? for Canadians - Do You Subscribe?

[Jen]

I have a question for all the Canadians out there (I know there are at least a few of us!) How many of you subscribe to CL? Here in Vancouver the magazine rarely hits the stands before the beginning of the month (although I did get May's issue on the 26th of April). I've never subscribed because I figured it would cost too much with the dollar being so low. But the other day as I excitedly devoured my new issue (in the car, in the dark, with the dome light on so I could see - I couldn't wait until I got home!), my DH looked at me with pity and asked why I don't just subscribe. The card in the magazine said $14/year, plus $15 for non-US residents, plus $2 delivery. So that's $31 US, which I figure is about $50 CDN. Right now I pay about $5 per issue, which is about $55. So it is a bit cheaper. But with all the posts on this board about difficulty with delivery, I'm wondering whether it's worth it? I don't know whether they may use a different distributor in Canada or something.

So, the bottom line is...how many of you subscribe? Do you find it cheaper? And do you get your magazine at a regular time each month, before it hits the stands? Are there any other "bonuses" for subscribing?

Thanks in advance!
Jen

[lanie]

Hi Jen - I do subscribe - but in the future I will purchase from the store - it comes way after everyone else has posted 'tried' recipes - sort of annoying - IMHO - don't subscribe - even for the little saving.

Elaine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[jd]

Hi Jen! I'm in Toronto and don't subscribe. I usually find next month's on the stand during the last week of the month and buy it. I've heard that most stores put out new issues on Wednesdays - but haven't verified that. I'm a bit miffed that my usual grocery store has changed magazine suppliers and they don't always have CL now, so I'm using a couple of other stores at the end of the month. Mail from the US to Canada is notoriously slow, and I would suspect that shipment of magazines is second or third class mail and would be even slower.
I subscribe to Chatelaine and get always see the new issue on the stand two weeks before I receive it, but at $1 an issue through the subscription, I'll put up with it.
It will be interesting to hear what others have found!

[aka]

Hi Jen,
I also live in Vancouver and I subscribe to CL. My situation is a little "special" though, because I was living in the US up until 8 months ago. Before I moved back to Canada (I'm originally from Ontario), I "maxed out" the subscriptions to all the magazines DH and I get....if you renew your subscription and then move, they don't charge you the extra $$. So, I got the nice cheap US rate until 2003. Then, I bought MasterCook and it comes with a free year, so I'm set until 2004.

I get my issues usually somewhere between the 9-14th of the month (meaning, I don't expect to get my May issue until then). It's really frustrating to see it on the news stands much before these dates and to read all the great reviews. I know when I get my issue that it'll be another week on the boards and then the next months comments will start!

If I didn't have such a great deal on my subscription, I don't think I'd subscribe...I'd spend the extra money and get my issues at a better time.

Lilia

[Luiza]

I live in Montreal, and here the new issue of CL hits the stands at the same time as in US (I think). I got the May issue the Monday after the first post on the BB that somebody received it (usually I have to wait an extra week, but never more). I would be terribly frustrated to have to wait for the magazine, even with the lower price.

By the way, I haven't seen many grocery stores here carrying CL (although they did carry the Make-Ahead Supplement); I go to a specialized magazine store to buy it. Fortunately the magazine stores are all over the place.

Jen, if you decide to subscribe, good luck with the post office gremlins.

[This message has been edited by Luiza (edited 04-28-2001).]

[erinyyc]

I did about a year ago but found I could get it a couple of weeks earlier in the store, so I stopped.
Erin http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Jen]

Thanks guys...it looks like you've answered my question! I think I'll hold off on subscribing for now. I was never that concerned about the extra $5 per year, but I thought if I could get it earlier it might be worth it. If I'm going to get it later, then forget it!!

BTW, Luiza, don't despair...it was only in about the last year - 1.5 years that CL has been really readily available here (at least that I've noticed). And on the West Coast, we seem to get the "healthy" stuff before everyone else in the country. So I'm sure it won't be long before Montreal has it around also. (I lived in Montreal for a few months about 6 years ago - I loved those magazine stores on St. Catherines...at the time we didn't have anything like that here, but they're just starting to pop up!). Plus, you get all the trendy shoes and clothes from Europe way before us - so you definitely have an advantage in that department!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[funnybone]

I'm originally from Ontario, but did not subscribe while in Canada. However, I used to buy them on occasion back then, and even have some 1992 issues lying around.

I did however send a friend in Canada a subscription as a gift, but I don't dare tell her when I have received a new issue. She lives in a fairly rural area, and really could not find the magazine in her local stores.

[crazycook]

My subscription ended with the April issue and I decided not to renew. There is no real price break for Canadians since our "funny" money isn't worth much. I'd rather buy it and get my magazine earlier. I usually had to wait until the 14th-19th of the publication month for the issue. There were many times that my magazine would go "missing" (I could swear my mailperson is getting much slimmer!...hmmmmm) and I would call to get a replacement and then have to wait even longer!

[toothmom]

I just got a subscription for a Christmas present, but I usually end up buying the issue on the shelves as it is there 2 weeks before I get it. I can't wait for it, especially when I see the reviews on this BB. I wouldn't renew.

[Alisa]

Hello from Nova Scotia!
I've been reading CL for years (5? 10?) and have never had any problem finding on the news stands - in fact I usually pick it up at the farmer's market. I've never subscribed because I can get it so much earlier otherwise, and until recently it was actually cheaper not to subscribe! I've had the May issue for two weeks now.

[JJ40]

Luiza, how come I live in Montreal too and I still haven't got my May issue? Wah!

I currently subscribe but think I will let the subscription lapse. I'm really not saving that much money with a subscription, plus it arrives much sooner at the newsstand than it does in my mailbox.

Julie http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Sarah]

As another Ontarian, I've never subscribed either, but it's suddenly been a hard magazine to find. AND the price has gone up!! I'm starting to think that even with the bad exchange, I'd be best off to subscribe!

Sarah

[Luiza]

Julie, I hope you received your magazine by now. This is exactly why I don't subscribe: it must be so annoying. I bought mine 3 weeks ago! (or I shouldn't mention that?) I suggest shopping for some of those trendy shoes Jen was mentioning in order to feel better -- that's what I was doing last weekend and it definitely cheered me up! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

BTW, I found cooked turkey sausages at Costco, and they are quite good. Metro seems to be carrying a type of raw chicken sausage (haven't tried it yet though), and I saw fat free sour cream as well (not that I feel like trying it, but still). We're moving up in the world http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Jen, Montreal _is_ all about clothes and shoes at this time of the year. Terrible. And addicting. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Luiza

[peajaybee]

Jen, I'm not a Canadian, but moved to Montreal less than a year ago. This past Christmas, my mother gave me a subscription to CL. You guys have answered a question I was concerned with just this evening: Where's my CL??? I'd seen it out on the stands for weeks now, but nothing in the mail. Given it takes so long for it to arrive via mail, I probably won't re-subscribe.

And Luiza...I've seen CL at the drugstore chains here in town. I'm still not familiar with the French so won't try to spell their names. : )

Thanks for the info,

Peajaybee

[peajaybee]

Sorry, Luiza...I misunderstood. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I've not looked to see if it's in the supermarkets (or absent in the supermarkets) as you said. I'll make a note to check that out.

Oh, yeah...I'm looking forward to summer in Montreal! I made it through my very first Canadian winter and feel I've paid my dues. So far summer's looking reeeeal good. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

And thanks for your (and others') postings regarding food finds on the Island. It's taking some adjusting to some of the food/cooking differences (e.g. grams of spaghetti verses lbs; produce in French--ONLY!--many times...). I'm growing used to it, though.

P

[aka]

Hey...thought I'd share the good news...got my CL in the mail today...May 2nd I can't believe it!! Considering I wasn't expecting it until next week (if I was lucky) I'm quite happy.

Lilia

[Luiza]

Uh, guys, I have absolutely no problem finding CL in Montreal. I just haven't seen it at grocery stores, which I thought was funny. Guess that wasn't clear. Thanks for the suggestions though.

Peajaybee, don't worry, after being a while in Montreal, you'll be able to mangle French
as well as the rest of us http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Enjoy summer, it's great here!

[lanie]

Just to tell you - after my 'complaint' - my CL arrived on Tuesday - I am in Toronto - so I guess that is not bad! It is the first time that it has arrived so early. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif