Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Chicago Tribune's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 280 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:09/13/2022
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.
On behalf of my 92 years old Mother *************************, whom has cognitive issues as well as sight problems, I had to cancel her and my deceased Father *********************** extremely longtime subscription to the Chicago Tribune Newspaper. However, my Mom was making the payments before and since my Father's death on December 7th,2010 even though the **** was coming in his name. On March 21st, 2022, I phoned the Chicago Tribune spoke with a Representative named Heaven to cancel the subscription, she told me they would submit a refund in the amount of $133.82 for overpayment however, it was sent payable to the Estate of E ***** which she never mentioned during our conversation. Even though this is their company policy because I told her my Dad was deceased, it is ludicrous to expect my Mother in order to negotiate this check to have to pay an Attorney to open an Estate Account in order to negotiate this refund and we know what that would cost her. My Mom was my Father's only spouse for 62 years, was LOYAL to both him and the Chicago Tribune. I can't believe that they would keep her money. I spoke on April 5th, 2022 with a Tribune Representative named ****** who transferred me to his Supervisor ****** and I was told by her to return the check to ******************************************************** and it would be reissued and it was not. On July 5th 2022, I phoned and spoke with a Gentleman named *** who assured me the check would be reissued in Mother's name and said it would take about 14 days for my Mother to receive it. On August 29th, 2022 I spoke with a Representative named ***** who gathered information, had me on hold and then disconnected me. To date my Mother has not received this refund. I can't believe a Business of this size (Tribune Corporation) would keep funds due to an aged Widow for services not rendered.
Business Response
Date: 09/21/2022
September 21, 2022
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or misunderstanding you or your mothers have experienced with the former Chicago Tribune newspaper subscription.
After reviewing your parents former subscription and the information on the account as well as what you included within this BBB Complaint, I am working with my ****************** to research the refund check and provide assistance with reissuance of another check after our verifications and standard procedures.
I have left you a voicemail message with my contact information and will follow up within the next **** business days with any information regarding this concern. Should you have any further questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact me directly.
Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution CenterInitial Complaint
Date:09/12/2022
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.
We are having delivery issues. In the last 12 weeks we have received only 1 Sunday paper and weekly papers have gone from 6 a week to two a week. I have called at least 8 times, all calls go to ***************. They say it will be taken care of, it will be given a high priority, unfortunately after all this time we still have no paper. Somewhere between ***************, the Tribune and our paper person there is a communication breakdown. I have sent an e-mail to the Trib with no response, I was told from *************** girl they would call me on Sunday to see if I got my paper, it didnt happen. I am totally frustrated by all of this and all I am asking is just deliver my paper!!! I do think that there should be a delivery complaint only number handled in Chicago, this overseas thing isnt working!! Thanking you in advance for any help you can give to resolve this issue. ******Business Response
Date: 09/21/2022
September 21, 2022
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or frustration you have experienced with your Chicago Tribune newspaper subscription.
We are reviewing your ongoing missed delivery concern with your local Distributor for resolution. They will discuss with your local Delivery Contractor to check that you will receive your deliveries every day. Please be advised that due to open routes and Production concerns causing delivery delays in the area at this time, your deliveries may be missed or received after standard delivery times. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work towards a resolution to your delivery concerns in your local delivery area.
After reviewing your missed deliveries notated on this ********** **************** has already escalated and processed missed delivery credits back onto your account. I was able to authorize a one-time lower promotional home delivery rate on to your account. Also, as our gratitude for being a valued subscriber, I had extended your subscription paid thru date for an additional two weeks. This has extended your paid thru date until December 9, 2022.
Once again,sincerest apologies involving your Chicago Tribune deliveries. As per our conversation, **************** will be following up with you within the next **** business days. Should you have any further questions or delivery concerns regarding your home delivery account, please do not hesitate to contact our **************** Department at ************.
Thank you,
******
Executive Resolution CenterInitial Complaint
Date:09/07/2022
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.
Company stated they would stop delivering the week flyer to my house.. as of this date it is still being thrown in my driveway!Business Response
Date: 09/16/2022
September 16, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience you have experienced due to the ongoing deliveries and inability to stop the free papers to your residence.
The local Distributor have been notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. There are no active accounts at this 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: 09/18/2022
Complaint: 17930495
I am rejecting this response because:
Sincerely,
***************************They have given me this same response too many times and nothing happens. I need this to stop and them to quit littering my yard!!
Business Response
Date: 09/26/2022
September 26, 2022
Once again, 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 reviewed again and notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. There are still 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: 09/28/2022
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,
***************************As long as the flyer stops being delivered.
Initial Complaint
Date:09/02/2022
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.
Unapproved charge for renewal after canceling subscription - canceled subscription 8/28 (received notice)- locked credit card - Attempt to charge (charge 8/29) but declined - Tribune resubmitted renewal 9/2Business Response
Date: 09/12/2022
September 12, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any misunderstanding or frustration you have experienced with your former Sunday Only plus digital Chicago Tribune subscription.
Our customers satisfaction is of our utmost importance. After reviewing your account, it seems **************** cancelled your account effective September 11, 2022, due to your contact on September 6, 2022. No other requests were notated on your former subscription before that contacted time. Due to the information you provided to ****************, a refund in the amount of $149.50 had been processed. Please allow up to ***** business days for this refund to be received back to you due to standard processing times.
Once again, sincere apologies for any misunderstanding. If you would like any further assistance or to restart your account, please contact our **************** Department at ************.
Best Regards,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 09/19/2022
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.Refund has been processed.
Sincerely,
*************************Initial Complaint
Date:09/01/2022
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.
We were constantly getting these red plastic bags with coupons dumped in our lawn. We tried everything to get the Tribune Company to stop...but, their customer service phone and website was completely useless. Fed up, we filed a complaint with the BBB last year and as a result...the company stopped. Until last month...and now they have started again. Please help...we don't know how to get this company to stop trashing our yard with red coupon bag. It wastes plastic and paper and we really hate it. Please help.Business Response
Date: 09/09/2022
September 9, 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 this 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 CenterInitial Complaint
Date:08/24/2022
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 dumps garbage in my yard weekly, in the form of their Inside Shopper sales paper. It is undesired, unwanted, and unsolicited. I have called and emailed at least 12 times, each time I have been told it will be discontinued. Inspite of the promises, every week more litter is dumped in my yard.Business Response
Date: 09/02/2022
September 2, 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: 09/07/2022
Complaint: 17764128
I am rejecting this response because: this has been their response each time I've called. I have no reason to believe this will carried out. The Insideshopper was delivered a few hours ago.
Sincerely,
*****************Business Response
Date: 09/22/2022
September 22, 2022
Once again, 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 reviewed and notified to cease those free deliveries to your household. There are still 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 CenterInitial Complaint
Date:08/23/2022
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.
Hi,I have requested three times by phone during the past months to be removed from insideshopper advertisement print. I followed the instructions and called the phone number **************. Each time I was promised that it will be stopped. So far I still receive every Tuesday the inisdeshopper print.The business is simply ignoring the request. This is a safety issue as well as bad for the environment.I request to be removed and do not wish to receive the paperBusiness Response
Date: 09/01/2022
September 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 this 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: 09/06/2022
Complaint: 17758519
I am rejecting this response because: I have received the same answer four times before while calling and emailing the business. I still do receive the unwanted paper.
Sincerely,
*************************Business Response
Date: 09/23/2022
September 23, 2022
Once again, 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 immediately those free deliveries to your household. There are no active accounts at this 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,
******
***************************Initial Complaint
Date:08/17/2022
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.
After a change in the carrier who was delivering the Chicago Tribune to our home, home delivery stopped. I made repeated attempts to get home delivery reinstitued. Affter these attempts failed, I cancelled home delivery on 07/11/2022, and signed up for digital only access. I then received email offers from the Tribune to resubscribe to home delivery at a reduced rate. On 07/25/22, I resubscribed to Wednesday/Sunday home delivery and was told that delivery would begin Wednesday, 07/27/22. As of this date (08/17/22), I have not received a single paper. I have reported the missed deliveries through the Tribune's website, as well as talked to their customer service representatives a number of times. The latest calls were on 08/03/22 and 08/16/22. Each time the customer service representative has advised me that the delivery contractor would be contacted and that I would receive my next expected edition. No paper.Business Response
Date: 08/23/2022
August 23, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience associated with your Chicago Tribune home delivery service.
After reviewing your concern and your subscription, **************** has processed missed delivery credits and escalated your complaint to the local Distributor for assistance. Please be advised there seems to be several open routes in your delivery area therefore there is potential some deliveries may be missed or received later than standard delivery times. Your feedback regarding your customer experience will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
**************** will follow up with you within the next 5-7 business days to confirm you have received your Wednesday and Sunday home deliveries to your satisfaction.
If you would like any additional assistance regarding your subscription,please contact our Chicago Tribune **************** Department at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterInitial Complaint
Date:08/12/2022
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 a newspaper subscription with the Chicago tribune. This morning the newspaper delivery driver pulled into my driveway to deliver the paper and struck two glass solar lights with the vehicle I had on my property on metal shepherd hooks and shattering the glass all over the apron to my driveway. The newspaper was delivered in the middle of all the glass on my apron and the delivery driver just left after the damage to my property. I tried calling the tribune to report but received an automated message they were closed. I have photos of the damage attached along with where I purchased them in 2021.Business Response
Date: 08/22/2022
August 22, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience and frustration associated with your Chicago Tribune home delivery subscription.
I have escalated this Property Damage complaint to the Distributor to inform of this information you provided as they would need to review with the delivery person to confirm your claims. As a valued long time subscriber, I have processed a one-time adjustment in the amount of $35.28 back to your credit charged from your last payment. Please allow 5-7 business days for this refund to finalize due to standard processing times. Also, for our gratitude for your understanding, I have processed an additional two weeks of home delivery service which has extended your subscription until September 11, 2022. As per our discussion today, you were satisfied with this resolution.
If you would like any additional assistance regarding this matter,please contact our Chicago Tribune *************************** at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution CenterCustomer Answer
Date: 08/25/2022
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:08/11/2022
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 distributor does not deliver our paid for newspaper as contracted. We did not receive our paper today on 8/10/22. When we called their customer service on **********, we received a scripted apology , promise to notify their higher-*** and no results. This happen quite often and they dont provide any resolutions. Please help. We are seniors and relay on the newspapers to be delivered. Thank you.Business Response
Date: 08/20/2022
August 20, 2022
Our sincere apologies for any frustration or inconvenience associated with your Chicago Tribune home delivery service.
After reviewing your concern and your subscription, I have processed a missed delivery credit for the delivery not received on August 10th and escalated to the Distributor to ensure you receive the Wednesday thru Friday and Sunday deliveries. Please be advised there seems to be several open routes in your delivery area therefore there is potential some deliveries may be missed or received later than standard delivery times. Your feedback regarding your **************** experience will be reviewed and proper course of action will be taken, if needed.
**************** will follow up with you within the next 5-7 business days to confirm you have receiving your deliveries to your satisfaction.
If you would like any additional assistance regarding your subscription,please contact our Chicago Tribune **************** Department at ************.
Sincerely,
******
Executive Resolution Center
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