It's not just you. The Economist has a 'Poor' 2.1-star rating on Trustpilot from over 2,800 reviews, with a staggering 74% of them being 1-star. It seems like everyone is getting hit with surprise auto-renewals at a much higher price or finding it nearly impossible to cancel their subscription. Common complaints flagged online constantly mention aggressive billing practices and a customer service system that feels designed to make you give up. It's frustrating when a publication you respect for its analysis makes it so difficult to manage your own account. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, but they've still had 31 complaints filed against them in the last three years, mostly about these exact billing and cancellation headaches. Official site: Visit The Economist
Best ways to complain to The Economist
Best ways to complain to The Economist
| Contact Method | Details & Availability | Why use this instead... |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | Americas: +1 800 456 6086 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CST) | Best for urgent billing issues where you need an immediate, though potentially long-winded, conversation. |
| Live Chat | Available via their online Help Centre | Good for getting a quick answer to a simple question or for creating a documented chat transcript for your records. |
| Contact Form | Online form available on their Help Centre page | Use this for non-urgent complaints or when you want to lay out your entire issue in writing with attachments. |
| Social Media | Twitter/X: @TheEconomist | A public complaint can sometimes get a faster response when other channels fail. Use it as a last resort. |
⏱️ Estimated Response Times from The Economist After Complaining
Good luck getting a quick answer. It's a waiting game.
| Method | Expected Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Phone | Immediate to 45 minutes (including hold time) |
| 2-5 business days | |
| Chat | 5-20 minutes |
| App | N/A |
🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint
🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint
- Call first thing in the morning, right when their lines open.
- Have your subscriber number and billing information ready before you contact them.
- Keep your explanation short and clear. State the problem and what you want.
- Don't be afraid to ask for a reference number for your complaint.
How to Escalate Your Complaint
How to Escalate Your Complaint
If you've tried contacting The Economist and have gotten nowhere, it's time to escalate. For US customers, the best next step is filing a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It's a free service where the BBB forwards your complaint to a contact at the company, who is then expected to respond publicly. The process isn't fast, but it often gets a company's attention when nothing else does. You typically need to show that you've already tried to resolve the issue directly with the company first, so keep records of your calls or emails.
Email Template to Complain to The Economist
Email Template to Complain to The Economist
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Subscription Issue - Account [[Account #]]
I'm writing again to resolve an issue with my subscription. Despite contacting support on [[Date]], my problem remains unsolved.
On [[Date]], I was charged [[$Amount]] for an automatic renewal that I did not authorize and had previously attempted to cancel. Frankly, having to track this down and spend my time chasing a refund has been incredibly frustrating.
To resolve this, I need you to issue a full refund of [[$Amount]] and provide written confirmation that my subscription has been terminated permanently.
Please be aware that if this isn't resolved within 5 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]]
Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved
Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved
- Ask for a supervisor. If the first representative can't help, politely but firmly ask to speak with a manager or supervisor.
- Request written confirmation. Whatever the resolution is, ask for it to be sent to you in an email so you have proof.
- Mention you're documenting everything. Casually stating, "I'm keeping a record of this conversation for my files," can sometimes shift the tone.
- Try the public route. One user on Reddit mentioned they finally got a response after publicly tweeting at their official account with their case number. Worth a shot.
Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to The Economist
Tired of trying to navigate The Economist's help center just to cancel a subscription you don't want? Or getting hit with that massive renewal fee you never saw coming? Sound familiar? It's a common story on their Trustpilot page. Pine AI handles the frustrating back-and-forth for you. No more waiting on hold or checking your inbox for a reply that never comes. We deal with the persistent follow-ups and make sure your complaint gets seen and resolved. Seriously. Let us handle the headache.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Economist Complaint Filing
Olivia Harper
Content Manager
Olivia Harper, a Content Manager with nine years of experience, creates user-focused guides on subscription services. Featured in Digital Consumer Reports, her work simplifies subscription terms and cancellations.
