FAQs
What is an independent magazine?
An independent magazine (or ‘indie mag’) is self-published print publication produced without funding or influence from corporate business and media organisations. They provide what we call at Magalleria ‘unmediated content’. These magazines are usually created by a very small team of content creators, typically writers, designers and artists but founders may come from any field. What they have in common is a drive to connect more directly with others who have shared interests and similar information needs. Independent publishing provides a space for freedom of speech, creative freedom, expert knowledge and a type of high quality print production that is seldom seen in mass market publishing. Publications tend to be released with longer timelines – monthly, quarterly, biannually, annually – so they keep their currency for longer. They can be niche, advertisement-free, alternative or left-wing and limited edition but these are not necessarily characteristic of independent magazines and in our opinion not helpful in the way we should think about them. All independent magazines are made with passion and positive intentions – long may they last.
Do you stock back issues of a magazine?
Yes, we do stock back issues for many of our titles. We are the dream store for completists. Unlike conventional newsagents we do not return the out of date issue when a new one arrives. Buyers will invariably miss an issue, so we offer them the rare opportunity to pick it up. We’re also aware that people may discover a magazine at a time when many of the past issues have disappeared. Again, we offer that second chance. But most importantly we believe that the current issue is not always front and centre – with independent magazines the average back issue is nearly always relevant for much longer and many will contain unique information or expert knowledge.
Can you source a specific issue?
We do not list every title or issue we stock so feel free to ask if you’re on the hunt for something. Otherwise, yes, if the title or issue you are after is available to order we will do our best to obtain it. We are also open to suggestions for titles we might consider for stocking. Many of our most popular titles were suggested by customers. Time after time we find that you are the experts, not us.
Can I order by phone or email?
Yes, we can take credit card orders over the telephone. If you would like to email an order we can send you a custom payment link. Please email your order to magalleria@icloud.com
Do you offer gift cards?
We sell gift cards in denominations ranging from £10 to £100, but they can be generated for any sum. The gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. They have no additional processing fees. If you prefer to buy a physical card and have it posted to you or someone else, we can do that too, and to the value of your choice. Just email your requirement to magalleria@icloud.com. If you buy your card in our Bath store you will receive a physical card as well as the digital version.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to most countries. Check in with us if you're unsure of your international shipping zone. We send orders under 2kg with Royal Mail International Tracked. All other orders are sent with DHL Express or UPS. We encourage international buyers to email us before placing an order because we have restrictions above certain weights. This is where we can usually provide a cheaper shipping quote than the platform’s shipping calculator. If you have a preferred shipper for your region we will do our best to accommodate you.
Will I pay tax on my international order?
If you are ordering from inside the European Union (EU) the answer is, invariably, yes. For all other regions please check with your local customs authority. Where a charge is made, it will be at point of delivery as we are not currently able to include local taxes at checkout. We are working on this and will offer this service soon. For now, please understand that a request for payment on delivery is NOT an extra charge, it is merely a payment at a different stage in the process.
How are magazines packaged for posting?
All our items are packaged for maximum protection and minimal environmental impact. We only send out the most pristine magazines and books we can obtain so it is really important for us that this how you find them when they arrive. We have extensive packing and shipping experience to effectively guard against rough handling in commercial logistics. Lighter items, if not factory shrink-wrapped, will be placed in a protective, recyclable polypropylene sleeve and placed in a Jiffy Green 100% paper padded mailer. In our opinion these mailers offer by far the strongest and most robust protection available. For very delicate items we may recycle bubblewrap for additional protection. For heavier items we use double-wall recycled cardboard cartons with the addition of folded card corner protectors. We will never use plastic mailing envelopes or book wraps.
How long will my order take to arrive?
UK orders are processed and sent same day or next day for delivery within 48 hours, in normal circumstances. For orders under 2kg we use Royal Mail Tracked 48 and Second Class Tracked and Signed. For orders weighing over 2kg we use UPS Next Day. International orders are reliant on the efficiency of courier services in the destination country and local delivery partners, but delivery time usually ranges between three days and two weeks. Please contact us for specific delivery timings.
How much do you charge for shipping?
For UK orders we charge at standard Royal Mail Business rates. Large Letter is £3.89 (orders weighing 500g and under are charged at £3.38), Small Parcel is £4.40 and UPS Next Day is charged at £6.99. We do not charge for packaging.
For international orders we have five shipping zones with charges within these parameters:
Europe
| Weight | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 0.5kg | £7.00 |
| Up to 0.75kg | £9.00 |
| Up to 1kg | £12.00 |
| Up to 2kg | £15.00 |
| Up to 3kg | £20.00 |
| Up to 4kg | £25.00 |
USA
| Weight | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 0.5kg | £14.00 |
| Up to 1kg | £18.00 |
| Up to 2kg | £24.00 |
| Up to 3kg | £28.00 |
| Up to 5kg | £35.00 |
Canada
| Weight | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 0.5kg | £18.00 |
| Up to 1kg | £22.00 |
| Up to 2kg | £28.00 |
| Up to 3kg | £35.00 |
Oceania
| Weight | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 0.75kg | £16.00 |
| Up to 1kg | £18.00 |
| Up to 1.5kg | £22.00 |
| Up to 2kg | £27.00 |
| Up to 3kg | £33.00 |
| Up to 4kg | £48.00 |
| Up to 5kg | £62.00 |
Rest of World
| Weight | Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 0.5kg | £16.00 |
| Up to 0.75kg | £18.00 |
| Up to 1kg | £20.00 |
| Up to 2kg | £30.00 |
| Up to 3kg | £35.00 |
| Up to 5kg | £40.00 |
For a quote for specific weight charges or orders likely to exceed maximum weights please contact us for a quote. In fact it’s sensible to email us for all international orders because shipping rates are flexible and charges may be lower during certain periods.
Can I get free shipping?
Shipping is free to UK orders to the value of £100 and over.