Over 1,000 complaints in just three years. That's the record The Washington Post holds on the Better Business Bureau. And it's not just a number. Their Trustpilot score is a dismal 2.1 stars, with most people giving them one star. If you're stuck in a loop of uncancelled subscriptions or surprise billing charges, you're definitely not alone. It feels impossible to get a straight answer or a simple refund. The frustration is real, and trying to get through to them can feel like hitting a paywall you can't get past.
How to Complain About The Washington Post
How to Complain About The Washington Post
Seriously, their BBB page is a disaster. With over 1,021 complaints closed in the last 3 years, it's clear that getting help is a common struggle. The most popular complaints flagged on their BBB profile consistently involve billing adjustments and problems with a product or service, which for a digital newspaper, usually means you can't cancel your subscription or you keep getting charged after you thought you did. It's a mess. If you're fed up, you're in the right place.
Official site: Visit The Washington Post
Best ways to complain to The Washington Post
Trying to find the right person to talk to can feel like a wild goose chase. Here are the most direct routes we've found.
Contact Method | Details & Availability | Why use this instead... |
---|---|---|
Phone | 1-800-477-4679. Available Mon-Fri 7 AM-7 PM; Sat-Sun 7 AM-3 PM ET. | Best for urgent billing issues where you need an immediate (even if frustrating) conversation. |
Live Chat | Available via their Help Center. Typically Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM ET. | Good for getting a written record of your conversation, but be prepared for bot responses first. |
Contact Form | Located in the Help Center on their website. | Use this for non-urgent issues or to create an initial paper trail. Don't expect a quick reply. |
Social Media | Tag @PostHelp on X (formerly Twitter). | A last resort for public complaints. Use this when all other methods have failed to get their attention. |
⏱️ Estimated Response Times from The Washington Post After Complaining
Immediate to 30 minutes, but honestly, it often feels longer.
Method | Expected Wait Time |
---|---|
Phone | 5 - 30 minutes |
24 - 72 hours | |
Chat | 5 - 20 minutes |
App | N/A |
🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint
- Call first thing in the morning on a weekday (around 7 AM ET) to avoid the longest queues.
- Have your account number, the email associated with your account, and the last four digits of your credit card ready.
- If you use the contact form, use a clear subject line like "Billing Dispute" or "Cancellation Failure" to get routed correctly.
How to Escalate Your Complaint
If your first attempt goes nowhere, it's time to escalate. Don't just give up.
First, when you're on the phone or chat, ask to speak to a supervisor or a manager. If they say one isn't available, ask for a reference number for your call and a specific time they will call you back. This shows you're serious.
If that fails, your next step is filing a formal complaint with an external body. For a US-based company like The Washington Post, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is your best bet. Go to the BBB website, search for The Washington Post, and file a complaint detailing your issue and what resolution you want. The BBB works, but prepare to wait. The Post usually responds to BBB complaints because they are public, but it can take a couple of weeks.
Email Template to Complain to The Washington Post
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Billing Issue on Account [[Account #]]
I'm writing again to resolve an issue with my subscription. This is my third attempt to get help with an incorrect charge on my account.
On [[Date]], I was charged [[$Amount]] even though my account was supposed to be cancelled. Frankly, having to track this down and spend my time correcting your company's billing error has been incredibly frustrating.
To resolve this, I need you to issue a full refund of [[$Amount]] and provide written confirmation that my subscription is permanently closed.
If I don't receive a satisfactory response within 48 hours, 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
- Always ask for a confirmation email. Whether you cancel by phone or chat, insist they send you an email confirming the cancellation and the date it is effective. No email means no proof.
- Take screenshots. Before you hit the final cancel button on their site, take a screenshot of the confirmation page. Weirdly, sometimes the page glitches and you'll need proof it ever existed.
- Mention the magic words. In any communication, use phrases like "billing dispute," "unauthorized charge," and "formal complaint." These are often flagged for higher-level review.
- Check your credit card statement. Don't assume they stopped charging you. Check your statement for the next two months to be absolutely sure.
Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to The Washington Post
Tired of trying to navigate The Washington Post's help center maze? Sound familiar? You follow the instructions, click 'cancel,' and next month, another charge appears on your statement. It's exhausting. We get it. Pine AI handles the whole frustrating process for you. No more waiting on hold, no more chatbot loops that go nowhere, and no more emails that get ignored. We send the formal requests, handle the follow-ups, and make sure the cancellation actually sticks. Let us deal with the headache.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Washington Post 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.