Community Chat

[gardenman]

Has anyone had a newspaper subscription shortened after paying for a specific length of subscription when the newspaper decided to increase their rate? Our local paper just sent out a letter today announcing that they were increasing the weekly rate to $3.75 and that rate would be applied to those of us who had prepaid for our subscription by shortening our subscription.

Now on my latest bill it specifies that my last payment "Pays Through 3/16/2015." With this new price increase they intend to shorten that period by a couple of weeks. This seems like a violation of the terms of the contract I entered into with them when I subscribed to the newspaper. I paid a specific sum for delivery through a date they specified. Their attempt to shorten that length of subscription strikes me as being illegal.

There is absolutely nothing on the bill I paid that gives them any wriggle room in adjusting the "Pays Through" date other than the following statement which says "Your Paid Through Date is automatically extended for temporary stops and other credits." There is nothing about shortening your Paid Through date due to a price increase.

Has anyone else run into a similar situation?

[tansy]

No and that would steam me. I'd call and complain loudly.

[betteb]

On 1/26/2015 tansy said: No and that would steam me. I'd call and complain loudly.

Very loudly. I would also complain loudly to the local TV news station. Most of them have someone that covers consumer affairs/fraud.

[jackthebear]

I think I would shorten my subscription permanently, I would call them and complain

[kdgn]

No, and I subscribe yearly. I'm billed at new rate when the new subscription is due.

[KYToby]

I do not think this is a violation of a contract. You have paid, in advance, for a newspaper subscription, and the price (of future editions) changed which has changed your expiration date. You do not have a contract. You can cancel your subscription at any time and get a refund for the future papers. If this had been a "contract," you would be unable to cancel until your subscription expires.

This is not a retroactive price increase. A retroactive price increase would be sending you an additional bill for papers already delivered. For instance, instead of saying they were changing the subscription rate now, they could say that they were making the rate change effective December 1, and as such, you nw owe the new rate for all of December and January. That would be a retroactive price increase, and that would be a violation of the law. This is not -- this is just being upset that the price is changing.

[Peaches McPhee]

I agree with KYToby.

This is not a retoactive increase.

And, your pre-paid subscription is not a contract that honors the existing price.

Sorry.

[Bestdressed]

I have not heard of having a newspaper subscription being shortened. But honestly... with all the specials they offer, I am surprised how they still can survive.

[Kalli]

IMHO they took your money ahead of time and stated that you were paid up until a certain date. Therefore, you ARE PAID up until that date. After that, they can increase your bill, but not before.

Since your paperwork has this info, I think you have a valid point. I'd complain to them and if they don't honor their agreement, tell them you'll take your story to the local news as someone already suggested. They might decide the bad publicity isn't worth it and honor their original agreement. Additionally, I'd let them know you won't be continuing your subscription if they don't make this right.

Good Luck!

[stargazer]

I am in total agreement with Kalli above. You are paid up and then when you are due for renewal they can make the increase.