Magazine companies give you many opportunities to receive a subscription at different prices. Magazines include several postcard advertisement inserts that often offer different subscription prices. At times, a renewal notice price may be higher than the postcard advertisement's price in the magazine. Don't renew your subscription solely based on the first renewal notice. Instead, wait for subsequent notices because the price may decrease. Allowing a subscription to cancel may result in the company offering an even lower price to get you to re-subscribe. Be watchful for the changes in price.

     Many magazines offer subscriptions that give you one month or two free before paying a bill. Respond to the offer to receive free magazines. The companies will typically mail you a bill before receiving your first issue. Throw away the bill(s) until the first issue is received. Afterwards, decide whether to purchase the subscription or write "cancel" on the bill. The magazine company's subscription and billing departments don't always communicate very well. You will typically receive from one to three more months at no charge before the subscription will be cancelled.

     Remember that magazine companies receive most of their revenue from the advertisements within the magazine, not from the subscriptions. Keep an eye open for a better subscription price, even from the same company.


Return to News/Information Topics.