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Original poster

Really pissed off about this magazine subscription

32 replies

RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 17:12

I bought 1 years subscription to a magazine for DP for Christmas last year, little did I know the company (Bauer Media - Great Magazines) automatically renew the subscription without notifying me.

I've bought subscriptions before for family members for Christmas and this has never happened to me before.

I emailed them after a £50 payment went out my account that I wasn't expecting right before Christmas and they've come back finally saying basically tough, it's in our terms (hidden and not made clear).

Absolute crooks IMO

Even in their email to me they haven't said they'll cancel it for next year so I've had to go back to them again. I cancelled the direct debit but I suppose that won't be enough?

I'm worried they're going to do it again next year now, I actually can't be bothered with any of this. The £50 sent me into my overdraft, I am not working like I was last year and this has really thrown me.

OP posts:
starpatch · 31/12/2023 19:14

I am sorry OP that is rubbish, sounds a bit underhand. If you have cancelled the direct debit they can't take again next year though.

Familiaritybreedscontemptso · 31/12/2023 19:27

Have to say every magazine subscription I’ve ever done auto renews - I’ve got one on the go for my dad I’ve got no idea how to cancel so I joke with him he’s got it forever no matter what.

I’m sorry they haven’t been more amenable to cancelling it for you though; that isn’t good customer service at all. If you’ve cancelled the dd they won’t be able to take it again though.

Floralnomad · 31/12/2023 19:29

The only subscription we have is Puzzler and that auto renews , I assumed it was the norm .

StSwithinsDay · 31/12/2023 19:33

What do their terms and conditions say about cancellation?

Cotswoldbee · 31/12/2023 19:34

OH has had subscriptions with BM for years (he has two different magazines) but doesn't have auto-renew set up, instead he gets a better price (and often a free gift as well) by going in as a "new" subscriber each year. After the first copy of the magazine arrives, he cancels the DD to start the whole cycle again.
Works for him plus we had a separate subscription for my (late) father which we operated the same way.

PickledPurplePickle · 31/12/2023 19:36

I thought they all auto renewed

1975wasthebest · 31/12/2023 19:40

Must subscriptions are Auto renewal these days. Was their policy really that hidden? You should have checked and remembered to cancel before the period ended. Calling them ‘crooks’ is ridiculous.

Neriah · 31/12/2023 19:40

Pretty much everything auto-renews unless you turn it off. Be grateful. My friends daughter learned the lesson about reading the small print three days ago when her £1k+ car insurance automatically renewed wiping out her entire bank account - she'd taken out insurance elsewhere already but didn't know she had to cancel the automatic renewal.

But I do agree. I think it's dishonest, and it should be an opt in, not an out out.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 31/12/2023 19:42

I got caught out on this as well from them - I would have expected an email. I bought as a present but luckily the person wanted to keep it in anyway and they paid me.

I emailed them to cancel now for the end of next year, they advised to cancel in PayPal subscriptions.

Original poster
RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 19:43

I've bought subscriptions for my mum and grandmother before (on more than one birthday/christmas) and this never happened.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 19:45

1975wasthebest · 31/12/2023 19:40

Must subscriptions are Auto renewal these days. Was their policy really that hidden? You should have checked and remembered to cancel before the period ended. Calling them ‘crooks’ is ridiculous.

No it isn't ridiculous that's absolutely what they are = crooks

I shouldn't have to check, I bought a 12 month subscription, how on Earth was I to know they would take my money again without so much as an email. I thought someone had stolen £50 from my account at first.

It must be nice to feel so secure in your finances that you can call me ridiculous

I think it's ridiculous that they're allowed to get away with doing that

OP posts:
UngratefulOldCabbage · 31/12/2023 19:46

If you really want the joy of auto-renewing after cancelling and getting no response from a magazine company, then try Hearst Magazines. They encourage you to cancel via the 'your account' section on their website but then do not process the request and auto renew anyway. They are an absolute nightmare to deal with! Should have read the reviews online first!

Original poster
RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 19:53

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 31/12/2023 19:42

I got caught out on this as well from them - I would have expected an email. I bought as a present but luckily the person wanted to keep it in anyway and they paid me.

I emailed them to cancel now for the end of next year, they advised to cancel in PayPal subscriptions.

I emailed them upset and asking for a refund/cancel which they said no to essentially and having read through the email, I can tell they haven't cancelled it for next year either even though I've essentially put in a complaint.

If they weren't crooks they would have offered to cancel for the next year and asked me to confirm, they wouldn't have ended the email by saying

"May I take this opportunity to thank you for your support of the magazine.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further assistance."

What the actual f

I do not support you in taking my money in such a sneaky underhand manner you CFers

OP posts:
Original poster
RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 19:54

UngratefulOldCabbage · 31/12/2023 19:46

If you really want the joy of auto-renewing after cancelling and getting no response from a magazine company, then try Hearst Magazines. They encourage you to cancel via the 'your account' section on their website but then do not process the request and auto renew anyway. They are an absolute nightmare to deal with! Should have read the reviews online first!

God I'm sorry that's horrible

If you cancel the DD can they still take the funds?

OP posts:
Original poster
RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 19:56

You know @1975wasthebest I'd love to know how many times you've sat and read through the terms and conditions

OP posts:
1975wasthebest · 31/12/2023 19:57

But they haven’t anything illegal, have they? The policy would have stated somewhere in the contract or agreement you signed up for.

Original poster
RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 20:02

1975wasthebest · 31/12/2023 19:57

But they haven’t anything illegal, have they? The policy would have stated somewhere in the contract or agreement you signed up for.

Did you know it was legal in the U.K. to rape your wife until 1992?

I suppose you'd consider it ridiculous if I referred to those rapists as crooks as well until the letter of the law caught up.

Ok @1975wasthebest let me rephrase, they are a morally corrupt company, not crooks. Happy?

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 31/12/2023 20:03

You're equating an auto renew of a subscription to marital rape?

With all due respect, get a fucking grip.

FIuffy · 31/12/2023 20:05

Did you know it was legal in the U.K. to rape your wife until 1992?

Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
What an unhinged comparison to make.

This is entirely on you, OP. Read the Ts&Cs in future.

Lucyintheskywithadiamond · 31/12/2023 20:10

RedRobyn2021 · 31/12/2023 20:02

Did you know it was legal in the U.K. to rape your wife until 1992?

I suppose you'd consider it ridiculous if I referred to those rapists as crooks as well until the letter of the law caught up.

Ok @1975wasthebest let me rephrase, they are a morally corrupt company, not crooks. Happy?

Show quote history

WTF are you on about?

Of course they can do this, it is part of the t&cs, and yes, it is down to you check these out. You need to calm down.

EarringsandLipstick · 31/12/2023 20:11

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 31/12/2023 20:03

You're equating an auto renew of a subscription to marital rape?

With all due respect, get a fucking grip.

💯 this.

OP, I've dealt with the 'joys' of auto renew too (in my case, for Office software & anti-virus protection for a home laptop. Doubly annoying as afterwards realised I never had to pay at all as my work licence allows me to add on extra personal devices). It's really frustrating but it is your own fault; you need to read the T&Cs, and now be explicit in your cancellation.

shearwater2 · 31/12/2023 20:16

It's not entirely on the OP and "buyer beware". When companies are dealing with individual consumers they have to make sure their terms are clear and not unfair to the customer, and any onerous terms should not be hidden away. A lot of companies get away with crap ts and cs until people shout about it in the media or they are taken to court.

Magazine and press subscriptions are terrible for being one click to sign up, an hour on the phone to cancel.

14Q · 31/12/2023 20:18

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

mumda · 31/12/2023 20:20

It's really wonky of them to.auto renew a gift subscription.

Subscribing for yourself is different.

I would persist with your complaint.

TofuCat · 31/12/2023 20:20

I’d email them letting them know you’re cancelling the subscription within your 14 day cooling off period and then contact your bank letting them know the company took the payment in error as the subscription is cancelled and ask them to do an indemnity claim under the direct debit guarantee. You’ll get the money back.