This newspaper has gone down hill Longtime subscriber I accepted a digital offer for .25 cents as my previous subscription was much more & they kept on billing my other account as well as the new account After asking for a credit Osman (Supervisor) stated no refund many people have duplicate accounts! SO he admitted I am not the only one being double invoices at 2 different rates. William Randolph Hearst is spinning in his grave! reported to BBB today read more

When we moved to Albany my wife and I began to take the Times Union digitally as we felt we should have a reliable source of local news. However, after a few years we both cancelled it as we found little actual local news -- as most of the articles are quasi advertisements. Overall, it's a collection of AP articles, cartoons, and many many many ads. If you want to the local high school sports results it's a decent resource. I did find the periodic opinion pieces by Churchill interesting even if I didn't agree with 2/3 of his opinions (read both conservative and often mean) If you occasionally find an article of interest popping up in your internet browser you will quickly learn it's behind a paywall -- the Times Union isn't giving anything away for free. Last week I was particularly irate when the TU had sources of information about the abrupt change in Albany County primary voting polling stations but with no sense of public service the TU wouldn't allow non-subscribers to access that information. I define that as a total lack of commitment to the community. We take the NYT and unfortunately the Times Union handles distribution for the NYT, WSJ, and NY Post as well. When our papers haven't arrived it has been impossible to get through to anyone at the Times Union -- though I have spent considerable time drilling through their website for contract information. After NYT reps were routing complaints to the TU for months with no resolution, I finally had to write the TU and indicate I was filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Once I did that magically my delivery issues then vanished. Periodically the driver delivers the paper edition of the Times Union instead of the NYT in error. The paper edition is simply without value. Glancing through it takes about three minutes -- tops. It's articles focus on the sensational: thefts, fires, shootings, gruesome murders. What would want would be something about referendums and civic issues but usually that's nada. I guess the TU stays afloat from ad revenue. Occasionally a rare good investigative article is written but rare is the operative word. read more

Signed up for $.99 trial to read single article about a relative. Was charged $20 for the next month even though we did not want a subscription and never accessed the paper again. Customer service basically regurgitated company policy that we owed $20 even though we paid $.99 for the single article we read and never accessed the website again. I have dealt with good companies who train their staff to understand nuances and would provide ways to resolve a situation like ours, understanding that we don't want their product at this time. Instead we received "boilerplate " responses (not the fault of the customer service person). Times Union and it's parent company will not see another purchase from us and I encourage you to consider alternatives. read more

Just don't do it. I had the same issues many others have reported. I signed up for a six-month plan and never received any notice about the upcoming auto-renewal. On top of that, they charged me a full month before my subscription was even set to renew. When I called to cancel, I was told they don't offer refunds--even though my current subscription period hadn't been completed. I then asked to cancel altogether, and instead of resolving the issue, they tried to retain me by offering a discounted rate at a quarter of the original monthly charge. Beyond the billing problems, the quality of the journalism is underwhelming, and the volume and style of ads make the site feel untrustworthy. Save yourself the hassle and skip the subscription. The initial .99 might sound appealing but they will hook you in the end. read more

Do not sign up for anything from this newspaper, the times union. They won't allow you to cancel and keep charging your account even when you can't afford it. They rip off single mothers and refuse to cancel services even though attempts have been made twice already. Horrible horrible service. And you can't even get someone on the phone who speaks English, I'm not saying that to be mean, just makes communication hard. But all their customer service is outsourced somewhere across the country or a different country! Stealing from good local community members who try to support your journalism when funds aren't so tight. Despicable. Do better TU! read more

HORRIBLE! 6/10/25 received email that subscription would be "Auto Renewed" "or around"6/28 6/11/25 logged into online account, unable to CANCEL or REMOVE MY PAYMENT METHOD. Website indicates must call for this. 6/19/25 billed @ $19.96/month digital only subscription 6/22/25: I called to cancel. They not only REFUSED to REFUND me for 10 day early billing....They also said they and they will BE BILLING ME $19.96 on 7/16 for the NEXT MONTH. They reiterated over & over "there is NO PROCESS for refunding." In the next breath, "we will refund you after the 7/16 billing for that charge, it will take 5-7 business days to process." Contradictory REFUND messaging, deceiving communications, and rude customer service and SUPERVISOR. Oh - and shocking... no other higher level managers are available, now or to call back or ever. Not only is $40 down the drain, but it's left a very bad impression of this business and their methods. STAY AWAY! read more

I just reported a man named Leo, who called me feminine on the phone. Unprofessional. I called again and Eddie gave me 4 free newspaper s. As a Gay man, I resented, Leo's behavior. Happy for my newspaper s read more

Happy New Year Times Union subscribers ! Just viewed my auto-pay for the paper. An $18 increase for the 7 day delivery. Not going to happen ! The customer service person stated it was because of the cost of doing business. Try again. I work for a major newspaper and I've never witnessed an increase that large. When threatened with cancellation, the rate decreased to a manageable $4 increase. read more

What else can I say about this that hasn't been said by others already. I had a trial digital subscription for $.99 for 6 months. Paid immediately on the start of subscription. Before the 6 months was up, I got charged $15.96. I have no idea why. Called 518-454-5454 cirulation to inquire. Agent said a refund will be issued in 3 to 5 days. I canceled the subscription. Got a refund in 5 days for $13.47. Called again today to inquire. This agent was horrible. He told me the account was already canceled, and there is nothing he can do about the $2.49 they still owe me. There is a whole process in which he could reactivate my account and issue what it's due, but I should just be happy the account is canceled so I won't be charged anymore. I couldn't believe the response or his tone, and at this point, I didn't want the account reactivated since his whole attitude and demeanor were off-putting and mildly threatening. Unbelievable. This sounded like a large call center and not anything local. I will handle this with the credit card company. It's not the amount, which is trivial, but the attitude of the second agent. He needs to be a different line of employment. Meanwhile, Timesunion suffers from this poor representation from their circulation specialist. TU is a good paper. Subscription sucks. read more

The journalism offered by this publication is Subpar at best. You can get the same thing for free on Google, I promise you. In addition, I have never seen any business so dishonesty and evasively extend subscriptions. Unreachable by phone. Clearly motivated by profit, not truth or information dissemination. Is that because they have 12 staff members whose sole job it is to generate revenue from the public into their pockets? I couldn't comment on such matters, but a forensics team would say yes. The Times Union is The worst of journalism in America. The capital region deserves better. I think I saw a staff member defending them on yelp.....I would not do that if I were him, it's just not a business worth defending. You're better than that, fine sir. Put your energy elsewhere. read more

Been a faithful subscriber for over forty years and had few issues with delivery. Our past deliverer moved to the Schenectady Gazette. New delivery sucks. May receive paper only 4-5 days a 7 day week. Call and complain but it still goes on. The Times Union needs to get their head out of their ass and deliver to the subscriber or I want a full refund! read more

I really want to support "local" journalism by subscribing to papers like this. I did a trial subscription for 13 weeks for something like 25 cents, knowing that I would have to cancel before that time. So I set a reminder in my phone for 1 week before the 13 weeks is up to cancel. 10 days before the 13 week mark, my card was charged for about $20, so I called to cancel and ask for a refund since the covered subscription period hadn't even started. They refused to issue a refund. Basically they scammed me for $20 by charging my card 10 days early, before I had a chance to cancel the trial. I've signed up for many free trials and used this system before, but never have I seen a company charge my card 10 days early, and never have I been refused a refund if I miss the deadline. They tried to offer me $1 a week, which I would normally consider but because of the deception would never do business with them again. read more

I really didn't see the point in getting print paper, but the man at the grocery store sold me on all the coupons, which was a good deal, and he did a great job of selling. Well, the coupons are nice, when I can get my paper. First, I asked for it to be delivered inside my entrance to my stoop, since so many people walk in this downtown area, and just take stuff off of your stoop. They did put it in the door, in the beginning. That lasted maybe three weeks, and then they just started leaving it on the steps. I've had multiple times my paper never showed up, and I complained online, and received a prompt email response stating that they would credit me. Well, I have yet to see a credit, and this last Sunday, with no paper, and no credit may be the last straw. They also like to remind you that you have online access when you complain about your missing paper. Well, sorry, but I pay for a physical paper, which I like, and want my coupons as well. Not surprised at the service. Hopefully I get my deserved credit finally. If not, I am cancelling, and recommend anyone interested not do the subscription. Better to just buy it when you need it. Waste of money, and the articles always have a political slant to them based on their political preference. read more

As far as I am concerned they OWE me stars!!! I agreed to the free 10 weeks of the Sunday paper. I asked them to start it on a particular date as I was going to be away for a few weeks. They agreed. The paper came the following week. So much for my request. So, I was going to let the ten weeks run out and that would be the end of it. It should have ended in Oct. Since then the paper continues to be delivered. I get bills that I don't pay and I answer every call and let them know I don't want the paper. I think I spoke to five people over the past four months. Just got another recording today so I called again. They said due to lack of payment my paper was being stopped. Hallelujah!! Be afraid be very afraid!!! read more

We get the newspaper delivered on Thursdays and Sundays , have a new carrier on our route as of the 1st of the year. We are trying to be patient , today was the last straw.Called the customer service and was told one would be delivered by 2pm, I asked if I was to call back at 2 would someone be to take my call and the lady said yes, I know they are not open that late on Sunday . They need better customer service and carriers that should do there job! read more

This poor excuse for a "news"paper is laughable at best. It is a mere shell of what was once the mainstay for far and balanced news for the capital of what was once one of the greatest states in the nation. Now even the building itself is as empty as the news it prints. Few if any workers in a massive empty building.. All circulation problems are outsourced to other companies in other states.NO personal service at all. If you want REAL news, all sides of issues, the TU is the LAST place to look. read more

Got scammed in a grocery store to get times union Thursday -sunday in September and forgot about it until they charged me again today and never once received Al newspaper!!! Just give me my money back scam paper! I got charged $28 and today got also Al negative -28 fee from my bank read more

Charging me $52 in June AND September for a yearly subscription just reeks of a scam. No email or any form of advanced notice of the debit. I will be phoning to demand a cancellation and a refund promptly. Disgraceful. read more

The TU online is more a community newsletter than a newspaper. In the most active election news cycle the same "look at us 50 yrs ago", local click bait, and "animal stories" ran for days online. No serious coverage of the election, little coverage of major world events, and plenty of local interest stories. As a major metro area, Albany needs a more substantive paper. Even running more releases from other major sources would be an improvement. I can't imagine anyone being vaguely interested in a digital subscription. Print might be better, but I'm not interested. UPDATE--the above remains true, but as local news (and because there aren't any alternative sources) I'm testing their electronic edition. So far their sign-up and activate via email process is like asking for Spam--emails with incorrect info and no clear instructions to access their service. I had to call customer service for assistance. Customer service was OK, interested in getting my problem solved, but no interest in correcting the poor experience for new customers. Reading a digital version of their print paper on a 5 inch screen should be interesting, but I'll probably use the mobile interface (no app). read more

The Times Union is a rag. Today's actual front page main story was "Yearbook photos show what we looked like 30 years ago" which is just the sort of fascinating hard-hitting investigative photojournalism this paper is known for. I especially like the fact that the Times Union doesn't just assume I know how to read as evidenced by the ubiquitous "Were you Seen?" section. Arguably this outstanding collection of images and advertisements represents the purest portrait of our life and times. Future generations will look back on these exquisite images and wonder who we were, what did we dream? read more

I grew up in the area, near Crossgates, and my family had always received the Times Union. As a result, when I moved out and I figured it was time I get a newspaper, I went with the Times Union. What a headache. Some years back, I ordered the paper but it only got delivered half of the time. I kept calling the Times Union and they kept promising me the paper would be delivered consistently in the future. They even offered to refund me the difference. Needless to say, neither of these things happened. I canceled the paper after giving them far too many chances to get their act together. A couple of years later, they were shilling subscriptions at the local Wal-Mart, offering $10 Wal-Mart gift cards for signing up. The representative promised that things have changed at the Times Union, and such delivery snafoos simply don't happen anymore! Why? Because they dock the pay of the delivery person! "Hrmm..." So, I signed up. And again, they failed me. In fact, it was worse than the previous time. The paper had only been delivered 1/4 of the time, and after canceling, they kept attempting to bill me and kept asking me to resubscribe. I said no... but the phone calls kept coming. Not only from the Times Union... but also from a third party they hire to get subscriptions on their behalf. So they don't deliver papers, they bill you when you cancel, and they send out your personal information to third parties to attempt and gain more subscriptions. Insanity. It doesn't help that the content has been poor and, frankly, unprofessional. 'Reporting the news' apparently means 'throwing our two cents on everything instead of reporting the facts like the industry used to'. Skip the TU. read more

I love the Sunday paper, but because of what the people do, I can only give it 1 star. When you subscription is up, they keep delivering the newspaper to you, EVEN THO YOU DIDN"T RENEW IT. Then they will harass you with constant phone calls trying to get you to pay for the papers that YOU DIDN"T order. Even when you tell them you don't want any more papers, they will continue to deliver them, and continue to harass you for payment. So if you want order delivery, I would suggest going down to pay in cash, because if you use a credit card, they will continue to charge your card, and attempting to cancel just doesn't work with them. read more

As as everyone has already stated, this paper lacks substantive content, is loaded with spelling, grammar, and even factual errors. Most of the writers appear to have little knowledge of what they are actually writing Some of the more "scandalous" articles on local situations are humorous but not the least bit objective. Many of the blogs are substandard, in particular Kristi Gustafson-Bartlet whose high school clique of a blog is called "On the Edge." I will say that the delivery to my area was excellent and I never had a problem. I just couldn't be bothered spending the money anymore and I find myself these days giving the online version nothing more than a quick glance. read more

An area the size of the Capital District deserves better print media than what we have. That we are a capital city of one of the most populous states in the union should afford us better journalistic practices than what the Times "Useless" actually gives us. Their articles are filled with typos and grammatical errors. Their responses to reader questions and concerns are snarky at best and often degrading. Their blogs are censored by the content writers with no oversight. Their bloggers are thin-skinned and often turn nasty when they don't like the line of conversation. Additionally, the focus seems to be on regional, national and international news more than on local news. The problem is that the people of the Capital District need a media outlet that is focused on local and state issues. We do not need bridges that bring national and world issues "closer to home". The biggest problem is that this isn't new. The Times Union got its nickname decades ago and it hasn't gotten better. They think they've embraced the digital age, but they're really using it as an excuse to let their journalistic standards slide even further. read more

I have been a delivery customer of the TU for decades. I live on a main highway w a long driveway. Have I rec'd every paper, no. I have even seen a lady up the road taking my paper before I could get it! I settle for E edition when the delivery doesn't arrive or is late, which is seldom. These complaints re delivery, cancelation are valid and should be addressed. Newspapers all across America and the world are folding and according to surveys it has nothing to do with delivery or content. Primarily it is due more to the 24 hr news cycle on cable and the internet. A population that doesn't read and is only interested in agreeable news doesn't help. Several "fact checking" sites rate the most watched cable outlet as the least reliable for truth in reporting, scary. Your problem will eventually disappear along with the "Free Press". Tom Paine Brunswick read more

Obituaries have already become ridiculously priced. But what is the point of editing and being explicit about wording, especially capitalizations, if the print version is only going to be changed. I understand if a word was spelled incorrectly, but if a word/ words are in quotes, it is likely that way for a specific reason and shouldn't be changed! Losing a loved one is hard enough. Paying a ridiculous price is hard enough but to not get what was requested to be paid for is just insult to the hardship!!!!!!!! read more

As I tried to read a story online I got a message that I had reached my limit of stories for the month. What's up,with that? This was never an issue in the past. WHY NOW? But the message also says that you can get access to the stories for $2.50a month. NO THANK,YOU! The Hearst Corp. has enough money. read more

You're customer service is horrible. When people call and cancel their subscription, they expect it to be cancelled the day of their call. It shouldn't take 2 phone calls to cancel. I was also told I would get a refund, and shocking, that didn't happen. You make it difficult to cancel, it's like you have plead with people to continue receiving your paper. Your reviews suck and rightfully so. I hope all of your forced subscribers read this and cancel theirs as well. I will no longer have anything to do with your paper. read more

They keep removing my post from their Facebook I have a dilemma and I need advice before I progress. Our local newspaper is the Albany Times Union. I called them to cancel and guess what? They did not. I called them on three different occasions. They changed nothing and I continued to receive papers. Now I'm getting called at least once a day for the $12.75, which is what they're saying is owed even though I canceled and they did not). . Right from the first I told them to stop calling me. It is against NYS law to continue collection calls once they've been asked to, right? So I just called them (the paper, not the collections people) back and they want their $12.75. My plan is to keep track of any more calls. I already have a record of all calls I have already received. I tried to explain to them that I shouldn't have to cancel a balance for papers I had already canceled and that shouldn't have been my problem. So here's my plan...file a complaint with the NYS attorney general to cancel that $12.75 they claim I owe them and to report them for illegal collections activity. Can anyone give me additional advice? And I also have a question for the Times Union. Is it worth all this negative press over $12.75 that I don't even owe you? I certainly hope so because I'm home permanently disabled and I have nothing but time on my hands. My days are painful at best, I can't speak quickly like most people because of my condition and they wouldn't listen to me. At one point I actually said "can you please at least let me get in a complete sentence? And at one point, someone laughed at me because of my speech. Please please don't ever get involved with them. You will regret it! so I'll repost it here read more

Absolutely distasteful reporting. Police officer is hospitalized with COVID-19 and their headline and "article" focuses on an incident from 4 years ago. read more

Forces you to call a number to cancel your subscription. Will not allow you to cancel. I paid my account up to date and even offered to pay for a few extra months. I was told "your subscription is good until the end of July... so you need to call back at the end of July" No specific date, just "the end of July." Even though today is July 6th. Like I don't know that you're going to automatically renew my account for another three months and then do this all over again. How to I cancel with these slimy thieves? What a failure of business that you have to FORCE people to continue purchasing your sub-par useless product. If you had a worthy product you wouldn't need these tactics. Your business will disappear soon. If you work there, I'd look for something more concrete before you are in too deep and find yourself on the street at 50 wil no pension or bennies as the company caves. I'll never even click on any news links that show your digital content again. I'm also advising my friends and family to boycott. read more

Don't fall for their introductory offer's. They will continue delivering the paper after the offer expires. They will threaten you with collection action if you don't pay the full price. I paid to avoid a blemish on my credit. But the NYS attorney general got my money back by turning them in. read more

After being harassed for years with phone calls, a young man came to my door two months ago and asked me to sign up to help him go to college. I finally gave in and wrote him a check for $5 for 4 weeks of Sunday papers. The check has been cleared, but two months and 3 phone calls later, I have yet to receive a single copy of this mediocre paper. They DID,however, send me a bill for continuing my subscription. Never again read more

Never having been impressed by the content or quality of this newspaper, we never thought to purchase the paper at normal subscription rates. A year ago my wife was offered a trial subscription for 20 weeks for nearly no money. She was also promised there was no obligation to continue the subscription after the trial period. After the trial period ended, we continued to receive the paper. Then we received a bill for about 150 dollars. My wife sent an e-mail. She received a reply stating the bill was in error and delivery of the paper would be stopped. Then her credit card was charged. She then called and was met with resistance to her complaint until she cited the previous correspondence by e-mail. She was promised a refund and the refund to her credit card did show up a couple of days later. However, we continued to receive the paper and bills. After some more phone calls, she finally was able to terminate delivery of the paper. Her last phone call was met with sympathy and apologies from Times Union staff. Had this been the end, I may have never written this complaint , but . . . we are still receiving bills. read more

Please don't subscribe to this paper. I wrote an earlier review about being double charged etc.. I have tried to cancel repeatedly and got sucked in by"special offers" that didn't materalize. Most recently, I was billed (after being double billed) after only 6 weeks (even though I paid for 10 weeks) at a rate that was twice what I agreed to for 10 weeks. No doubt they will try to bill me again well before my subscription is up. I was billed $70 six weeks after being charged $54.50 and $35.00. I should add that I only get the paper two days a week. I only want Sunday, but they make me get Sunday and Thursday. I have been lied to and customer service won't listen to me. I guess my next stop is the Attorney General's office. read more

I was told by a guy in Walmart trial month was $4.51 and a day later was charged $22.11. Now it is going to take 21 days to refund although I called before it posted to my account. They said they would cancel yesterday and refund card. Money posted last night and was canceled today not yesterday as told. Beware the scam. I would not give it a star at all if was able to. Had to pick one. read more

I would give this newspaper company a 0 but unfortunately that is not allowed. I recently got the "couponing" gene and my mother thought it would be nice to surprise me with the Sunday paper back in 2012, needless to say I NEVER received the paper. Ok I let it go and just went to the local Price Chopper I figured since I lived in an apt complex someone stole it or whatever. Ok fast forward to 2014, when I SPECIFICALLY told the subscriber my previous complaint I gave her exact directions where my paper needs to go, still 3 weeks no paper, after being furious about this they have the nerve to send me a past due bill "oh times union wants to fight with me now?!" I call them and after getting the famous runaround of "oh well credit you, oh we will give you the paper today, or the best one I can't cancel your subscription my manager has to he'll call u back still waiting for that call. Needless to say NEVER EVER subscribe to this paper, if you want it that badly go to a store to guarantee you will be getting it in your residence. This is the WORST company ever and I will never recommend them to anyone, they jerk their customers around, and never follow through with there commitment!!!! STAY AWAY SUCH A JOKE read more

They had people outside of Walmart offering coupons, extra Sunday papers and Walmart gift cards to entice you. Never got a paper, never got a coupon, had to pay back the gift card amount plus $12 fees TWICE A MONTH for the same information available for FREE on their website. Called and talked to Shannon, who was absolutely no help and just reminded me that cancelling meant I had to pay them back for the gift card plus the subscription. Please don't fall for this like I did. read more

Endorses Antonio Delgado ! Immediately cancel my subscription ... I thought that was a bad move on there part . Times union is a rag anyways!!! I had a momentary lack of good sense when I subscribed to the TU.. read more

After being a customer for 30+ years, we had suspended the subscription temporarily as we travel extensively in our retirement years...and that's where the trouble began. After not receiving a paper for several months, I was billed for 3 months service. I explained to the billing agent that we have not received the papers, but I continue to receive bills. I'm not sure how this will resolve itself, but I certainly will not pay for a product I have not received. Many people we talk to have problems with the billing department. I also dislike the attitude of the clerks with whom I have tried to resolve this situation. They have a "guilty until proven innocent" attitude with the customer...truly monopolistic. My family and I had considered restarting our subscription..not any more. I wonder how many more 30 year subscribers they can lose and continue to publish. read more