Many reviewers say magazines never arrived or turned up after long delays. Billing mistakes and slow or missing refunds come up often. Email support is often described as unresponsive or stuck in loops. A smaller group report quick fixes by phone or issues eventually being resent.
Examples from available reviews (Mar 2023 – Feb 2026).
Phone call quickly resolved the subscription query after unhelpful email reply.
“a quick phone call sorted out the problem”
Ordered five Country Life magazines, received them after fifty days with communication.
“I got them after 50 days (im in Serbia ) . I had communication”
They repeatedly promised a refund but never issued it over many months.
“and eleven months later we still don't have it.”
Single issue ordered repeatedly not delivered despite re-sends and follow ups.
“If i could rate lower i would.”
Most complaints focus on non-delivery, lost parcels, and missed issues. Reviewers describe repeated resends, system glitches that skip single issues, and long back-and-forth to secure a replacement. A smaller number report problems being fixed after a complaint or re-dispatch.
Reviewers mention unauthorised ongoing payments, duplicate charges, and unexpected debits. Refunds are often said to take many weeks or months and sometimes only move forward after a bank dispute. A few customers got refunds after escalating, but most describe a long struggle to recover the money.
Account setup and access problems show up repeatedly, including failed registrations and email mismatches that block digital access. Several reviewers say they were switched to digital without consent and that voucher redemptions did not work. These issues stop people managing subscriptions and often need direct support to sort out.
A small number of reviewers mention magazines arriving damaged or branded envelopes that tear during transit. Damage comes up less often than delivery and billing problems. When it does, reviewers describe issues arriving in poor condition or single copies badly damaged.
Customers describe emails going unanswered, promised escalations with no follow-up, and being asked for the same details more than once. Several say refunds were promised but still not paid after many months. A minority report polite, helpful phone staff who solved the issue quickly.
Ratings lean heavily toward unresolved delivery and billing problems, which drive many low scores. Positive comments tend to mention phone help or delivery that arrived late but did arrive. The result is a clear split between many one-star accounts and a few five-star fixes.
For each review, the core experience based on original source reviews.
Sources: Trustpilot (40) · Reviews (20) · Quotes shortened · As of: February 2026
Query escalated repeatedly with irrelevant replies and no resolution provided.
“Took a week to be told it had been escalated”
One-off fan pack dispatched after phone call despite initial email silence.
“He was helpful and polite and said the magazine had been dispatched”
Address became garbled and took months to resolve due to poor service.
“somehow my home address had become garbled in their system”
Cancelled subscription but still waiting weeks for a refund from the company.
“I am still struggling after weeks and weeks to get my £9.68 refund”
Unexpected charge taken and initially poor email support, later resolved by phone.
“Randomly in November, they took money from my account.”
Subscription was switched without clear consent and account management is inaccessible.
“I can't set up an account which is required to manage subscriptions”
Account setup failed and no contact number, then no magazines were delivered.
“NO ACCOUNT SET UP AT ALL.”
Unauthorised continuous payment set up and later charged, then eventually refunded.
“a continuous payment was set up (without my authorisation)”
Company repeatedly sent magazines to deceased brother causing distress and inconvenience.
“They sent 4 magazines to my brother who has been dead for 10 years.”
Ordered a magazine that has not arrived and customer messages go unanswered.
“still not arrived no correspondence from them”
Digital purchase required an undisclosed platform and refund requests were ignored.
“I should and must install another platform to be able to read the magazine”
Gift subscription cancelled and only partial refund given, magazine never arrived.
“I cancelled the order. I have received £5 back from the £6 paid”
Promotional six-issue subscription never delivered and company seems unresponsive.
“To date I have not received anything”
Yearly subscription missed issues and email queries remain unanswered so far.
“I have not received an issue since 8th October.”
Took £1 for a promotion but the magazine was never received.
“they took my £1 back in september and as yet still no magazine recieved”
Phone call quickly resolved the subscription query after unhelpful email reply.
“a quick phone call sorted out the problem”
Retro Gamer issue ordered but not received after almost three months and multiple errors.
“ordered 7/8/25 and still note received almost 3 months later”
Reported missing issues but company demanded payee confirmation despite being payee.
“We regret that we are unable to make the requested changes...from the payee themselves.”
Three months chasing a single issue with repeated excuses and duplicate charges.
“three months later, I still haven’t received it.”
Specific Metal Hammer edition ordered in July still not arrived by October.
“It is now October, and this has still not arrived”
Could not access digital subscription and received poor customer support.
“Terrible customer service.”
Ordered in May and still had not received the magazine by October.
“now it is almost October with no magazine”
Paid for issue 405 but it was not sent due to an error.
“Issue 405 not sent due to system error”
Single issue ordered repeatedly not delivered despite re-sends and follow ups.
“If i could rate lower i would.”
Special edition ordered never arrived and was declared lost in post.
“Never turned up and they say its just been lost in post”
Single issue ordered never arrived and customer service did not reply.
“it never arrived.”
Ordered with promised email but received nothing and support did not reply.
“So now I have no item and I've lost my money.”
Delivery to Denmark delayed and support cannot provide tracking or dates.
“They are not offering tracking, so there is no way I can check”
Cancelled six months early but was charged and then ghosted by support.
“I cancelled my recent subscription 6 months before the renewal date”
Ordered five Country Life magazines, received them after fifty days with communication.
“I got them after 50 days (im in Serbia ) . I had communication”
Magazines arrive in easily tearing branded envelopes causing damaged items.
“They send the magazines in branded easily tearing envolopes.”
Voucher code from Buyagift was invalid and redemption remains unresolved.
“But the code is invalid.”
Single copy ordered in August 2025 never arrived and help email fails.
“It never arrived.”
Long delays and poor replies, eventually received item after five weeks.
“I did eventually get my Billie Eilish fan pack magazine after 5 weeks”
Order confirmation promised further email which never arrived, awaiting full refund.
“I never received a second email, not even in the junk folder.”
Issue initially unresolved but later sorted after complaint and re-dispatch.
“Updated review: I originally gave one start but my issue was sorted”
Cancelled subscription and refunds delayed; company reinstated payments without consent.
“they took a further payment despite confirming in an email that my subscription was cancelled”
Received the wrong issue and company demanded proof instead of apologising.
“I received the entirely wrong issue”
Six-month subscription failed after three magazines and required constant chasing.
“Took out a 6month subscription. Recieved 3 magazines only.”
This page combines submitted experiences with public reviews from platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, etc. Recurring points are summarised without changing the content of reviews.
Magazines Direct is a UK retailer selling magazine subscriptions and single issues. It offers print subscriptions, one-off copies, and promotional bundles for delivery in the UK and overseas. Customers can create accounts to manage subscriptions and pay by recurring or one-off methods. Digital editions are delivered through partner reading platforms or apps for tablets and phones. The service also processes gift vouchers and promotional redemptions alongside standard subscription fulfilment.