Over 1,100 complaints in the last 3 years. That’s the Washington Post’s record on their Better Business Bureau page, and it’s not pretty. Seriously, their BBB customer review score is a shocking 1.04 out of 5 stars. It’s no wonder people are fed up. Common complaints range from unauthorized charges after canceling to a digital subscription that’s nearly impossible to get rid of. If you’re stuck in a loop of unhelpful support chats and ignored emails, you’re not alone. It feels like they make it intentionally difficult, and frankly, it’s exhausting.
Best Ways to Complain to The Washington Post
How to Contact The Washington Post
| Contact Method | Details & Availability | Why Use This Instead... |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-477-4679 (M-F 7am-7pm ET, Sat-Sun 7am-3pm ET) | Best for urgent billing issues or when you need to speak to a human being directly. |
| Live Chat | Available on their Help Center website during business hours. | Good for quick questions or technical support without having to wait on hold. |
| Contact Form | Available 24/7 via their Help Center. | Use this for non-urgent issues or to create a written record of your complaint. |
| Social Media | Tag @postsupport on X (formerly Twitter). | A public complaint can sometimes get a faster, more serious response. |
⏱️ Estimated Response Times from The Washington Post After Complaining
Immediate to 72 hours, but honestly, getting an actual resolution can feel like a lifetime.
| Method | Expected Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Phone | Immediate to 30 minutes |
| Email / Form | 24 - 72 hours |
| Chat | 5 - 20 minutes |
| Social Media | 1 - 24 hours |
🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint
- Call right when they open, around 7 AM ET, to avoid the midday rush.
- Have your account number and the email address you signed up with ready to go.
- Keep your explanation short and to the point. They don't need your life story, just the problem.
- If you use the chat, save a transcript of the conversation for your records.
How to Escalate Your Complaint
If the Washington Post is ignoring you or gives you a response that doesn't solve anything, it's time to escalate. Your best bet is filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can do it online, and it forces the company to give a public response. The BBB acts as a mediator to help you and the company find a resolution. Keep in mind, you usually have to show the BBB that you tried contacting the company first, so keep those emails or chat transcripts. The BBB works, but prepare to wait. The Washington Post might take a couple of weeks to formally respond through the platform.
Email Template to Complain to The Washington Post
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Subscription Account [[Your Account Number]]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing again to resolve an issue with my account. Despite contacting support on [[Date of first contact]], my problem with [[Briefly describe the issue, e.g., an incorrect billing charge]] remains unsolved.
On [[Date of incident]], I was charged [[$Amount]] for my subscription, even though I had already cancelled it. Frankly, having to chase this down and spend my time correcting your company's error has been incredibly frustrating and a complete waste of my time.
To resolve this, I need you to issue a full refund of [[$Amount]] to my original payment method immediately and confirm in writing that my subscription is cancelled and will not be billed again.
Please be aware that if this is not resolved 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
Here are a few extra tips to make sure they actually listen:
- Ask for a supervisor. If the first person you talk to is giving you the runaround, politely but firmly ask to speak with their manager or a supervisor.
- Use a clear subject line. For emails, use something like 'Urgent Billing Dispute' with your account number. It gets noticed faster.
- Request written confirmation. Whatever they promise you on the phone or chat, ask them to send a confirmation email. This is your proof.
- Go public. A user on Reddit mentioned they got an instant reply after tweeting at the @postsupport handle with a screenshot of their unresolved issue. A little public pressure can work wonders.
Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to The Washington Post
Tired of the Washington Post's support script? The one where they thank you for your patience while you've been on hold for twenty minutes? Sound familiar? It’s a common story on their BBB page. Instead of wasting another lunch break listening to hold music or typing out the same complaint in a chat window for the third time, just let Pine AI handle it. We navigate the corporate maze for you. No endless email loops. No getting disconnected. We just get it done so you can move on with your life.
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington Post Subscription Guide Complaint Filing
What if The Washington Post doesn't reply?
Can I escalate my complaint legally?
Are there lots of people leaving The Washington Post?
Is this the right phone number to contact The Washington Post?
What's the easiest way to cancel a subscription with The Washington Post?
Other ways that I can contact The Washington Post?
Why is it so hard to cancel the $4 trial subscription?
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.
