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
Subscription was suspended without any communication after one undelivered issue.
“suspension of my subscription from Magazines Direct’s side WITHOUT any form of communication”
Non-delivery and poor customer service with repeated requests for the same information.
“Non delivery. Customer service awful .”
Email mismatch prevented access to a digital purchase and required a PayPal dispute.
“couldn't access my purchase”
Subscription paid twice and agreed error not repaid despite repeated requests.
“A subscription was paid twice in error five months ago”
Cancelling a digital subscription removed paid print issues and access was lost.
“When they canceled the digital version also canceled the print magazine”
Ordered two copies in June but never received them despite promises and checks.
“Never received order”
Ordered How It Works in May and still not received by August.
“now 16th August and after numerous promises...we have yet to receive any magazines”
Over six months since order and a refund is only just offered now.
“It's been over six months.....SIX MONTHS since my order was placed”
Account paused while abroad then repeatedly charged and refunded with lost issues.
“When I returned to the U.K. they started the subscription and charged me”
Placed order then could not cancel and received no responses from the company.
“I just got scammed. Order placed...Wish I had not.”
Order support failed and one magazine arrived damaged and late.
“the magazine is badly damaged.”
Only one of three issues received and service was poor.
“1 out of 3 issues received.”
Missed the paid issue and support refused to resolve subscription error.
“I got issue 373 and 375.”
Subscription was switched to digital without consent and refund ignored.
“I cannot access the digital MacLife Magazines.”
Customer service, IT and correspondence were described as pathetic.
“Absolutely pathetic customer service.”
Subscription was mispriced and customer service failed to resolve billing issues.
“my fee was in fact £23.99 every 3 months”
They repeatedly promised a refund but never issued it over many months.
“and eleven months later we still don't have it.”
They have owed a refund for nine months and repeatedly lied about sending it.
“They have owed us a refund for 9 months now.”
Support lost purchase history, mishandled payments, and provided poor assistance.
“Twice! I had to dispute the transactions with my bank!”
They failed to cancel a renewal, causing duplicate charges and no refund.
“sent 2 x copies to the same person”
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.