Is there anything wrong with subscribing to magazines?

Question

My parents have told me that they don't subscribe to magazines becuase they give your address out to other companies or that they are hard to cancel. Has anyone subscribed to magazines and could you tell me the pros and cons please.

Answer 1

They do, in fact sell your name and address to every company that wants.

If you do subscribe, make sure that you prepay for the subscription. This way, when the time is up, you can refuse to renew.

Answer 2

Hi I subscribed to a health magazine and had no problems with them for at least 3yrs. You can request that your details do not get passed on to a third party. The pros i would say is that you get your magazine before it hits the shops and you dont have to q for it! the cons? cant say I had any. Good luck, just make sure you use a well known magazine to subscribe to.

Answer 3

Magazines are FUN as long as you are inclined to reading. They have the usual news with a lot of spice in it. With regards to your address there are other sources marketers can get it from. How do u know your parents dont subscribe to magazines and read them secretly under their office desks? A good test would be to leave a few magazines appropriate for them in an open area and see their reaction, then catch em red handed if they dare lay a finger on the publication. Cancellation is easy, just send back the renewal voucher marked CANCEL. Welcome to the world of magazines, beats carrying a laptop to remote areas anyday. They are lightweight, juicy and relaxing.

Answer 4

Your parents are right, however your Bank or Credit Card Company are just as likely to sell your contact information. Cancellations can be tough but now with online resources, the mail notification lag is all but alleviated. Then not to mention the recycling factor.

If you regularly buy a particular magazine, you save loads on the cover price, but you have to be honest with yourself to see if you really are saving or spending more than you would have normally.

If you know for certain you purchased 10 or more of one particular magazine in the last year, then you would probably save money. Plus, most magazines now offer online subscriptions, giving you up to the minute updates while saving trees!

Answer 5

I've been subscribing to magazines since I was a pre-teen and I'm 23yrs. Being this is the 21st century you can subscribe to most magazines online. At the end of the end of the form they usually ask you to check a box giving them permission to give your name to their partner companies and subsidaires. When you check it you'll start getting other junk in the mail and junk emails from their partners. You can check or uncheck the box if you want and they have to follow that. If they don't call them immediately and let them know you would like your name removed from the lists.
Depending on where you live you may get your magazine in the mail after its been put on the stands. I hate this, because I've paid a year long fee to get my magazine and to see it on the newstands before I've gotten it pisses me off.
Usually subscribing gets you special issues and other things in the magazine that is not available on newstands.

Answer 6

Here is a trick to see if your name does get sold. Sign up for the magazine using your middle name. That way is you start getting mail addressed to your middle name you know where it came from. You can also visit the website for the magazine after you subscribe and see if it is possible to opt out of having your information sold.

Answer 7

I used to have a magazine subscription and i don't remember getting junk mail, i think if you tick the box that says you don't want them passing on your details they don't. Also when it ran out i only got 1 letter through asking if i wanted to renew it i didn't answer and i haven't heard from it since. It might depend on the magazine or where abouts you live etc...

Answer 8

I subscribe to loads of different types of magazines and have never had a problem with it.

I get, Card making, Paranormal magazine, New Scientist, Manga Force, Readers digest and National Geographic.

The only problem i have is with the clubs I'm a member of, book clubs and craft clubs and the like. They do pass your details on and I've learnt not to give them my number or i end with countless phone calls trying to get me to buy their special offers or new clubs similar to the ones I'm a member of, all trying to sign me up to theirs.

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

There's a very tiny box that either says you do or do not wish for them to sell the information.

Also, by law, (1984/1998DPA), you are allowed to ask what any company, including the government, what information they have on you, and you are then ask for it to be revoked if you so choose.

A major plus side is you generally get a discount on the magazines, but if you've ever signed up for a bank-card or ISP, it's pretty much a dead cert your information is on a record somewhere anyhow.

Answer 10

You can always request/demand that your address not be shared with anyone other than the magazine to which you are subscribing. Also it is best to deal direct with publisher rather than some charity organization struggling to raise funds.

Peace....

Answer 11

iv never subscribed 2 any magazines but i wud if i really wanted that particular one.i dont see a problem in it myself cos u can usually save a few quid by subscribing.
wen u subscribe u shud have a little square you can cross to tell the people not to forward your address onto 3rd parties etc