Complain About ArtForum - File a Complaint Today

Honestly, for anything beyond a subscription issue, you might be waiting forever.

• Be specific about your subscription issue (account number, etc.).
• For editorial complaints, send a concise, well-argued letter to the editor.
• Engage with their posts on social media, but keep it civil to avoid getting blocked.

If ArtForum ignores you, especially on a subscription or billing issue, your options are different than with a typical company. Regulators like the FCC won't help here.

Go Public in the Industry

Your best bet is public pressure. Journalists at art publications like Hyperallergic or The Art Newspaper have been covering ArtForum's controversies closely. Tipping them off to a newsworthy complaint can be effective.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

You can file a complaint with the BBB for business practices, like if they double-charged you for a subscription. But prepare to wait. The BBB is more for if they won't fix a billing error, not for if you disagree with their editor's firing. Don't expect miracles.

Social Media Escalation

Posting your complaint on X (Twitter) or Instagram and tagging ArtForum and other influential figures in the art world can get eyes on your issue. This is less about getting a direct resolution and more about contributing to the public record of dissatisfaction.

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Subscription [[Subscription #]] and Recent Editorial Decisions

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing again to address a problem with my subscription, but my frustration has been compounded by the magazine's recent direction.

My recent issue, [[Issue Date]], never arrived, and getting a response from your circulation department has been difficult. Frankly, this service issue on top of the recent firing of your editor-in-chief makes me question my continued support for ArtForum.

To resolve this, I require you to either send the missing issue immediately or issue a partial refund for the month. I also hope you will consider the feedback from many long-time readers like myself regarding the magazine's current trajectory.

If this service issue is not resolved within a reasonable timeframe, my next step will be to report it to the Better Business Bureau. The larger editorial issues, I will continue discussing publicly with my colleagues in the art community.

Thank you for your attention to this.

[[Your Name]]

Pro Tips for Making Your Complaint Heard

• Reference Specifics: Don't just say you're 'unhappy'. Say you're unhappy with the handling of the October 2023 open letter or a specific article. It shows you're paying attention.
• Use Your Professional Title: If you're an artist, curator, or academic, use your title in your letter. It can get more attention in their specific world.
• CC Multiple Editors: A user on an art world forum mentioned that cc'ing multiple editors on an email sometimes gets a faster look. It's a long shot, but worth a try for serious issues.
• State Your Intentions Clearly: 'I will be canceling my 10-year subscription' is more powerful than 'You've lost a customer.' Be direct about the consequences.

Tired of sending emails into the void at ArtForum? Especially when it's about more than just a missed magazine? It's frustrating when your valid complaints about service are ignored while bigger issues are swirling. Sound familiar? Pine AI can handle the tedious follow-up on your subscription or billing complaint, so you can focus your energy on the bigger picture. It deals with the persistent back-and-forth so you don't have to. No more wondering if they even read your email. Let us chase them for a response on the small stuff, while you continue to advocate for what really matters.