Sacramento Bee

Review: I haven't had a subscription to the Sacramento Bee for many years. Today I received a bill from a collection agency for 19.97. I have not received any previous bills from the Bee, no one has ever called about this supposed account.Desired Settlement: I want it removed from my records. I don't plan on subscribing again.

Business

Response:

Good morning, This notice is to confirm that we have cleared all remaining charges on the subscription account. We have sent notification to remove this account from collections through our vendor, ARM. Please disregard any collection notices they have received from ARM or The Bee. on their subscription account. If you have any questions regarding this notice or your account, please contact us at [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: Beginning approximately 6 weeks ago, someone has been stealing my newspaper. My box is located at the intersection of [redacted] and [redacted] and is very accessible to anyone from our development or driving by on GVR. Initially, I wrote my address in a very visible location on the inside lip of my box. That did not work. I then typed a note and taped it to the box that read "Please do not steal our newspaper". The next morning the note had been torn off and thrown on the ground. When I initially contacted the Bee, I suggested that the solution to the problem was to provide me with the service I was paying for, which is "home delivery". The service rep agreed and we agreed that I would relocate my Bee box to the entrance to my driveway. She told me my paper would be delivered beginning the next day. It should be noted that my driveway is approx. 1 1/2 miles from [redacted]. The entire road is paved to my driveway and all the roads have a non-exclusive public easement. These are not private roads. 4 weeks latter I have yet to receive my paper. Since my initial contact, I have discussed this problem with [redacted] (rep), [redacted] (sup), [redacted] (sup), [redacted] (rep), Who forwarded my name and number to [redacted] (distribution manager) and [redacted] (rep). On each occasion, I asked that the Bee follow up with a phone call to me to advise me when my service would resume. I have yet to receive a single call from the Bee. I have several opinions about what is occurring. 1) I believe that the Bee staff continues to ignore my situation hoping that I will give up and cancel my subscription. I will not. 2) The Bee places more consideration on their convenience than quality service to me as a subscriber. 3) the Bee staff is not being held accountable for their handling of my problem. I have been a loyal subscriber to the Bee for nearly 40 years. I depend on the Bee to keep me informed on current events. I refuse to subscribe to their on-line subscription. I would appreciate your help.Desired Settlement: Resume my subscription delivery service with daily delivery to the Bee box at my address driveway.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted]'s complaint and information has been given to the appropriate distributor and regional manager. The regional manager reported back that there are some changes happening with the carrier in this area. The distributor is working hard to get this area covered and have the paper delivered everyday. We apologize for the recent problems with the delivery. Please note, the delivery problems will be resolved.Please feel free to contact us at [redacted] if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: I have called, emailed, and mailed Sacramento bee and have asked them to stop sending advertisements (M.V.P.) to my house. All requests have been ignored.Desired Settlement: I would like to be completely removed from the Sacramento Bee mailing list. I do not wish to receive any mail from the Sacramento Bee.

Business

Response:

This address has been requested to be removed from MVP mailings. It has also been given to our Regional Manager to ensure the MVP is not delivering to this address. Confirmation was received that Wednesday 6/3/15 would be the last mailing. The advertisers receive the list 2-3 weeks in advance. As of Wednesday 6/9/15, the MVP will be stopped.Please feel free to contact us at 1-800-284-3233 if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: Our business has been a subscriber for decades and in the last few years I was been having trouble with our subscription. I have requested at least 9 times in the last 9 years that if I do not renew to stop delivery when our subscription runs out. DO NOT CONTINUE TO DELIVER. In order to make it easier on me in the office I put it on auto renew with our credit card. Our CC company detected fraud turned off our card and sent a new one in January. I did not realize that the BEE was trying to debit this card several times with out success since then because we were still getting the paper that should have ceased delivery if there was an unsuccessful delivery or renewal. In addition nobody contacted us know! Delivery stopped 4 days ago so I called to inquire why and as I was speaking to the agent I find out that I was talking to an operator overseas. They outsourced their customer service and did not let us know! I asked to be transferred to an agent in the US and was put on hold for 25 min longer and a recording came on that due to an emergency I would have to call back later! I had to call advertising to get a phone number to someone directly in Sacramento. Upon speaking to the US operator she shared with me the several failed attempts to renew with this card and that I now have a unpaid balance of $80.00. I reminded her that my account should clearly state NO DELIVERY when subscription runs out. And I asked her why nobody contacted us the first time it declined. She stated if you got the paper you owe the money. I will pay that outstanding balance and this subscription is cancelled.I will never subscribe to them again. They are untrustworthy, they fail to keep customer notes, fail to notify if there is a problem with an automatic withdrawal, and allow unsuspecting customers to give there CC card info to a company oversees without us knowing it

and continue to deliver without permission to do so.Desired Settlement: An apology, a reversal of the $80.00, and full disclosure to customers that they are dealing with an overseas company when asked to give financial information to renew subscriptions.

Business

Response:

Customer agreed to having their account on automatic renewal with a credit card however the payments were being declined as of 01/11/16. During that time we do make several attempts to contact the customer mail, phone and if email is available on the account. Customer did receive the product from 01/06-04/04 without payment which is why the account was stopped 04/04 for non-payment. Customer did make a payment over the phone however if the customer would like a refund we can process that but the account will still have an outstanding balance. If you have any further questions please contact us at [redacted]

Review: I Canceled My SubscriptioN And Was Quoted An Unpaid Balance. Via Email and Phone Call To Customer ServIce, I Disputed The Balance On The Basis That The BalancE Included Periods In Which I Requested A Vacation Stop On The Subscription. I Did Not Indicate A Hold And Delayed DeliveRy Of The Newspapers NoR Did I Request The Papers To be Donated. Had The Newspaper Indicated That I Would Continue To Be Charged A Subscription Even If I Did Not Actually Receive Any Delivery Of The Papers (Without Choosing The Option To Donate) With Adequate Notice, I Would Have Canceled AnD Subscribe At A Later Date Especially Since The Period In Question Involves A Long Period Of Vacation Time. After Subsequent Attempts To Contact Customer Service Via Email To Ensure A Response In Writing, I Received A Collection Notice From The Sacramento Bee's Collection Agency. Please Let Me Know If You Have Any Questions.Desired Settlement: Delete Remaining Balance On Account Or Respond In Writing Explaining basis For Charge Of newspapers Never Received.

Business

Response:

Thank you for your call this morning. This account was cleared of any balance on 8/7/14. The Sacramento Bee had a change of vacation options back in September 2012. We now offer unlimited digital access to all customers along with the printed paper. The unlimited digital access includes the electronic version of the paper, sacbee.com, mobile apps and an iPad app. The options for vacation stops include one of the following: donating the vacation credit to our NIE program, having the papers held and delivered upon the customer's return, or reading the paper digitally. We apologize for any confusion. The options are updated and notated on our manage your subscription page and through the automated phone system.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: I have experienced “no delivery newspaper” frequently in the past two months. Specifically, Jan 19, Jan 21, Jan 26, Feb 22, and today, Sunday Feb 28. Each of these days I notified you early that morning I had not received a newspaper. I was promised all five times a paper would be delivered to my door within an hour. NONE were ever delivered and I had to purchase these from a newsstand. So now I am out my subscription cost plus newsstand costs. Don’t you care to fulfill your obligation to deliver your product that was already paid for? This is terribly disgusting and illegal. I have been a faithful customer subscribing to 7-day delivery of the Bee and also the Elk Grove Citizen since moving here in 2011. With paper-reading viewership down, why are you alienating the customers you have.Desired Settlement: I want to receive credit for FOUR daily newspapers and ONE Sunday newspaper along with your apology. Apparently, it does no good to call and complain as no one bothers to take any action or contact me.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

Thank you for your response, We provided credit for the four days that you did not receive the paper. With the credit your expiration of 04/15/2016 will now be 04/19/16. If you have any further questions please contact us at [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

Thank you for taking time to assist me with my nonresponse from the Sacramento Bee.According to your letter, the Bee will credit my expiration for four days. However, as noted in my original letter, it was four weekdays and ONE Sunday. We are short one day's credit.Additionally, I did not receive the duplicate Sunday newspaper on Sunday, March 6. As a subscriber to both the Bee and [redacted] I am to receive two copies of the Sunday Bee. As I have been shorted the additional copy for both March 28 and March 6, I seriously doubt I will receive this Sunday's Bee in duplicate.Was the newspaper carrier notified? My account needs to be credited for both Sunday's nondelivery. I would appreciate the Bee stepping up and getting its act together.Sincerely,[redacted]

Business

Response:

Thank you for your email to The Sacramento Bee, We apologize for the inconvenience however as per our records you have been credited accordingly to the days you were missed. I did submit a credit for the 03/06 paper you mentioned in your email so your expiration date was 04/20 will now be 04/21. As per the delivery the carrier was notified however I will forward your account information to the distribution manager and to our Operations manager to follow up with your delivery issues and have them resolved. If you have any further questions or concerns please contact us at [redacted].

Review: I purchased a subscription to the Sacramento Bee for 12 weeks via Living Social. They kept sending me newspapers after that time period. I refused to pay because I did not authorize this. They have now sent a collections agency on me. I would be okay paying them if they contacted me and got my permission for the subscription but they did not. I think this practice is unethical and I would like them to stop and credit me.Desired Settlement: Dismiss the charge and leave me alone.

Business

Response:

The subscription was started on a [redacted] offer 9/22/13. The amount paid was $9.00 for 26 weeks of Sunday only delivery. Prior to the 26 week expiration date, The Bee sent out a renewal notice. On the renewal notice, there is a statement of, "the paper will continue unless The Bee is notified otherwise." After the 1st renewal notice, The Bee sends out 2 more notices. In this case, the renewal notices were sent on 2/17/14, 4/21/14, and 5/26/14. After a 90 grace period, the account is stopped. This is why the amount of $20.02 is showing as past due. Since Mr. [redacted] claims he was not asked or notifed about renewing the subscription, we have honored his request to clear the balance and stop all collection efforts. Currently, the account is stopped and the account is at a zero balance. We do hope Mr. [redacted] subscribes again in the future. We would be more than happy to have him back as a customer.

Review: I was coming up on the end of my subscription and not planning to renew. They sent me a bill for renewal. I didn't want the paper anymore, so I threw it away. I can't check because I threw the bills away, but according to the guy at the paper, those bills supposedly said, in small print somewhere, we're going to keep sending you the paper after your balance is zero, if we don't hear from you before then, as a FAVOR to you, and you will owe us money for those papers too. And even though I told the salesmen who called, TWICE, that no, I didn't want the paper anymore, just stop delivering it after my balance is zero, it turns out those salesmen are contractors, not actually AT the Bee, and that info didn't make its way back to the "customer service managers" at the paper. So they kept delivering papers and racking up a total until I thought, wow, my subscription must be up by now, I should make sure they know! And I called to find out what was going on. I explained that I didn't want those extra papers and that I told the salespeople who called on behalf of the Bee I didn't want the extra papers and I assumed that's all I'd have to do. I don't care that it's only $10 and change. I'm not paying it. It's the principle of the thing.Desired Settlement: I just want my balance put at zero. I shouldn't owe them anything.

Business

Response:

Thank you for the information provided regarding the subscription. Our records do show the account was cleared of any balance on 5/6/14 by our Customer Service representative.

Review: We subscribed to the Sacramento Bee (daily) for years, and were paid through Feb.19, 2015 at which time our subscription cancelled. We did not pay beyond this and never received a single paper after this date. On April 30, 2015 we subscribed, online, to a "special 10 week, weekend edition" to begin May 1. We received a confirmation email. We did not receive a paper on May 1 and contacted the Bee by email asking for our paper, they delivered one that day. We did not receive a paper May 2 or 3rd either. After contacting the Bee again, via email, they began calling us and told us we owed them for papers since Feb. 19, even though we were cancelled and never received a single paper. We emailed this information to them as well. Their response to the Weekend special papers is that they do not have record of our subscription and to please fax this information to them. I faxed a copy of the email confirmation I received to the number they noted. Today is May 19 and we have not received any papers for that weekend subscription. However we have continued to receive calls saying that we owe them back to Feb. 19. Today's phone message said our paper is scheduled to stop (we haven't received one since Feb. 19) and there is a past due amount. This was from [redacted] at the billing department [redacted] and she says we need to call to avoid further Collection activity. We have called and emailed so many times, we can't seem to get them to stop. Additionally we have not received papers for the new subscription.Desired Settlement: Stop calling us and make certain our account is free and clear. We won't even ask for a refund on the new subscription as we are not interested in doing business with them.

Business

Response:

This account has a note documented that Ms. [redacted] requested to have the paper stopped 2/19/15. Our records show a vacation stop from 2/6/15-2/9/15. The account was paid until 2/19/15. There was another note stating the papers were not delivered even though the account was still active on 4/30/15. We do apologize for the delivery issues. The account has been adjusted to show a zero balance. And, we have added the phone number to our do not call list, as requested.Please feel free to contact us at [redacted] if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: We accept the Sacramento Bee's response regarding that they acknowledge our subscription was cancelled as of 2/19/15 and there is no further money owing. Our daily paper subscription is cancelled. Their response omitted the fact that we gave our credit card to them on April 30th, 2015, to begin a 10 week, "special weekend subscription". This was to begin May 1. We submitted the proof of this to both the Bee and the Revdex.com. We never received a paper. Also, although we received an email with an "on-line order confirmation" that our credit card would be charged, we reviewed our credit card activity and see that the Sacramento Bee has not charged our card for the "special weekend subscription" rate of $23.75. Because we never received the weekend papers, we need the Bee to document that our credit card will not be charged the $23.75 amount. Also we need the Bee to commit that they will not used the credit card information they now have on file to charge us to start another subscription (unless requested/authorized by us).Also, regarding being placed on their "do not call list": On Monday, June 1, at 6:14 p.m. we answered a telephone call from the Sacramento Bee. We said "hello" 4 times. Someone was on the other end but never said anything. I finally hung up because it felt like someone was just trying to bother us. It was an unsettling call and apparently we are still on their "call list".

Business

Response:

Our records do not show a start request or a credit card payment anytime in April or May 2015. If the order was placed online, the subscription would not have been started due to the previous problem with the balance on the account that was just recently cleared on 5/20/15. In this case, an email should have been sent to Ms. [redacted] stating the account could not be started at this time. The Bee would not start an account or charge a credit card that was not authorized. As stated in the response from Ms. [redacted], her credit card was not charged. The only way the account would be started is if Ms. [redacted] calls The Bee or subscribes online. As for the call on 6/1/15, this will be forwarded to the Sales Manager for follow up. The phone number was placed on our do not call list on 5/27/15. Since the salespeople are vendors for The Bee, they do receive calling files a week in advance. Ms. [redacted]'s number could have been on a calling file that was already generated before the do not call was requested and processed. Please feel free to contact us at [redacted] if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

We had filed a complaint (complaint ID: [redacted]). We received an email that the complaint was closed and marked that we were dissatisfied as we did not respond within the 7 days.

Review: On Friday, May 29, 2015, a copy of the Sacramento Bee was left at my front door. Since I did not order the Bee, I emailed them to inform them of the mistake and request that it stop immediately. Early Saturday morning, May 30, 2015, I received an email from the Bee stating that they had notified their distributor, and delivery would cease immediately. However, I continue to receive unwanted copies of the Bee (Saturday May 30, 2015 and Sunday, May 31, 2015). Saturday, May 30, 2015, I sent the Bee another email regarding this issue. I just received a response from them stating that it will take two weeks to stop delivery. They act as if this is something I ordered, and have now cancelled. Let me be clear: I did not order home delivery from the Bee, and in fact, stopped taking the Bee at my home 8(?)years ago because of terrible service.Desired Settlement: I just want them to stop delivering unordered newspapers to my home.

Business

Response:

This request was sent to the distributor and regional manager for follow up. There is no active account for any Bee products at this address. Our customer service representative placed a message on the account from 5/31/15-6/7/15 to remind the distributor not to deliver anything to this address. If a delivery was made, it was done in error and will be stopped. We do apologize for the inconvenience.Pleae feel free to contact us at 1-800-284-3233 if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: Gentlemen –

I was a subscriber to the Sacramento Bee for over 37 years at [redacted] following the passing of my wife of 57 years, I moved into a condominium noted above. As the paper was delivered in pieces and wadded. I cancelled the subscription following two complaints, about September 1, 2015 and delivery was halted. During the next several months I received three bills, showing no amount due. In January 2016 a bill showing $15+ was received. I called their [redacted] number and was told it was an error. During the second week in February, I received a phone call from an individual who I assumed was a collection agent of some sort. I received my experience with the Bee and asked that he send an itemized bill at which time he hung up his phone. Today I received a bill for $13.27 not detailed. The notice date is shown as 2-3-16 the due date 2-17-16. Today’s date is 2-26-16.Desired Settlement: I am paying the $13.27 bill under protest, as I do not wish to get into a credit hassle with these folks who seen to make their own rules.

Thank you for your assistance.

Business

Response:

Thank you for your email to The Sacramento Bee, We apologize for the inconvenience however when looking into the account is at a zero balance as of 02/29/16. We will remove your information from any collections listing to ensure that you do not receive any letters/invoices. If you have any further questions please contact us at [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:Atten: [redacted]Thank you for your correspondence of March 4, 2016.The Bee response seems self serving and a little left of accurate. I cancelled the subscriptions of some 3 years and 2 months, Sep + 1, + - 2015. The paper continued to be delivered, the saturdayand sunday edition that I recycled, and called the newspaper and after several attempts and leaving messages, noone of which wer returned, contact as made. I was told that the Bee automatic delivery systems keep the delivery active but it would stop. I recovered three more "past due" marked bills, with the amount left blank. In February or late January I received a "past due" bell for $13.27. Calling the newspaper twice, leaving messages results in no return calls until the call from the "collector" a gruff, made rude man who threatened legal actions. This was late February. I told the fellow if he would tell me what the $13.27 billing represented. I would consider it or I might just pay it to get them out of my life. At that point the fellow hung up the telephone. Perhaps he had a bad day or I some how offended him. I went ahead and sent the Bee a check for $13.27 on February 27th, not knowing what I have paid for. While it is pointless now to consider my further activity, but you need to be aware of the accuracy of the Bee response.

Review: On June 24, 2015 a teenage girl came to our door selling weekend 10-week one-time charge subscriptions to the Sacramento Bee. I wrote a check for the service. We never received a single newspaper, but we only bought the service to help the girl out with paying for school.

In December 2015, I received final-notice bill from the Sacramento Bee for renewal of the non-auto-renewed subscription I bought in June. On January 13, 2016 I called the Sacramento Bee to let them know that we had bought the short term weekend subscription, had never received a single paper, and were now receiving a bill for a renewal we had not agreed to. The representative ([redacted] - #[redacted]) stated the account showed as being cancelled in November and that she communicate with Billing to clear up the subsequent bill since we never received a paper an the account showed as closed.

In February 2016, I received a notice from [redacted] collection agency dated February 1, 2016, stating that my bill would need to be paid to prevent further action. This again was for renewal services I had never agreed to, for papers I never received, and for a service I was assured by the Sacramento Bee representative had been cancelled and the bill taken care of.Desired Settlement: I would like a letter from the Sacramento Bee stating that my account is closed, that they understand I never received a paper for the short-term one-time charge weekend delivery signed up for on June 26, 2016, and that the bill was mistakenly sent to collections. I further would like a letter from [redacted] stating that I no longer owe anything to the Sacramento Bee, am no longer in their active collection files, and this has not affected my credit.

Business

Response:

Thank you for your patience, We have reviewed your account and you have a zero balance. We will notify [redacted] to remove you from any collection lists. If you have any further questions please contact us at [redacted].

Review: Subscribed for just one month. Got charged for 2 months. I called and said I don't want paper and they are still delivering the paper for 3rd month.

Some kid came to my apartment the other day, he asked me if I can subscribe to SacBee and help him with his school scholarship. I wanted to help and made sure that I will only subscribe for one month only.

[redacted] (or someone) called after few days to check if I want to continue the subscription. I clearly said I don't want to. But still they continued delivering the paper for second month and charged me.

So I called the customer care and said I really don't want the paper delivered and the lady in customer services said that she will make sure that it will not be delivered from next day. I am still getting paper. They are going to charge me for 3rd month as well.Desired Settlement: I don't want Sac Bee paper deliver at my door steps.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] account was stopped 12/14/13. A refund of $23.24 in total was generated. The refund was sent as 2 check refunds ($15.60 and $7.64). The original start was turned in by an independent contractor. When the new start was submitted, it was charged the initial prepayment and then processed as an EasyPay payment plan every 5 weeks. Although Mr. [redacted] claims he called to have the paper stopped, there was no stop in our system. We definitely apologize for any inconvenience. This has been resolved.

Review: ON 4/27/13 sent in payment for weekend plus renewal thru 5/13. received phone message from Sac Bee asking about payment sent 1st week in 5/13. Left message asking them to continue delivery for next renewal period 5/13-8/13. No response, paper delivery stopped. Renewal letters continued. My rabbit died so need for delivery stopped.I was not going to renew so I did not respond. Paper was delivered every day for a week end of July, 2013 which I did not ask for. I did not read or use, so recycled those papers. I returned one of the renewal letters asking them to stop sending them & I was not renewing. I then get a letter from J,M&C Collection Agency asking for $45.98 for a renewal. I didnot get of weekend plus. (9/16/13) letter received. This is Fraud. This is very bad customer service. I was a customer for a year. Why did you stop delivering my weekend plus in May? What was that week of papers for in July? To entice me? Desired Settlement: Even though I did not pay for it on even use it/read it, I will pay for the week of newpapers they sent end of July or they can send me the weekend pus for 10 weeks instead of 13 and I will pay the $45.98 or close out bill. I will not pay for something I did not get delivered. I pay my bills!

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

In reviewing [redacted]'s account, we received a payment of $47.24 from her (plus a $5 tip to the carrier) which was posted to her subscription account on May 1. This payment made her account current through May 5. Per her comments she wanted to continue her subscription for another 3 months. According to our records, her subscription was not stopped until August 3 when she became 90 days past due. Since [redacted] indicated she didn't receive any deliveries until the end of July, it appears that her carrier wasn't making deliveries. However, we don't have any complaint calls from her indicating as such so could not follow-up and rectify the situation. To resolve this, we will credit her subscription account for the full amount owing based on the service issues she communicated in this Revdex.com complaint. We hope to have Kristen back as a subscriber someday and we hope this gesture gives her thought in renewing with us.

Final Consumer Response

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

I am very happy with getting full credit since I had not received the papers. The timing was coincidental for me not wanting renewal and paper deliverer stopping, I guess. If I order again will someone else deliver it then who does not just stop it like that? I would be very interested in the special going on for just the Sunday paper. I have always enjoyed that paper. Send me the deal and I will sign up. Thanks again and in future could you contact me by phone/ leave message before sending bill to collector and I will call you if paper ever stops coming. Thanks again!!!!

Review: On 1-14-13, I cancelled my newspaper for poor service as soon as my subscription expired (Feb.7, 2013). I've been charged for continued service.

On Dec. 29,2012, I did not get my Friday paper. I called into the Sac Bee and complained at 7:05AM. At 1:00 PM on 12-29-12, still no paper and never received my Friday issue. On 12-31,2012, I called to complain to the driver's supervisor [redacted] of my non delivery and left THREE separate messages at his given number (XXX-XXX-XXXX) on Monday 12-31, 2012, Wednesday Jan 2, 2013 & Friday Jan 4, 2013. NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. On Jan. 14, 2013, after never receiving a call back, I called the Sac Bee to cancel my home newspaper delivery. I was told that my original subscription expired on Fe. 4, 2013 but because of past delivery problems my expiration was extended to Feb, 7, 2013.

After Feb. 7, 2013, I continued to receive my paper delivery. I contacted Sac Bee again at XXX-XXX-XXXX and told the circulation department that I had cancelled my subscription effective 2-7-13 and was still getting my delivery. The female (name unknown) told me she would pass this information to circulationon.

I received a letter from Sac Bee by [redacted] (Vice President of Audience Development)dated 2-7-13 stating that "You are receiving this letter because we were unable to process your payment using the information on file". I immediately called Sac Bee and was transfered to [redacted]'s voice mail. I left a message stating that I had CANCELLED my subscription for poor delivery service, poor customer service and failure for the route manager to call me back.

On March 5, 2013, I received a bill dated X-XX-XX for $26.42. On March 6, 2013, I called and talked with [redacted] (employee # [redacted] in the Philippines. [redacted] contacted his supervisor named [redacted] apologized and told me she would clear the charge and cancel my subscription. I also sent an email to Sac Bee of my cancelation and why I was still receiving the Sacramento Bee newspaper after REPEATED cancellations.

The next day on March 6, 2013, I received an email from Sacramento Bee by [redacted]/#50131011 (Interactive Service Representative). She stated in her text that she was "Sorry to hear that you would like to stop delivery...at this time, we show that the outstanding balance on your account is $26.42 for the papers delivered from Feb.4, 2013 to March 6, 2013.

On March 20, 2013, I called Sac Bee again and talked to [redacted] who said he would clear the billing error and cancel my subscription. Again, this was not done.

Since then, I've been receiving phone calls, a bill from a collection agency (Joseph, Mann & Creed account # [redacted]) dated April 16, 2013 stating that they (JMC) are attempting to collect the $26.42.

On May 3, 2013 at approx. 9:00 AM, I received a cell phone call from [redacted] in Las Vegas, NV stating that they (Sac Bee) will drop the $26.42 fee if I would start my weekend subscription again!!!!! The nerve of Sacramento Bee to bribe, harass and harass me into paying for an error by their incompetent employees. What does it take to get the Sacramento Bee customer service, billing, circulation, Development and Interactive departments all on the same note that I've CANCELED my subscription that expired on. Feb. 7, 2013.

Now, I'm getting harassing phone calls and letters for a service that I've cancelled on X-XX-XXXX BEFORE my subscription expired. I will never do business with Sacramento Bee's newspaper or anything to do with McClatchy!

Please advise

Can Revdex.com get Desired Settlement: Discontinue phone calls and letters by both Sacramento Bee & their collection agency (Joseph, Mann & Creed) on the charge of $26.42. This so-called charge was made by Sacramento Bee's careless, incompetent and unknowing employees who were notified weeks BEFORE my subscription had expired.

I do not owe $26.42 for delivery service that continue after my cancelation notification. I even contacted Sacramento Bee of their continued delivery yet nothing had been done except to continue to bill me for their error!

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

Mr. [redacted]'s account was adjusted back on 4/22/13. The account was stopped on 3/7/13 for poor service. At the time of the stop, the account should have been cleared of any amount past due. Our records show Mr. [redacted] contacted our Cuatomer Service Department on 4/22/13 claiming this wsa his third attempt to have the paper stopped. The representative stopped the service and cleared the balance showing at the time.

Mr. [redacted] should not be receiving any call or letters indicating there is an amount past due. We aplogize for any inconvenience.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Consumer's Final Response

As of today, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, I received a phone call from a business named IMPACT SALES SOLUTIONS on behalf of the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

At approx. 9:39AM (PST), I received this phone call on my cell phone from whom I believe stated her name as [redacted]. She stated that she works for Impact Sales Solutions and is "CONTRACTED by the Sacramento Bee". I asked what was the purpose of her call. She stated that on behalf of the Sacramento Bee, she was calling to sign up new subscribers for the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

Impact Sales Solutions is out of Toledo, Ohio and the phone number is 888-576-0079.

I DO NOT WANT ANY FURTHER CALLS FROM THE SACRAMENTO BEE or their contracted partners. Even after my numerous complaints to the Scaramento Bee, I still continue to receive harassing phone calls (either for their false bill, my past newspaper deliveries or to sign up for a new subscription).

Please include this comment along with my initial complaint.

Thank you,

Review: I was not given an option to cancel subscription nor any instructions as to how to cancel on the invoice sent by mail. I contacted business after voicemail was left about a past due balance on an account and explained the issue with no cancellation options on their invoices. Customer rep told me that he'd stop the subscription as of that date but I had to contact the customer service dept to get a copy of a signed contract for the subscription, he did not resolve the past due balance issue. I attempted to reach the customer service department but their hours are very limited and was not able to reach them before closing. I still continued to get a paper delivered and phone calls about past due balance. On May 6th I mailed a cease and desist via usps. Since mailing the document I have been called 2 times, sent 2 more past due notices with an increased amount than was told over the phone originally, and now have been sent to collections (even though the cease and desist specifically says not to send to collections or if I had been they need to report that I am disputing the information). I do not owe this company one penny for a subscription that they give no clear instructions on their bill to explain how they would like to have cancelled. Their lack of clarity entraps customers into renewal and then they bully customers for payment.Desired Settlement: I would like the Sacramento Bee to clearly state on their billing invoices how to cancel a subscription, even if this means just including a check off box that states no renewal is wanted. I would like the collection item to be removed from my credit report. If I find that the item is not removed I would seek a financial pay out, because this will effect how my credit report looks and will effect any future plans I have that involves looking into my credit history.

Business

Response:

Customer has been an active subscriber for several years. The grace period and cancallation policy has not changed. Since The Bee gives a 90 day grace period to renew the subscription, the account is not stopped automatically. In this case, the subscription was started as part of a [redacted] offer on 5/19/13. The account was paid for 26 weeks. The same offer was given to the customer on the first renewal notice 10/14/13. Ms. [redacted] made a payment on 11/21/13 for another 26 weeks. This time, the renewal notice was sent on 4/28/14. Ms.[redacted] paid again, this time for 13 weeks. A renewal notice was sent on 7/31/14 and another payment was made for another 26 weeks. A renewal notice was sent on 1/26/15. A 2nd renewal notice was sent on 3/16/15 and a 3rd renewal was sent on 4/20/15 before the account was stopped for non-payment on 5/16/15. This left an amount due of $18.48. All renewal notices state, 'the paper will continue automatically unless the Bee is notified otherwise.' The Bee provides our Customer Service number and the hours of operation to process a cancellation.There is not a check box to cancel the service. Like most businesses, The Bee likes to hear back from our readers on the reason for cancelling an account. Our goal is to keep our customers and gather feedback when a request is made to cancel a service. As fo today, this account has been adjusted to a zero balance and all collection efforts have been stopped. The [redacted] we contract with is a vendor used to send out last notifications of a bill. Thsi is not reported to a credit bureau and is not reflected on any credit report. Pleae feel free to contact us at [redacted] if you have any further questins or concerns.Thank you

Business

Response:

Customer has been an active subscriber for several years. The grace period and cancallation policy has not changed. Since The Bee gives a 90 day grace period to renew the subscription, the account is not stopped automatically. In this case, the subscription was started as part of a [redacted] offer on 5/19/13. The account was paid for 26 weeks. The same offer was given to the customer on the first renewal notice 10/14/13. Ms. [redacted] made a payment on 11/21/13 for another 26 weeks. This time, the renewal notice was sent on 4/28/14. Ms.[redacted] paid again, this time for 13 weeks. A renewal notice was sent on 7/31/14 and another payment was made for another 26 weeks. A renewal notice was sent on 1/26/15. A 2nd renewal notice was sent on 3/16/15 and a 3rd renewal was sent on 4/20/15 before the account was stopped for non-payment on 5/16/15. This left an amount due of $18.48. All renewal notices state, 'the paper will continue automatically unless the Bee is notified otherwise.' The Bee provides our Customer Service number and the hours of operation to process a cancellation.There is not a check box to cancel the service. Like most businesses, The Bee likes to hear back from our readers on the reason for cancelling an account. Our goal is to keep our customers and gather feedback when a request is made to cancel a service. As fo today, this account has been adjusted to a zero balance and all collection efforts have been stopped. The [redacted] we contract with is a vendor used to send out last notifications of a bill. Thsi is not reported to a credit bureau and is not reflected on any credit report. Pleae feel free to contact us at [redacted] if you have any further questins or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:As previously stated, this issue was deemed resolved in the beginning of April 2015 as no more contact was made from the Bee to me. [redacted] was informed that I did not want to continue my subscription and the lack of information on cancellationI was told about this grace period and so I let the business know that I did not want to continue my subscription during this "grace period". I don't accept that the Sacramento Bee wants to hear from their customers for a few reasons. Firstly the physical address listed for the Bee has an incorrect zip. Secondly the representative was extremely curt on the phone and was not pleasant to deal with, why would I want to call and talk to others from the same company? Third I sent a cease and desist to which the business completely ignored, so when I did contact them they refused to acknowledge contact nor heed requests. If a customer is to make the assumption that they are to do all the leg work to contact the company about cancellation, then they should also assume that the company does not really want to see or hear from them by mail since the address is listed incorrectly.I have already contacted the collection agency about this incorrect debt. I have already asked more than three times but I will ask again, please show me a signed contract where I acknowledged the terms of the subscription and fully understood how to cancel my subscription. I will pay the debt I owed on April 3rd and no more with a signed contract, as I had stated more than once to Mr. [redacted] that I did not intend on continuing my subscription ever.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:As previously stated, this issue was deemed resolved in the beginning of April 2015 as no more contact was made from the Bee to me. [redacted] was informed that I did not want to continue my subscription and the lack of information on cancellationI was told about this grace period and so I let the business know that I did not want to continue my subscription during this "grace period". I don't accept that the Sacramento Bee wants to hear from their customers for a few reasons. Firstly the physical address listed for the Bee has an incorrect zip. Secondly the representative was extremely curt on the phone and was not pleasant to deal with, why would I want to call and talk to others from the same company? Third I sent a cease and desist to which the business completely ignored, so when I did contact them they refused to acknowledge contact nor heed requests. If a customer is to make the assumption that they are to do all the leg work to contact the company about cancellation, then they should also assume that the company does not really want to see or hear from them by mail since the address is listed incorrectly.I have already contacted the collection agency about this incorrect debt. I have already asked more than three times but I will ask again, please show me a signed contract where I acknowledged the terms of the subscription and fully understood how to cancel my subscription. I will pay the debt I owed on April 3rd and no more with a signed contract, as I had stated more than once to Mr. [redacted] that I did not intend on continuing my subscription ever.

Review: I paid for Sunday deliveries, plus digital access, through mid April 2016. Digital access is not a problem. I placed a vacation stop/start in October and the papers never restarted. I have made multiple requests for delivery via the website and phone calls, and multiple parties have promised delivery. Sac Bee customer has blamed the carrier (distributor).Account#: [redacted]The Sacramento BeeExpiration Date: 2016-04-17Last Payment: $56.96Last Payment Date: 2015-06-02Desired Settlement: I simply want the paper delivered on Sundays as promised.

Business

Response:

The account shows service problems in November and December. The last call we received was on 12/10/15 reporting the 12/6/15 paper was never received. The Customer Service representative processed a credit on the account and sent an escalation to the distributor on 12/10/15 and 12/13/15. There were also 4 credits applied in November for missed papers. In addition, this address has been given to the Regional Manager for delivery follow up. In the meantime, The Bee has processed an additional 7 day credit on the account for all the trouble and inconvenience with the delivery. This problem should be resolved as of 12/20/15.

Review: The Bee used to have the Post Office deliver their MVP advertising paper; but, they discontinued that method and had the paper thrown on the driveway.I contacted the Bee and they said they would stop having the paper delivered on my driveway and would send it to me in the mail. I told them I did not want the paper at all.For a while the paper was no longer thrown on my driveway and was sent to me in the mail.My complaint is that they have started to again deliver the MVP advertising paper by throwing it on my driveway. This started again on Dec. 1 2015. I am old and unable to bend down to pick it up without great difficulty and I want them to stop throwing the paper in my driveway. It is tantamount to littering by throwing their MVP paper on my driveway. I want them to take my address off the list of whoever they hired to make these deliveries.Desired Settlement: Stop delivering the MVP advertising paper by throwing it in my driveway. If they insist on delivering a copy to my address, send it in the mail.

Business

Response:

Tell us why here...This request has been provided to the local distributor and regional manager. We have confirmed the address is not on the delivery list and there should not be any MVP deliveries to this address. The address is on the list for the MVP to be mailed. If Mr. [redacted] decides he does not want to receive this in the mail, please contact us immediately.Please feel free to contact us at [redacted] if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: On Dec. 1, 2015, the MVP paper was thrown on my driveway. I did not receive the MVP paper in the mail. Please verify your records. I would like to keep this complaint open for two weeks to determine if the MVP paper is no longer thrown on my driveway.

Business

Response:

Thank you for you patience, We have contacted and confirmed with our delivery partners that you will no longer receive any delivered products to your residence. If you have any further questions please contact us at [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: On January 26th, 2016 the MVP advertising paper was delivered by throwing it onto my driveway again!! So the complaint has not been resolved.Why was it delivered again by throwing it on my driveway?? Please Stop!!

Review: I paid cash for a trial subscription from a door-to-door salesperson attempting to earn a college scholarship. I never consented to automatic renewal, never suggested I was interested in it. Now the Sacramento Bee has reported my "failure to pay" to a credit agency. When I explained this, I was told that "it doesn't matter if I consented to automatic renewal, this is in their policy."Desired Settlement: I would like the Sacramento Bee to remove all related items from my credit report. I would further ask that they never contact me again in any capacity.

Business

Response:

This account started on 11/15/14. The payment posted on 11/19/14 for 10 weeks. The expiration date was 1/16/15. Customer should have gotten a receipt at the time of the sale. On the order form and receipt, The Bee states the paper will continue automatically unless notified otherwise. In this case, The Bee sent out 3 renewal notices (one 4 weeks prior to the expiration date on 12/29/14, another on 2/16/15 and the third on 3/23/15). The Bee sends these renewals out to inform the customer of the renewal payment. These notices also state, The Bee will continue automatically unless notified otherwise. Since The Bee does not stop the paper automatically, the papers continue on a 90 grace period. During this time, The Bee also sends email notifications and reminder calls from our retention vendors. There is no indication we received a call or email to stop the delivery. However, since Mr. [redacted] was under the impression the paper would stop, The Bee has honored the adjustment of $37.90 to zero out the balance on the account as of 7/9/15.Please note, the company A.R.M is a third party vendor who attempts collection for The Bee. Mr. [redacted] is not reported to a credit agency and this will not appear on his credit report. A.R.M has been notified to stop all collection efforts. In the future, if Mr.[redacted] decides to start a subcsription, please note the paper continues until The Bee is notified to cancel the service.Please feel free to contact us at [redacted] if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank You

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: I was approached by a high school student to purchase the weekend edition of the Sacramento bee for a 2 week period or 6 week period not sure as I choosen the month of october or novemeber 2014 if I remember correctly. After paying by cash for the initial service I only received newspapers from the company for that period. I did not think much of this at the time since I really subscribed so the student could meet his sale numbers. some weeks later I received a "renewal notice" in the mail. I did not want to renew a newspaper subscription that was only delivered subscribed period of subscription. After that I never recieved the paper till now. That was not the Case. Thinking I was finished with my subscription I did not respond. recently after 6 months received a final notice showing an account balance of $24.78. Having never received the newspaper and never renewing any subscriptions I thought this was a fraud. I have since received a collections notice for the amount of $24.78 from A.R.M solutions, Inc.Desired Settlement: I would like the fees on my account waived. I have not renewed any subscriptions with the company. I would like a document sent to me showing a zero account balance as well as inform the A.R.M Solutions for the zero balance on my name account.

Business

Response:

Customer started delivery on 11/7/14 and made a payment for 10 weeks. Our standard business practice is to send a renewal bill 4-5 weeks prior to the expiration date. In this case, the expiration date was 1/3/15. We sent our 3 renewals (12/22/14, 2/16/15 and 3/9/15). The the account was stopped for non-payment on 4/3/15. All renewal notices state, 'the paper will continue unless The Bee is notified otherwise.' This account does not show any complaints or messages regarding missing papers or poor service. The distributor continues to deliver during the 90 grace period. The distributor does not get any customer billing information and is unaware of the expiration date. As acourtesy, the $24.78 will be cleared and all collection efforts will be stopped. However, in the future, please note that the paper does not stop automatically.Please feel free to contact us at 1-800-284-3233 if you have any further questions or concerns.Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

I would like to restate or confirming that.. Neither I received paper delivery after 10 weeks nor I have received any bill or auto renewal notice.. I just took the initial subscription as to support or encourage student scolorship purpose! But this good cause made me disturbed.. atleast sacramento bee waived the payment on my name.. so, I would prefer to send a confirmation letter to my address ..Also thanks to Revdex.com for supporting the same?Regards[redacted]