Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Chicago Tribune's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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• 

  Chicago Tribune

  1000 Albion Ave Schaumburg, IL 60193-4549

  
• 

  Chicago Tribune

  1433 E. 83rd Ave. Merrillville, IN 46410

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/08/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Over a year ago I cancelled my Tribune subscription. Almost immediately, I started to receive calls from the Tribune asking me to renew my subscription. In the beginning I would answer and refuse to resubscribe. I also asked that my name/number be removed from the call file. The calls have continued.Because I have caller ID I do not pick up when the phone rings. However, it is wrong for the Tribune to harass me with these calls. The Tribune needs to remove my number from the call list.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/15/2025

  July 15, 2025
  

  Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or misunderstanding associated with the Chicago Tribune.
  
  The information you provided within this BBB Complaint regarding this concern and your feedback is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.  Your phone number has been designated as "Do Not Call" in our system and removed from any new start solicitation call lists. Due to your feedback and no active accounts in the system, your request to discontinue all contact has been expedited for further assistance.
  
  If you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune ***************************** at ************.
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive Resolution Center

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/15/2025

   
  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:06/30/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 had a subsciption to the Chicago Tribune. After becoming disappointed with the content, I cancelled the subscription, once by phone and twice by mail. I received a letter from a collection agency for $117.02.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/13/2025

  July 13, 2025
  
  Our sincere apologies regarding any misunderstanding or frustration associated with the Chicago Tribune.

  The information and feedback provided within this BBB complaint as well as your  account has been reviewed. Proper course of action will be taken if any standard procedures were not followed, where applicable.  After researching the associated subscription, it seems there were not any cancellation requests notated on the account after your last payment. Please be advised that all subscriptions are continuous which means your subscription will continue and you will be billed until you contact us to cancel or to make any changes with your account. In the interest of fairness due to your feedback included with this complaint, I have processed a credit adjustment of the reflected balance in the amount of $117.02 therefore no further balance is reflected on the cancelled account at this time. Please disregard any prior bill statements as they are no longer valid.
   
  For any additional information associated with our Terms and Conditions associated with your former subscription, please refer to *********************************. Please be advised your purchase is subject to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase unless the Terms are updated as your subscription continues, in which case the most up to date version of the Terms will apply. By purchasing a subscription, you accept and agree to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase or as otherwise updated until your subscription is cancelled.
  
  Once again, our sincere apologies for any inconvenience associated with this matter. In the meantime, if you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive Resolution Center
  
  
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/14/2025

   
  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:06/23/2025

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Have not received my paper for nine days. I have called the company 7 times and still no results. My subscription is paid to 8/27/25. I just want credit for missing days and to have the daily paper delivered to my home as it has been for the last 20 years! The name they have on the account is spelled Gryzbeck.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/07/2025

  July 7, 2025
  
  Our sincere apologies regarding any misunderstanding or frustration associated with the Post Tribune.
  
  The information you provided within this BBB complaint as well as your home delivery account is being reviewed. Proper course of action will be taken if any standard procedures were not followed, where applicable. After reviewing your subscription, it seems that the local Distributor has been advised to monitor your delivery address to ensure the newspaper is delivered each week.  The missed delivery credits have been processed for your missed deliveries during this time frame.  Your account will continued to be monitored to ensure that your newspapers are delivered as scheduled. Please be advised there can be at times temporary open routes concerns causing temporary delivery delays in the area which arise in real time occasionally leading to missed temporarily or received later than our standard delivery times for your subscription.  We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work towards a resolution to any temporary delivery concerns within your local delivery area. 

  
  I tried to reach you by phone but was unable to reach you directly. If you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Post Tribune *************************** at ************.
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive Resolution Center
  
  
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/17/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  The Chicago Tribune raised our subs portion rates by ~$160 per quarter with no emailed or other electronic notice. I called customer service and they said we got a postcard in the mail explaining the rate increase. I received no such postcard. But why would they send a postcard when they have our email address? It makes no sense. Moreover, there nowhere online to see your current rate. This is a terrible scam from a reputable name.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/02/2025

  July 2, 2025
  
  Our sincere apologies regarding any misunderstanding or frustration associated with the Chicago Tribune.
  
  The information and feedback you provided within this complaint is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, where applicable. 

  Please be advised that all subscriptions are continuous which means your subscription will continue and you will be billed until you contact us to cancel or to make any changes with your account. Your email address was not signed up to our email e-billing as that is to be approved by you therefore advanced notice postcards were mailed when there are changes to your weekly rate for the next bill cycle. 

  
  After reviewing your subscription, it seems was cancelled during your ****************** contact dated June 17, 2025 effective July 29, 2025. I tried to contact you by phone but reached your voicemail to review if any further assistance would be needed. 
  

  In the interest of fairness, I have processed a refund in the amount of $320 which would equate to the difference of your last two payments you claims to be unaware of the promotional weekly rate increase for your subscription. This refund will be applied back to your credit card charged within the next ***** business days due to standard processing times.
  
  For any additional information associated with our Terms and Conditions associated with your former subscription, please refer to *********************************. Please be advised your purchase is subject to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase unless the Terms are updated as your subscription continues, in which case the most up to date version of the Terms will apply. By purchasing a subscription, you accept and agree to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase or as otherwise updated until your subscription is cancelled.
  
  Once again, our sincere apologies for any inconvenience associated with this matter. If you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune ****************** Department at ************.
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive Resolution Center

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/11/2025

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 contacted them here regarding the Insider shopper and wanting them to stop delivering this paper. I am not able to get it where they throw it and dont want it at all. They stop for awhile and then starts again later this has been going on and on forever and I am done with this. It is creating a danger for me and a littering issue.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/26/2025

  June 26, 2025
  

  Our
  sincere apologies regarding any misunderstanding or frustration associated
  with the Chicago Tribune.
  
  The
  information and feedback you provided within this complaint is being reviewed
  and proper course of action will be taken, if applicable. Your ongoing
  request to have all free advertising paper/Inside Shopper deliveries stopped
  to your residence is being reviewed and has been expedited for assistance to
  the local Distributor. There are no active accounts associated with your
  address in our system. 
  
  Once
  again, our sincere apologies for any inconvenience associated with this
  matter. If you should you have any further concerns or would like any further
  assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune Customer
  Service Department at 312-546-7900.
  
  Thank
  you,
  Katina
  Executive
  Resolution Center

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/27/2025

   
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 23458061, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  Salvatore Dandrea

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/23/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  Called and cancelled my subscription. to The Chicago Tribune in March of this year. Subscription was paid-up until 6/13/25. I got two renewal bills in the mail so I contacted them via their online portal. I received their response via email, copy attached.They have adjusted my 'end-date' to be earlier than the original 6/13 and now claim I owe them an additional $6.25.This was a paid-up subscription - if there were surcharges, they should've adjusted the end-date of the subscription.This represents a 'cancellation fee' for an already paid-in-full subscription.Account # is *********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/04/2025

  June 4, 2025
  
  Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or misunderstanding associated with your former Chicago Tribune subscription.
  
  The information and feedback provided within this BBB complaint as well as your  account has been reviewed. Proper course of action will be taken if any standard procedures were not followed, where applicable. Please be advised that additional charges associated with our subscriptions can shorten your original paid thru date.  Any  additional costs associated with delivery surcharges and/or premium editions can shorten your paid thru date which are reflected within your account disclaimers as well as the Terms and Conditions.  Criteria and details regarding these additional charges are noted on all our new start promotional offers, billing statements and any other correspondence. As per your **************** contact dated May 23, 2025 you discussed this information and cancelled your subscription effective May 24, 2025. Your weekly rate of $3.99 per week was still reflected on your account with the corresponding promotional offer.

  
  In the interest of fairness due to your feedback, I have processed a credit adjustment in the amount of $6.25 therefore your former account has no reflected outstanding balance due. Your cancelled account has zero balance and is in good standing.
  
  For any additional information associated with our Terms and Conditions associated with your former subscription, please refer to *********************************. Please be advised your purchase is subject to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase unless the Terms are updated as your subscription continues, in which case the most up to date version of the Terms will apply. By purchasing a subscription, you accept and agree to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase or as otherwise updated until your subscription is cancelled.
  

  Once again, our sincere apologies for any inconvenience associated with this matter. In the meantime, if you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune **************** Department at ************.
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive Resolution Center

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/20/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  The Chicago Tribune's billing department has proven to be incompetent multiple times over many years of being a subscriber. They have clearly outsourced all billing and their system, website, and representatives are unequipped to do their jobs. Previously I have had issues with my card being changed or their system charging the wrong card resulting in failed payment. Instead of sending me an email to correct it online - they immediately begin twice daily phone calls from non-local numbers demanding payment over the phone with little security. I am happy to login to the portal to correct payment but the phone harassment is ************ primary complaint is more current. I switched my subscription in January from paper delivery to digital only. I did this change over the phone and was told my payments were current and account was switched - which I saw reflected online correctly. Months later, beginning in late April - I received a notice from a collections agency that I was in collections for bad debt to the Tribune on my old paper delivery account that I cancelled in January. I had received zero notification via phone, email, or mail from the Tribune. I would have happily paid anything I owed. The Tribune told me they would forgive the balance and I was good to go. The collection attempts continued and the Tribune again told me they would have it cleared. The attempts to collect continued. I never received email confirmation from the Tribune clearing the balance like I requested in both instances. I finally reached the collections agency via phone and they had received no notice from the Tribune that my debt should be cleared. They are going to file a dispute. They insist on twice daily phone calls for an expired credit card but when they don't, it is no communication at all and I am sent to a third party collector with no notice. Then they cannot properly communicate with that agency.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/28/2025

  May 28, 2025
  
  Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or misunderstanding associated with the Chicago Tribune.
  
  The information you provided within this BBB Complaint and your feedback is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, where applicable.   After reviewing your billing concern, ****************** did adjust your account in the amount of $18.09 therefore no outstanding balance was reflected on your former account on May 2, 2025. ARMS collections has been notified to cease and desist any further collection contact as there is no outstanding balance associated with Account *********. Your digital Account ********* is active and in good standing with no concerns.
  

  For any additional information associated with our Terms and Conditions associated with your former subscription, please refer to *********************************. Please be advised your purchase is subject to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase unless the Terms are updated as your subscription continues, in which case the most up to date version of the Terms will apply. By purchasing a subscription, you accept and agree to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase or as otherwise updated until your subscription is cancelled.
  

  In the meantime, if you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive Resolution Center
  
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/28/2025

   
  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:05/18/2025

  Type:Delivery Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

  The delivery service to our home was supposed to be reinstated after we returned from vacation. Our paper has not been delivered any day of the month of May after restarting it ? I call in every day and tell them it hasn't been delivered. They say they will fix it and escalate the problem to their superiors.I have 4 day a week service, Wed, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I have not received one paper yet this month?What can I do to get my paper since I have prepaid it for the year of 2025.Thanks so much for your expertise,***** ***** Manager *********************** ************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/29/2025

  May 28, 2025
  
  Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or misunderstanding associated with the Chicago Tribune.
  
  The information you provided within this BBB Complaint and your feedback is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, where applicable.   Please be advised since there may be at times temporary open routes concerns causing temporary delivery delays in your delivery area, your deliveries could be temporarily missed or received after our standard delivery times for your subscription.  We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work towards a resolution to the delivery concerns in your local delivery area. Your missed deliveries have been processed by **************** of which extended the paid thru date accordingly for your subscription. 

  
  For any additional information associated with our Terms and Conditions associated with your former subscription, please refer to *********************************. Please be advised your purchase is subject to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase unless the Terms are updated as your subscription continues, in which case the most up to date version of the Terms will apply. By purchasing a subscription, you accept and agree to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase or as otherwise updated until your subscription is cancelled.
  

  I tried to reach you by phone but reached your voicemail. In the meantime, if you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune **************** Department at ************.
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive Resolution Center

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/31/2025

   
  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:05/15/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 signed up for a promotional annual subscription with the Chicago Tribune about a year ago when I needed to access one article. It was about $5. One year later, the Tribune renewed my subscription for over $20/month ($240 annually) without any notice or notification. I called and requested to cancel twice, and was told I must pay the ~$20 I allegedly owed in order to do so. However, to pay that $20 (which was NOT an existing charge on my own account) in a secure manner I had to update my card information -- the only way to do that was to check their predatory 'terms of service' again, which means I would consent to more unwanted charges! I immediately communicated in writing that I do NOT actually consent, but had not choice but to update my information. These practices are classically predatory and most likely unlawful. The Tribune use boxes you MUST check to sign you up for terms that you don't actually agree to. They've been sued several times over it. But the Tribune thinks it's okay to take advantage of individual subscribers because they know you're unlikely to go to court over $20. It's shameful for an institution of "journalism" to stoop this low, and they should know that if I see a single charge to my account other than what I've consented to, yet another class action will be swiftly coming their way. Truly the worst billing practices and customer service I've ever experienced.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/27/2025

  May 27, 2025
  
  Our sincere apologies regarding any inconvenience or misunderstanding associated with your Chicago Tribune Digital only access subscription. 
  
  The information and feedback you provided within this complaint is being reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, where applicable. After reviewing your former continuous subscription, it seems the new start order was placed thru our website with an start date of April 16, 2024 of which your credit card information was provided by the customer at time of order. ****************** had cancelled your subscription effective May 21, 2025 during your **************** contact dated May 19, **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** the interest of fairness, due to your feedback even with our no refund policy, I have processed a full refund of all payment charge(s) for the total amount of $22.96 back to your credit card charged. Please allow up to 14 business days for this refund to be applied back to your credit card associated with standard processing times.
  
  For any additional information associated with our Terms and Conditions associated with your former subscription, please refer to *********************************. Please be advised your purchase is subject to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase unless the Terms are updated as your subscription continues, in which case the most up to date version of the Terms will apply. By purchasing a subscription, you accept and agree to the Terms in effect on the date of purchase or as otherwise updated until your subscription is cancelled.
  
  Once again, our sincere apologies for any inconvenience associated with this matter. If you should you have any further concerns or would like any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Chicago Tribune ****************** Department at ************.
  
  Thank you,
  ******
  Executive *****************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 had a subscription for the Sunday Tribune delivered to my house for many years. (now cancelled) On Sunday 5/4, the delivery person threw the paper through my enclosed front porch window shattering it. (She did not apologize but said the Tribune would take care of it.) I called **************** on Monday 5/5 and they knew nothing about it. They took my information. No word back. I called again on Thursday 5/8 and they said the message was forwarded to the distribution team and I should hear by Friday or Sat 5/10. No word. I called again on Sunday 5/11 and they said they were aware of the problem and I should hear from them by 5/12 or 13. Again no word. I have talked to a supervisor twice but still no action. This broken window is by my front porch door so someone could reach in and turn the k*** and come into my porch. I need this to be fixed and will continue calling but I'm hoping you can help. I intend to write some bad reviews but haven't done so yet. Any suggestions?