Comments on: Is Magazine Auto-Renewal a Good Deal?

By: michael

michael — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 06:11:26 +0000

Although not quite as convenient, I library has an excellent variety of magazine subscriptions. I usually take an afternoon off and catch up on all my reading there. The downside is you can’t just pick up the magazine when you have a few extra minutes at home to leaf through it, but I get a much wider variety of magazines to choose from and have found new favorites because of the library. The best thing of all is that there’s no cost at all.

By: Gail

Gail — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:24:28 +0000

I never auto renew, but when I get a good deal on my favorite sewing magazines and to be sure I don’t miss an issue, when the deal is good I extend it to the longest period possible. For a magazine that I don’t keep to reference articles, etc. I don’t mind if it lapses while I’m looking for a good deal. I was at the doctor’s office with my son one day. He is in his 20′s and taking a real notice in finances and so was flipping through a Money magazine that had a subcription card for something like $10 for three years! I agreed to pay for it and we share the magazine. I just got a renewal form in the mail yesterday for $10 per year which would be $30 for the deal we had back a couple years ago. That is too rich for my blood and since it doesn’t expire until sometime next year, why spend the money now when I could use it for something else. If needed I could always read the issues at the library, but it is easier for me to read at home so I can do it with my feet up.

I’ve seen those auto renew things and like some of the others have mentioned, I get nervous when you don’t know when someone is going to sccop some money out of your account or credit card. I’ve never seen a really good deal either on them.

By: Monkey Mama

Monkey Mama — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:46:01 +0000

My experience is if you let a subscription lapse, they offer you a better deal anyway. I usually delay renewal a few months until I get a grovely “80% off” type offer. (& they just keep sending the magazine anyway, in the hopes you cave). I would not auto renew anything, though when forced to (I think I did this with the newspaper because it was a significant savings), the expired credit card trick works pretty well. It’s not that I wouldn’t renew, but I wanted the *choice* when the time came. & to be fair – the newspaper had done some dirty tactics so I didn’t trust them – I wanted to be able to approve the amount before it was paid. I’d prepay for the YEAR and then they would recharge me after 10 months “because prices went up, so my annual subscription was only good for 10 months.” :rolleyes:

By: Minny

Minny — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 06:20:00 +0000

I take the view with myself that if I can’t be bothered to renew at a good price I can’t want the magazine that much!

I’m suspicious of anything ‘auto’ it means they’ve got you. Here in the UK we have found there is no value in being a loyal customer. If it’s magazines or car or any annual insurance the best deals are for new customers!

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:24:00 +0000

If you use a credit card that will expire before the first year is up, they cannot automatically renew it (I hope…we’ll see how well this worked ).

By: sjlrc

sjlrc — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:56:45 +0000

I may be old-fashioned, but there’s something about flipping through the pages of magazines that I enjoy much more than simply reading on an IPad.

By: greenday

greenday — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:37:21 +0000

You really have to be organized to make the auto renew pay off and not accidentally pay a lot more than you thought you were going to. I think for most people auto renew magazines would be a much more expensive way to go. It’s another one of those things where you pay for the convenience.

By: timeout

timeout — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:29:56 +0000

Do people even buy magazines anymore? I figured the same thing would happen to them that is happening to newspapers. With all the information that is on the Internet, is it really necessary to even buy magazines anymore?

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:24:28 +0000

I definitely do not think auto-renewal is worth it. I am always looking for ways to save money and there are definitely better deals to take advantage of once the subscription runs out. It is important to keep track of these subscriptions, too.