Subscription Delivery Problems

[sombra5886soph41]

I purchased a 1 year Wall Street Journal subscription in September 2021. The delivery of the paper is extremely erratic and the seller does not respond to my inquiries about the delivery issues. I have not yet tried to cancel this subscription but am nearing that point.  Because it is over 90 days since the purchase I cannot contact the seller through Ebay. Suggestions? 

[lady_madonna]

Call the customer service department at the Wall Street Journal and complain about their erratic delivery.

[gosimus]

@sombra5886soph41 

< The delivery of the paper is extremely erratic >    

Since you say "erratic" I conclude that some papers have been delivered, demonstrating that the Wall Street Journal does have your correct address.  How do you figure this is a problem caused by the seller or eBay?  You need to make contact with the WSJ, or the mail carrier if that's how it's delivered ... Does the paper come to your mailbox, or is it thrown on the driveway like a regular daily newspaper, or what? 

[sombra5886soph41]

It is my understanding that discount subscriptions sold on ebay are not eligible for the same customer service from the publisher as a "normal" subscription. I believe all inquiries and customer issues are to be directed to the discount subscription provider.

[tenbigdogs]

Hi @sombra5886soph41   Every newspaper that's delivered by mail seems to be erratic in that none arrive for a few days, then three at once. The changes made at the post office a couple of years ago only made it worse.  Did you get access to the paper online with your subscription?  The eBay seller cannot provide a remedy.  Good luck!

[sombra5886soph41]

My paper is not delivered by the mail carrier, the person delivering it also delivers the local daily paper. I consider it erratic delivery when almost every Saturday I receive no paper, then the Saturday paper comes on Sunday, sometimes, delivered with the local ad flyers. My guess is the carrier for whatever reason isn't motivated to make his way to my home on Saturday morning and figures delivering the paper on Sunday is easier as he is delivering the junk ads that day. Last weekend I received no paper either day but did receive my junk ads?

If I am able to cancel the discount subscription (they never respond to my emails and there is no other way to contact them) and purchase a regular priced WSJ subscription the same carrier will be delivering it.  I know this as I previously had a regular subscription to the WSJ, with somewhat better delivery service from the same carrier. FYI there is no way to contact the carrier either. 90% of my reason for getting the WSJ delivered is for the weekend WSJ, which is now a flip of the coin as to it's arrival. 

I think at a minimum ebay should help buyers of subscriptions, sold on their platform, that last far longer than 90 days. The seller is currently still selling on ebay. I will keep trying to contact the seller and ebay to resolve this problem.

[lady_madonna]

It is not Ebay's responsibility to solve your delivery problems. Ebay did not sell you the subscription.

Since your carrier also delivers your local daily paper, call the local newspaper and ask for your carriers name & contact info.

[eburtonlab]

If the seller is still listed, you can contact the seller through the seller's feedback or profile page, but I doubt that eBay sellers have much control over subscription delivery services.

eBay is not a good place to purchase subscriptions, licenses, accounts, services, or anything that requires ongoing cooperation of a seller or third party much beyond the limits of the money back guarantee.

An unscrupulous seller could easily set up a trial subscription in the buyer's name. The buyer could find the subscription runs out after a few weeks, or even wind up with a bill from the paper down the road, and the seller could easily disappear with the buyer's money once the buyer received the first few issues.

eBay is best for buying physical items that can be shipped, tracked and verified to be as described within the time frame of the money back guarantee or the limits of the buyer's credit card protections.

[sombra5886soph41]

Thank you all for your feedback. I will continue trying to contact the seller and the WSJ to resolve the delivery issues. I will also not purchase any subscriptions through ebay in the future.