Can a magazine take you to court if you cancel sub before minimum 12 mth period?

littlewren

Hi,

I have looked at the odd post in the magazine section but it would have taken me ages to look through them all.

Most of the magazine offers say that the minimum subscription term is for 12 months.

I know that when you pay by Direct Debit you can cancel it through your bank at any time, but can the magazine company make you pay for the remaining 12 months by law? And if so, do they actually do this? Has anyone had this happen to them?

I am keen to take out a couple of magazine subscriptions but if I'm not that keen on the magazine once I've read it, I don't want to be held to the 12 month subscription period.

Many thanks,

Carrie

stephmcuk

I have taked out loads of mag offers and cancelled after 3 months and not carried on paying for the 12. So far nothing has happered. I dont think they would take you to court tho because that would cost more than the magazine subscription anyway.

morph2008

now there's a thought, ive just suscribed to FHM for 16.99 each 6 months and have got haze and assassins creed for free(although have'nt recieved them yet). once they come i could in essence cancel my DD

nanokitten

They would be within their rights to take you to court as you are in breach of contract I can't see them bothering unless there was a rash of cancellations (eg because loads of people got the idea on here). Potentially I guess they could refer or sell the debt to a collection agency which could be a nightmare as they are more likely to use underhand tactics.

More likely I guess is that they could mess up your credit rating - only you will know if this is worth the risk in your case.

In order to legally break the contract you would need to be able to argue that they were in breach of contract, eg as the magazine was late/substandard etc. Best thing to do is to read the terms and conditions carefully. You'd probably be better off reading a few copies in your local library / boarders in order to see if you really do like the magazine before signing up

littlewren

Thanks for your replies. Interesting that both opinions differ. It'd be interesting to hear if other people have been able to cancel after the initial 3 or 6 months without incurring any charges (or anything else!)

DCFC79

morph2008 wrote: »

now there's a thought, ive just suscribed to FHM for 16.99 each 6 months and have got haze and assassins creed for free(although have'nt recieved them yet). once they come i could in essence cancel my DD

id call them up first and say you would like to cancel

morph2008

as the games are worth more that the subscription i dont think i will risk cancelling just in case there was any comeback

Poppycat

You will be in breach of contract so technically they can hold you for the 12 months

I wouldn't have taken out a contract for 12 months until I knew that I liked the magazine first some companies let you trial first

Steve_xx

It may look like they are doing nothing about it if you cancel. However, you may well find that the detail of the debt is registered with the credit rating agencies and so your long forgotten debt could return to haunt you if you wanted to get a mortgage or a credit card or............

If you are unsure as to whether or not you will like the particular publication, then best to buy one before you start a contract.

littlewren

Although in my Direct Debit agreement from these magazines, it states:

Under the terms of the Direct Debit Guarantee (shown below), you are entitled to terminate your Direct Debit at any time.

So how does that tie in with having to keep to the minimum 12 month subscription?

Steve_xx

littlewren wrote: »

Although in my Direct Debit agreement from these magazines, it states:

Under the terms of the Direct Debit Guarantee (shown below), you are entitled to terminate your Direct Debit at any time.

So how does that tie in with having to keep to the minimum 12 month subscription?

Technically,though it may say that you can terminate your Direct Debit mandate, what it doesn't say is that you can avoid payment altogether.