Over 1,000 complaints in the last three years. Seriously, that's the record for Time Magazine's parent company on the Better Business Bureau. It's not just you. If you're tangled in a subscription that won't die or fighting a surprise bill, you've landed in the right place. Many people are getting fed up with the endless renewal notices and charges for a magazine they thought they canceled months ago. The most common complaints flagged on their BBB page are about billing issues and problems with the service itself, which probably sounds familiar. This guide is for when you've had enough and just want it sorted.
How to Complain About Time Magazine
Best ways to complain to Time Magazine
Navigating their customer service can feel like a maze. Here are the most direct routes to get a response.
Contact Method | Details & Availability | Why use this instead... |
---|---|---|
Phone | 1-800-843-8463 (Mon-Fri, 7 AM - 10 PM CT; Sat, 8 AM - 6 PM CT) | Best for urgent billing disputes or when you need to speak to a human being immediately. |
Online Form | Time Customer Care Page | Good for non-urgent issues or creating a paper trail. You can explain your problem without being interrupted. |
TIME, PO Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 | The slowest method, but useful for sending a formal complaint letter or if you need to mail documents. | |
Social Media | @TIME on X/Twitter | Use this for public complaints. Companies often respond faster when their brand image is on the line. |
⏱️ Estimated Response Times from Time Magazine After Complaining
Immediate to 30 minutes on the phone, but honestly, it feels longer when you're on hold listening to their promos.
Method | Expected Wait Time |
---|---|
Phone | 5 - 30 minutes |
Email / Online Form | 24 - 72 hours |
Social Media | 4 - 24 hours |
7 - 14 business days |
Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint
🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint
- Call during off-peak hours. Try calling right when they open or mid-week mornings to avoid the longest queues.
- Have your account number ready. It's usually on the magazine's mailing label. Not having it is the first thing that will slow you down.
- Be clear and concise. Know exactly what you want before you call, whether it's a refund, a cancellation confirmation, or a correction.
- Use keywords. When talking to a representative, using phrases like "unauthorized charge" or "cancel immediately" can sometimes get you routed to the right department faster.
How to Escalate Your Complaint
How to Escalate Your Complaint
If Time Magazine is ignoring you or won't resolve your issue, it's time to escalate. Don't just give up.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Your best bet is filing a complaint with the BBB. TIME USA, LLC is an accredited business and, based on their profile, they respond to most complaints filed there. It's a formal process that gets their attention. The BBB acts as a mediator to help you and the company reach a resolution. It's free to use, but be prepared to wait. It can take a few weeks for the whole process to play out, and Time Magazine might need a nudge or two before they officially respond through the portal.
State Attorney General
For issues that feel fraudulent, like continuous billing after multiple cancellation confirmations, you can file a complaint with your state's Attorney General. This is a more serious step and is best for patterns of deceptive behavior. Explain your situation clearly and provide all your evidence (emails, screenshots, etc.).
Email Template to Complain to Time Magazine
Email Template to Complain to Time Magazine
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Subscription Issue on Account [[Your Account #]]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing again to resolve an issue with my Time Magazine subscription, account number [[Your Account #]]. This is my second attempt to get help with this problem, as my previous contact on [[Date of first contact]] did not lead to a resolution.
On [[Date of incident]], I was incorrectly charged [[$Amount]] for a subscription renewal that I had already canceled. Frankly, having to spend my time tracking down this charge and writing emails about it has been incredibly frustrating.
To resolve this, I need you to process a full refund of [[$Amount]] to my original payment method immediately and provide written confirmation that my subscription has been successfully canceled and will not be billed again.
Please be aware that if I do not receive a satisfactory response and confirmation of the refund within 5 business days, my next step will be to file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
[[Your Name]] [[Your Phone Number]]
Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved
Pro Tips for Making Your Complaint Heard
- Ask for a reference number. At the end of any phone call, ask for a call reference or ticket number. It's your proof that the conversation happened.
- Request written confirmation. Whether you cancel by phone or chat, insist they email you a confirmation. Don't hang up until you have it. One user on a forum mentioned they were promised a cancellation but it never happened because they didn't get it in writing.
- Use their own language. If you're fighting a charge, reference the exact terms from their subscription policy if you can find them. It shows you've done your homework.
- Don't be afraid to hang up and call again. If you get an unhelpful representative, sometimes the fastest solution is to politely end the call and try for another one. It's a bit of a lottery.
Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to Time Magazine
Tired of getting stuck in a loop trying to cancel a magazine subscription? You cancel, they confirm, and then another bill shows up. Sound familiar? It's a common story on forums. People are sick of the runaround, the hold music, and the feeling that these companies make it difficult on purpose. Pine AI handles it for you. No more navigating confusing websites or spending your lunch break on the phone. We send the formal requests, handle the follow-ups, and make sure the cancellation actually sticks. It just saves you the headache. No joke.
Frequently Asked Questions about Time Magazine Complaint Filing

Olivia Harper
Content Manager
Olivia Harper, a Content Manager with nine years of experience, creates user-focused guides on subscription services. Featured in Digital Consumer Reports, her work simplifies subscription terms and cancellations.