Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Chicago Tribune's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 279 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 85 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe 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:11/03/2022
Type: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 signed up for a 1mo trial of the Chicago Tribune in 2020, but I canceled continuing service. In the two years since, they have called me from multiple varying unlisted numbers an average of 2x/week (sometimes as much as 6x/week) asking me to resubscribe. I have made it very, very clear when I have answered these calls that I am uninterested in their paper, I am uninterested in a discount, and that their harassing behavior has made sure I will never change my mind and that I want to be removed from their distribution lists.
Business Response
Date: 11/12/2022
November 12, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience you have experienced with the inability to get the new start solicitation calls to stop or any correspondence associated with your former Chicago Tribune home delivery subscription.
I will forward your contact information to be removed from *********** records and place you on our Do not Call listing. Please allow ***** business days to finalize the removal of your information from our system. I will expedite this request due to the information you provided within this complaint.
Once again, our sincere apologizes for this concern. If you would like any further assistance, please contact our Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive *****************Customer Answer
Date: 11/14/2022
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:10/27/2022
Type: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.
This company keeps dumping garbage on our building. My neighbor has been asking for this to stop for three months but they won't. The rest of the building and street is getting involved now. This is ridiculous.Business Response
Date: 11/01/2022
November 1, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the ongoing deliveries and inability to stop the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.
The local Distributor have been notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. There are no active accounts at your address currently therefore this request to stop will be escalated to ensure no further Inside Shopper free papers will be delivered. The processing time may take up to 14 business days for the deliveries to ultimately stop but I have expedited your request due to the urgency and information you provided within this complaint. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries in your neighborhood will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 11/03/2022
Complaint: 18322089
I am rejecting this response because: They're still dumping garbage on our building. There was more there today.
Sincerely,
*********************Business Response
Date: 11/11/2022
November 11, 2022
Once again, very sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the inability to start receiving the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.
The local Distributor have been notified to stop immediately these free deliveries to your household. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
***************************Customer Answer
Date: 11/14/2022
Complaint: 18322089
I am rejecting this response because: The residents of my building and I have been asking for this to stop since early August. Since then, this company has made weekly promises to stop but they continue to dump garbage on our building week after week.Business Response
Date: 11/21/2022
November 21, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the ongoing deliveries and inability to stop the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.
The local Distributor have been notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. There are no active accounts at your address currently therefore this request to stop will be escalated to ensure no further Inside Shopper free papers will be delivered. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 11/22/2022
Complaint: 18322089
I am rejecting this response because: I'll believe it when I see it. They've been saying the same thing since early August.
Sincerely,
*********************Initial Complaint
Date:10/26/2022
Type: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 called Inside Shopper ********** since ***** requesting not to receive the publication Each time was told they would e mail contractor As I Continued to receive 3 papers called again and was told they escalated request On 828 I again called they stated it would be escalated & suggested I give the papers to my neighbors I continue to get paper...today received 3Business Response
Date: 11/04/2022
November 4, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the ongoing deliveries and inability to stop the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.
The local Distributor have been notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. There are no active accounts at your address currently therefore this request to stop will be escalated to ensure no further Inside Shopper free papers will be delivered. The processing time may take up to 14 business days for the deliveries to ultimately stop but I have expedited your request due to the urgency and information you provided within this complaint. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 11/09/2022
Complaint: 18317991
I am rejecting this response because:
As the response was that it may take 14 days. I can not say if this issue will be resolved
Sincerely,
*************************Initial Complaint
Date:10/26/2022
Type: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 canceled the Tribune over a year ago. I get a phone call almost every day from them. I have told them to stop calling me, I do not want the paper.They won't stopBusiness Response
Date: 11/04/2022
November 4, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced with the inability to cease the Chicago Tribune calls or any new start solicitation calls of which may be associated with your former Chicago Tribune subscription.
I will forward your contact information to be removed from *********** records and place you on our Do not Call listing. Please allow ***** business days to finalize the removal of your information from our system. I will expedite this request due to the information you provided within this complaint
Once again, our sincere apologizes for this concern. If you would like any further assistance, please contact our Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 11/08/2022
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:10/24/2022
Type: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 ordered the Chicago Tribune Sunday newspaper promotional home delivery. After about a month when the deliveries never started, I called and asked why. I was told the service had to be paid for first. So I said well, I will pay next week. Meanwhile deliveries still never started. But then I received a much better **** promotional offer that I wanted instead that I would subscribe to later before the promotional period ended. Chicago Tribune continued to send bills and then eventually turned it over to their collection agency A.R.M. Solutions.Business Response
Date: 11/04/2022
November 4, 2022
Sincere apologies for any inconvenience or misunderstanding that you may have experienced with your former Chicago Tribune subscription.
After reviewing your former account and information you provided within your BBB complaint, I have adjusted the outstanding balance in the amount of $26.40 therefore there is no outstanding balance at this time.Your former account is currently in good standing. The collection agency will be notified to cease collections immediately.
If would you require any further assistance or would like to restart your subscription, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 11/07/2022
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,
Laschuanda ******Initial Complaint
Date:10/21/2022
Type: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.
Every week they drop a pink bag on my driveway, this bag has instructions on how to stop the service, but the email it provides is undeliverable. They're basically littering on my property and I can't get them to stopBusiness Response
Date: 10/31/2022
October 31, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the ongoing deliveries and inability to stop the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.The local Distributor has been notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. The processing time may take up to 14 business days for the deliveries to ultimately stop but
I have expedited your request due to the urgency and information you provided within this complaint. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 10/31/2022
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:10/19/2022
Type: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 was a loyal subscriber to the Chicago Tribune for many years, but recently tried to cancel because I was trying to take a break from media. The cancellation process at the Chicago Tribune is intentionally designed to be difficult. First, cancellation cannot be done online. This is in contrast with WBEZ, NYTimes, *************** and other subscriptions that I have intermittently cancelled and re-initiated over the years. Second, a phone call has to be made to cancel, but the cancellation department is different than the billing department. If you accidentally speak with the billing department, they will not cancel for you and will not transfer you to the correct department. Not being able to transfer a customer to the correct department to resolve their issue? That is extremely uncommon and I have never seen a corporate entity with a "no phone transfer" policy. Third, the phone line has limited hours and is closed on weekends. Fourth, the phone line often has high call volumes and I have needed to hang up before speaking with someone. Fifth, after 2 months of repeatedly calling the Chicago Tribune and also receiving calls from their billing department (because I stopped payments on my subscription that I wished to cancel), they still demanded that I pay for the months that I was trying to cancel. (Despite multiple recorded conversations of me pleading with someone to cancel the subscription and then being told that I needed to call the correct department, but they were unable to transfer me to the correct department). When I finally connected with someone in the correct department 2 months and 12 phone calls later, I was not able to "officially" terminate my account without paying the 2 month subscription fee.Clearly, I am extremely disappointed with the Chicago Tribune. New management has made this newspaper a money-extraction business rather than a local newspaper. Be a better business, Chicago Tribune!Business Response
Date: 10/29/2022
October 28, 2022
Sincere apologies for any inconvenience or misunderstanding that you may have experienced with your former digital Chicago Tribune subscription.
After reviewing your former account and information you provided within your BBB complaint, I have adjusted the outstanding balance in the amount of $34.20 therefore there is no outstanding balance at this time. Your account was cancelled effective October 21, ********************************** good standing. Your feedback regarding your customer experience and cancellation policy will be reviewed as we value your feedback and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
If would you require any further assistance or would like to restart your subscription, please contact the Chicago Tribune **************** Department at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterInitial Complaint
Date:10/18/2022
Type: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.
Chicago tribune workers continue to trespass on my property and litter on my property with delivery of inside shopper. For the safety of your workers I would urge them to immediately cease trespassing on my property and littering.Business Response
Date: 10/24/2022
October 24, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the inability to stop receiving the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.
The local Distributor have been notified to cease immediately these free Inside Shopper deliveries to your household. This will be reviewed with the local delivery person. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken.Please be advised Chicago Tribune has received your request and takes your potential threat against the delivery person seriously. We understand your frustration but the safety of our delivery personnel is also of our concern so please be mindful of this as this escalated concern will be reviewed by the Distribution Team.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
***************************Initial Complaint
Date:10/14/2022
Type: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.
Originally subscribed to digital Chicago tribune on Sept 20, 2021 for 6 months. Subscription to end in Mar 2022. called to cancel prior to end of subscription. Was told subscription ends in April and would extend to Oct 26, 2022 for additional ****. I agreed to this. My September **** bill charged two charges of **** (for August and September)- total of *****. Called Chicago Tribune cust service- was told would credit ***** (was provided confirmation number of 0841Z214107). no refund received. Called again on 10/8- new charge for **** (since credited)- but no refund of *****. My subscription should still be active as of Oct 26th without additional charges. It has been cancelled by customer service and no credit of incorrect charges.Business Response
Date: 10/24/2022
October 24, 2022
Sincere apologies for any inconvenience or misunderstanding that you may have experienced with your former digital Chicago Tribune subscription.After reviewing your former account and information you provided within your BBB complaint, it seems your account was cancelled during your **************** contact on October 8th. Due to the information you provided within this BBB Complaint, I have processed a refund in the amount of $15.92 which will process back to your credit card charged within the next **** business days.This will be in addition to other refund processed.
If would you require any further assistance or would like to restart your subscription, please contact the Chicago Tribune **************** Department at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 10/25/2022
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:10/12/2022
Type: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 tried repeatedly to get these Insideshopper flyers stopped and yet, even though I've gotten multiple confirmations from the overseas customer support phone team used by the ********************, they keep arriving on my property. The email listed on the plastic bag in which the flyers come isn't working and bounces back any emails sent to it. I know the Tribune was sued by residents in Chicago a while back for this same problem and am starting to feel like it's the only way to get their attention (I'm definitely not the only resident in my neighborhood upset by this trash). Please stop this littering on my property and improve your horrendous customer service.Business Response
Date: 10/20/2022
October 20, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the ongoing deliveries and inability to stop the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.The local Distributor have been notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. There are no active accounts at your address currently therefore this request to stop will be escalated to ensure no further Inside Shopper free papers will be delivered. The processing time may take up to 14 business days for the deliveries to ultimately stop but I have expedited your request due to the urgency and information you provided within this complaint. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries and your customer experience will be reviewed therefore proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 10/26/2022
Complaint: 18203635
I am rejecting this response because:
Today there was a flyer on my front walk once again.
Sincerely,
*************************Business Response
Date: 11/12/2022
November 11, 2022
Once again, very sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the inability to start receiving the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.
The local Distributor have been notified to stop immediately these free deliveries to your household. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.Customer Service will be contacting you directly within the next 5-7 business days to confirm these free deliveries have not been delivered to your residence, as requested.
Once again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 11/21/2022
Complaint: 18203635
I am rejecting this response because:Their response claims I would be contacted by customer service directly. This never happened. I cannot trust Tribune Company's promises.
Sincerely,
*************************Business Response
Date: 11/28/2022
November 28, 2022
Once again, very sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the inability to start receiving the free Inside Shopper papers to your residence.
Customer was unable to reach you by phone but will try again in the next 4-5 business days. The local Distributor have been notified to stop immediately these free deliveries to your household. Your feedback regarding your inability to stop these free deliveries will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
Again, sincere apologies for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, please contact the Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
***************************Customer Answer
Date: 11/29/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********. Also, I spoke to a representative from the Tribune company and they promised that the deliveries would cease.I am satisfied with this response as long as the deliveries do not resume.
Sincerely,
*************************
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