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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 70 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many people encountered significant issues with their orders, frequently reporting that magazines never arrived or were incorrect. Customers also expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the customer service, describing it as unhelpful and difficult to resolve problems. Delivery services were often criticized for being unreliable and slow, leading to frustration and unreceived products. Some people also experienced problems with subscriptions, including unexpected auto-renewals and difficulties accessing digital content. Conversely, a few customers reported positive interactions with customer service, noting that some issues were resolved efficiently after direct contact.

What people talk about most

Subscription

People report ambiguous experiences with subscription. Many customers experienced issues with unexpected... See more

Order

Consumers consistently express significant dissatisfaction with the ordering process. Many report not... See more

Customer service

Clients share negative opinions on customer service. Many reviewers report non-existent or unhelpful support,... See more

Product

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with product. Many reviewers report not receiving the... See more

Delivery service

Users describe negative interactions with delivery services. Many customers report that their orders,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered a single copy of guitarist magazine on the 9th of August 2025. It never arrived. The help email system is completely non functional. I've asked for a refund but there is no return communicat... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cancelled a subscription last year as PSM was being replaced by Edge, not wanted any longer. I had an email back confirming it was cancelled, I moved address and guess what, they kept it going. T... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This company has terrible business practices. It’s easy to subscribe to a magazine online, but cancelling is deliberately difficult. You have to call two separate numbers, wait on hold each time, and... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Retro Gamer UK #274 ordered 7/8/25 and still note received almost 3 months later!!! Looks like a joke, but it's not: one wrong number sent, 3 "missing" deliveries with never arrived replaceme... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Multimedia and Electronic Book Publisher

Written by the company

Magazinesdirect.com is owned and operated by Future Publishing Limited, Britain’s leading publisher of print and digital magazine content. We are a leading platform for specialist consumer and B2B content, publishing 80 magazines and 568+ bookazines yearly, with a total circulation of 1.4m+.


Contact info

1.5

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

810 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Replied to 96% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 48 hours

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered a magazine on the 4th Oct it…

I ordered a magazine on the 4th Oct it hadn’t arrived 9 days later so oi managed to contact them through the number associated from the direct debit on my account. He then posted another magazine and that didn’t arrive a week later. This was a gift so I am really disappointed.
I don’t recommend to use this company!
Denise

4 October 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you’re still waiting for your first issue. Rest assured, I have escalated this with our Customer Services Team and they will contact you shortly with more information.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this for you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Now had 2 direct debits taken out of my…

Now had 2 direct debits taken out of my account for subscription yet have not received a single magazine. Have contacted them twice buf the first email reply totally ignored my concerns and now they are ignoring my second email.
After posting this review I will cancelling my subscription and asking my bank fir refund for both direct debit.
Avoid like the plague, this company are scammers and yes I will be reporting them to trading standards for fraud ( eg charging me for products and deliberately not providing said products.
Please do not say you will send me a email and you will be happy to respond as you don't answer customer emails anyway!!!

19 October 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you’re still waiting for your first issue. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I didn't want to give one star as I…

I didn't want to give one star as I don't think they deserve even that. If I'd have had the foresight to check trust pilot first I would never have ordered from them. They are obviously a scam company. I paid for a SFX magazine it didn't turn up, as previous customers leaving reviews have stated, they asked for me to confirm my address before they could consider a refund, I did so but have heard nothing, despite me sending further emails. I doubt I will ever receive a refund**** AVOID****

3 October 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

I’m really sorry to hear that you haven’t received a timely response to your refund request. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Watch your bank, they’ll dip into it.

Absolutely dreadful service.
Without any notification they increased my direct debit from £1 to £14.63. No notice, no information and NO AUTHORITY.
To me this is attempted theft.
Thank’s to the banks Direct Debit refund policy I got the money back.
Watch your bank account.

4 October 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

I’m very sorry to hear that you have been charged an amount you were not expecting. Rest assured, this has already been escalated this with our Customer Services Team and they will contact you shortly with more information.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this for you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Order never received even after multiple requests

I placed an order the end of June, 2024 and after many correspondence in July, August, and September, and multiple promises from Magazines Direct that my order was being sent/resent, as of October 8 I have still never received my order. I first complained directly to Magazines Direct twice. Both times I was told the Magazines were being resent. After not receiving the order the second time, I then posted a complaint here.
From that complaint, information was requested so they could follow up. I provided the information as requested. Was again promised by Magazines Direct that they were sending my order. Sent a follow up email asking if they could confirm the address they were using before sending since I had not received any of the supposedly prior mailed packages. I never got a further response. Almost a month has passed, and I have never received my order. Unfortunately I have nothing positive to share about Magazines Direct, and I have come to the conclusion that I will never receive my two magazines or a refund from my missing order.

27 June 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you haven't received your orders. Please be advised that we have responded to your email on 9th October 2024 regarding your orders/ refund. If you need any further assistance, please respond to the email and we will be happy to help you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Activating Download

I log on and off dozens of websites in the course of my work. I have never come across such a user-unfriendly site; in future I will check how many TrustPilot stars a company has before doing business with them. Only ONE lonely star tells the story! A single site for magazine subscriptions is a great idea - make it user-friendly and you have a winner! Victor Patterson 028 90661296

5 October 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you haven’t been able to access your digital editions. Rest assured, I have escalated this with our customer services team who will help resolve these digital issues you are currently experiencing, and they will contact you shortly with more information.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this for you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could put down a zero star rating I would

If I could put down a zero star rating I would. We received an email offering a 6 month subscription for some photographic magazines and there was a bag listed as a ' camera bag ' offered as a free gift. After waiting many weeks for the bag to arrive, we were shocked to discover that there was no way you could pack a DSLR camera and lenses in the bag. On checking the Lowepro website, they list the bag as a ' Day Bag ' suitable for carrying a laptop and a tablet. It is absolutely useless for our needs. We messaged Magazines Direct on the 18/09/2024 asking for our money back, and after several useless replies, plus us sending over photographs of the bag, it is now the 02/10/2024, and we are no further forward in getting a satisfactory response and it is over a week since their last email to us. Please do not deal with this company, save your money and your sanity.

18 September 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

I’m really sorry to hear that you haven’t received a timely response to your original query. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgusting

Disgusting. Should not be legal. They have somehow managed to set up a direct debit from my bank account without my knowledge. to explain I signed up for a 6 month issue of Ideal Home, 6 months ago. I did not sign up for a year. There was no commitment to have it for a year. BUT they have very cheekily taken £21.49 from my bank account. I called my bank and they say they will cancel the direct debit and make a refund to my account. How on earth do Magazines Direct get away with this. It is outright theft! My advise to everyone is don't sign up for any magazines through Magazines direct.

26 September 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

I’m very sorry to hear that you have been charged an amount you were not expecting. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A tricky company to deal with

A tricky company to deal with - email answering with speed and clarity is not their strong point.
Their website has been designed to look fulsome and complete, however, probably the most important aspect is missing and that is the prices I pay for each magazine. I have multiple subscriptions and finding how much I pay for each magazine is something I have never been able to achieve.

26 September 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you’re unable to access information regarding your subscription payments. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Incompetent customer service

Wrong issue was sent. Contacted customer service who agreed to send again but sent another incorrect issue. Contacted them a second time and they agreed for a second time to send out the correct issue. A month later nothing turned up so contacted them for a 3rd time and once again they agreed to send it out again. I also filled in a negative questionnaire so was contacted by another representative called Marc Remerata who asked me to wait 10 working days but surprise surprise, 20 working days later no magazine. The magazine is now out of stock everywhere unless I want to pay 10x the price and get it on eBay.

Useless and Incompetent customer service. Will never use again.

27 July 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

We are unable to locate your subscription with the information provided. Please can you contact our customer services team at help@magazinesdirect.com our agents will be more than happy to assist you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give 0 stars I would

If I could give 0 stars I would. Broke the contract by not sending the free copies in the order and then taking £68 without my consent when the original order was 6 free copies and then £33 for any more copies. I have complained numerous times and although eventually I received a refund I still have not had a response to my numerous complaints. Do not use this company

18 September 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

I’m really sorry to hear that you haven’t received a timely response to your original query. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Scammers

I ordered a gift for my dad's birthday through Magazines.co.uk - they seem to have good reviews but it is Magazines.Direct who are corresponding with me. I signed up for the magazine a month ago and, although I have ordered a weekly TV Times, my dad still has not received anything. I got an email last week to say that the latest edition was posted out to him. He did not get it. They double checked the address and said they had sent it to the wrong address, even although my dad's correct address is clearly showing when I sign in. They said they would give him a complimentary 3 extra copies. He is still waiting for any copies to come in. I cancelled my direct debit as the payment came out weeks ago and I only wanted the gift to be the 12 issues - I have now had an email from Magazine.Direct to say that because my direct debit has been cancelled that they would not be sending out any issues - even although they have taken the payment for my dad's gift. I now think that my dad is not going to get his gift - after me paying out £25.25. What a waste of money. AVOID THIS COMPANY.

UPDATE - I had emailed the company yesterday to find out when my dad would be getting the first issue and I was told again that there was a problem with the address of the sender and the format that they have it in (even although address is correct when I sign in and see it, and they were supposed to have sorted this issue last week). I have now contacted them to ask for a refund and they have told me not to cancel direct debit until I had got my refund. I had already cancelled direct debit, but this should not affect me getting a refund so I am very dubious that I am going to get this refund. I am supposed to be covered under the Direct Debit Guarantee so I will be going to the Financial Conduct Authority if I do not get my money back. How this company are treating everyone on here - not just me - is absolutely shocking. Nobody should be out of pocket for buying magazines.

18 September 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear that you’re giftee hasn't received an issue which made you decide to cancel the subscription and request for a refund. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful

Set up a direct debit

They can't tell me when my payment will be debited from my account, not can they tell me how much will be debited.

They are in breach of the DD guarantee but don't seem to care

I've been waiting for the accounts department to contact me with the info requested. Nothing.

I've made an official complaint over a week ago. An acknowledgement and then nothing since.

I'm waiting for the letter that apparantley I'll receive in '2 days' over a week ago.

Atrocious customer service from start to finish

*Edit*

Information provided as per their request via TrustPilot - needless to say nobody has responded to it.

Still no update to my complaint or contact from accounts.

I have now got a letter giving the date of first payment (24/9), great except its 3 weeks earlier than the date showing online (12/10).

Online chat with Nancy who says the payment 'should' be in the first week of October, her supervisor Monica disagrees saying it will be this week (weekending Fri 13th September) before changing her mind and saying she doesn't know when it will be or why there are different dates.

Utterly hopeless at every step

2 September 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback. Please be advised that your complaint has already been escalated to the relevant department for an answer, and they will be in touch with you directly.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this for you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

MagazinesDirect = Shysters

When a magazine we subscribed to through Magazines Direct folded, Magazines Direct told us it would refund the remaining part of the subscription - six months worth. That was two years ago - and we still haven't received the refund. First they said they'd sent it to Paypal (which they hadn't). Then they said they couldn't refund to Paypal, so they said they'd sent a cheque (which they hadn't). We no longer subscribe to any magazines through Magazines Direct and don't support magazines published by Futures Magazines, of which Magazines Direct is a division. We emailed the Company Secretary of Futures Magazines about Magazines Direct not providing the refund and still we didn't get the refund.

7 September 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Thank you for responding. I haven't been able to locate the subscription with the information provided. May we request you to contact our customer services team at help@magazinesdirect.com or on +44 (0)330 333 1113 our agents will be more than happy to assist you. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered a ghost magazine in June it…

I ordered a ghost magazine in June it never arrived I mailed them about it they said they would send a second one that one also never arrived it’s been 2 god damn months they are scammers end of story

6 June 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you’re still waiting for your order. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Utterly incompetent organisation

Utterly incompetent organisation. I bought a magazine subscription as a present for my sister. Ten months later she has only received one edition. After months of phone calls and emails, Magazines Direct has agreed to a refund but I discovered today they have returned the wrong amount. Do not use this company in any circumstances!

31 August 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

I’m very sorry to hear that your giftee has missed some issues and that you have been refunded an incorrect amount. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Here we are now 13 days and still no…

Here we are now 13 days and still no magazine which was originally ordered on 4/8/24 but 3 e-mails telling me a replacement will be with me in 7/10 working days. I have now requested a refund but don't hold out much hope. No doubt I will get the usual generic reply here telling me how sorry the are and to get in touch with them so they can look into the matter.
HELLO !!! I have already done so and all that happens is I get the e-mails already mentioned here
Totally incompetent organisation
My advice saved your money and look elsewhere
Original order number

4 August 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you’re still waiting for your refund. Rest assured, I have escalated this with our customer services team who will help resolve these digital issues you are currently experiencing, and they will contact you shortly with more information. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns in the meantime.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this for you.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Check your promo codes work!

Just purchased September edition of Country Homes & Interiors. Promo page advertising digital and print editions available at a reduced price by quoting D35S. Tried this and it doesn’t work. Waste of time trying to chat with someone about it, as they can’t help and ask you to then call them up!

23 August 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear that you're having trouble subscribing online. May we kindly ask you to contact customer services team on 0330 333 1113 (Lines open Monday-Friday 8:30am -7pm, and Saturday 10 am-3pm UK time).

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I wish I had checked here before…

I wish I had checked here before ordering. I ordered a print copy of a magazine. First I never received a confirmation email. Support then informed me I should wait up to 9 working days, but of course I never heard anything. They then told me that I ordered a digital magazine for which I created an account. I did not want that, so asked for a refund. They then canceled my order and stated that they could not find my payment, so no refund was possible. This is clearly a scam!!

23 August 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you’re still waiting for your refund. You should receive an email from Trustpilot requesting more information about you and your order. We would be grateful if you could respond to this so we can advise further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Single issue of Cycling Weekly not arrived

Ordered a single issue of Cycling Weekly advertised as Cav's 35th TdF celebration edition (18th July 24) only to find when it came that this was not the case - 11th July 24 edition was the actual Cav edition and was not available on website despite Customer Services telling me that they had stock. After complaining, they e-mailed me to say they would post out a copy of the 11th July 24 edition as a good will gesture, but this never arrived!!!

31 July 2024
Unprompted review
Magazines Direct logo

Reply from Magazines Direct

Many thanks for your feedback and I am very sorry to hear you’re still waiting for your issue. Rest assured, I have escalated this with our Customer Services Team and they will contact you shortly with more information.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this for you.

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