Refund on Newspaper Subscriptions

Captain_Haribo

Hi all,

I recently subscribed to The Economist on a student subscription offer. Along with my first copy came an offer for the Financial Times - a 4 week trial for just £1.

I signed up, but have been a bit of an idiot and forgot to cancel. I've now received more vouchers - running to the end of February - and been charged £156 - which I can only pray is for an entire year and not the 12 weeks I've been given. As a student, I simply can't afford this.

As the voucher booklet is intact, should getting a refund be straightforward or am I now in some sort of contract with them?

texranger

give them a call and explain, but they could say you did not cancel so have accepted the subscription

Captain_Haribo

I'm going to call first thing tomorrow - I only received the vouchers in the post yesterday and the line has been closed over the weekend.

Was just hoping for some advice before I call, in case they're not totally helpful about things. I was hoping that as the renewed subscription was charged seperately, I might have rights to some sort of "cooling off" period?

texranger

Captain_Haribo wrote: »

I'm going to call first thing tomorrow - I only received the vouchers in the post yesterday and the line has been closed over the weekend.

Was just hoping for some advice before I call, in case they're not totally helpful about things. I was hoping that as the renewed subscription was charged seperately, I might have rights to some sort of "cooling off" period?

if it was done online or over the phone then under DSR you have a 7 day cooling off period.

Captain_Haribo

It was neither sadly - I sent off a form in the post to get a direct debit.

Somewhat encouragingly, the small print on the pack says "Partial voucher packs are non-refundable", which to me would heavily imply full voucher packs are. We shall see tomorrow. Thanks for your help in the meantime.

shaun_from_Africa

Even though you sent off the paperwork in the post, the DSR's would apply as this is still a distance contract.

However, there are a few items that are exempt from the right to cancel and one of these is " newspapers, periodicals or magazines" so you may well find that they refuse the cancellation request.

All you can do is to contact them and ask and see what they say.

wealdroam

OP, I think you'll find that the £156 only covers the paper for three months.

See here...
http://www.isubscribe.co.uk/The-Financial-Times-Newspaper-Subscription.cfm

texranger

wealdroam wrote: »

OP, I think you'll find that the £156 only covers the paper for three months.

See here...
http://www.isubscribe.co.uk/The-Financial-Times-Newspaper-Subscription.cfm

so cancel the DD with your bank, so they cant take this out again and then call them

George_Michael

so cancel the DD with your bank, so they cant take this out again and then call them

Well that's one way to ensure that the OP gets debt collectors on their back.
Cancelling a DD does nothing to cancel the agreed contract nor does it stop the promised payment from being owed.
All it will probably do is to make sure that the subscription company refuses to do anything to help out.

Hintza

texranger wrote: »

if it was done online or over the phone then under DSR you have a 7 day cooling off period.

But the company gave the OP 4 weeks cooling off period via the offer.

I think you are stuck with it.

Captain_Haribo

Hintza wrote: »

But the company gave the OP 4 weeks cooling off period via the offer.

I think you are stuck with it.

The original offer was an "obligation free" trial, though, so doesn't this technically count as a second purchase? I sure hope so.