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The EconomistThis business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
11/25/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Sales and Advertising Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
The Economist magazine has a practice of soliciting and encouraging renewals, but rather than extending a current subscription, when a person renews, they create a new subscription. Therefore, when I renewed, I started receiving two magazines every week. When I called, they indicated that this is their practice, and they can cancel one of the subscriptions. Obviously there is no benefit to people to receive two identical magazines. The Economists practice is deceptive and contrary to what people would expectthat their current subscription would be extended. This practice is unfair in that it allows The Economist to charge for two magazines at no benefit to the consumer. I asked if they could extend my subscription in line with the 3 year renewal that I purchased in response to their advertisement (which contained a QR code that I followed), and they said that this is their practice and other than canceling one of the two subscriptions they do not make adjustments to extend subscriptions.Initial Complaint
09/26/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I am a customer of ***************************************** ************* On August 15, 2023, I purchased a specific account service from your company. Unfortunately, to date, I have neither received the service nor any information regarding a refund. During this period, I have made multiple attempts to contact your customer service, but have not received a satisfactory response.Initial Complaint
09/04/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I signed up for the one week trial of The Economist and decided within that week that this paper was not something that I wanted to continue to receive or to have them bill me for, so I cancelled before my 7 days was over. On June 2, I was charged $26.49, I called them to get my refund and to ensure this subscription was cancelled. No one answered, so I cancelled through the chat. They stated it was cancelled. On July 2, I was charged $26.49 again. I called and spoke to someone who stated that they had no record of a cancellation and that they couldn't do anything about a refund. I re-cancelled again. On August 2, I had another charge of $26.49 and again I called. They stated that there was not an account with my name, email or card attached and that they couldn't do anything about my charge or a refund. I'm boiling at this point as they were extremely rude. They stated there is no way that my card could be charged again because there was no account on file. On Sept 2, my card was charged again for $26.49. When I called this time, again they stated that there was not an account associated with my name or email and then stated that I had an account under another email address. If I truly had two accounts, then I would have been being charged two times each month, which I was not. I asked for a refund again and they stated that they couldn't do anything about a refund because they didn't have a record of a cancellation. I had to cancel my card and get a new number, so this cannot happen again because I do not trust this paper. I am asking for a full refund of $105.96.Customer response
09/30/2024
Better Business Bureau:
At this time, I have not been contacted by The Economist regarding complaint ID ********.
Sincerely,
** *********Initial Complaint
04/19/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I signed up for a free preview of the Economist for school. I had to add a cc to get the account. They charged me $16.72 on 2/1, $20.90 on 2/2, $20.90 on 2/3 and $20.90 on 2/4. I am on chat with them right now and they are stalling to avoid giving me my money back. They can't see the charges even thoughInitial Complaint
04/01/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
On March 28, 2024, I saw an an for an Educator Discount on subscriptions to the Economist in an online ad. See screenshot. I attempted to use the link and spent over an hour chatting with representatives of The Economist. They were unable to get me my subscription. I retired 20 years agoInitial Complaint
03/04/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I have tried to cancel my subscription through the online chat twice. However many times I say that I am not interested in any deals they refuse to cancel my subscription and just keep making offers. This goes on loner than 20 minutes and is dishonest. Today I tried to cancel my subscription through the portal but got the spinning little icon for over 30 minutes I also tried calling. I was told I was 2nd in line and after waiting for 20 minutes I elected to take the call back option but another 30 minutes has gone by and no one has called. The Economist makes it impossible to cancel the auto billing, how many times do I need to contact them. This is deceptive and dishonestInitial Complaint
01/29/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
'The Economist' magazines addressed to a prior tenant started arriving at my address early in ****. 'The Economist' has been unable to stop delivery to my address or correct the subscriber's address, they claim, because I cannot provide the email or credit card information of the subscriber. This is unfair to me (since I do not want 'The Economist') and to the subscriber, who is not receiving his subscription.Customer response
02/23/2024
Better Business Bureau:
At this time, I have not been contacted by The Economist regarding complaint ID ********.
Sincerely,
*****************************Initial Complaint
01/04/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I have recieved a fraudulent charge from the economist in ** and they will not help in clearing the charge or figuring what happened they are unwilling to help in any wayInitial Complaint
12/22/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Delivery Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I've been a subscriber a long time. Last year price increase was exorbitant so did not renew. A few weeks later I received a phone call and was offered one year renewal at $157 Can. This was more than 50% discount. I accepted and had the agent send me an email confirming this price.[I have it}. Magazine was delivered to my address as intended for six months then stopped. I inquired and sent them a copy of my email clearly stating one year subscription for $157C. They answered eventually saying that they had a wrong address which was definitely NOT the case and that delivery will now resume. IT HAS NOT after 2weeks. Obviously the agent made an error when he made the offer but that was not my fault. I want them to resume delivery AND to extend my subscription by ,at least, the number of weeks I was not sent an issue which is now 6 weeks and adding.Customer response
01/15/2024
At this time, I have been contacted directly by The Economist regarding complaint ID ********, however my complaint has NOT been resolved because:
[Your Answer Here] I'm being ignored.
They contacted me PRIOR to my contacting you. I was told that the reason issues were not arriving was because they had wrong address. This was not true since I had been receiving copies for the last six months. They then said since they now had the correct address, delivery would now resume. It's now been about a month and nothing has been received. When looking up "My Account" on ****************** website, they have the right address. I've sent emails and been ignored.
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
*****************************
Customer response
02/06/2024
Better Business Bureau:
At this time, my complaint, ID ******** regarding The Economist has been resolved.(By clicking "OK", your complaint will be closed as Resolved.)
Sincerely,
*****************************Initial Complaint
12/12/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I have tried cancelling my subscription 4 times in the past 3 months via their chat service. They confirm it is done, yet I continue to get billed. It feels like they are intentionally keeping subscribers from cancelling in order to continue charing them monthly. I am seeking $82.50 which is what I've paid the past 3 months I've tried cancelling.
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Customer Complaints Summary
28 total complaints in the last 3 years.
11 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
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