I would like to mention that the following review is a combination of what I feel about the magazine itself and also about the media house that sells this magazine in our country.
With respect to the magazine, the content of magazine is good, from a quality perspective. The topics are thoroughly researched and written well by the authors. Some of the columns are of very high standards. The downside is that the content is mainly USA centric and there are too many ads for a magazine of that size.
Now, a bit about India Today group, who market this magazine on their website. I’m not sure what kind of business they are running. I wouldn’t be exaggerating much if I say that they just ignore the complaints / feedback provided by the customers / readers. They have a so-called "Customer Care" just for the sake of having it.
It all started with a promotional e-mail that was sent to me by this media house, who do not even know what business ethics are. The e-mail mentioned that I would get certain discount on annual subscription of TIME magazine and would get a free gift as well. It clearly mentioned that I could cancel the subscription anytime if I don’t like the magazine and there are no strings attached.
I purchased an annual subscription and started receiving the magazine. They sent me the free gift after 4 months from the start of the subscription. After 6 months from the start of subscription, I wanted to cancel my subscription and requested for the same, citing the reason that the content is USA centric and there are too many ads.
Initially they mentioned that I cannot cancel since I have received a free gift(some sub-standard bags). When I insisted that nothing of that sort was mentioned to me initially, they agreed to cancel the subscription. They mentioned that the refund amount would be sent to me after 2 months. It has been 8 months since they made that commitment, but I’m still waiting for that refund amount.
I have been sending e-mails regularly to check the status(have sent at least 20 e-mails until now), but the so-called customer care either ignores my e-mails completely or once in 2 - 3 months replies back saying that they are processing that refund.
Towards the end, I would like to request all readers not to go for any long term subscription with India Today group. I wouldn’t wish that any other reader goes through the pain I have been going through, after making a mistake of purchasing a long term subscription with this media house.