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Business Profile

Publishers Periodicals

Lee Enterprises Incorporated

Headquarters

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Publishers Periodicals.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Lee Enterprises Incorporated's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Lee Enterprises Incorporated has 24 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 129 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 58 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/29/2024

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I email the Tulsa World paper about getting an obituary for my dad but when I got a reply, it was too much money, so I did not go through with it and now this *** Enterprises that owns the Tulsa World is trying to bill me for something I never went through with!

      Business Response

      Date: 05/06/2024

      Ad# *******/obit charge has been fully credited. Per ************** instruction, *** Enterprises has not contacted her to inform her of this outcome.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/26/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Multiple unauthorized charges of $10.99 have been made to my credit card. And most recently, a charge of $20.99. I am seeking a resolution refunding them all! I have not subscribed to this service and have no idea what it is.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/06/2024

      We spoke with ******.  She didnt know ************** and Review is a *** Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper.  She did remember subscribing to Herald & Review, but now wants to immediately terminate. We will refund  the last payment made on 4/17/24 in the amount of $20.99. She will receive the refund via Paypal.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/24/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      This company withdrew a subscription fee before I had time to notify them that I did not want it. I received a paper letter in the mail 4/15 indicating that my renewal would take place on 4/23. I was going to call and halt the subscription the next business day (4/16,) however, that night (4/15) they charged my PayPal account. I have called the newspaper twice now requesting a refund, and lodged complaints and requests for refunds through PayPal numerous times. I have received no responses.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/26/2024

      We have reached out to ******************. She will receive a $14.99 refund check in approximately the second week of May. We will get the refund process rolling. 

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/22/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have been billed and paying for same service twice lacrosse tribune directly from our checking account and ********* services. Made a call and was told this issue would be expedited. This was 2 weeks ago today can not access etribune no one to call May be this should happen dissolve the business.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/22/2024

      We spoke to ****************** and his account is accurate. 

      He had set up a second account on his phone thru Apple Pay, unintentionally.  He has since cancelled the Apple Pay account and stopped the payments via Apple Pay thru his iPhone.  The regular auto pay *********** has run normally without issue for quite some time.

      He will not set up another account with Apple to avoid any double payments.  He will also access the e-edition via the website due to the app on his phone to avoid the issues with Apple.

      All is good with this account.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/15/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I sent a cheque for $72.00 to cover the cost of two annual subscriptions (one for my father and myself) to Classic Images on August 13th of 2023. I thought all was taken care of.Apparently not. The first communication I receive from Classic Images is a bill for $36.00! Don't even ask me to explain that one. I contacted CI and they told me not to worry and that everything was sorted. My father and I each received three of the ten issues that constitute an annual subscription with Classic Images. The thing is to receive each one of those I had to contact either *************** or his associate ************************* to send them. Either my Dad would receive his and I wouldn't get mine or vice versa. For some reason the people in fulfillment either weren't being told the payment was for two subscriptions to two different people or couldn't process it.In spite of promises by **** and ****** the mailing list had been updated and corrected, it never was. I had to contact them with a problem EVERY month they supposedly serviced the account.There is a number to call Classic Images *************) but it always goes to voicemail. Messages I left there were ignored. Classic Images prefers to be contacted through ******** or ******** Messenger. They no longer have a website. That alone should have told me something. *************** and ************************* also have personal emails through which I was initially able to contact them.However, my repeated complaints led to my being blocked on ******** and ******** Messenger. They are also ignoring my emails now.I have received promises to refund the balance of my subscriptions but these, like everything else from King and company, were never honoured. I am only asking for the balance of what is owed to me not the entire amount. That balance is $50.40.I have saved records of my ******** Messenger communications, emails, and of course scans of the cancelled cheque that initiated this fiasco of a transaction if required.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/26/2024

      We have now been in communication with *********************.  He provided a copy of the check and we determined it was posted to the wrong account. We will be providing a full refund to him via US Mail.  We had offered to start the subscription over for a full year, but he chose the refund instead.  The proper adjustment for this is being submitted and the refund will be processed

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/12/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      *** Enterprises has ruined small town newspapers. They own ****************** a paper in SW Va. On 4/3/24 I was charged $551.20 for delivery for 1 year, 7 days/wk. My neighbor only pays $219/year for the same. We are both 80+ yo. We have both received this paper daily for 20+ years.I cancelled my subscription on 4/2 and the next day the paper didnt come. But also the next day I was still charged $551.20 for the upcoming year. Today, after calling to inquire about my refund I was told it would take 3-4 weeks to refund my $551.20.I want my money back.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/22/2024

      The account in reference belongs to *********************** who lives at **********************************************************. A refund in the amount of $526.20 was issued on April 11. On April 17 a digital subscription started for $1 @ 3 months. 

      If memory serves correctly Mr. **** sent a prior complaint on behalf of ***********************. Im not sure the prior complaint received a response.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/25/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I was writing a paper and I needed an article. I used an article from *** Enterprises a while back. But just yesterday I was looking at my checking account and I was charged $10.99 from *** Enterprises and I had no idea because I didnt sign up for any subscription for anything. Ive been trying to cancel my membership online and on the phone with someone. When I go to cancel online all of the websites say null and nothing pulls up. There is no where online to cancel your subscription. Then I go to call the customer service number 7 times and I get told that I am on hold and then just get hung up on each time. I want to unsubscribe from whatever the thing I am subscribed to and I want a refund for the $10.99 because I never signed up for anything.

      Business Response

      Date: 04/04/2024

      Ms. Story will receive a refund of $10.99 via PayPal. She can expect to see it in her account April 5 April 10.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/19/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I subscribed to this newspaper in error. I was born and raised in ************ ******* and accidentally subscribed to an electronic newspaper in a town in another state.This company makes it *very difficult* to cancel a subscription. In conversations with a rep there they repeatedly try to make offers rather than confirm my subscription is cancelled. According to a long list of complaints with BBB this is their model. Once subscribed they continue to charge people monthly indefinitely no matter what. I lost my job and I can not afford to pay them. And I suffer from severe anxiety and can not handle the stress of dealing with this scam.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/20/2024

      ************** is currently subscribed to the Martinsville Bulletin, ************, **. His request to cancel was entered into our subscription system on 3/18/24 and again on 3/19/24. The subscription is scheduled to stop at the end of the current term which is 4/19/24.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/08/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      3/7/2024 - *** Enterprises billed me $***** for there online newspaper, this happened last month also, I tried cancelling but there web site is like a trap as there is no way to cancel and they continue to take money out.....finally today 3/8/2024 I finally got ahold of customer support I told them about this issue that I tried to cancel but it would not let me me, I asked for a refund for at least ***** but she said they couldn't do that and they would have to be resolved to another party.*** Enterprises owns tons of newspapers all over the US, I highly recommend anyone stay away, as they will rob you.Stay away

      Business Response

      Date: 03/12/2024

      No answer when we called. We are going to email him and submit a refund for his requested amount.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/06/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      We have been subscribers to the ******************** since 1991 (account # *************, initially receiving home delivery of the paper copy. When our delivery became irregular and unpredictable several years back we changed to a digital subscription. Over the past few years our subscription rate has increased to $35.99/mo., more than twice the $14.99/mo that we should be paying for the digital-only subscription according to the fee schedule on their website. The latest increase was announced in a mailing dated 1-22-2024 that we actually received in the mail on 2-22-2024, late enough that the charge had already taken effect and preventing the opportunity to contest.Weve tried many times to share our dissatisfaction with the publisher. Emails never get responses and weve only had disconnections after wading through the voice menu options on the phone. We have never even had the opportunity to speak to a live human being. More recently we chose to cancel our subscription, via phone and email with the subject line of cancel, and have had no success. We have found, just as others who have complained here, that is virtually impossible unless you leave a complaint here at BBB or with the Wi DATCP. So, here we are. *** Enterprises, we really would like to continue our subscription, but you have made this impossible and have taken advantage of us for long enough. Local news (as poorly as you often cover) is important to us. But enough is enough. Either credit us for the several years that you have double-billed us and restore the appropriate amount, or cut us loose.

      Business Response

      Date: 03/06/2024

      Re: Acct ****** under ***************************** ***********************

      We spoke with ************** and her husband. We apologized for the delivery issues and explained that a refund check in the amount of $192.50 will be cut and mailed this Friday. The refund represents $36 charged August 2022, September 2022, November 2022 and $48.50 charged December 2022. ************** disputed the January 2023 $48.50 charge with her credit card company and has already been credited back.

      We will be looking into phone issues with **************, the number she called.

    Lee Enterprises Incorporated is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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