Frequently asked questions
Customer satisfaction is always our top priority, and as such we handle each query on an individual basis to the best of our ability.
Refunds and exchanges are accepted on merchandise within 7 days of receipt for items that have not been worn, altered or washed and with all Monocle tags attached (items must be shipped within 7 days of receipt for online orders). We do not accept refunds or exchanges on swimming trunks and briefs, as well as on unsealed CDs, DVDs, stationery items, books and prints. The same regulations apply to items on sale.
Please note shipping and handling charges are non-refundable, with the exception of returns of faulty products. Refunds will be issued to your original payment method. This does not affect your statutory rights.
How do I make an exchange or receive a refund? Please email shop@monocle.com and they will advise next steps.
Is it safe to use my credit card at the Monocle online shop?
Yes, all transactions on this website are processed using a secure online payment gateway that encrypts your card details in a secure host environment.
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What payment methods does the Monocle online shop accept?
The Monocle e-shop accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
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Which countries does the Monocle online shop ship to?
We ship to most locations globally. If you would like to confirm that we ship to you please email us at shop@monocle.com. Orders above £100 for shipment to specific countries will require pre-approved credit card verification before the goods will be dispatched. A member of our customer service team will contact you directly.
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Does the Monocle online shop ship to PO BOXES?
The Monocle online shop will ship to PO Boxes for subscriptions. For merchandise we require a signature and therefore are unable to ship to a PO BOX.
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How soon can I expect my order?
For Monocle shop merchandise this will depend on where you live. Usually, we request that you please allow 14 working days for delivery. For subscriptions, please refer to the subscriptions information below.
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Does the Monocle online shop ship to multiple addresses?
Yes, in order to ship to multiple addresses, simply set up and select a shipping address for each product.
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Can I add items to an existing order?
Unfortunately not. If you would like another item, you will have to place another order.
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VAT
Monocle is required by law to collect VAT on orders for goods despatched to most countries within the European union. Our form does not yet accommodate territory banding and so customers in non-EU countries are also charged VAT on placing an order.
We are happy to refund the VAT charged by monocle.com after your order has been dispatched. To request a VAT refund after your dispatch, please contact shop@monocle.com. Remember to include your order number with your request.
When ordering goods from monocle.com for delivery overseas, you may be subject to import duties and taxes that are levied once the package reaches your country. Any such additional charges must be borne by you; Monocle has no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country so you should contact your local customs for further information regarding charges.
Why take out a subscription?
Subscribe to Monocle for a year (ten issues) and within your first few issues you'll receive our exclusive subscriber-only tote bag. Then there's the Monocle online archive, to which only subscribers are given access (this enables you to read or search stories across our full back catalogue).
A subscription will also guarantee that you'll be among the first to receive your magazine, as we post our subscriber copies before they hit newsstands.
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There are lots of exciting developments at Monocle that will see us expanding our audio and film programmes on monocle.com and iTunes. And now there's also the MonoColumn, our daily delivery of global affairs, business and culture. We would love to have you with us as we continue to grow and invest in the best journalism from around the world and celebrate the crafts of writing, photography and printing.
We look forward to helping you keep an eye on the world!
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Why is an annual subscription £80?
Only Monocle subscribers are given access to the full Monocle online archive - a web resource of fresh reporting in high-quality audio and video which provides a weekly broadcast counterpart to your monthly print magazine
As a subscriber, you will be among the first to receive the magazine*, as we post our subscription copies before the issue hits the newsstands (*depending on your location and delivery times from the UK)
Subscribers receive exclusive offers (such as our high quality Monocle tote bag)
Subscribers receive invitations to exclusive Monocle events* (for example reader evenings, breakfast seminars and talks). *Dependent on location.
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How many issues will I receive?
The Monocle 12 issue subscription covers 10 issues and 2 newspapers, the Monocle 10 issue subscription covers 10 issues and the Monocle 5 issue subscription covers 5 issues (Monocle publishes double issues across summer and winter - July/August and December/January).
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What can I do if I forgot my password or have problems signing into my online account?
You can simply request a password reminder or re-set your password (go to www.monocle.com, select "Services" and "Shop" and sign in to view and amend your account details).
If you are having problems logging on to your account, please email us at subscriptions@monocle.com.
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Which issue will my subscription start with?
Subscription start dates are pre-specified based on our publishing schedule.
Please note that whilst you will receive the next available issue, this may not always be the issue which is available at news-stands. Depending on the date you place your order, you may be eligible for the following issue. Typically, our issues are published on the third Thursday of each month and you can expect to receive your issue around this time (with the exception of July and December months). If you would like to check which issue you'll receive, please contact subscriptions@monocle.com.
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How do I renew my subscription?
To ensure you receive continual service and no duplicate issues, it is important that you renew your existing subscription as opposed to purchasing a new subscription. To renew, please sign in at monocle.com (top right of screen). You'll be taken to your account page - please select "magazine subscription" and scroll down the page to see the two renewal options for 6 or 12 months. From there you will be taken through the usual (and secure) billing, shipping and payment screens. Please note that if your subscription has already expired there will not be an option to renew. If this is the case, you can purchase a regular subscription and it will have the same effect.
For further assistance please contact subscriptions@monocle.com.
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What are the average delivery times?
Average delivery times to each country, from date of despatch (not date of order) are:
| Lowland Europe | 3 - 5 working days |
| Central Europe | 4 - 7 working days |
| Eastern Europe | 4 - 7 working days |
| Southern Europe | 5 - 7 working days |
| Middle East | 5 - 9 working days |
| North Africa | 5 - 9 working days |
| Central Africa | 7 - 10 working days |
| Southern Africa | 7 - 10 working days |
| India/Pakistan | 7 - 10 working days |
| Far East | 7 - 10 working days |
| Japan/China | 7 - 10 working days |
| Australasia | 7 - 10 working days |
| North America | 7 - 10 working days |
| Central America | 7 - 10 working days |
| South America | 7 - 10 working days |
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How do you acknowledge receipt of my order?
Your order will be acknowledged in email and this confirmation will include a subscription reference number that you should quote in future correspondence.
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Can Monocle supply a receipt for my subscription?
The order acknowledgement email that you receive when you initially subscribe is also valid as a VAT receipt.
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In what languages can I place an order?
At present your order can only be placed in English, via www.monocle.com
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What can I do if I do not receive an issue on time?
Please contact subscriptions@monocle.com quoting your subscription reference number (provided in your first email from us).
Please remember to amend your details (you can do this in your account page) or to notify us if you change address.
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What is the process for gift subscriptions?
You can purchase either 6 or 12 month subscriptions as gifts, using the "subscriptions" category drop-down options and you can select to send a message with your gift which will be transcribed in a personalised letter. This accompanies the recipient's first copy, announcing your gift.
The gift recipient of your gift will receive their first issue in a gift wrapped envelope, with this accompanying letter which also includes advice on their subscriber benefits.
This process differs from a regular subscription in that the recipient of your gift receives whichever is the current issue of Monocle (where the first issue of a regular subscription is mailed in line with our publication schedule). If the recipient of your gift already has a subscription please check with subscriptions@monocle.com before purchasing to ensure a duplicate subscription is not created. An email address is required when placing a gift order, for the online portion of the subscription. It is also used as a reference for the subscription account. If the gift recipient does not have an email address and requires only the print subscription, please enter the following when prompted for an email address: name@noemail.com.
If you have any questions please email us at subscriptions@monocle.com.
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General Address Tips
We want to ensure you receive your magazine and on time. Providing us with error-free shipping and billing addresses will avoid unnecessary delays and get your magazine delivered as quickly as possible. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Your billing address must match the address that appears on your monthly credit card or bank statement. Be sure to check your statement for accuracy. We are not under obligation to replace copies or re-start subscriptions where incorrect address information has been provided.
Leave fields blank if they don't apply to your delivery address. Do not enter "N/A," "Not applicable," "None," "Same," etc.
Enter information in the appropriate fields. For example, do not enter city and state information in the "Address Line 2" field; use the provided city and state fields instead.
Avoid using accent marks or non-English characters. Our systems cannot process Chinese characters, Cyrillic letters, etc., and entering these into any of the address fields may delay shipment of your packages.
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Do not enter shipping or delivery instructions in any of the address fields. We are unable to accommodate requests for specific shippers.
Having trouble getting your address to fit on Address Lines 1 and 2? Here are some common abbreviations that might help:
- Apartment: APT
- Avenue: AVE
- Beach: BCH
- Boulevard: BLVD
- Building: BLDG
- Canyon: CYN
- Center: CTR
- Circle: CIR
- Court: CT
- Crescent: CRES
- Crossing: XING
- Department: DEPT
- Drive: DR
- Expressway: EXPY
- Falls: FLS
- Field: FLD
- Floor: FL
- Fort: FT
- Gardens: GDNS
- Harbor: HBR
- Heights: HTS
- Highway: HWY
- Hills: HLS
- Island: IS
- Junction: JCT
- Lake: LK
- Landing: LDG
- Lane: LN
- Lodge: LDG
- Mount: MT
- Mountain: MTN
- Office: OFC
- Parkway: PKWY
- Penthouse: PH
- Plaza: PLZ
- Point: PT
- Post Office Box: P.O. BOX
- Road: RD
- Room: RM
- Route: RTE
- Square: SQ
- Station: STA
- Street: ST
- Suite: STE
- Terrace: TER
- Turnpike: TPKE
- Valley: VLY
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Email us at shop@monocle.com and we'll be happy to assist.
