Complain About Esquire - File a Complaint Today

Trying to get a straight answer from Esquire can feel like a full-time job. Here are the official channels, but set your expectations accordingly.

Honestly, it feels like forever. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what to expect.

• Have your details ready. Before you call or email, find your subscription account number (it's on the magazine label) or the full name and address used for the subscription.
• Call during off-peak hours. Try calling right when they open or mid-week. Avoid Mondays and lunch hours.
• Be direct. State your problem and what you want (e.g., "I want to cancel my subscription and receive a refund for the last charge.") in the first sentence.
• Keep records. Note the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with. Get a confirmation number if you can.

If customer service is giving you the runaround, it's time to escalate. Your best bet is to file a formal complaint with an external body. For a US publisher like Esquire (owned by Hearst), the most effective route is the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

First, make sure you've given Esquire a fair chance to resolve it themselves. Regulators usually require this. Then, head to the BBB website. You can file a complaint against their parent company, Hearst Communications, Inc. Explain your issue, what you've done to fix it, and what you want as a resolution. Filing with the BBB often gets a formal response from a corporate team, but prepare to wait. It's not an instant fix, and Hearst will likely take a couple of weeks to reply through the BBB portal.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unresolved Issue with Subscription [[Account #]]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing again to resolve an issue with my Esquire subscription, account number [[Account #]]. My previous attempt to fix this on [[Date]] via [[Phone call/Email]] was unsuccessful.

On [[Date of incorrect charge]], my card was charged [[$Amount]] even though I had already cancelled my subscription. Frankly, having to spend my time tracking this down and writing emails about it has been incredibly frustrating and a complete waste of my time.

To resolve this, I require you to process a full refund of [[$Amount]] to my original payment method immediately. I also need written confirmation sent to this email address that my subscription has been permanently cancelled and my payment information has been removed from your system.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response and confirmation of the refund within five business days, my next step will be to file a chargeback with my credit card company and submit a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

[[Your Name]]

• Ask for a supervisor immediately. If the first customer service representative is unhelpful or just reading from a script, politely but firmly say, "I'd like to speak with a supervisor or manager, please."
• Use the phrase "paper trail." When you're on the phone, say something like, "Could you please send me an email confirming what we've discussed for my records?" It shows you're serious.
• Mention the BBB. One user on a consumer forum said that casually dropping "My next step is the BBB" got their issue escalated from a standard agent to a "corporate resolutions" specialist instantly.
• Take screenshots. If you're trying to cancel online and the page gives you an error or sends you in a loop, screenshot it. Having dated proof that you tried to cancel is powerful evidence.

Tired of the endless hold music from Esquire's service line? Or sending emails into a void, wondering if anyone will ever reply? Sound familiar? It's a common story we hear on Reddit and the BBB. People are just fed up with the runaround. Let Pine AI take over. No more wasting your lunch break trying to get a human on the phone. We send the formal complaint, handle the follow-ups, and manage the entire tedious process on your behalf. It's not about fancy tech, it's about saving your sanity. We do the annoying work for you.