# Magazines and changing addresses **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 8, 2019, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magazines-and-changing-addresses/835204 "2019-06-08T07:08:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magazines-and-changing-addresses/835204/1 "2019-06-08T07:08:31Z")
I moved in April. The new address is in the same town with the same post office, but has a different zip code. I subscribe to two magazines and used to subscribe to a third. Despite me not resubscribing last year, they stll send it to me. Mag 1: immediately changed my address using their online page. This magazine mails their magazine out 5 or 6 weeks early because it has time sensitive info which they need to get to international subscribers. I changed the address about the 20th of April, so I figured that with a month lead time, they should send the July issue to the new address. Mag 2: I tried to change, but the on-line change of address page wanted some data that’s on the mailing label. Unfortunately, I donate my already-read magazines to the local library so I didn’t have a mailing label. Eventually, I found their phone number and changed it that way. Well I talked to a real person, but when she tried to enter my new zip code, their software didn’t like it. The local post office has several zip codes, so I had her put one of the others in. Mag 3: I ignored. Did not even think of trying to change my address with them. The results: Mag 1: received the July issue later than usual since it had to be forwarded from the old address. Mag 2: have only received a couple issues (it’s bi-weekly) forwarded from the old address. Once I got one, I changed the zip code on-line. It didn’t have a problem with it. Likely there’s still an issue or two being forwarded. There may be one more than that before they get the right address. Mag 3: May issue sent to new address. None had to be forwarded. OK, the first two don’t really surprise me. I’ve subscribed to both for a long time and they are always slow to update their mailing labels. They must print them off a couple months in advance or something like that. Mag 3? I only subscribed for a couple years, so don’t know their history. But how in hell did they find my new address? I changed my address with various institutions (post office, of course, DMV, election office, bank, broker) but none of those guys should have passed it along to a random magazine. At least, I don’t think so. Can they get some kind of notice from the PO or DMV that one of their subscribers has changed their address? Perhaps paying for this service? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magazines-and-changing-addresses/835204/2 "2019-06-08T07:13:06Z")
The post office [sells access to the address change database](https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2013/07/08/how-the-post-office-sells-your-new-address-with-anyone-who-pays-and-the-little-known-loophole-to-opt-out/#78bf06a539f3). All a company needs to know is your old address, which a magazine publisher obviously would. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magazines-and-changing-addresses/835204/3 "2019-06-08T07:33:53Z")
OK, that explains Mag 3. It’s unlikely they’d subscribe to the PO, but rather a data broker. The $190,000 PO fee would be way too steep for this particular magazine. This also explains the “welcome to the new neighborhood” ad from GEICO I got at the new address.