New york times back copy -won't refund!

upavon1

Hi - don't know whether anyone can help me on this one. My son was born 2nd June this year and we wanted copies of NYT and London Times to save. I finally got round to ringing the back copy order line in New York on 30th September and spent 10 minutes spelling and respelling my details to a not particularly bright telephone operative who took my card details unfortunately because I was thinking of the amount of time and money I had spent on the call I didn't take the ladies name or an order number (stupid I know it is normally something I do). The money duly came out of my account but no copy of the paper. I have emailed them to ask for another copy to be sent out but they said that they don't keep back copies for more than 3 months and that I will have to ring for a refund. I have gone back and forth via emails saying even if they have a damaged copy I would be happy to accept that or even just the front page for me to frame but again they said no I would have to contact a different department to order a front page by phone or ring the original number to get a refund. I know it sounds petty but I don't see why I should spend more money ringing the USA when they have already taken my money and not sent goods and surely as a gesture of goodwill they could just transfer the funds taken to the relevant department that sells the front pages and do it that way? Also how is it that these gift companies can offer back copies of NYT but the paper itself can't. Has anyone else had this problem and is there a way to get my money back (or even better a copy of the paper from 2nd June 2009) without having to go to the expense of ringing them again? Thanks for any replies.

barvid

The gift companies are in the business of providing back copies dating back years, and so they make arrangements to obtain and store them. Conversely, the newspapers are in the business of throwaway daily news, so once today's edition is printed and out they move on to tomorrow's. They don't have huge warehouses where they can keep endless supplies of every copy they've ever produced.

Heliflyguy

barvid wrote: »

The gift companies are in the business of providing back copies dating back years, and so they make arrangements to obtain and store them. Conversely, the newspapers are in the business of throwaway daily news, so once today's edition is printed and out they move on to tomorrow's. They don't have huge warehouses where they can keep endless supplies of every copy they've ever produced.

I really doubt any of them keep hard copies, its all digital now, how long ago were the strikes at the Wapping print presses?
More likely on a database somewhere.
I would advise the OP to check out some overseas cheap call sites maybe that will help with the call costs to get the refund if its still worth it and reorder.