My check for a 26 week Sunday only subscription was cashed over 6 weeks ago and my service has still not begun. I have emailed/called customer service several times over the past few weeks, each week where again I have not received the paper, and received only 1 response claiming carrier issues in my area. My 5 surrounding neighbors are receiving their Sunday papers, so it is not a carrier issue. It is beyond frustrating the have paid for a service and not receive anything in return, nor be able to talk to any customer service representative regarding this issue. read more

Subscription was paid for a year, but we are lucky if we get three papers a week. Most of the time, it is one or two. I call every time it is not delivered ( over 60 times now) . Calls go to the Philippines. Nothing is done. I can get a refund. They are thieves. Do NOT subscribe to this garbage. read more

Do NOT sign up for one of the Observer's promotions! They are definitely a scam. Customer service tells you you can cancel by X date and your card will no longer be charged. Then they bill you full price a few days before your cancelation date and say "sorry, our policy is no refunds after you've been billed." I have an email showing my registration date, but customer service says that's not proof, basically because the Observer doesn't include the date in the email. The paper isn't even worth the $1/month promotion. Articles are filled with typos, bad grammar, etc. I read better articles in our college newspaper. read more

Don't waste your time or money subscribing to a print version of this paper. This company is a joke now. I'm on week 6 now of a Sunday/ Wednesday delivery of the newspaper and still not receiving the paper. Multiple calls to Cust. Service where you wait on hold for 20-30 minutes, get cut off multiple times just as the person starts talking and after they verify your phone number, but never call you back. I've been a customer for 20+ years this time around...have never experienced such poor regards and care for customers. Since 2018 they have increased rates over 256%. 26-weeks daily delivery in 2018 was $233.68.....it is now close to$600.00. They're basically saying we don't want to print newspapers anymore - read it online. I was forced to go to Sunday/ Wednesday delivery only due to this and that rate is now over $250 for 26-weeks and they still can't deliver the newspaper. WHERE IS ALL THE MONEY GOING is my question? It's obviously not going to carrier compensation to entice people to sing up to be carriers! I'm sure some of the executives have gotten big bonuses for the rate increases and resulting margin contributions it brought. Keep skimming the cream and raising prices like you have and on top of that not providing a premium price experience and we'll see the Clt Observer go out of business in the next 2-4 years. At this point, couldn't happen to a more deserving company. read more

Despite many attempts over several months notifying them of non-delivery, they still fail to fulfill their obligation to do so. In fact they claim despite my purchase of a years subscription they indicate they have no requirement to physically deliver the paper since I can read it online. I bet they don't tell you that when you're trying to subscribe. How is that legit? read more

Got one paper in a month however they will not refund my money only cancel subscription renewal! I should have known better. Beware!!!!

This is probably the worst customer service I have every experienced. I received a promotion from the Charlotte Observer for a Sunday paper /ditigal all other days.. I purchased the paper. The have not delivered my paper in the last 6 weeks. When I call they promise to re-delivere the paper the next day. Guess what that never happens! I personally feel that they are a scam. They had no problem taking my payment!! I strongly urge people to avoid this newspaper as they have serious issues and credibility when it comes to delivering the paper that you purchased!! It has now been additional 3 weeks since this review was posted and I have to yet receive a paper. I have requested and received a phone number for a lady named Robin in distribution. I have left two messages without a response. Please think twice before purchasing The Charlotte Observer. As I stated previously they have no problem accepting your payment but they will not deliver the paper! read more

Dont subscribe. YOU WONT GET YOUR PAPER BUT THEY WILL BILL YOU. I moved to Charlotte, NC and wanted the paper to get familiar with the city and its culture via the paper. After two months of nothing I called to complain and cancel. Today 8/22 I notice emails from them so I called, only to learn they billed me and never cancelled my subscription. They said they always offer confirmation numbers for cancellations. BUT GET THIS..... the guy who finally 'officially' cancelled my subs TODAY (4mos later) DIDNT OFFER A CONF#. What a kick in the head. AND they refused to refund me. I've still never received anything from the CHARLOTTE crappy Observer. Their service sucks. They're not honest. They dont hold themselves accountable. read more

I canceled a month before My script ended (have emails as proof). They sent me to collections! I am trying to build my credit. They are crooked. I have 1000+ spam emails from them and who knows who else the sold my info to. I pay my bills. I am not from CA I do not know why that is my location status. read more

Very disappointing, I have not received one since the new year, and I paid up to next fall. Don't take it if you just want to throw away your money. This is insane. read more

I can't recommend this business, I have asked several times for a Bill to be sent as they say I owe $ 33.57, I have gotten several calls from abroad and can barely understand the person; Each time I some with someone in their customer service I ask for a Invoice and not received one yet, after over 25 years doing business with this company I am extremely frustrated with this service. I get something from a collection agency that I owe them money instead of the Observer sending me a bill???? I understand moving call centers offshore but you need to speak with people that can understand what your asking them. read more

I have called to cancel multiple times and contacted the customer service email. I was told three times that my service was canceled and they apologized. I know I'll find out that my accounts been referred to collections as I'm in the middle of processing a mortgage. I have near perfect credit as others have said this is a repeat problem and not funny. Buyer beware. read more

Terrible customer service. They can't do anything. Delivery issues. They state they are looking for a delivery person. Will not refund money. Only want to extend subscription. Which is useless if they can't deliver. Have ask multiple times for a call back..... no response. read more

So let me just start off by saying that this paper company doesn't even deserve a one star!! I subscribed to two of the Charlotte observers Sunday's paper only on October 2015. I am getting my paper delivered and that's fine and all but what would be even BETTER is if I could get BOTH of my papers delivered ...so I called and called and explained to them that I was only getting one paper delivery and every time they assured me that they would fix the issue and that it wouldn't occur again. Well my paper was delivered to me correctly.. BUT of course it didn't last long they only got it right 3 times... and till this day they still can't get it right! These people are unbelievable! Voicemail is all you get with no returned calls by the way! Their VERY unprofessional, Rude, unorganized and there's a LACK of communication in that company!! Ugh worst serves ever!!! Never again!! read more

Stopped delivering in our area. Still charged for the paper over months without service. Still unable to receive the paper anywhere within 15 miles or any home delivery. Horribly managed subscription department. read more

The review won't let me leave zero stars so I had to give it one to post this. I had an online subscription because I enjoyed reading Langston Wertz's articles about high school football. I cancelled my subscription and was going to re-subscribe next football season. My access was removed so I assumed my cancellation had been processed. However, it wasn't and I was continuing to get charged $17.15 each month (what a rip off). When I called, I was treated very rudely by their call center representatives and told that since I didn't have the cancellation code, I had to continue to pay for the next month. Despite the fact that they could see I was unable to access the site. DO NOT EVER SUBSCRIBE TO THEM!! You will not be able to 'cancel anytime' as promised. The call center was located in Michigan, and they could truly care less if the observer lost a customer for life - what's it to them. I would think the paper would care, and Langston Wertz would probably care if they knew that's how their customers are being treated. I got stuck paying for 4 months of a 'subscription' that I can't even access - not that I would ever want to now. read more

My rating exclusively applies to spotty print delivery, scammy subscription services, and the ridiculously repetitive ads in the digital edition. read more

The delivery service in Granite Falls is absolutely horrible. They have not delivered my paper three weeks in a row and when you speak to the agent who is clearly in India, all you get is "I feel your pain" and you can't go to anyone above me because "I am the supervisor". I tried to just cancel and get a rebate but they say you have to have five complaints and they only had one. I've notified them weekly for three weeks and probably more than a dozen non deliveries in the past year. Don't waste your money subscribing with them. read more

Another update Now I'm continuing to get the paper randomly even though I'm not a customer. I've emailed and asked them to stop delivering and they won't. They are a hot mess. read more

We had been customers for over 40 years. Every time the subscription comes up for renewal the price keeps going up. I recently cancelled my subscription due to the pricing and was told my subscription had been extended for 30 days for being a long term customer and would expire on 2/8/23. Imagine my surprise when I received a past due notice today; the rep said my subscription ended on 1/10/23 and I didn't call to cancel until 1/16/23. When I explained about the extension they said nothing was in the system; I had to pay the past due amount or it would be turned over for collection. He refused to research or credit the account to rectify the situation. This has to be the worst customer service I have ever experienced. Oh just an FYI i was told their going rate is over $500.00 per year. Yes they do have online which is much cheaper but we don't read the paper on line. read more

I paid $12 for 4 Sunday papers and never got any of them. Received about 10 phone calls from them wanting me to renew my subscription, but none of them would refund my money or send me my papers that I already paid for. Now I am receiving mail and phone calls from a debt collector saying that I owe The Charlotte Observer $45!!!! FOR WHAT?! HORRIBLE COMPANY!!!!!!! read more

Worst customer service ever. Double charged me for subscription and told me they would send a refund check. Called four times and was told each time that I would receive a check in 3-5 business days. Still no check. Will cancel. Too bad because I'd like to support local journalism and I know that newspapers are in deep financial decline. No wonder when their customer service department blatantly lies to subscribers. They deserve to go out of business. read more

Warning: Do not start the Charlotte Observer because it is very difficult to cancel it. Charlotte Observer hold time for customer service is 45min+ and the person answering the call abruptly hangs up without confirming if you have any additional questions. In addition the online services to cxl did not work I still got calls almost 2 months later asking for payment for services in the time I cxl services in writing. Overall I think the lesson here is stay far away from desperate companies that will do anything unfair to keep numbers including sneaky tactics to stop you as the customer from cxl services you no longer want. read more

Subscribed 2 weeks ago for sunday only service and I've yet to receive a paper. After calling cs 2x, I asked to speak to supervisor and was told none avail. After inquiring I found out the cs rep was in the Phillipines!.so basically, I can't speak to anyone in Charlt. or the U.S. to resolve this matter Dont bother with this paper it's not worth the $ or headache. read more

Four weeks ago I purchased a 8 week subscription for Sunday only delivery. The price quoted was not the price charged my credit card. Plus they charged me twice. To make matters worse still haven't received a paper. Worse service ever read more

I have been trying for 3 weeks to get my subscription! I have called over and over emailed over and over and I've received one paper. Don't try and get a supervisor on the phone either because they won't give it to you. Horrible customer service! read more

About three months ago, I subscribed to The Charlotte Observer. They had a special: for about $5, I would get three months of the digital version of this newspaper. They also said that I could cancel anytime, and if I choose to continue the service it would be $15 a month. About 2 weeks before the service ended, I called to cancel. They said okay, they would cancel the service. Then to my surprise, I received a text message from my bank, of a charge of $112. Boy, was I pissed. I called my bank to reverse the charge and was told to work with them first. I called the Observer and they agreed to cancel the $112 charge. The next day I confirmed that my subscription was stopped. Good, I said to myself. To my utter frustration, the $112 charge was added to my credit card. What is going on with the Observer? Anyways the charge is being disputed and my bank agreed with me to reverse the charge. I'm now waiting for a final resolution. I am listing my experience as a warning to anyone, what to expect if you subscribe to the Observer. read more

This paper is a joke. I signed up and got a month trial for $15, and after the month it was supposed to be $55 for the rest of the year. I was never once charged for the year, they kept charging me $15 month. When I called they try to tell me that the price of the paper does go up. One I was supposed to be paying for the full year, and two if the price is going up you are supposed to let me know that. They also put the reason I was canceling my paper as the fact that I didnt have time to read the paper, lol. The reason I know this is once you cancel your subscription, they call you everyday trying to get you back. My tip for them is dont screw people over in the first place, and you wouldnt have to get people back. Also good luck getting all your papers, some times they just decide not to show up with your paper. read more

I would give a negative star review if I could. I haven't received a paper in over a year. When I signed up, I paid a little over $25 QUARTERLY. Between then and now, somehow my payments evolved into $58.40 A MONTH. I've been calling for over FOUR MONTHS demanding a refund and cancellation and yet every month there is a payment drafted out. Oh, and did I mention they called me for updated payment info last Fall when I got a new card number? I refused to give them the new card info and asked to have my subscription cancelled and THEY ARE STILL DRAFTING MY ACCOUNT FOR A PAPER I HAVEN'T RECEIVED IN OVER A YEAR!!!!!! We're talking $233+ just since November. I am absolutely DISGUSTED with this situation with The Charlotte Observer. I'll be visiting the closest local office tomorrow to express my frustrations and demand a significant refund. read more

Absolute scam. I cancelled my membership months ago and got charged only recently for a sports subscription I never consented to. I've called several times to cancel my subscription and have either been told it is outside of office hours and they couldn't cancel a subscription. The one time I did call I was told my subscription was cancelled only to find it had not been cancelled later that day. This is a FRAUDULENT way to handle a business. read more

I signed up for and paid for a two month trial of the Charlotte Observer. I canceled a month in but was charged anyway. After several calls I got the charges reversed. I just got charged again and when I called they tell me I have never called before and they can't reverse the charge. This is a scam read more

Received this paper to see what was happening around Charlotte. Do yourself a favor and just watch the news on tv. Tried to cancel on their web sight only to find out that you also have to cancel by telephone. Over the last 15 days I have received 5 calls to renew the paper. Apparently they don't understand the word "NO THANK YOU" read more

I'm a fan of the Observer, both in print and online. I think they do a good job of offering a wide range of perspectives and covering our local news and events well. It's a great source of Classifieds, also, for those of us who are constantly looking for new work...I find their online listings to be a bit annoying, as it ventures into CareerBuilder sometimes in a way that I find complicated and confusing; however, the print version is great. I found my first Charlotte apartment through the Observer. I'm glad to live in a town with a reasonable newspaper. read more

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On October 31st I signed up and prepaid for Wednesday and Sunday delivery of the Charlotte Observer. I have yet to receive a newspaper! After multiple phone calls with assurance from their customer service that this would be corrected and I would receive my newspaper the next delivery date, NOTHING! My latest phone call did reveal something interesting though. Customer service for the Charlotte Observer is located in SOUTH AMERICA. NOT THE USA, NOT NORTH CAROLINA, NOT CHARLOTTE! The newspaper business is a dying business, yet they won't take care of the customers that are willing to pay for their service. read more

Elder abuse. Sad. Weeks without paper...then charged after cancellation... Trying to help an elderly lady who was scammed. Bad service, and worse customer service... Scammers read more

I have been subscribed to the Sunday paper for 1 year-52 weeks and in that time have received 1 paper. That is 51 missing papers! I have contacted customer service countless times and been promised everytime that my paper would be there the next week. I have escalated to managers, the distribution center and still do not receive my weekly paper. They claimed they didn't have anyone to deliver to the route but my neighbor occasionally gets the paper. Don't offer a service and have people pay in full for something you can't provide. The online copy is not an appropriate subsitute. Why pay for a paper if I can just read news anywhere on the web? Writing this review in hopes the company chooses to finally address the issue. read more

Here we go again, another vacation hold and another failure. I requested a two day vacation stop and to hold and delivery the two papers, restarting on the 20th. Today is the 21st and of course they failed to restart. I'd call and complain but I'd end up wasting 30 minutes of my time trying to explain the situation to 'Mr. Patel' at their overseas call center. And if you complain via email it usually takes 3 to 5 days - or longer - for a reply. P.S. - Note to 'Yelp', please make a minor adjustment to your rating system so we can leave NO STARS! read more

Cannot add a lot of new complaints. Wonder though, if someone in management has not linked their distain for customer service to customer cancellations (at the moment it is important enough to my wife to get the paper for me to tolerate their "you bother me" approach to customer delivery service for a while longer.) No surprise here. Back 5 days from out of town with request to have held papers delivered. 1 paper received to date on Thurs. Tried to contact through phone number. Received sweet computer questions and answers for a minute or so. Followed by a message essentially saying " I have listened to enough". Followed by a few outdated platitudes and goodby. Going to be a good day when I do cancel. Nolan Coggins read more

The Observer told me on the phone the reason I was paying $2.88 for a paper that costs $2 on the newsstand is digital access. However, I got a general email from them today stating "Your subscription gets you access to all the latest news on your computer, tablet or smartphone, including the eEdition, in the app or in your web browser. There's no additional charge and activation is a snap." WHY ARE YOU CHARGING ME MORE THAN THE PAPER IS WORTH IF DIGITAL ACCESS IS NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE??? You are price gouging your subscribers. read more

I moved to Charlotte in 1969 and have been a subscriber ever since. Now I am beyond frustration. Customer service is not bad; it's non-existent. AGAIN my paper did not arrive on Saturday 9-7-19. Came Sunday. Did not come today 9-9-19. I already know it's no use to call the 1-800 number. That will neither get me a paper nor credit for the missed days. I tried to register a complaint on-line. The site refused my password. When I went to Forgot Password it announced that I had already registered. Hopefully this review will prevent someone else from paying $440.58 annually for a paper that hardly touches national news and which I cannot receive on a regular basis. read more