[Always] Discount magazines (Wired, Popular Science, Motor Trend, etc.) $3 to $6/year
Many thanks to Pathfinder35, who put together this FAQ section.
Also, please remember to thank the person who posts the good deal.
Q. So how do I buy magazine subscriptions at US prices and have them delivered to my Canadian address?
Follow these simple steps:
1. Find a US address to use, it has to be a real (valid) American address and write it down so you remember it
2. Sign up for a magazine with that US address as your shipping address.
3. Wait 2-6 weeks and log on to the magazine's sub services/support page with your US address and/or email. If your account doesn't show up yet, wait another week or two. If you are able to log on, proceed to step 4.
4. Change your shipping address to your Canadian address.
5. Wait for your first issue to arrive in the mail and enjoy your magazine for less than a dollar/50 cents an issue!
Q What US address should I use?
An address of a relative or friend in USA would be great. If not, just choose any library, women’s shelter or other public organization’s address in US. If you can't change address later for some reason at least the magazines will still be read by someone. It also helps if you pick an easy to remember address.
Q I'm confused - when do I use my real address and when do I use an American address?
You use your real name and Canadian address for billing and the American name and address for a shipping address. For instance, you are buying a subscription for your “cousin” in the US. You get the bill, but the magazine goes to your “cousin” in the US.
Q So I can subscribe to any magazine at USA prices - great! What websites sell magazine subscriptions?
There are many magazine agencies that sell subscriptions for hundreds of magazines.
This thread generally lists subscriptions that are on sale for under $10.
Q For payment, should I use only a paypal account or can I use my credit card?
Paypal is preferable as you don't have to enter in a billing address but many people have also used a credit card with no problems.
Q Help - my Canadian billing address isn't being accepted in the billing address fields! What can I do?
If the website's billing address doesn`t accept Cdn postal code & province, try to enter those values along with street address in the street address 1& 2 fields and select something like Ontario for city and California - CA - for state and 00000 for zip, for example. Or select Paypal for billing option, if available.
Q I notice that are a lot of the posts on this thread are about magazines on sale on discountmags.com and Tanga.com. Are they safe and reputable sites?
Yes, many people have ordered subscriptions thru them and have had no problems.
Q. I've subscribed and changed my address but I haven't received my first issue yet. How long does it normally take to receive the first issue?
Please read this article to understand why it takes so long to receive your first issue:
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Re ... Long/42862
In general:
Weekly Subscriptions take approximately 6-10 weeks to start
Monthly Subscriptions take approximately 8-12 weeks to start
Bi-Monthly and Quarterly subscriptions take 10-16 weeks to start
Q How about XYZmag.com site?
You'd have to post your question. There are lots of discount magazine sites we know some of them, but not all of them.
Q My account isn't showing up at the magazine's sub services webpage and I can't log on. It's been over a month. What should I do?
You can wait some more or you can email or phone the magazine and explain to them how you subscribed to their magazine but haven't been able to log on yet. You can also mention that you need to perform an address change.
Q Will they be suspicious if I call and talk to them?
No - many Americans move to Canada each year and need to have their magazine address changed. Generally the customer service agents are friendly and they are just glad that you are not cancelling your subscription.
Q If I can't change my shipping address to my Canadian address until after a month or longer, then I'll miss an issue. What should I do?
Once you've logged onto the magazine's website, most magazines allow you to report that you've missed an issue. They will extend your subscription by the number of missed issues.
Also remember that you are paying less than 50 cents per issue in most cases, so not a huge financial loss. This is the reason we suggest you use a shelter/library address in the USA so the missed magazines will be read by someone.
Never ask the agency where you bought the mag from to change your address - at best, they will say they can't do it; at worst they will cancel your order. Always change your address with the publisher or magazine's web site/email/call center.
Q How do I do magazine renewals?
You can try to sign up with the same American address and email. Some magazines will add it onto your existing account as it's tied to your email.
If this doesn't work, you'll just have to time it right to end your current sub one month and start receiving your new sub the following month. Again, at these prices, it's not a huge financial loss if you receive duplicate issues for 1 or 2 months.
Q Do you have a list of magazine subscription/change of address webpages?
http://www.changeofaddress.org/magazine ... s-changes/
Q How about magazine phone numbers?
See this page - http://www.deekins.com/magazine-contact ... ation.html
Q Amazon has great prices for magazine subs. Is Amazon a good site to buy a sub from?
Yes, they are. Subs bought from Amazon can usually be found on the magazine change of address website in a week or less. But a couple caveats:
Do not use their magazine subscription service to change your address. You must go to the magazine website to do that. And you must make sure to cancel their 'auto-renew' service before your sub expires or Amazon will renew your sub at the going rate instead of the sale rate you bought it.
Q I have too many subscriptions and I can't keep track of them - can you help?
Yes! TechGuyMTL created a spreadsheet to track your subs (post 2327):
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merged-d ... st13832461
Q What do 'from SD' and 'from FW' mean?
'SD' and 'FW' are acronyms for SlickDeals and Fatwallet, 2 deal sites like RFD in the US. You can find deals for magazines posted on those 2 sites
Q. I’d like to post some deals on this thread, how do I do it?
Before you post any deals, be sure to read the last couple of pages of the thread to make sure they haven’t been posted already, if they haven’t been posted, jump right in and post, (everyone here loves a good deal!) Be sure you list the magazine, the price, the link to the site and any discount code that applies to the deal and (if applicable) an expiry date for the deal.
Q. The discount code doesn't go through, what do I do?
One thing you do NOT do is to bombard the original poster with messages] that the code doesn't work. Codes that are posted are valid at the time of the initial posting and usually for discount mags or tanga, they are valid for 24 hours. On the rare occasion that they code doesn't work, wait a bit and try again, if it still doesn't go through, try posting on the forum and asking if any one has had any luck with the code going through or not.
Q Will I receive the Canadian or American version of Reader's Digest when I switch my address to Canada?
The American version, you will not be able to switch to the Canadian version.
Q I don't see any deals for Scientific American or National Geographic or Consumer Reports.
How about xyz mag? How come?
Some magazines don't go on sale very often or at all. RFD members post what's found on the web, so please do not make requests, if there is a deal, it will be posted. At this moment, there is the link to the ongoing National Geographic magazine deal: https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/NG/NGM/10023 ... 8990&vid=2
Q I've seen a website that offers subs for $2 or a 3 month trial - are these good deals?
If you mean websites from mybonuscenter.com or bluedolphin-magazines.com, the answer is no for Canadians.
They sent a postcard to the shipping address before the sub starts to confirm the order and they also auto-renew at a much higher rate.
They also send a postcard to cancel your subscription which can get lost in the mail.
See this thread on slickdeals - http://slickdeals.net/f/3393474-2-00-Ma ... -40-Titles
Q They still cost too much - I want free subs! Where can I get those?
There's a RFD Freebies thread that lists free US magazine subs.
Q I want to order a mag from from discountmags.com but it's not on sale. Are there codes that work everyday?
Yes - One of the following codes should give you 20% off their everyday price (but they don't stack onto any other deal codes).
Try code WOOT, NICKELS, TECHBARGAINS, DEALNEWS or FRUGALCOUPON
Q I have questions not answered here - where can I get more info?
You can post the question here after searching the thread for an answer.
There is also a sticky thread in the Freebies section about free mag subs where questions/comments about similar issues are posted.
Also, please remember to thank the person who posts the good deal.
Q. So how do I buy magazine subscriptions at US prices and have them delivered to my Canadian address?
Follow these simple steps:
1. Find a US address to use, it has to be a real (valid) American address and write it down so you remember it
2. Sign up for a magazine with that US address as your shipping address.
3. Wait 2-6 weeks and log on to the magazine's sub services/support page with your US address and/or email. If your account doesn't show up yet, wait another week or two. If you are able to log on, proceed to step 4.
4. Change your shipping address to your Canadian address.
5. Wait for your first issue to arrive in the mail and enjoy your magazine for less than a dollar/50 cents an issue!
Q What US address should I use?
An address of a relative or friend in USA would be great. If not, just choose any library, women’s shelter or other public organization’s address in US. If you can't change address later for some reason at least the magazines will still be read by someone. It also helps if you pick an easy to remember address.
Q I'm confused - when do I use my real address and when do I use an American address?
You use your real name and Canadian address for billing and the American name and address for a shipping address. For instance, you are buying a subscription for your “cousin” in the US. You get the bill, but the magazine goes to your “cousin” in the US.
Q So I can subscribe to any magazine at USA prices - great! What websites sell magazine subscriptions?
There are many magazine agencies that sell subscriptions for hundreds of magazines.
This thread generally lists subscriptions that are on sale for under $10.
Q For payment, should I use only a paypal account or can I use my credit card?
Paypal is preferable as you don't have to enter in a billing address but many people have also used a credit card with no problems.
Q Help - my Canadian billing address isn't being accepted in the billing address fields! What can I do?
If the website's billing address doesn`t accept Cdn postal code & province, try to enter those values along with street address in the street address 1& 2 fields and select something like Ontario for city and California - CA - for state and 00000 for zip, for example. Or select Paypal for billing option, if available.
Q I notice that are a lot of the posts on this thread are about magazines on sale on discountmags.com and Tanga.com. Are they safe and reputable sites?
Yes, many people have ordered subscriptions thru them and have had no problems.
Q. I've subscribed and changed my address but I haven't received my first issue yet. How long does it normally take to receive the first issue?
Please read this article to understand why it takes so long to receive your first issue:
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Re ... Long/42862
In general:
Weekly Subscriptions take approximately 6-10 weeks to start
Monthly Subscriptions take approximately 8-12 weeks to start
Bi-Monthly and Quarterly subscriptions take 10-16 weeks to start
Q How about XYZmag.com site?
You'd have to post your question. There are lots of discount magazine sites we know some of them, but not all of them.
Q My account isn't showing up at the magazine's sub services webpage and I can't log on. It's been over a month. What should I do?
You can wait some more or you can email or phone the magazine and explain to them how you subscribed to their magazine but haven't been able to log on yet. You can also mention that you need to perform an address change.
Q Will they be suspicious if I call and talk to them?
No - many Americans move to Canada each year and need to have their magazine address changed. Generally the customer service agents are friendly and they are just glad that you are not cancelling your subscription.
Q If I can't change my shipping address to my Canadian address until after a month or longer, then I'll miss an issue. What should I do?
Once you've logged onto the magazine's website, most magazines allow you to report that you've missed an issue. They will extend your subscription by the number of missed issues.
Also remember that you are paying less than 50 cents per issue in most cases, so not a huge financial loss. This is the reason we suggest you use a shelter/library address in the USA so the missed magazines will be read by someone.
Never ask the agency where you bought the mag from to change your address - at best, they will say they can't do it; at worst they will cancel your order. Always change your address with the publisher or magazine's web site/email/call center.
Q How do I do magazine renewals?
You can try to sign up with the same American address and email. Some magazines will add it onto your existing account as it's tied to your email.
If this doesn't work, you'll just have to time it right to end your current sub one month and start receiving your new sub the following month. Again, at these prices, it's not a huge financial loss if you receive duplicate issues for 1 or 2 months.
Q Do you have a list of magazine subscription/change of address webpages?
http://www.changeofaddress.org/magazine ... s-changes/
Q How about magazine phone numbers?
See this page - http://www.deekins.com/magazine-contact ... ation.html
Q Amazon has great prices for magazine subs. Is Amazon a good site to buy a sub from?
Yes, they are. Subs bought from Amazon can usually be found on the magazine change of address website in a week or less. But a couple caveats:
Do not use their magazine subscription service to change your address. You must go to the magazine website to do that. And you must make sure to cancel their 'auto-renew' service before your sub expires or Amazon will renew your sub at the going rate instead of the sale rate you bought it.
Q I have too many subscriptions and I can't keep track of them - can you help?
Yes! TechGuyMTL created a spreadsheet to track your subs (post 2327):
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merged-d ... st13832461
Q What do 'from SD' and 'from FW' mean?
'SD' and 'FW' are acronyms for SlickDeals and Fatwallet, 2 deal sites like RFD in the US. You can find deals for magazines posted on those 2 sites
Q. I’d like to post some deals on this thread, how do I do it?
Before you post any deals, be sure to read the last couple of pages of the thread to make sure they haven’t been posted already, if they haven’t been posted, jump right in and post, (everyone here loves a good deal!) Be sure you list the magazine, the price, the link to the site and any discount code that applies to the deal and (if applicable) an expiry date for the deal.
Q. The discount code doesn't go through, what do I do?
One thing you do NOT do is to bombard the original poster with messages] that the code doesn't work. Codes that are posted are valid at the time of the initial posting and usually for discount mags or tanga, they are valid for 24 hours. On the rare occasion that they code doesn't work, wait a bit and try again, if it still doesn't go through, try posting on the forum and asking if any one has had any luck with the code going through or not.
Q Will I receive the Canadian or American version of Reader's Digest when I switch my address to Canada?
The American version, you will not be able to switch to the Canadian version.
Q I don't see any deals for Scientific American or National Geographic or Consumer Reports.
How about xyz mag? How come?
Some magazines don't go on sale very often or at all. RFD members post what's found on the web, so please do not make requests, if there is a deal, it will be posted. At this moment, there is the link to the ongoing National Geographic magazine deal: https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/NG/NGM/10023 ... 8990&vid=2
Q I've seen a website that offers subs for $2 or a 3 month trial - are these good deals?
If you mean websites from mybonuscenter.com or bluedolphin-magazines.com, the answer is no for Canadians.
They sent a postcard to the shipping address before the sub starts to confirm the order and they also auto-renew at a much higher rate.
They also send a postcard to cancel your subscription which can get lost in the mail.
See this thread on slickdeals - http://slickdeals.net/f/3393474-2-00-Ma ... -40-Titles
Q They still cost too much - I want free subs! Where can I get those?
There's a RFD Freebies thread that lists free US magazine subs.
Q I want to order a mag from from discountmags.com but it's not on sale. Are there codes that work everyday?
Yes - One of the following codes should give you 20% off their everyday price (but they don't stack onto any other deal codes).
Try code WOOT, NICKELS, TECHBARGAINS, DEALNEWS or FRUGALCOUPON
Q I have questions not answered here - where can I get more info?
You can post the question here after searching the thread for an answer.
There is also a sticky thread in the Freebies section about free mag subs where questions/comments about similar issues are posted.