Cancelling magazine subscriptions

Gingerbiscuit_2

Hi,
I wonder if anyone had any information on how to cancel magazines subscriptions. I took out one last year for the jamie oliver magazine that is bi - monthly. And have just recieved the dec/jan issue.

Knowing that I had signed up in Jan I thought I had plenty of time to cancel as I wasnt going to get the next magazine until feb/march.

However the payment has gone out end of Nov. I contacted them via email and they said its to late and I cant cancel it until it has expired. While of course I understand it is ususlly if you take it out intial for a year surely then you can out.

And is it fair that they can take payment for the next year 2months before even though you are not receiving the product for 2m?

But they seem to saying that I cant cancel this next year until it has expired ie the the oct/nov 2010!!! and before it is taken again nov 2010.

Anyone help??

pmduk

I'd contact the publisher direct, I assume you're currently talking to a Subscription agency, (possibly tower or galleon.) See what they say.

I'd also check your paperwork. If you weren't told in advance of the direct debit dates I'd invoke the direct debit guarantee at your bank.

Gingerbiscuit_2

Thanks, I have found the tiny small print it did say was coming out end of nov so I missed it by like 2 days but they are saying that two months is not enough time to stop me getting the next issue!! and that I must pay and recive the whole year ... awaiting a response from them now.

pmduk

subscriptions usually work by the publisher sending a list of recipients to the printers to arrange despatch. Once this has been done, your outstanding subscription is debited by one issue. Most reputable publishers will usually let you cancel and refund you the value of outstanding issues, so it may be worth asking them.

pmduk

I've learned, the hard way, to diarise magazine payments to avoid both this, and overdraft fees

Gingerbiscuit_2

update: I emailed them again as wasnt happen over first response and they have now agreed to cancel and refund the next years as it dosnt start for 2m. So it is worth asking again whenyou are told basicaly 'tough'. Thanks to everyone for help!