The Charlotte Observer

I cancelled my subscription as required, but the Observer kept billing my account. I have not been able to get my account cleared.
After years as a Charlotte Observer customer, I contacted them to cancel my subscription at the end of October or very beginning of November 2019. I had additional financial expenses and could no longer afford the subscription, which I explained to the customer service representative. I also wanted to make sure they did not attempt to make an additional auto pay withdrawal from my bank account because the debit card on record was no longer valid. I was told that a payment had just recently been withdrawn, and that my newspapers would stop at the end of this current subscription period.

I discovered newspapers on my yard on Sunday mornings as I was leaving for church, but I assumed that meant that the delivery driver had not gotten word yet. By the time I get home from church the Observer's customer service department is already closed. At some point, I started getting phone calls asking me to renew my subscription. I told each of the people that called the same thing, I had ended my subscription because I could no longer afford the paper. When the third person called me, I asked them to not call me again.

Then I got a fourth phone call on April 14. Feeling very frustrated, I told that person that I didn't want any more calls. It was only at this time that I was told that I had outstanding balance of $69. I told her that that was obviously an error since I had canceled my subscription months ago with my account in good standing. She said that the only way I could clear that up will be to talk to someone in the customer service department and she gave me the phone number. I did call, but the department was not open. However, the recording suggested that there was an option of sending an email to customer service, so I decided to do that.

I contacted the Observer on April 14 to explain that there had been an error and to ask that it be corrected. The response that I got suggested that "Elise" had not even read my email. Rather than address my specific concerns, she talked about what happens when subscriptions "expire due to nonpayment." Interestingly, in the "terms" that she also included in her email was a statement that said that subscriptions can be canceled at any time by calling the customer service telephone number, which is exactly what I did months ago. I wrote back and then received another totally irrelevant response from Elise the following day. I saw the email in the morning and I was able to reach someone by phone at the Observer customer service department. I spoke to someone to explain the problem and ask to have my account cleared. This woman and said that she saw that there was a note that I had called the observer in early November to cancel my subscription, but that I had agreed to continue the subscription at a discounted rate. I told her that this was not accurate because there was no amount of discount that was going to make up for the fact that I had an additional $400 per month in expenses with no new income. I assured her that I had clearly conveyed that message to not only the person who I first spoke with when I reached out to the observer to cancel my subscription, but to every other representative that contacted me after that. She stated that obviously, there had been an error and she would correct it. I asked to be notified when my account was cleared so that I would know that the matter had been resolved. She indicated that I would get a follow up email, but that email never came.

On April 23, I got another phone call about renewing my subscription. I asked about my account balance, and it still was showing $69 outstanding. I explained everything again. Once again, I was told to call the customer service number to try to get the matter resolved. I have no reason to believe that this will be an effective strategy.

Obviously, multiple errors were made starting with individual I spoke with when I first called to cancel. This shouldn't cost me $69 or hurt my credit. Fix i

Charging and sending to collection amount due on bill that I did not authorize or subscribe too. No notice of bill ever sent or for what sevice.
In August 2019, a young man was in my neighborhood selling subscriptions to the newspaper. It was only supposed to be for 12 weeks and I was supposed to only receive the paper on Sundays. Well I received the paper everyday, which was annoying. I paid for that subscription on 8/27/19 $30.37 and have bank statement to prove. When it was time to renew, I received an email from Charlotte Observer to renew, but I did not. I have never renewed or signed up again since August, so I am not sure how I owe $30.09 and for what? The letter states "despite our client's best effort, this matter remains unresolved", Charlotte Observer has made no written attempts that I have received, requesting payment. I have only received emails stating my subscription expired and to renew to click on link....which I DID NOT, because I do not want to renew my subscription. They (The Charlotte Observer) have called many times, however the calls were sales calls always to get me to renew, they never mentioned anything about me owing a debt. I repeatedly told them I did not want to renew, and repeatedly requested to be removed from the call list. Then all of a sudden, I receive this letter for collection.
I think it is very poor practice. I have not been provided any documentation that I owe this debt except for this letter. If this goes against my credit report as a collection, I will take further legal action, as again I have not been provided anything showing I owe this debt. I will also be contacting the Revdex.com and CFPB, of this unfair treatment, not being provided any kind of proof I owe this debt and threat of reporting it to the credit bureaus that could negatively impact my credit score.

Charging and sending to collection amount due on bill that I did not authorize or subscribe too. No notice of bill ever sent or for what sevice.
In August 2019, a young man was in my neighborhood selling subscriptions to the newspaper. It was only supposed to be for 12 weeks and I was supposed to only receive the paper on Sundays. Well I received the paper everyday, which was annoying. I paid for that subscription on 8/27/19 $30.37 and have bank statement to prove. When it was time to renew, I received an email from Charlotte Observer to renew, but I did not. I have never renewed or signed up again since August, so I am not sure how I owe $30.09 and for what? The letter states "despite our client's best effort, this matter remains unresolved", Charlotte Observer has made no written attempts that I have received, requesting payment. I have only received emails stating my subscription expired and to renew to click on link....which I DID NOT, because I do not want to renew my subscription. They (The Charlotte Observer) have called many times, however the calls were sales calls always to get me to renew, they never mentioned anything about me owing a debt. I repeatedly told them I did not want to renew, and repeatedly requested to be removed from the call list. Then all of a sudden, I receive this letter for collection.
I think it is very poor practice. I have not been provided any documentation that I owe this debt except for this letter. If this goes against my credit report as a collection, I will take further legal action, as again I have not been provided anything showing I owe this debt. I will also be contacting the Revdex.com and CFPB, of this unfair treatment, not being provided any kind of proof I owe this debt and threat of reporting it to the credit bureaus that could negatively impact my credit score.

The Charlotte observer has sent my account to collections after I told them I did not wish to review, multiple times.
I signed up for a 6 month newspaper subscription through the Charlotte observer last year. I paid the full six months up front. I started receiving calls near the end of my subscription asking if I wanted to renew. I informed them I did not. The calls continued every week for over three months. Each time I received a call, I would tell them again that I did not wish to renew.

I received a call from the Charlotte observer billing department stating I had a past due balance. Their reasoning for this past due balance was because they offer a 90 grace period after the subscription ends. They do this so they can continue delivering the paper and if the client wishes to renew, they don't have to pay the "grace period" balance. I informed the representative that I spoke with that I had talked to numerous other reps and stated explicitly that I did not wish to renew. I escalated the matter to a supervisor and was informed that my account balance was submitted to finance and would be waived.

I got a letter in the mail today from A.R.M solutions. The letter states that I have a past due balance of $54.13 that I must pay or there would be further collection action.

The Charlotte observer has sent my account to collections after I told them I did not wish to review, multiple times.
I signed up for a 6 month newspaper subscription through the Charlotte observer last year. I paid the full six months up front. I started receiving calls near the end of my subscription asking if I wanted to renew. I informed them I did not. The calls continued every week for over three months. Each time I received a call, I would tell them again that I did not wish to renew.

I received a call from the Charlotte observer billing department stating I had a past due balance. Their reasoning for this past due balance was because they offer a 90 grace period after the subscription ends. They do this so they can continue delivering the paper and if the client wishes to renew, they don't have to pay the "grace period" balance. I informed the representative that I spoke with that I had talked to numerous other reps and stated explicitly that I did not wish to renew. I escalated the matter to a supervisor and was informed that my account balance was submitted to finance and would be waived.

I got a letter in the mail today from A.R.M solutions. The letter states that I have a past due balance of $54.13 that I must pay or there would be further collection action.

I did not renew my service and got collection letter trying to collect for renewal. Is this some sort of scam to not let people discontinue the paper
I did not renew my subscription service and let the observer know that I was not renewing. I received letter from collection agency today stating that I owed monies for services beyond my cancellation. I was paid up and in good standing just did not want to continue receiving paper. Is this some devious way for the observer to keep customers beyond renewals. People should beware that when you don't renew subscription you will still get billed and sent to collection agency. Is this even legal?

I did not renew my service and got collection letter trying to collect for renewal. Is this some sort of scam to not let people discontinue the paper
I did not renew my subscription service and let the observer know that I was not renewing. I received letter from collection agency today stating that I owed monies for services beyond my cancellation. I was paid up and in good standing just did not want to continue receiving paper. Is this some devious way for the observer to keep customers beyond renewals. People should beware that when you don't renew subscription you will still get billed and sent to collection agency. Is this even legal?

I paid for 3 months of service in 2019 and never got a paper. The issue was never resolved.
The Charlotte observer then turned claimed that they had been trying to collect additional payments from me when they never sent me anything or called me. I got a letter from a collection agency stating that I owe $56.40. I paid the amount because I don't want to have a negative issue on my credit score.

I paid for 3 months of service in 2019 and never got a paper. The issue was never resolved.
The Charlotte observer then turned claimed that they had been trying to collect additional payments from me when they never sent me anything or called me. I got a letter from a collection agency stating that I owe $56.40. I paid the amount because I don't want to have a negative issue on my credit score.

CO failed to respond to multiple requests to cancel subscription & charged for delivery when not renewed nor requested.
Customer Service refused to cancel subscription when requested. Said I had two accounts, then changed my account number. Original acct. # CLT-XXXXXXXX don't know what the other acct. number was. Was told the Financial Dept. would call, but they never did. Our last payment was $139.24. We had subscribed to the CO for the past 30 years without a problem. Now they are requesting an additional $20.16.

CO failed to respond to multiple requests to cancel subscription & charged for delivery when not renewed nor requested.
Customer Service refused to cancel subscription when requested. Said I had two accounts, then changed my account number. Original acct. # CLT-XXXXXXXX don't know what the other acct. number was. Was told the Financial Dept. would call, but they never did. Our last payment was $139.24. We had subscribed to the CO for the past 30 years without a problem. Now they are requesting an additional $20.16.

I ordered a Sunday only subscription in December. No papers delivered and cant get a refund.
On December 19, 2019 I signed up for a Sunday only delivery. It posted to my bank account on December 20, 2019.The subscription was for 1 Sunday paper a week at $1.00 a week for 52 weeks. With tax the total was $55.51. It was to begin with the Christmas edition. We have yet to to receive our first paper. I would call weekly when we didnt get a paper and was promised we would get credited and a paper the next Sunday. This went on for over a month with the same response, we will credit you and make sure you get it next Sunday. In February we started asking a refund and to cancel the account. Their response was they would close the account and give free Sunday papers. We received no papers and no refund. Saturday we received a bill for a renewal. Enough is enough.

Charlotte Observer phone number XXX-XXX-XXXX XXX-XXX-XXXX
Account number CLT-XXXXXXX

Please help. We are tired of dealing with these people. Thankyou

I ordered a Sunday only subscription in December. No papers delivered and cant get a refund.
On December 19, 2019 I signed up for a Sunday only delivery. It posted to my bank account on December 20, 2019.The subscription was for 1 Sunday paper a week at $1.00 a week for 52 weeks. With tax the total was $55.51. It was to begin with the Christmas edition. We have yet to to receive our first paper. I would call weekly when we didnt get a paper and was promised we would get credited and a paper the next Sunday. This went on for over a month with the same response, we will credit you and make sure you get it next Sunday. In February we started asking a refund and to cancel the account. Their response was they would close the account and give free Sunday papers. We received no papers and no refund. Saturday we received a bill for a renewal. Enough is enough.

Charlotte Observer phone number XXX-XXX-XXXX XXX-XXX-XXXX
Account number CLT-XXXXXXX

Please help. We are tired of dealing with these people. Thankyou

Charlotte Observer repeatedly fails to honor stated commitment to stop delivering unsolicited products to my home address.
The Charlotte Observer and their contract agents, which they confirm are under their direct control, continue to deliver unwanted products to my home. Most recently they have delivered their neighborhood newspaper publication 'Carolina's Food' and related advertising materials. The items are thrown in or at my driveway and are litter along a rural road and a nuisance. The items are unwanted and I have complained to the Observer on many occasions both verbally and in writing. I travel often and the accumulation of the papers is not only littering the front of my property but also a clear signal to potential burglars that no one is at home. Although the Observer has previously committed to ensure no further deliveries, the annoying actions continue.

Refusal to stop subscription, even after multiple calls to customer service.
My subscription to the Charlotte Observer ended on 12/22/19. I received multiple emails saying it would end. Since I only intended to subscribe to the paper for a year, that was expected. Unfortunately the harassing phone calls began shortly after. The Charlotte Observer continued to deliver my Sunday paper and began to call stating that I owe them money. I called customer service and explained that my subscription had ended and the emails I received didn't state that I needed to do anything further. They said they were sorry for the confusion and would wave the $25 they mistakenly charged me. But, they continued to deliver the Sunday paper. They called again a couple of weeks later and again threatened me about non-payment. Once more I explained I no longer had a subscription and had already called previously to ensure delivery stopped and was told the balance would be zeroed out. Today, 3/23/20, nearly 2 weeks later the Charlotte Observer again called to threaten me about non-payment, stating that I owe $41 for deliveries. Again, I quite firmly told them I had called multiple times, had never agreed to extend my subscription past 12/22/19 and had already been told the balance was zeroed out and the delivery would stop.

Charlotte Observer repeatedly fails to honor stated commitment to stop delivering unsolicited products to my home address.
The Charlotte Observer and their contract agents, which they confirm are under their direct control, continue to deliver unwanted products to my home. Most recently they have delivered their neighborhood newspaper publication 'Carolina's Food' and related advertising materials. The items are thrown in or at my driveway and are litter along a rural road and a nuisance. The items are unwanted and I have complained to the Observer on many occasions both verbally and in writing. I travel often and the accumulation of the papers is not only littering the front of my property but also a clear signal to potential burglars that no one is at home. Although the Observer has previously committed to ensure no further deliveries, the annoying actions continue.

Refusal to stop subscription, even after multiple calls to customer service.
My subscription to the Charlotte Observer ended on 12/22/19. I received multiple emails saying it would end. Since I only intended to subscribe to the paper for a year, that was expected. Unfortunately the harassing phone calls began shortly after. The Charlotte Observer continued to deliver my Sunday paper and began to call stating that I owe them money. I called customer service and explained that my subscription had ended and the emails I received didn't state that I needed to do anything further. They said they were sorry for the confusion and would wave the $25 they mistakenly charged me. But, they continued to deliver the Sunday paper. They called again a couple of weeks later and again threatened me about non-payment. Once more I explained I no longer had a subscription and had already called previously to ensure delivery stopped and was told the balance would be zeroed out. Today, 3/23/20, nearly 2 weeks later the Charlotte Observer again called to threaten me about non-payment, stating that I owe $41 for deliveries. Again, I quite firmly told them I had called multiple times, had never agreed to extend my subscription past 12/22/19 and had already been told the balance was zeroed out and the delivery would stop.

Cancellation and customer service issues after 2 to 3 mon. Harassing calls from customer service and refusal to send final bill after several requests
I did not renew a special promotion and when called about it cancelled it in December 2019 or January 2020 in an allegedly recorded phone call. They would not provide a bill but wanted me to pay over the phone and I was not comfortable with that. The number of calls from customer service increased exponentially to get me to renew at a cheaper promotion. Sometimes 2 or 3 calls a day. I have called customer service to complain about the harassing calls. I have requested a bill from customer service. They have assured me they will put my number in the do not call list. Weeks later I am still getting calls and have not received a bill. The people who call are rude, argumentative and ignore all requests to speak to a supervisor. They hang up when I ask or continue to talk over me until I finally end the call. Then they call back!! This has become harassment and unprofessional

Cancellation and customer service issues after 2 to 3 mon. Harassing calls from customer service and refusal to send final bill after several requests
I did not renew a special promotion and when called about it cancelled it in December 2019 or January 2020 in an allegedly recorded phone call. They would not provide a bill but wanted me to pay over the phone and I was not comfortable with that. The number of calls from customer service increased exponentially to get me to renew at a cheaper promotion. Sometimes 2 or 3 calls a day. I have called customer service to complain about the harassing calls. I have requested a bill from customer service. They have assured me they will put my number in the do not call list. Weeks later I am still getting calls and have not received a bill. The people who call are rude, argumentative and ignore all requests to speak to a supervisor. They hang up when I ask or continue to talk over me until I finally end the call. Then they call back!! This has become harassment and unprofessional

I can not get consistent delivery. All I get from them is standard, we are sorry letters. Please help me get through that I want a paper everyday!
I call the customer service office every time I have not gotten a paper, they tell me they will resolve the problem. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I am very tired of the inconsistent, uncaring service, when they can obviously see that this is a problem with my account. I want this to go higher than it is. I pay a lot of good money for this kind of sloppy service.