Hearst Magazines UK Reviews 

I emailed to cancel 2 weeks before my renewal date and they still took the money and said they advise people to get in contact 2 months before the renewal date

I took out a 12 month subscription 9 months ago and so far 4 out of 9 magazines have failed to arrive. I've reported this each time and have been sent a replacement. They refuse to cancel and refund the remainder of the subscription, but have graciously agreed to cancel the auto-renewal.

Edited in response to reply, I have contacted directly each time (the 5th magazine has failed to arrive since I posted this review) and have been advised the only resolution is to keep sending replacement copies.

I bought a five month subscription to PRIMA magazine. I intended to cancel after the fifth edition arrived.
Three weeks before the renewal date and the day after the fifth one arrived, the company took £29.99 from my bank.
I have spent ages trying to access my account, contacting customer services and emailing them.
I have received two responses which have eventually cancelled my subscription from sixth months hence.
I have twice requested refund of payment taken too early, without success so far.
DO NOT GET SUCKED INTO THEM!

PS HAVE JUST BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUND PROMISED! I was very persistent!

I purchased a magazine subscription in December because the offer included a £10 John Lewis voucher. The voucher never arrived.
When I contacted Hearst to follow up today, I was told by their very robotic customer service that my subscription “did not include a free gift” and that I needed to provide a screenshot of the promotion which I don't have. I would not have taken out the subscription without the advertised offer, so this response is extremely disappointing. It feels like the promotion simply isn’t being honoured - and is a complete scam.
Very poor customer service and a frustrating experience.

I bought a 5 month trial for my mum. I didn't spot the small print of auto-renew, but anyway would always expect a notifcation of that in time to react if I wanted to. But no. It's auto-renewed for 6 months. It's been a royal pain to get into my account, and even more to cancel - they as you to PHONE them - no doubt so they can hard sell you not to cancel. I've sent a moan and cancel request by their Contact Us form and email. What a terrible way to treat consumers. I can't believe that it's even legal.

Absolutely terrible customer service! DO NOT USE! I tried multiple times to cancel my auto-renewal subscription via my online account and the website literally would just not refresh and accept the cancellation. I was then charged £62 for another years subscription again my wishes! I now still haven’t received any magazines yet from this next years worth of subscription. I emailed their customer service and no response. I then called customer service twice - the first time I think they hung up on me and the second time I was told they can’t offer me a refund because I have to give 2 months notice if I want to cancel my subscription - which is just absurd! So now I have to wait and see if I receive any magazines, if not I’m going to get my bank involved. This is a scam.

Repeatedly fob ne off tgat subscription
Failed to process.
My daughter placed an order and paid in November 19 2025.
Guess what?
Despite several follow up emails here we are in March 2026 no magazines at all.
Hearst customer service beyond useless.

Would never use this company again and wish I had seen all the negative reviews before purchasing my magazine subscription.
Customer Services only have 3 responses:
1. Subscription auto-renews (but they do not send any renewal reminders like other companies).
2. 8 weeks notice is required to cancel (but they provide no reminder of this during the 12 month subscription period like other companies).
3. Their system auto-renews (but they do not use it to send any reminders like other companies).
Not sure what they will do when the law changes and there is a requirement to send renewal reminders and a 14 day cooling off period after renewals.
Very disappointing experience.

Unable to contact them to cancel. I have tried twice and waited over 3 weeks, no reply.
There is no option to cancel via my account without contacting them.
Terrible customer service. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole, it's a scam. I am going to contact trading standards and try and stop any further payments via my bank.

Update 1 month later: still no contact, still unable to cancel, had to cancel my bank card to try and stop them taking money from my account.

Sent numerous emails asking not renew my subscription when special offer finishes. Absolutely no response

Like most others, I signed up for the free trial, but didn't receive any notifications regarding a £36 payment despite cancelling. They will not refund the money, just criminals.

Cancelled my subscription online. Was still auto renewed and charged and customer service didn’t respond to me.

*Update* I did receive a refund and account was cancelled- thank you!

They will not unsubscribe me from emails.

I’ve used the link in the email several times, did not work.

I’ve sent them an email and still no joy or a reply.

I don’t want your emails Hearst!!!!

I don’t want an apology I just want the emails to stop.

No heads up on auto renewal and now cannot get through to their customer service. Apparently they will respond in 2 days, 14 days later.........

Subscribed and never received any magazines. Had to complain several times and argue before they agreed to send a copy again after threatening a chargeback. Therefore cancelled my subscription, not through disliking the magazine (if I ever got it) but just from their shambles of customer service.

Do not get involved with these people. Cancel anytime? Nonsense. They auto-renewed my subscription by taking £49.99 from my credit card on 31 January, a Saturday. Customer servicr is not open at weekends. Phoned them on 2 February. Waited 20 minutes for an answer before they cut me off. Sent an email asking to cancel and they replied saying they aim to contact me within 2 days. A week later they wrote to say I could cancel but not get a refund as it has to be requested within 2 days of the renewal date (which is not to be found anywhere in the account details). Nor is this requirement in the terms and conditions. Bunch of sly jokers.

Customer service is terrible. I have tried to cancel my subscription but no one replies despite saying they will respond in 2 days. Feels like they ignore you in order to get more money whilst you wait!

Auto renew my.membership at £54.99 no heads up or contact I couldn't even login didn't recognize my email so I thought it must be password but when i did reset password I didn't get email not even in spam absolutely pathetic I can't afford 54.99 I'm currently without a job

Like so many I have been hit with an auto renewal charge I turned off. Trying to log into my account to follow their cancellation process kept failing until the payment was taken. I fail to see how stealing £12 is worth it for them when I will then write this review, never use them again and proactively warn others. I want my subscription CANCELLED, my card details DELETED and a refund. Thieves.

Whilst the delivery of my chosen magazine has never been a problem, it’s the customer service and promise of certain things. I temporarily cancelled my subscription. I was promptly sent an incentive email to sign up again for a good price but that I would also receive a £10 m and s voucher. I was sent my voucher a week after but it had no credit on it when there should have been £10. I got in touch. Took a good week to reply. The person that responded was polite and promised a replacement and it would take another week or so. Fair enough. It arrived today. £0 on the replacement voucher. Whilst I’m not that bothered about the voucher, if you’re going make incentives or lure your customers back do it well! Just seems kind of scam like.