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Business Profile

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Crain Communications

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 5 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 2 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.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/01/2025

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    On December 31, 2024 Crain's Chicago Business charged me $199 for basic digital subscription services. The charge is unauthorized. I am not interested in receiving this publication. Using an older credit card account they found my current credit card and charged me for a 2025 *************** an email dated January 2, 2023, I requested cancellation of the subscription. It was sent to their customer service team. I still have ***** was one of many attempts to cancel. Two years later they have charged me. I suspect they charged me in 2024.I want a refund for both 2024 and 2025. It should not be so difficult to cancel a service I am not using. Please help!****** ********

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/09/2024

    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.
    For the past decade, I have had to call Crain's Chicago Business **************** to lower their "promised" rate to me for their Basic Digital Subscription.For example, on May 26, 2022 I spoke with ******* ***** who refunded the initial charge is $169, then charged me the "promised rate" which is typically under $100. I recall this year being approximately $60. Definitely under $100. This rate was to continue with no further issues each year ************* May, 2021 the renegotiated charge was $99 with ********* 2023, I simply did not have the time to call and refute.Each time, I begin with online customer service who then escalates / requires me to call their ********* 2024, I was charged $169. I have called and asked that they cancel my account and refund me the $169. I am tired after a decade of constant renegotiation. Online could not assist. Phone customer service *************) and a manager was unavailable. I am waiting for a call back.I would even accept a prorated refund at this point. All of this is shameful and disappointing.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:09/29/2022

    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 did not realize I had an auto-renew subscription, no advance notice was provided, I was charged $169.00 on Sept. 26th, 2022. The next day, I called customer service on Sept. ********* at ****** and indicated that I did not realize my subscription to Crain's Chicago Business was going to auto-renew on the previous day for $169.00, I received no indication ahead of time that I was going to be charged. I requested a refund and was told a supervisor would have to get back to me within 48 hours. 48 hours later, no supervisor has gotten back to me. I called again just now (Sept. 28th 2022) and was told that a supervisor would get back to me within ***** hours and that no refunds can be given. I am requesting a refund for $169.00 that I was charged on Sept. 26th, 2022. Note that my current email is ************************** which I provided to the customer service agent during both calls.

    Business Response

    Date: 10/04/2022

    I forwarded this issue to our **************************** I was told it has been handled. A refund was issued and the account cancelled.

    Thank you, if you have any additional concerns, please let me know.

    ***********************,

    Vice President ***** General Counsel

    Crain Communications, Inc.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 10/04/2022

     
    Better Business Bureau:

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

    Sincerely,

    ***************************

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:09/06/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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 continues to send me spam, no matter how many times I unsubscribe.

    Business Response

    Date: 09/19/2022

    9-19-22 I will contact this individual by email to find out specifically which of our publications is allegingly sending him unwanted communication. I will also ask if he has/had a subscription for which he feels attention needs to be paid to. TJM

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:08/05/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    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.
    On 6/28-22 I issued a check to Crain Communications ***************** in the amount of $169.00.My check cleared and I have a copy of the canceled check front and back.The people that I contacted by phone told me that they did not receive my payment. The back of the check is stamped for deposit only JPMC (******************* *****) I would like my subscription renewed or my money returned.

    Business Response

    Date: 08/29/2022

    For this particular case, we will contact Mr. *********************** directly and successfully handle his customer service matter pertaining to his subscription to our publication, Automotive News.

     

    Thank you!

Crain Communications is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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