Hearst Communications

A $359 charge showed up on my credit card after a promotional rate for several months. Tried to cancel subscription online.

Was offered better rate and took it but huge charge was not cancelled. Tried to call your so-called customer service numbers--in all cases, all choices, said automated system could not handle the call and I should go online, but your online options are not very easy to use and I don't trust them. This is a SF Bay Area newspaper, and your phone service should be available during business hours on pacific time. This horrible communication block means that I have now cancelled the less expensive subscription and I will never, ever again subscribe to the SF Chronicle or any other Hearst publication.

I am also thinking of complaining to the BBB. Your website says one can call your phone number to cancel at any time, but that is false.

I finally reached my bank to dispute the charge since I cannot contact you. What a waste of my time and energy, and what a bad rep this behavior creates for you!

For years I have enjoyed a subscription to the Allure beauty box, evidently managed by Hearst.

Unknown to me, I had two separate accounts all this time, allowing billing some freedom in choosing how much they chose to bill on any given day.

When I discovered they had extracted $75 from my bank account (I am on $25 monthly billing), they were adamant that the company NEVER GIVES REFUNDS.

Thinking this policy could be of interest to PayPal, I opened a dispute to which Allure has failed to respond.

They have agreed to pay only $50, stating that it was too late to cancel the November box. Fair enough.

To date, they have paid nothing.

I get form letters and silly emails about Hearst needing 5-7 days (no mention of business vs calendar) in 2023 to process a $50 refund.

They seem unserious. Im not.

Hello,

I received a charge to my account of $55.00 for what I am assuming is the Oprah Magazine? Last year when I signed up for Oprah Insider, I was aware that I would also receive Oprah Magazine or that I had even signed up for the magazine!

I do not wish to receive the magazine. I haven't read the ones that were sent. I certainly was not aware of any future Auto Pay.

Please reverse this charge immediately. I will be opening a dispute.

I don't even know if I have an account number since I've received no notifications/communications whatsoever from anyone or anywhere that has to do with Hearst Publications. Why is it so challenging to find out how to contact anyone that can make an actual difference?

Your automated phone system is stuck in some sort of stupid loop.

Please reverse the $55.00 charge. Thank you in advance.