PAYMENT POLICY

• Overview
  • This Payment Policy governs all payments for newspaper subscriptions, print and digital advertising, and related services provided by Carpenter Media Group and its related companies. By purchasing our services, customers and advertisers agree to comply with the terms outlined below.
• Accepted Payment Methods
  • We accept the following forms of payment:
    • Major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) (availability dependent).
    • ACH bank transfers (where available).
    • Checks (for approved business accounts only).
  • All payments must be made in U.S. dollars (USD).
• Subscription Payments
  • Billing Cycle
    • Subscriptions may be billed on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, depending on the plan selected.
    • Digital subscriptions are typically billed in advance of the service period.
    • Print subscriptions may be billed in advance or on a recurring basis.
  • Automatic Renewal
    • Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle unless canceled prior to the renewal date.
    • Customers authorize Carpenter Media Group and its related companies to charge the payment method on file for recurring fees.
  • Failed Payments
    • If a payment is declined or fails:
      • Service may be temporarily suspended until payment is received.
      • Customers will be notified and given an opportunity to update payment information.
      • Continued failure to pay may result in cancellation of the subscription.
• Advertising Payments
  • Prepayment Requirements
    • All advertising services require full or partial prepayment prior to publication or campaign launch, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
    • First time customers require prepayment in full, even if credit terms are extended.
  • Credit Terms (Approved Accounts Only)
    • Qualified business customers may apply for credit terms.
    • Standard terms are Net 30 days, subject to approval.
    • Late payments may incur fees as outlined below.
    • Carpenter Media Group and its related companies require a credit card or banking information to be held on file in the case of long overdue, unpaid invoices.
• Pricing and Taxes
  • All prices are listed in USD.
  • Applicable sales taxes, local taxes, or regulatory fees will be added as required by law.
  • Customers are responsible for any taxes associated with their purchase.
• Late Payments and Fees
  • Late payments, at the discretion of Carpenter Media Group and its related companies, may be subject to:
    • A late fee of up to 1.5% per month (or the maximum allowed by law).
    • Suspension of services or withholding of ad placements.
    • Accounts with overdue balances may be referred to collections.
• Refunds and Credits
  • Refunds are governed by the company’s Refund Policy.
  • In some cases, service credits may be issued in lieu of refunds.
  • Credits must be used within the specified timeframe and are non-transferable.
  • If payment was originally made by credit card, refunds will be issued to the same credit card.
• Billing Disputes
  • Customers must report billing disputes within 30 days of the charge date.
    • Carpenter Media Group and its related companies will investigate and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
    • Failure to dispute within this period may be considered acceptance of the charge.
• Account Responsibility
  • Customers and advertisers are responsible for:
    • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date billing information.
    • Ensuring sufficient funds are available for scheduled payments.
    • Promptly notifying Carpenter Media Group and its related companies of any unauthorized transactions.
• Payment Security
  • Carpenter Media Group and its related companies use industry-standard security measures to protect payment information.
  • Payment data is processed through secure, compliant payment processors.
  • We do not store full credit card details on our servers unless explicitly stated.
• Changes to This Policy
  • Carpenter Media Group reserves the right to update this Payment Policy at any time.

The above policy applies to the following Carpenter Media Group organizations:

1. Thomasville Times Enterprise
2. Dalton Daily Citizen
3. The Union Recorder
4. The Moultrie Observer
5. Tifton Gazette
6. Valdosta Daily Times