Cancel The Phoenix Comic the easy way

Overview

The Phoenix Comic is a weekly children s magazine of comics and stories aimed at readers aged 7 to 14. It is produced by David Fickling Comics and offered as single issues, short trial offers and multi-month subscriptions.

Distribution and format

The magazine is published weekly and available as single issues in shops and via subscription from The Phoenix online shop. Single issue shop prices are published at retail outlets such as WH Smith and Waitrose.

Audience and editorial focus

The Phoenix focuses on original comic stories, illustrated features and age-appropriate content for junior readers. The service operates subscriptions and one-off purchases for UK delivery.

Web - cancel via account portal

1. Open your Solo account at the portal you used to subscribe (account.thephoenixcomic.co.uk).
2. Sign in with your username and password.
3. Open the Subscriptions section and select the active Phoenix subscription.
4. Click Cancel subscription and confirm the cancellation when prompted.
5. Save or screenshot the confirmation page and wait for the confirmation email.

Phone

1. Call +44 (0) 1858 438818 and have your customer number and delivery address ready.
2. Tell the agent you want to cancel the subscription and ask for a cancellation reference number.
3. Request a confirmation email and note the processing time; cancellations are applied during daily processing at midnight.

Email

1. Send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] including your full name, customer number, delivery address and a clear statement: "Please cancel my subscription."
2. Keep the sent email and save the reply as proof.
3. If a refund is due under cooling-off rules, request it in the same message.

Post

1. Write a letter addressed to The Phoenix Comic, Tower House, Sovereign Park, LE16 9EF Market Harborough, United Kingdom.
2. Include customer number, delivery address, a typed or clearly written cancellation statement and signature.
3. Send by recorded delivery and keep the receipt.

Bank - cancel Direct Debit

1. Contact your bank or use online banking to cancel the Direct Debit instruction for DAVID FICKLING COMICS LIMITED.
2. Keep the bank cancellation reference.
3. Confirm with The Phoenix that your subscription has also been cancelled to avoid resuming service.

Moving address or delivery problems

If you move and no longer receive delivery, provide your customer number and new delivery address to The Phoenix. The company s published guidance asks for customer number and delivery address when contacting support. If The Phoenix cannot deliver to your new address, you may cancel by clear statement to the trader. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; Subscription Contracts Act 2024.

Price increase

If The Phoenix raises the subscription price for an ongoing contract, you have a right to cancel the contract if the price increase is not agreed in your original terms. Provide your customer number and the date you were notified of the increase when you contact support. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and Consumer Rights Act 2015 protect against unfair contract terms; Subscription Contracts Act 2024 covers renewal notices.

Death of the subscriber

The Phoenix does not publish a detailed bereavement policy. When cancelling for death, contact The Phoenix by email or post and include the customer number and proof of authority (executor or next of kin). The company requires a clear statement to cancel. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Legitimate ground accepted by The Phoenix

Research shows The Phoenix accepts cancellations by clear statement and will refund in defined cooling-off or accidental charge cases. For refunds after a charge taken in error, The Phoenix gives a full refund. Provide the customer number and delivery address when requesting these remedies. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; Subscription Contracts Act 2024.

End of commitment (non-renewing subscriptions)

One-off paid subscriptions such as the 6 month and 12 month plans are non-renewing. No automatic renewal occurs at the end of a paid 6 month or 12 month subscription. Provide your customer number if you want confirmation of expiry. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Cooling-off right (14 days)

For most online subscription contracts consumers have a 14 day cooling-off right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. The Phoenix s research data shows customers can receive a full refund if they cancel within 14 days of receiving the first issue or the first renewal issue for auto-renewing subscriptions. To exercise this right, make a clear statement to the trader and include customer number and delivery address. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; Subscription Contracts Act 2024 (renewal cooling-off notice requirements).

Before you cancel: how to ask for a retention offer

There are no published, standard retention discounts from The Phoenix in the available research. The Phoenix does run a trial offer (6 issues for £1 then renew at normal rate) and reserves the right to refuse repeat trial use. To request a retention offer call +44 (0) 1858 438818 or email [email protected]. Use this script: state your customer number, say you are considering cancellation and ask whether any discount, pause or alternative plan is available. Save any written offer as proof.

What cancelling saves you - yearly calculations

Use these exact published prices to calculate yearly cost and savings.

Published prices:

• Trial: 6 issues for £1, then £36.99 every 13 issues.
• 6 month subscription: one-off payment £74.99.
• 12 month subscription: one-off payment £144.99.
• Single issue (shop): £3.25 in WH Smith/Waitrose; £3.49 when purchased from The Phoenix Shop.

Calculations:

• Buying 52 single issues at store price £3.25: 52 x £3.25 = £169.00 per year.
• 12 month subscription cost: £144.99 per year. Saving versus store single-issue price: £169.00 - £144.99 = £24.01 per year.
• 12 month subscription versus The Phoenix Shop single-issue price £3.49: 52 x £3.49 = £181.48; saving = £181.48 - £144.99 = £36.49 per year.
• Using the post-trial recurring rate of £36.99 every 13 issues: annual cost = 4 x £36.99 = £147.96; saving versus WH Smith price = £169.00 - £147.96 = £21.04 per year.
• If you cancel a 12 month subscription you avoid paying £144.99 in the year ahead.

Cheapest published competitor from research: Patch Magazine at £3.99 monthly = £47.88 per year. If you switch from a Phoenix 12 month subscription (£144.99) to Patch (£47.88) your annual saving would be £144.99 - £47.88 = £97.11.

Key United Kingdom consumer law

The main protections are the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Subscription Contracts Act 2024 adds rules on renewal cooling-off notices. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces rules on unfair auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel subscriptions.

Cooling-off and refunds

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you have a 14 day cooling-off right that starts from the day after you receive the first supply of goods. Research confirms The Phoenix gives a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of receiving the first non-trial issue or the first renewal issue. For services the 14 day period starts from the order date. If you consent to immediate performance of digital content the right may be affected; check the trader s terms.

Escalation steps

If the trader does not resolve a cancellation or refund complaint: (1) Complain in writing to The Phoenix using [email protected] or the contact page at thephoenixcomic.shop contact; (2) Seek advice from Citizens Advice; (3) Use card chargeback or Section 75 for qualifying credit card payments; (4) Report suspected unfair auto-renewal to the CMA.

Check final deliveries and billing

Confirm the date your subscription stops and which issues you have paid for. Non-renewing 6 month and 12 month plans remain valid until the paid term ends; you will continue to receive issues already paid for.

Confirm refunds and bank actions

If you cancelled within the 14 day cooling-off period request a full refund in your cancellation message. If a Direct Debit or recurring card payment is taken after cancellation The Phoenix research says a full refund is given for accidental charges. Always cancel the Direct Debit with your bank as well and save the bank reference.

Data and re-activation

Ask The Phoenix to confirm whether your account data will be retained or deleted. To re-activate later, use the shop or the account portal. Keep your customer number and any confirmation emails in case of disputes.

Use this checklist to cancel cleanly and keep proof.

• Find your customer number and recent order details.
• Decide the cancellation method: account portal, email, phone or post.
• If using email, send to [email protected] and [email protected]; include customer number and delivery address.
• If using post, send to: The Phoenix Comic, Tower House, Sovereign Park, LE16 9EF Market Harborough, United Kingdom by recorded delivery and keep the receipt.
• Call +44 (0) 1858 438818 and ask for a cancellation reference.
• Cancel any Direct Debit with your bank and record the bank reference.
• Save all confirmation emails, screenshots and the recorded delivery receipt.
• If within 14 days of first receipt, request a full refund and cite the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.