U-T San Diego

Review: I have subscribed to the newspaper service with no issues until January/February of this year. I had made a call to the newspaper company and inquired whether my subscription included online service or not. I was told initally that it did and there was no extra charge. The following month, March 2013, I noticed I had been overcharged for the newspaper. I have called and inquired about being overcharged 4 times the regular price in one month for a newspaper subscription from Union Tribune in San Diego.

I have called and emailed the company regarding this issue, my last conversation with a representative ([redacted]) in regards to this issue, I was told it was resolved and I would receive the next few months (3 to be exact) without a charge. However, this is not the case I have been charged again the last few months not just for the subscription but for a subscription I informed them I did not want. I am seeking your assistance regarding what actions I can take from this point and your assistance to resolve the situation.

I even forward the above complaint to the San Diego Consumer Protection Unit: This is the response I received: "

From: [redacted], [redacted] Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 12:14 PM

To: [redacted], [redacted] [AWM]; [redacted], [redacted]; [redacted], [redacted]

Cc: [redacted], [redacted] Subject: FW: Overcharged by local Periodical Company

[redacted],

I assume we will contact and forward this gentleman to the DA's office, but

letting you take a look.

Thank you.

mr"

I am hoping you could help resolve this issue prior to proceeding via the DA. Thank you.Desired Settlement: Return of overcharges, since being credited months was not honored.

Business

Response:

Spoke with Mr. [redacted] this morning. We are currently working on the issues and complaints below . The customer will be contacting me once he returns from vacation .

Contact info below provided to Mr. [redacted]

[redacted] ###-###-#### xt [redacted]

[redacted]@utsandiego.com

Review: I made a contract with North county times before to have my "5" sunday papers delivered at my front door every sunday for a whole year subscription which started 8/16/12 for the purpose of couponing. North county times was good with keeping with their contract as I only had one problem with their delivery service and it was resolved after I called them. Unfortunately, they were bought out by UT San Diego and ever since, I had numerous complaints that was not even resolved! UT San Diego's delivery service is very unreliable. This did not happen just once but numerous times already. I have been patiently trying to get this resolved by speaking to the customer service rep including the managers and supervisor but "NO" actions have been done because its still happening. They deliver my "5" sunday papers on time every sunday but it was always missing with the coupons especially RED PLUM coupons which is solely the main purpose why I continued my subscription with them, and to think that they are located locally here in san diego county which is supposed to be easier for us subscribers to get things resolved.I also had subscribed from "LA times" and I had "NEVER" once got this problem and they are not located in my county. [redacted], who she said is the supervisor of UT, "PROMISED" to deliver my missing 4 RED PLUM coupons through the post office which was already more than a month ago (2/1/13) when I complained that I had been calling for almost a week already and almost everyday trying to get the missing coupons from the previous sunday and the following sunday that was also missing. Until now (3/10/13), I have not received those "PROMISED" missing 4 red plum coupons. This is very stressful for me to the extent that I had to be late in going to work or skip my work hours just to make a call every time because they either put you on hold for the longest time or transfer you to a voicemail or make you call every day until you get the papers that never came.Desired Settlement: I had paid for all 5 sunday papers. Yes,they delivered it, BUT, my receipt from North county times says: NORTH COUNTY TIMES COUPONING SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM which is solely the main purpose why I continued with UT san diego. I want replacements of my missing red plum coupons today (3/10/13) and extension of my subscription for which I didn't get my 4 promised red plums about a month ago and the missing ones a week before that excluding the one month and other weeks that was previously promised.

Business

Response:

Hello,

Due to recent changes to our UT - NCT product the distrubutor that used to deliver to our customer [redacted] no longer provides service to that area. Our new distributor has been alerted to the ongoing issue with the Red Plum coupons being delivered . He has replaced the ones from 3/10 on 3/12.

As for the January 27 red plum coupons I did not mail them out. I was informed that the distributor for that area was delivering them to the customer the following day.

In addition we have provided credit to our customer by adding 15 copies to her subscription for the inconvenience to the customer for having to call on several occassions.

Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

I have previously complained about this company for the same issue hoping that it would get resolved and would not happen again. Unfortunately, they are very unreliable and non-compliant with their contract as the same issue continues to happen. I have been subscribing 5 sunday newspapers for the purpose of couponing from North county times which is UT san diego presently. I continue to have missing ALL 5 red plum coupons and 3 smart source coupons. This is such an inconvenience to keep complaining if it continues to happen every week when this issue was supposedly to be resolved just 2 weeks ago. They have also promised to extend my subscription for a month for all the inconvenience that they have caused previously but just stated from the previous settlement to send me 15 extra copies, which is only equivalent to 3 sundays in a month. They need to keep their words as we dont have any written contracts from them when we talk to any of their reps or even their supervisor.

I want replacements for my missing 5 RED PLUM and 3 SMART SOURCE for this sunday Mar. 24, 2012 and I want my one month extended subscriptions that they PROMISED me for all the inconvenience that have caused.Hopefully they take actions and resolve their communication problem with the distributor as this is causing too much inconvenience on my part to keep complaining here as the same issue is happening.

Desired Settlement: Replacement

Regards,

Business

Response:

On 3/28, we mailed out 5 Red Plum and 3 Smart Source coupons

to Mrs [redacted] as requested to replace the coupons that were missed. I also

extended her account the additoinal 4-weeks as she had been promised and her

adjusted paid-to date is now 12/1/2013.

An escalation was sent to the delivery manager about the

recurring issues with incomplete papers and they were asked to check papers to

make sure she receives all coupons.

I also added a note to remind her that March 31 was Easter

Sunday and the manufacture coupon books would not be distributed due ot the

holiday. The manufacturers choose to not distribute coupons on most major

holiday weekends. On 3/31 the only coupons would be from Proctor and Gamble.

Sorry for the confusion and let me know if you need anything

else.

Thank you,

Review: I called and requested to stop Sunday Newspaper service back in August 2012 and am still receiving a newspaper every Sunday. I have repeatedly called the customer service to request that delivery be stopped and they will not listen!!! I am so frustrated and have wasted so much of my personal time on this issue that is still not resolved and I am just done. I will not be paying for the papers that have been going in our recycling bin since last August. Please assist in having the deliveries stopped. Thank you!Desired Settlement: Please see above. I will not be paying for Newspapers that I have been recycling as I requested the service be stopped several months ago.

Business

Response:

Hello,

I spoke with this customer today. Her complaint indicated it was our paid subscription being delivered. Each time she called the paid subscription was being addressed and the carrier was receiving the compaint. However it was the wrong publication. I stopped the Local Community Values delivery and escalated this issue to our 3rd party distributor to ensure that there will be no more deliveries. I have ensure the customer that she is not being charge or had been charged for this delivery.

Thank you

Review: We did not get our Sunday Newspaper. I called on Sunday left a message for redelivery since this is an option. WHY OFFER THIS OPTION IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HONOR IT? I emailed Sunday requesting my Sunday paper on Sunday, the caption on the email states, "WE MAY TAKE 24-48 HOURS TO RESPOND - Really?? Monday passed & still no paper, no response per my Sunday notifications - I was away most of the day or I would have called. I just expected my paper to be there when I got home. No call/email on Monday from the UT customer service/etc. Tues 12-4-12 I called at 8am and got [redacted]. She took some notes told me my notifications were received and the carrier had been notified but she made empty excuses to me like - "it's a busy time of year." WHAT? I KNOW THIS... THIS IS WHY I WANT MY PAPER? I AM PAYING FOR A PAPER DELIVERY. LAST I KNEW... TAKING MY MONEY IN AMERICA & NOT COMPLYING IS CALLED FRAUD! I told [redacted] I wanted my paper today. By 2pm still no paper. I called and got [redacted]. [redacted] says they don't do follow-up calls on customer service issues, that's why I never received any response from UT on Monday. He gave me many canned answers & I asked to talk to a supervisor. I got [redacted] the floor supervisor of customer service. I explained to [redacted] I wanted my Sunday paper today. He told me he could see all of my notifications. He said he can see many correspondences with other employees related to my matter & did not know who else to contact. It looked like all the necessary people are notified & they should be getting my paper delivered. I told [redacted] if I did not have my paper today by 5pm I was contacting the Revdex.com. He said he did all he could do & he would let "the others" know. [redacted], seemed like he was trying to help, but his co-workers seemed to just ignore all of his requests to get the employees to do their job. It's after 5pm & still no paper... guess the delivery guy really is running the show here??Desired Settlement: I want my Sunday paper. I want my money refunded & I want to know an exact name, email address & phone number so I can contact someone directly the next time I have an issue because I jumped through all the hoops the UT suggested from their 18005338830 number & website & NOT ONE EMPLOYEE COULD GET ME MY PAPER. I want my paper each and every day I am paying for it until my subscription expires & if it does not happen I'd like to be able to contact someone to see I get what I am paying for.

Business

Response:

Hello,

I spoke with Our Customer about the delivery issue. I have forwarded this issue on to our area manager for review and resolution. I have provided 1 month of delivery service free to our customer and sent her a $10.00 gift certificate.

My contact information was given to the customer . [redacted] or [redacted] email address [redacted]@utsandiego.com

After speaking with our customer she approves of the actions I have taken and complaint issue has been closed

Review: I have continual problems with getting my paper delivered. I have called numerous times, sent numerous emails, been left on hold for eons...all with promises that this won't continue to happen. No paper last Friday, no paper yesterday and again no paper today. I can't seem to reach anyone at the paper yet again and neither the online system or the phone system cusomter service/delivery issue features work. Also no way to cancel online or via the internet. I'm having to cancel all charges through my credit card company because I have had absoloutely no luck with this paper. They are completely unreliable and completely unresponsive.Desired Settlement: Refund

Business

Response:

Hello,

Customers account has been stopped since 1/11/13. A refund of her last debit to her account was issued back to the American Express card on record. In addition there has not been any charges to customers account since 12/3/12.

thank you

Consumer

Response:

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

Regards,

Review: I have complained to the Union Tribune many times. The mayor's office refuses to do anything as does my city councilman. The UT throws advertising trash into my driveway every weekend. It is printed on newsprint which is recyclable but it is bagged in un-recyclable plastic. I have not looked but I would expect that there is a littering law that the UT is breaking. I shouldn't be the one to separate out that stuff. I would love to see the UT continually fined for this but I know that is not your responsibility.Desired Settlement: I want the UT to stop throwing trash into my driveway each weekend.

Business

Response:

The residents address had a subscription started for our Sunday Best product in a women's name. After speaking with the resident we confirmed that the women does not reside at this address. We stopped the product and confirmed with our 3rd party distributor that the product will no longer be delivered.

Review: I purchased a deal from the U-T San Diego Deal website. The deal was for a two night stay at a hotel. I purchased the deal and followed the instructions to book. Unfortunately, the contact "business" that the deal was with only had an e-mail to contact them through. I e-mailed them my request for the hotel stay. I received a nondescript auto reply that they were out of office. Over a week later I was contacted by the business and was told I could not book the hotel until it was 30 days from my visit. "Must be made 30 days in advance" to me means 30 days or before not "within" 30 days. Furthermore, the company sent me an e-mail requesting my checking information for the additional taxes and fees. I was beginning to feel that this was not a very legitimate company and since I will be traveling with small children, I could not risk waiting that close to our travel dates in hopes that a hotel would still be available. I asked for a refund for the deal I purchased through U-T via e-mail. They refused to give me my money back stating a 5 day return policy and only offering me a credit. My voucher for the deal stated that the voucher was good "until redeemed or refunded" and there was no mention of a 5 day rule. When I mentioned this to them, they sited a policy on their website. I was unable to find this policy until I did a search for it. However, the policy that is readily easy to find on their website states the following, "SOSD will refund the purchase price of the Voucher in either U.S. Dollars or credit for purchases of future Vouchers from THE DAILY DEAL WEBSITE, assuming such refund is required by applicable law." with no mention of a 5 day rule. Their policies are obviously conflicting. I asked them to refund the money as I would not have been able to know about the poor practices of the vendor because they did not even respond to me within their 5 day window. They refused again. Next, I looked on their website to see if there was something I could use this credit for. I found that they were selling a massage deal on 10/10/2013 that stated in the fine print that it had to be redeemed by 4/13/2013 to get the full value. Why sell something to someone that they could not use? It seems like very bad practice and trickery. Needless to say, I do not trust the U-T business and want my money returned. I have given them ample opportunities to rectify the situation and do the right thing but they refuse.Desired Settlement: I would like a full refund to my credit card of the deal I purchased in the amount of $98.

Business

Response:

Our Daily Deal Manager researched this complaint and the offer and found that the deal was marked that the customer has to give 30-days notice not 'within 30-days' and it also stated that there would be additional charges due prior to making a reservation.

However, we understand the customer's concerns and have processed a refund as requested. It may take up to 10-business days for the refund to appear back on the card.

Review: I signed up for a Sunday subscription and pre-paid for 6 months. I continually had delivery issues, having to call 7 times in the first month to report non-delivery. After the first month, I called to cancel my subscription and request a refund for the remainder of the subscription period. I was first told they wouldn't give a refund, but after further complaining, I was told my refund would be processed and mailed out. I never received that refund check so I called again to inquire about it. I was told I'd have to fill out paperwork and send in bank statements showing I never got the refund. I was told that paperwork would be mailed to me. I never received that paperwork.Desired Settlement: Refund for the unused portion of the pre-paid subscription

Business

Response:

This issue has been resolved. A refund was sent to the customer on 5/6/13 via credit card refund. Spoke with customer to confirm. Customer is satisfied with resolution.

Review: Tired of their littering my home and neighborhood with the UT "Local Community Values". This trash literally lines the parkways, yards and even many roofs of my and my neighbors homes. I have now convened our 'Community Watch' group. We plan to use unity and force if we have to to assure that this littering stops, at least in our community.Desired Settlement: STOP littering our neighborhood with your junk and trash or else suffer the consequences. Also, our local dog walkers have banded to return 'litter' to your properties.

Business

Response:

We have provided the customer's address to our 3rd party delivery distributor. they will ensure no papers are delivered to the customers address. In addition they will a manager verify delivery and placement to ensure that the deliveries are made properly . The verification process will done for a 4 week time frame or more if needed.

Thank you

Review: A few day before Feb 1st there was a Union Tribune sales rep at the Von's on Lake Murray Blvd in La Mesa, CA. The rep kept trying to get me to "try' the paper. I told him I did not have any money left on my debt card and would not have any money until the first of Feb. He said no problem. I will take a copy of your card today, but I will not put it in until Feb 2,2013 to make sure you social security check is in your account. In fact he said, "I will do you one better, give me your phone number and I will call you before I put the charge through". I trusted him and gave him my information and he gave me a receipt. On the first of Feb, I did not get a call from him so I went to my online bank account and found out he had put the charge ( &17.92) through without calling or asking me if my check was in yet. I immediately called customer service at the Union Tribune. They said what he did was illegal and that I would have a refund in 7-10 days. On the 13th I called again and spoke with a supervisor he said that my refund was processed on the 12th and I should get it in 8-10 days. I called again on the 22nd of Feb. They said that they did not know why I had not received it yet, that they had processed it for the amount of $16.80 on the 12th. I told them I had not received it and that the amount was wrong that it was actually 17.92 that was taken out of my account. He said he was going to send my information to billing and someone would get back to me. Well it is now March 1, 2013. I have not been called and I still have not gotten my refund. It has now been a month since I first called. I am very upset with the company and the sales rep.Desired Settlement: I would like my $17.92 cents back ASAP. My check was not in the account when the charge came through. I feel they owe me an apology and compensation. They need to have better control over their sales reps. The manager told me the reps in the grocery stores are supposed to put the charge through as soon as they get it, it is illegal for the rep to hold it for several days.

Business

Response:

Hello,

We have processed the refund check in the amount of $17.92. We are sorry for the delay.

Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

They have been telling me that I would get a refund since Feb 1.2-13. On Feb 13 they said they had started the refund process and it would be 7-10 days. Last week they said they would refund the money to my credit card and give 30 for the overdraft that I had to go to the bank to get reversed. Then I called on Friday the 8th and they said they could not refund it back to my account they would send a ck. From the 5th -6, 7th, they took the money and started sending newspapers. This has been a mess. I am disabled and live on a moderate income. I still have not received my refund. I would like and extra 10.00 $ for all of my trouble. I should not have to wait from Feb 1-March 12 and still no refund. And their rep should not have lied to me. If I get my ck by tomorrow Feb 13th, I will give up the claim, however, I will not be happy.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Hello,

I spoke with the customer and explained our process and time frame for the refund. Check was printed and customer should received her refund next week. In addtion to her refund we are sending her a gift card for the inconvenience.

The overdraft fees she received were taken care of by her bank.

Thank you

Review: We signed up for a 3 month subscription to the paper, when it ended we chose not to renew. We were contacted on several occasions by representatives of the UT and we had told them repeatedly that we were not interested in renewing. We continued to receive the paper for approximately 2-3 months, and they now are hassling us for payment those months we received the paper despite our interest in receiving it. We feel once we told them we were no longer interested on multiple occasions, we should not have to pay for those months they chose to keep sending it.Desired Settlement: I would just like them to stop hassling us over this matter, and would like to inform you on their doings with paper delivery.

Business

Response:

Hello,

We show no recent history of attempting to contact customer in regards to past due balance or to aquire customer back as subscriber. Our history shows that the customer signed up with us in July 2011 and had made last renewal payment on 12/12/2011. We had sent renewal notices and phone contact was made with customer on 7/11/12. At that point customer was quoted as saying " the mrs. takes care of the billing".

On July 28, 2012 the customers balance was wrote off by our company and not additional phone calls have been made.

I attempted to make contact with customer at phone number give on 11/1/12. Left voicemail to obtain additional information on complaint. As to when the phone calls were received. In addition I have sent an email and received the notification of delivery failure to that email address.

At this time there is no payment required by customer nor is their phone number being called by our retention department.

thank you

Review: For 3 Years, I have been calling and asking the Union Tribune (also went to their office) to stop throwing newspapers on my driveway. I have even stopped the drivers and asked them to stop. They just keep doing it. Every week, I clean up their littered newspapers all over my driveway and sidewalk, I feel harassed. I have no idea what to do.

I would like them to stop throwing newspapers on my property.

[redacted] and [redacted]

I own them both.Desired Settlement: I would like them to stop throwing newspapers on my property.

[redacted] and [redacted]

I own them both.

Can they call and confirm with me that the harassment will stop?

Thank you,

Business

Response:

The addresses provided by [redacted] had active subscriptions for previous residents. All products have been added to our do not deliver list and has been escalated to our 3rd party distributor to ensure that the deliveries stop.

In addition, we spoke with [redacted] and she has our direct line should she need further assistance.

Consumer

Response:

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

Regards,

Review: I have requested a historical billing statement on three or more occasions. I have not received a billing statement as of yet.Desired Settlement: Please provide a historical billing statement covering January 2013 to the present date.

Business

Response:

We have processed the requested billing history to the customer. We have also confirmed with her that she had received them. In addition we will continue to work with the customer to address any and all her concerns.

Consumer

Response:

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

Regards,

Review: On more than 6 occasions I have called Union tribune and asked that they stop littering my driveway every weekend with there circular. I do not subscribe to the paper. I do not want to have to bend over every weekend and pick up their trash and put it in my recycle bin. the last time I called I made my displeasure more than obvious and told them if it continues a complaint would be the result. It seems they don't care, so if you could persuade them to quite this I would be most appreciative.

Consumer

Response:

//////////.....sounds like lip service to me. we will see what happens . Thanks for your help!

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

Regards,

Review: I paid for a 12 month subscription for the U-T San Diego in advance. The time frame of the contract was up in September. I was unaware of the date the contract expired and the UT continued to deliver papers. I received a Final Notice in the mail stating that I owed $30.68. I called the UT and they informed me that since I did not call and cancel I would be charged for the papers that had been deliverd after the contract had expired. I did not ask for this extra service. I expected no more or less that a one year subscription. When I objected to the extra charges the "customer service rep." said the matter would go to colletions and would show up on my credit reports.

After reviewing previous complaints with the Revdex.com, there were over fifty regarding over charging and not refunding unauthorized charges. I feel there is a definite pattern of over charging. I can only speculate that because of lower subscription rates due to on-line readers they are trying to create a new revenue stream. I can imagine that many people would not go though the trouble to complain and pay what was asked. Normal procedure for a subscription would be to send a notice that your subscription would lapse in 30 days, if you do not send a payment you will be cancelled.Desired Settlement: I would like this charge taken off of my account and no further action taken.

Business

Response:

Our subscription history for this paricular account indicates the most recent subscription in question had been on-going for at least 3-years. It was started in July 2010 and the first payment was made in August 2010. A payment reminder was sent out in June 2011 and paid in July 2011, the next payment reminder was mailed out in June 2012 and paid in June 2012. All payments were made for a 52-week period. In 2013 we sent out 2 reminders - on June 3rd and again on June 24th. We would have also attempted an email and phone payment reminder notification. Since a payment was not received the account did go into the grace period and delivery stopped due to non-payment on Sept 14th. A final bill was mailed out Sept. 19th. Although we feel we made numerous attempts to communicate the subscription terms and grace period we have written off the balance as requested and notated the account as to the reason.

Review: The UT website has a list of options for paying. One example is: 4 weeks for $22.xx. However, the billing is for 3 weeks and a few days. This has continued for months so I called to ask an explanation. I was told that each week the newspaper adds extra content and bills extra for it. I said that I just wanted the 4 weeks for the amount stated on the web site billing and that I did not want the unspecified "extra". I was told that the extra is required. So I asked why the website wasn't altered to reflect the real price (the real price is never the stated price, always more). I asked if I paid for one year ($30x.xx), would I get one year. The answer: "no", I would get less than a year depending upon how much "extra" they added. I said that this billing page is not correct, yet it is this page that is my "contract". Well, somewhere in the fine print, they call out that they will randomly add extra charges to your bill by the process of reducing how long a subscription that you have paid. They know in advance how much the time will be as the new date is stated on my payment.Desired Settlement: I would like the UT Newspaper to be correct on their billing page. For example: I am really paying $25 per 4 weeks, or that I am paying $22.xx for 3 weeks and 3 days. II want the newspaper to stop hiding the real price and put it on the line where I am paying. Right now I don't know what the newspaper really cost for a year. Thus budgeting is impossible.

I would like the UT to get a negative rating from Revdex.com until they fix this.

Business

Response:

Thank you for forwarding Ms. [redacted]’s complaint and for

the opportunity to respond to her concerns regarding what we understand to be

her Mother’s ([redacted]) account for which she handles the payments.

Review: I am receiving an advertisement thrown into my driveway or yard from the Union Tribune and the Union Tribune Sunday's best. These are combined with unwanted and unsolicited advertisements, placed in a plastic bag or wrapped in a rubber band. I do not wish to receive these, I have not ordered these and do not want them littering my property.

This unwanted service has a note at the top that states "If you no longer want to receive Sunday's Best package, including valuable coupons and offers, please call (877) 730-8231". I have tried to contact the phone number and it does not answer, only stays dead for a long period of time and then gives a busy signal.Desired Settlement: The Union Tribune needs to immediately stop delivering this unwanted item onto my property and intentionally littering my driveway and lawn. Additionally, they need to provide a valid number so that myself and other may contact them to stop this service.

Business

Response:

We appreciate the notification for this delivery issue.

We have addressed the 3rd party distributor in this area and will continue to monitor the deliveries on and around this location. A photo confirmation of non delivery will be provided to our management team to ensure that all requests are being met.

In addition I have contacted the residents and have provided my direct line should they have any concerns going forward.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

We initially filed a complaint in May 2014 regarding the delivery of multiple UT products. We were unable to reach the UT on the phone numbers provided to request they stop delivering the products. I have since spoken with UT Customer service, the UT regional delivery manager, and the managers of both of the 3rd party contract delivery companies. This matter is not resolved. I continue to receive unwanted printed material from the UT to include the Union Tribune newspaper, the Local Community Value paper, the Enlace paper, and the Sunday's Best paper. More often than not the papers are old and dated May 9th and 10th from the dates we originally filed the complaint. The papers are also being delivered on days that are not "scheduled" delivery dates per the UT delivery managers. We have tried to work with the UT on this issue but feel that at this point someone in their organization is trying to harass and intimidate us. My husband is active duty Navy and is not home during the week. It appears to me that someone is going out of their way to harass me when I am home alone because they do not throw any of the papers when his vehicle is in the driveway. This is very unsettling because it feels like someone is invading my privacy and watching my home. This is bordering on a health and a legal issue because I am not comfortable with a stranger watching my home in this manner.

More than anything we want this nonsense to stop. We have spoken with the UT and basically they cannot identify who the culprit is that is doing this. It obviously is someone that has access to their warehouse because we continue to get "old" newspapers thrown under my car for all of the products mentioned above and according to the distributors they do not have access to each others product. We had 2 managers from each of the distributors parked out by our home last Friday, June 13, 2014, to see if they could spot anything suspicious and suddenly no papers arrived. Then Monday, June 16, 2014, another Union Tribune newspaper dated May 10, 2014 was in my drive. We now have to go through the expense and hassle of installing a security camera on the front of our home so that we can figure out who is doing this. I understand that this is "odd" because it doesn't make sense that someone would go out of their way to harass someone over something so minor as a Revdex.com complaint. However this has escalated.

Business

Response:

We have taken Mrs. [redacted]’s complaint very seriously and have contributed personnel and equipment to assist her in her efforts to identify the person who is placing these various publications on her property. One of our Division Managers has met with her on several occasions and personally set up a company camera to monitor her property.

In spite of these efforts we have not been able to identify a culprit. Given the circumstances and timing of the deliveries we feel it is very unlikely to be one of our independent contractors or carriers. At this point, we recommend that if the incidents continue and if Mrs. [redacted] feels harassed or threatened that she should contact the police department or her local authorities.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted]. We will continue to monitor this situation and the district manager at the Union Tribune has assured me that he will attempt to help identify the culprit if the the deliveries begin again suddenly and our home security system is able to capture footage. I appreciate the efforts made on behalf of the UT staff and their distributors regarding this matter and I would like to thank them for attempting to stop this harrassment. We consider this matter resolved at this time but will contact you again in the future if necessary.

Regards,

Review: delivery of my tv magazine. I ordered the tv magazine for three years, and every two or three months the delivery person forget to deliver my magazine so I call the delivery problem phone number for help in receiving the tv magazine, and time, & time again I am told that the news person will deliver my tv magazine either sat, or sunday, but I have to do with out the tv magazine until the next week.I am mad as hell. I paid for the magazine so I want I paid for.Desired Settlement: the delivery people need training, or to be told how to do there job right.

Business

Response:

Hello,

We have taken direct action to ensure that the customer receives the TV Weekly accordingly. In addition the distributor for this area has confirmed that he will address this with the carrier.

Thank you for taking the time to notify us of this situation.

Review: I signed up with a vendor, probably third party, in the Vons store on Camino Ruiz, in Mira Mesa, for Union Tribune to send me he paper on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I signed up for 2 months and then I would be automatically charged monthly for the service. I was not told that I would be charged in 28 day cycles nor was I informed before signing an agreement, that I would be shorted days in certain months due to PREMIUM days that I did not sign up for! So I noticed that the days they were charging my bank were different some were 28 days apart and some were 21-23 days apart. I have had this service since March 2013 and went back starting then and realized because of these PREMIUM days I was charged for an extra months worth of papers... I told the guy that I signed up with that I ONLY wanted FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, AND SUNDAYS. He never informed me that I would get these PREMIUM days unless I opted out. Nor did I even know there were such things as PREMIUM days. These PREMIUM days usually fell on days other than those I signed up for! On their website it says PREMIUM days are new years, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence day. I was told that I was charge for Thanksgiving, Memorial day, Labor Day and Christmas, but yet not for New years or independence day like in their policies.. So they get to pick and choose which ones they are going to charge extra for!!! That's not right and that's not O.K. with me. I was charged 21 days apart, instead of 28 days apart, in September Due to Labor day, and charged 21 days apart in May-June due to memorial day. Yet they mention PREMIUM days in their policies online, but not directly under subscription services where it tells you how and what your signing up for.. It is instead all the way down in #8 section G(additional info on subscriptions. Then I was told it is in every paper on a corner on page A-2 of the paper, Which I would have never known if I hadn't called to inquire about the unusual way they are charging me... But all they could say was it was in your contract that you signed and the few other inconspicuous places they put it to keep from being liable. I think this is all deceitful practices just to be able to take extra money out every year. That is one whole month extra a year that I was charged, and if I had had it the entire year of 2013 it would have probably been more! I called UT paper on 01/10/2014 and tried to get somewhere with this, but was hung up on the first time I called, then I called back and spoke with someone whose name sounded like Ang, but not sure tried to get somewhere with her, she filed complaint to next level about the sales person I dealt with when I signed up, but couldn't do anything really for me, and then she ended up hanging up on me too!Desired Settlement: I want them to refund me that extra month I was charged for $17.98. What I would really like would be to refund me down to the original price I was paying. I started out paying $21.92/2 months(8weeks) then after that it jumped up to $17.98 for 4weeks. That is outrageous, especially if they can give it to me for less than that for 8 weeks! come on really. I should have been paying $21.92 every 8 weeks instead of $17.998 every 4 weeks! so what I would like is the refund of the difference between what I was charged and what I should have been paying all along.. Was charged a total of $201.72, if I was charged the $21.92 every 8 weeks It would have been $131.92 So I would like the difference of $69.80 back. Then maybe I will consider using their paper service again but I will make specific choices and opt out of other choices! I would also like them to change that policy and make it so you have to OPT IN for PREMIUM instead of just charging them without true informed consent! Not to mention I will tell everyone I know to stop subscribing or make sure they call them every so often to get a better price. I shouldn't have to call to get a better special price! it should just be offered and not just for 2 months!

Business

Response:

In reviewing the complaint and looking at the order form that was signed by the consumer it is clear there was a misunderstading of the terms of the offer. We have attached a copy of the order form that indicates the promotional offer was 99-cents for the first 4-weeks and all additional weeks would be at $4.49 (which is also still a discount) as it includes unlimited access to all of our digital products. The billing cycle is also stated on the form as every 4-weeks with a 16-week minimum committment so we are not sure why the 28-week billing cycle was a surprise. It should have been explained at the point of sale prior to the customer signing the form. Based on the complaint it must not have bben done and we have provided feedback to our sales manager.

Since there is not a way to verify how the sales person presented the offer to Ms. [redacted] we will refund her the difference in the initial 8-week charge versus the ongoing 4-week charges as requested. A refund check for $70.20 will be processed this week. We would like to clarify that the 99-cents per week is only for the first 4-week period and is not intended to carry beyond that period because at $2.74 per week for home delivery and digital access we actually would operate at a loss. We regret any confusion or misunderstanding that may have occurred at the point of sale regarding both the terms of the offer and the billing frequency.

We appreciate Ms. [redacted]'s feedback regarding our Premium Days. We currently do not have any other customers requesting we make a change to an opt-in process but will continue to review suggestions and feedback in the future to improve the communication and process around Premium Content Days as warranted.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], I also would like to point out that I canceled my subscription and was paid up til Feb. 2014, and have yet to receive a refund for the remaining portion of my subscription, and since I am not receiving papers I should be getting a refund!! But over all I find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: The company keeps leaving their advertising paper on my driveway despite many many phone calls to them to stop and assurances by the company that each week it will stop. This is a danger to my safety and security because I live alone and when I am out of town it signals that I am not there and there is no one in the house.Desired Settlement: Stop delivering the advertising paper to my driveway.