers.

The independent contractors are instructed to deliver the newspaper to the households until either the resident or the Post-Gazette indicates a cancellation.

A flyer is included in the first edition that is delivered advising the resident of the delivery, the term of service and the methods of which to contact the Post-Gazette to either subscribe or cancel the free delivery. If someone expresses dissatisfaction with receiving the free editions, every effort is made by the Post-Gazette and independent contractor to honor that request as quickly as possible.

Mr. [redacted] contacted the Post-Gazette customer service department on July 18, 2014 to request a stop of the delivery of the free newspapers. The cancellation was entered immediately and the carrier notified to stop delivery effective July 19, 2014.

I apologize that [redacted] did not honor Mr. [redacted]’s requests to not be called. The Post-Gazette does not condone non compliance with any Do Not Call lists and will not tolerate infractions. I have contacted [redacted] concerning this matter.

I have also placed the telephone number ###-###-#### on the Post-Gazette’s internal do not call list.

If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at ###-###-####.

Thank you,

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Manager of Audience Interaction

Review: I have been a long time subscriber to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I usually subscribe for a three month period and get a notice to renew. About a week ago, I began getting robo calls and calls from an 800 number and the message left identified the caller as being from the Post Gazette. I tried to get on a do not call list, and the Post Gazette does not make that option available on its website. Finally, I was able to reach a person in customer service who said my payment was overdue and that the calls were from a collection agency. They said I owed them $17. I didn't get a notice to renew. Quite frankly, I don't think I should have to pay since they automatically renewed the subscription without waiting to find out if I wanted to continue receiving the paper. But I agreed just want to be done with this whole matter.Desired Settlement: Here is what I want as a resolution to this complaint: 1. I want them to waive the $17 fee they are trying to collect since I never received a subscription renewal request. 2. I don't ever want to be contacted by the Post Gazette for any reason or in any way. 3. I want to be assured that this is not recorded on my credit history.

Business

Response:

Review: First had delivery cancelled supposedly because of non-payment. But was never notified they were having any problems. Tried to talk to agent but could not understand her. Kept asking her to slow down but instead she just disconnected. Finally got satisfaction with an Email. Was told they would put current charges on credit card. When the credit card statement arrived, I was billed twice. After another series of waiting someone finally told me one of the charges would be credited (I also reported this to credit card carrier). As I result of this problem, discovered that I am charged $62.40 for 13 week and my son is charged $35.75 for 13 weeks. Tried to call for an explanation, have had the same endless waits and when I finally got thru to an agent, had the same problem. Could not understand her, asked her to talk louder and slower and after several attempts she just disconnected. Would like to resolve this problem , so sent an Email. No response and a week has passed. Don't know what else to do.Desired Settlement: An Email, letter or phone call explaining charges. Perhaps an apology for the way they treat consumers.

Review: I signed up for a 26 week subscription with 7-day delivery. During that time, I realized that I did not have time to read the papers and would not renew. The Post-Gazette sent renewal requests which I just discarded as I did not want to renew. They continued delivery without my request and began calling me stating I owed them for the renewal of service. I told them numerous times that I had not renewed and owed them nothing. They eventually turned me into collections for non-payment of a debt that I was not responsible for paying. I have been disputing this with the collection agency and they have been taking the dispute back to the Post-Gazette. I called the Post-Gazette and was told that they automatically renew their subscriptions if they are not informed otherwise. I was never presented with anything stating I needed to notify them in writing that I wanted to cancel nor was I told that renewal requests mailed that went without response would be taken as a request to renew. They illegally renewed my subscription without my authorization and are trying to bully me into paying a debt I do not owe them.I am sure I am not the only customer they have treated this poorly and should this collection go further, they will face legal action. Something needs to be done to stop them from mistreating honest, hard working people that do not deserve to be put through unnecessary stress and concern.Desired Settlement: Stop the collection process against me without malice, remove me from their call list and change their billing practices to stop automatically renewing subscriptions that will cause other honest people from facing this in the future.

Business

Response:

October 3, 2013

I am writing in regards to the complaint filed by [redacted], Mr. [redacted] signed up for a home delivery subscription on August 16, 2012 with a Post-Gazette sales representative.

The order form that was provided to Mr. [redacted] at the time of the sale included information concerning the subscription renewal policies. These policies are also available on our website at ([redacted]

) and listed on all three billing notices that were sent to his home.

Review: The Pittsburgh. Post Gazette included a copy of pgh inside guide in my Sunday paper delivery that I did not request and made me spend my time to opt-out of a magazine that I did request to purchased.Desired Settlement: Have them stop this type of practice!!

Business

Response:

Re: #[redacted] – [redacted]I am writing in reply to the consumer complaint filed by [redacted]. I apologize to Mr. [redacted] for the inconvenience to him concerning the Premium Magazine opt out procedure. I did verify that Mr. [redacted]’s request to opt out from being billed for the Insiders Guide and future magazines was previously processed. The Post-Gazette does not comment on its business decisions; however, I will state that other major metro newspapers across the country have similar programs. This program is not unique to the Post-Gazette nor did we create it. Although I do not know of any at this time, it is possible that other programs either similar or different to this one may be offered to subscribers in the future. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience to him and thank him for being a subscriber. If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at ###-###-####. Thank you,Mary S[redacted]Pittsburgh Post-GazetteManager of Audience Interaction

Review: I subscribe. for the post gazette on Dec. 22 2014 at the Pittsburgh Mills Galeria. My credit card was billed on Jan. 8,2015 . Today I have not received a paper nor have they gave credit to my card. I have contacted the post-gazette 7 times since Feb.5 2015 to resolve this problem and has received no satisfaction. It has been we will look into it.Desired Settlement: I would like my money back since the Post gazette cannot honor their delivery of there paper to my house as they had promised.

Review: I began receiving charges on my credit card from the post-gazette in regards to merchandise. Each charge has been the same amount for 129.48. The first occurred on 7/3/15. I disputed charge through credit card company. The post-gazette claimed I spoke with one of their telemarketers and made this order which is a lie. Anyway, the charge was refunded on 7/9/15. I received another 2 charges on 7/22/15 and 7/23/15. Again, I disputed charges through credit card company and one charge was refunded on 7/22/15. I disputed the other through the credit card company but after hearing nothing for a few days, I contacted the post-gazette sometime in the last week of July. They informed me that my credit card had been removed from their system and I would be receiving another credit and would no longer be charged. I received the credit back on 7/30/15. I assumed the hassle was over but Lo and behold I checked my credit card account online today 8/14/15 and on 8/12/15 I was once again charged 129.48 by the post-gazette for merchandise I never ordered or received. As of now I cannot even dispute this charge online as it doesn`t show under this particular charge which means I now have to call the credit card company and the post-gazette to try and straighten this matter out again.Desired Settlement: Credit the charge from 8/12/15 for 129.48 on my credit card and do not ever apply this charge or any other on my credit card ever again. Every time the charge appears I am being charged interest on this. I have an electronic subscription to the post-gazette in which my debit card is charged every April. This is all I want and nothing more..

Review: On January 6th I went online and signed up to receive the Sunday paper (delivered weekly to my home). I also paid for this and gave my credit card information so billing would be automatic.

I sent an email on 1/10/16 stating that I had yet to receive the paper. I did not get a response. I made phone calls to complain on 1/19/16, 1/25/16 and 2/1/16 to complain that I have not received a newspaper yet, although I've been charged. I did not receive a refund nor have I received a paper. They will not give a reason why. I want to cancel my subscription but the customer service people claim I will receive the paper.Desired Settlement: My money is refunded and the subscription canceled.

Business

Response:

February 1, 2016 Revdex.com[redacted]Re: #[redacted] – [redacted]I am writing in reply to the consumer complaint filed by [redacted]. I apologize that the independent contractor in her area did not start the delivery of the Post-Gazette newspaper to her home. I have cancelled the subscription account effective immediately. The Post-Gazette will process a refund of $11.80 to the VISA card that was charged within the week. I apologize for the inconvenience to [redacted]. If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at [redacted] Thank you,Mary S[redacted]Pittsburgh Post-GazetteManager of Audience Interaction

Review: I renewed my subscription with them via the phone. The option on the phone on 6/23/14 was for 13 weeks at $48.75 (the form they sent in the mail was for 13 weeks at $64.35). I did the automatic payment for 48.75. (This should have covered me from 6/27-9/25). When I received my renewal, they said my subscription ends 9/11 (2 weeks earlier). This happened with my earlier renewal as well...and they said the phone information was incorrect, and that was not the correct renewal rate on their phone. I told them that was false advertising...and after speaking to a supervisor...they gave me the additional two weeks. Well now it has happened again.On the most recent renewal bill for 9/11...for 13 weeks it is now $77.35...but if you call the automated system it is $64.35 for 13 weeks. I am confident since it has happened to me twice now...that if I renew on the phone...it really isn't 13 weeks...it is only 11. (Even though the automated message says 13 weeks. This is deceptive.I will be cancelling my subscription today.Desired Settlement: I would like them to be accountable to the customers that have not caught this deceptive advertising. I personally do not want anything...as they will lose me as a customer. Their automated message needs to be updated to what customers are actually paying for.

Business

Response:

Re: #[redacted]

I am writing in reply to the complaint filed by [redacted] I apologize, I am unable to determine at this time what information was provided to Ms. [redacted] by the automated telephone system at the time of her calls. The information the system provides changes daily due to credits and charges continually occurring on active subscriptions with each passing day.

The automated telephone system is provided by an outside vendor. I will speak with this company about Ms. [redacted] situation and ask that they troubleshoot the payment portion to determine if there are any exisiting issues. I am not aware of any other similar instances.

Ms. [redacted] has since accepted a telemarketing offer and restarted her delivery account. As a courtesy, I have extended her current subscription by two weeks, the amount of time she indicated that her previous subscription was shorted.

I thank her for her continued business and apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need further assistance please feel free to contact me at [redacted].

Thank you,

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Manager of Audience Interaction

Review: We have home delivery of the Post Gazette. Anytime we don't receive the paper we are required to call early enough to get a replacement. We haven't received the paper several times over the last two weeks. This is where the problem begins. When you call you are directed to an automated system that promises to send out a replacement. Not once have we received the replacement. This requires calling back and getting credit for that day which they are willing to do. When we ask to talk to any manager who can resolve this problem we are told it would be forwarded and we would be contacted which has never happened. The automated system has an average wait time of ten minutes or longer. We have tried to file a complaint on their website and get no response in the promised time frame. I asked for a report on our account so we could verify the credits were being given and was told they couldn't give it to us for no apparent reason.Desired Settlement: I would like my complaint answered by someone other than a customer service rep who does nothing more than voice the company line. They have nothing more than a generic phone number connected to a call center somewhere. Their automated system is bad. Their customer service is worse. This is the only company I have done business with that provides no paperwork for the service they provide.