Could Managing My Magazine Subscription Come Into The 21st Century, Pretty Please?

Ok, in this day of tech-savvy, over-the-top electronics and smart people, you'd think there would be an easier way to manage magazine subscriptions.

As an example: I subscribe to several knitting publications. My last issue was delayed SIX WEEKS (as compared to other subscribers in my general neighborhood). It finally arrived with a renewal notice pre-packaged in it, which must be why it took so long.

For other magazines, I'll subscribe, then immediately receive the newsstand issue, which I, of course, already own.

For yet others, immediately upon subscribing, I"ll begin to receive renewal notices. That infuriates me.

Or, VERY WORST CASE, I'll see Vogue Knitting in the store before I receive my issue at home, as a subscriber. I agonize, I debate, I generally try and wait it out so that I only have my one issue that comes via the mail. But really, if I subscribe, then someone had better send me an issue slightly in advance. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Trade magazines I subscribe to don't seem to be much better keeping up with address changes or sending timely subscription notices, but there, I have no choice. I"ll keep subscribing and reading, once the stack of them reaches about 12 inches. :) Not a timely or efficient manner, but, well, it works for me.

For the rest, I'm not renewing my subscriptions. I'd prefer to pay a bit more at Barnes & Noble or wherever so I can have instant gratification.

Ugh.

posted by Caroline Stanley @ 12:10 PM