Contra Costa Times

AWFUL! I started subscribing to this paper a month ago because they had a great deal going on. I haven’t received one paper! I’ve called in about five times, been told that my paper would be sent out again and that my situation would get escalated to management. This was all bologna. Finally, I called in today to cancel my subscription for a full refund. I explained my situation to the customer service representative, and I didn’t get one apology. They must get these calls all the time and don’t even care anymore. I grew up reading this paper, and I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to carry this tradition into my adulthood.

Since January we have had more problems getting our paper then the last 30 years. The sad thing is that they don’t fix the problem. They have had 5 months to fix it. There are others in my neighborhood that have had the same problem. How is it that one day you get the paper and the very next day you do not. Since the Chron changed carriers, we have had horrible problems getting the times. It appears that they are trying to drive customers to the online version. Not going to happen in this household. Bring back the paper boy!

40 year customer still waiting for my Sunday paper. After 3 phone calls on Sunday, 2 more phone calls on Monday which included the Publisher & President, and finally emails to the top 6 Executives (Senior Leadership) of The Bay Area News Group, I am still waiting for my Sunday Newspaper. Not one of «The Leadership Team» has called me or replied to my email. I am sure they do not know how to spell the word Customer Service. Obviously, they don’t need my $ 36.00 per month. That is fine with me since news is available ²⁴⁄₇ via social media, Internet, network and cable Television. In addition. There are other limited edition newspapers. Good by CCT. You have lost me. You do not deserve a loyal customer like me.

While I usually enjoy reading newspapers, I have been receiving unsolicited copies of this newspaper for the past few months. I have contacted the Contra Costa Times twice to cease the delivery of this paper to no avail. I shouldn’t have to pay for a paper that I never ordered in the first place.

The person who was assigned to delivered our news paper for years did an excellent job. In December 2015, the service took a complete dive. There is a different delivery person who delivers our papers and is always late and without tying the plastic cover closed on raining days so when he throws it, it would prevent the paper from fall out of plastic cover.
We have called several times since December to request the paper be delivered by 7 am as it was in the past however there has been no change.
Today the paper was not delivered until 10am, we are up at 6am with no paper to enjoy with coffee.
We are switching news papers, The Contra Costa times has been a failure.

The paper boy threw a Sunday paper between two cars in our driveway knocking off my sideview mirror!!!
Over a dozen calls and $ 410 later they still wont pay us back!!! The keep saying a «manager» will call us. When cc times?!? WHEN. I have photo evidence.
Is this how you treat customers of 24 years?! See ya in small claims mf’s!!!

I knew the paper sucked but never would have guessed not one positive review on Unilocal!
For home delivery they charge $ 60. for 8 weeks — more than $ 1 a day. It’s hardly worth half that. Delivery is a joke in itself as we have more missed deliveries than papers delivered. The vacation hold — forget it, not once have they gotten that right. Why do we subscribe? I like a current, local newspaper to read during breakfast. I must be too old because that used to be a reality, now just a dream.

Just don’t subscribe. Just don’t ANSWER their calls! Sad to say since many years back I used to enjoy delivery. Since then I’ve become overtasked and don’t have time to read anything online or paper. or for school or fun. Barely sleep 2 – 4 hours a night. Reading is not in my future. My Dad moved to CA on Hospice so I was having to answer all calls not knowing who was coming when etc. CC Times kept calling and calling even though I asked them to stop on the first call. Finally I said «yes» just deliver the damn paper for your intro and I will scribble CANCEL across the first bill… JUST STOP CALLING! Yet they continued to call several times daily. I now get a bill and I NEVER received a copy! EVER!!! I do have an old email box full of «sh#t» from them. but NEVER a real newspaper delivered I could share with my parents.
How awful! I used to really love the paper on my doorstep and had minor issues with them years ago when I had delivery. I figured I could share the paper with my parents now and bring the weekend edition over when we visit. NOT… never received, can’t get ahold of them by phone but wait… the phone calls stopped. Now they just want to be nasty and collect for something that was NEVER delivered… metaphorically and physically! I will NEVER get this paper again!!! Sad to see how low they have gone!

Like many others, I too have been receiving so many calls from their call centers. I signed up for a trial back in September and decided not to renew my subscription. Since then I’ve received about 10 – 15 calls asking me to sign up. Kind requests to remove me from their list go unanswered.
I’ve submitted complaints to the FTC’s ‘do not call’ list. At this point all calls they make are illegal and face penalties.
My suggestion is to never be involved with this paper whatsoever. I swear the next time I receive a call, I’m going to their office to complain directly.

Paper is always late, even though I have requested it by 630am. Customer service thinks that is reasonable as I’m assured it will be passed on to the carrier. When it’s raining & the paper is hurled onto the d/​way the plastic rips open so now I have a saturated paper! I have called in numerous times & the same shit happens. My carrier just had the balls to enclose a tip envelope with a (late) paper yesterday!

I wish I would have read the reviews before subscribing. You will have to look long and hard to find worse customer service people: rude, hear a different story form each person you speak to. Unreliable delivery. Sad. I dread every interaction and there have been many.

THIS COMPANY IS STEALING MY MONEY.
I have tried canceling my subscription with this company 3 times now, yet they continue to deduct money from my credit card. Each time they tell me they will refund me my money, but I have yet to see the refund. I even got the name and employee ID number of the customer service representatives that I spoke with, but that didn’t seem to make a difference. I’m just going to have to replace my credit card, which is way more work than necessary just to cancel a subscription.

Add me to the list of very dissatisfied customers. I moved to Walnut Creek from San Jose where I received the sister paper (San Jose Mercury News) for 28 years. I called Contra Costa Times and spoke to an agent to start my paper. That was on a Wednesday. She said it would take 3 – 4 days to start. I said okay, but then wondered in this day of internet and instant everything, why would it not be a simple task to add my address to the delivery route the next day.
Anyway 4 days went by and no paper delivered. So, I called their customer service line. I explained my problem, and they said I was a valued VIP customer and that they would get the paper out that day and be sure I receive it from then on. Never happened. Not only did I not get a paper that day, but 3 more days have gone by and still no paper.
What an amazing assembly of no talent individuals the paper has hired. It’s customer service and ability to deliver a newspaper is the worst ever. You’d think that in this internet age with newspaper subscriptions declining that they would go out of their way to please their new and existing customers. Not so with this newspaper.

If I could give 0 stars I would. My card has been charged numerous times and I can’t get a paper delivered. On top of that the reps blatantly lie on the phone that’s when the automated system doesn’t just hang up on you or put you on hold forever.
This is the reason newspapers are going out of business.

After filing a complaint with the BBB as well, Contra Costa Times followed up and told us that we would no longer be solicited. Today, we received ANOTHER solicitation call from them. Seriously?
If you are reading this and having issues with Contra Costa Times, I would recommend you immediately file a report with the FCC.

A little boy came to my door in February selling newspaper subscriptions. I didn’t want a subscription, and just wrote him a check for $ 25 for his cause.
Months later I started to receive the paper and was confused why I was receiving it. I called to cancel and the man on the phone was not helpful and said I had a $ 9 balance on my account that could not be removed. I had to call back to speak with another gentleman who told me that the charge had been removed, so the first guy was just a downright liar.
BEWARE THESE KINDS OF SCAMS! Do not give any children any money for anything related to the Contra Costa Times!!!

Marketing company «Localis» calling on behalf of Contra Costa Times. They continue to violate federal law by calling my «Do not Call» number. Terrible history of poor customer service.
I think if the paper was 10 cents, I would consider buying it.

Called to cancel my subscription. I nearly got into a shouting match with the «customer service» agent because she wouldn’t listen & simply cancel my subscription. She asked why I wanted to cancel & finally I said I don’t need a reason and I would like to cancel my subscription, please. These people are worse than used car salesmen! The final straw for me was that I was not getting the paper I asked for. I subscribed to the local paper, thinking I could get the local news. Instead I’ve been receiving the Wall Street Journal. Great upgrade, except I can get my national & world news elsewhere. Not to mention that I never even asked for that paper!!!

where do I start?! hmmm well lets just say avoid at all cost even for the FREEBIE sweatshirt you are bribed with during the warriors games AFTER you’ve had a few glasses of wine. SOOOO I signed up for the times at a warriors game, I’ve even «cancelled» my membership– but these ppl will not stop calling and hounding me, they even still deliver the paper on sundays– ANNOYING!!! Don’t sign up!

THE BEST SOURCE OF LOCAL NEWS IS CLAYCORD
…but then you have to tolerate all the comments/​opinions that follow the stories
My review is based purely on the service provided by the CC Times, the ease of billing/​renewal, and the daily delivery. I don’t think it’d be fair to review content as there are several contributors and it changes daily. (However, they do lack in comprehensive local news coverage — and for all things really East Bay, I rely on Claycord, as mentioned above).
My parents received the Times all the years I lived at their home in WC. (1989-​mid 2000s.) I remember reading it thoroughly in junior high for projects relating to current events and the like. Also in high school out of interest in the everyday happenings. I try not to read it now because of how negative most news stories are. My parents still take it, I just don’t live there any more. They were always happy with delivery and they still give their delivery person a gift at the holidays.
A few years ago I took over the billing for the office where I work. I was put in charge of payments and renewals for all of our vendors. At that time we received two copies of the Times. One for the office kitchen and one for clients. We ended this practice (oh, for love of the trees!!) and now only receive one. Each year I receive a renewal note with easy payment instructions. I believe the cost increased slightly this year but it’s still very reasonable.
On the rare chance we don’t receive a paper, it is simple to call and notify the Times and receive a one-​day credit. I’ve never had any problems doing this. I haven’t ever met the delivery person for our building (thank goodness I don’t have to be here that early), but the annual renewal/​bill does provide a place to include a tip and we have used that — even though it’s less personal than an in-​person thank you and gift. :)