New Scientist is a science and technology publication offering magazine subscriptions and digital access to science news and analysis. This page aggregates customer ratings and reviews to help you understand what subscribers experience with their service, from article quality to subscription management and customer support.
New Scientist Reviews
2.3
18 reviews
What Shoppers Say About New Scientist
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
New Scientist receives highly polarized reviews, with shoppers divided sharply between strong detractors and satisfied readers. The dominant complaint centers on subscription management: customers report that canceling subscriptions through the website or app is deliberately difficult or impossible, with help sections directing users to non-existent settings. Additional recurring issues include aggressive promotional email spam without clear disclosure of auto-renewal charges, unclear billing amounts at subscription end, inflexible subscription start dates, and unresponsive customer service that repeatedly requests information already provided. Some subscribers also question whether the publication has shifted toward trending topics rather than rigorous scientific analysis.
The minority of positive reviewers appreciate the quality of individual articles and value the publication as an alternative to politically-charged mainstream science coverage. However, these positives are substantially outweighed by the subscription and customer service complaints. Shoppers explicitly warn prospective subscribers that the experience will be frustrating, and many who learned of others' difficulties chose not to subscribe at all. The pattern of feedback suggests that while editorial content may merit praise, the business practices around subscriptions significantly damage customer satisfaction and trust.
Customer Reviews (18)
Sorted by: Most recentPatricia K.May 8, 2024
I've subscribed to this magazine for 36 years and really valued what it brought to my life. The quality of information and thoughtful approach shaped how I think about the world. Sadly, things have taken a nosedive lately. The writing has gotten worse, the administration is a disaster, and costs have skyrocketed. The magazine feels thin now with flashy covers and surface-level articles that read more like tabloid journalism. Given that Daily Mail owns it now, maybe that explains the shift. What's worse is the constant marketing of expensive cruises and trips that clog up both the magazine and my email, and good luck trying to navigate their website to unsubscribe from this junk or stop them from collecting your data. It's clear they only care about squeezing short-term profits for shareholders. The quality of the product, the integrity of the science, and what subscribers actually want don't seem to matter anymore.
Margaret S.Mar 14, 2024
Total scam, seriously don't do it. I bought a promotional subscription, unchecked the renewal option, and made sure they didn't store my payment info. Yet three months later they charged my account 45 pounds without permission. Now I'm sitting around waiting over a week to get my money back, which hasn't shown up yet. Don't fall for their tricks.
Sarah J.Jul 2, 2020
I accidentally placed a subscription order and immediately contacted them by email and phone to cancel within the two week window. They said they'd look into it and get back to me via email, but nothing came through. It took many follow up attempts to actually get anywhere with this company. UPDATE: Finally got my refund after three weeks, so that's good at least.
Lawrence C.Jun 19, 2020
The material stays top notch. I genuinely look forward to each week's issue because of the variety and quality of reporting. The ability to look through past articles on their site is really helpful too.
William T.May 1, 2019
This magazine has been part of my routine for fifty years now. I genuinely anticipate getting each new issue.
New Scientist Review FAQ
What is New Scientist's average rating on RetailCoupons.com?
New Scientist is rated 2.3 out of 5 based on 18 customer reviews on RetailCoupons.com.
What do customers praise most about New Scientist?
Customers who rate New Scientist positively highlight the quality of individual articles and appreciate it as a science publication that avoids heavy politicization found in mainstream media outlets.
What are the most common complaints about New Scientist?
The overwhelming majority of negative reviews focus on subscription problems: customers report that canceling is nearly impossible through the website or app (with help sections pointing to non-existent settings), unclear billing disclosures, aggressive promotional email spam, auto-renewal surprises, inflexible subscription start dates, and difficulty reaching responsive customer service.
Do customers recommend subscribing to New Scientist?
Most reviewers explicitly advise against subscribing, citing frustration with the subscription model and customer service. Some potential customers have chosen not to subscribe after reading negative reviews about cancellation and billing practices.
How can I write a review of New Scientist on RetailCoupons.com?
You can share your own experience with New Scientist on RetailCoupons.com to help other shoppers make informed decisions. Reviews should detail your actual experience with their subscription service, customer support, and content quality.