Manage Cigar Aficionado

How to cancel cigar aficionado magazine and stop unwanted charges

What is cigar aficionado and why you might want to cancel

Cigar Aficionado is a prestigious magazine and digital publisher dedicated to cigar culture, lifestyle reviews, ratings, and luxury topics. M. Shanken Communications, Inc. publishes the magazine and manages all subscriptions, customer service, and distribution across Canada.

You might decide to cancel for many reasons: the subscription no longer fits your budget, you prefer digital content over print delivery, or you simply want to reduce your magazine subscriptions. Whatever your reason, you have the right to cancel without penalty or justification. Stopee recognizes that subscription management can feel overwhelming, which is why we've created this step-by-step guide to help you take back control of your spending.

When cancellation makes sense

Cancel Cigar Aficionado if you're not reading it regularly, if the annual cost feels heavy on your household budget, or if you've switched to digital-only content consumption. You might also cancel if you're unhappy with the magazine's content direction, if delivery is unreliable, or if you want to test a different publication first.

Before you cancel, ask yourself: Have I read the last three issues? Does this subscription align with my current interests? Am I being charged for auto-renewal without reminder? If you answered no to the first question or yes to the last, cancellation is likely the right move.

Your consumer rights in canada

Canadian consumer protection law gives you strong rights when dealing with magazine subscriptions and recurring charges. These rights are your leverage if Cigar Aficionado makes cancellation difficult.

Federal and provincial protections

Your subscription is protected under provincial consumer protection legislation (which varies slightly by province) and federal privacy law (PIPEDA - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act). You have the explicit right to:

• Receive accurate billing information and clear subscription terms before you pay
• Cancel your subscription without penalty once your current paid period ends
• Dispute unauthorized or duplicate charges with your bank or credit card company
• Request that Cigar Aficionado delete your personal data or provide a copy of information they hold about you
• Receive written confirmation of your cancellation request

Pro tip: If M. Shanken Communications refuses to cancel or continues charging you after your request, you can file a complaint with your provincial consumer protection authority. In Ontario, contact ServiceOntario Consumer Protection; in British Columbia, contact Consumer Protection BC; in Alberta, contact Service Alberta.

Credit card dispute rights

If you paid by credit card and Cigar Aficionado refuses a legitimate refund or continues charging after cancellation, you can dispute the charge directly with your card issuer. Your bank or credit card company will reverse the charge while they investigate. This process typically takes 30 to 60 days, and you're protected under the chargeback rules in the Canadian Payments Association Code.

Cigar aficionado subscription pricing and plans

Understanding your current plan helps you identify what you're paying for and calculate any potential refund. Stopee encourages you to locate your most recent billing statement before you start the cancellation process.

Current subscription options

Note that introductory rates often jump to full price at renewal. If you're paying a discounted rate now, your next charge may be significantly higher-a common reason subscribers cancel.

Methods to cancel cigar aficionado

You have three reliable paths to cancel: online through your account, by phone or email with customer service, or by registered mail for maximum proof. Stopee recommends gathering your subscription details before you start, as customer service representatives will ask for them.

Gather your subscription information first

Before you contact Cigar Aficionado, locate and write down the following details from your account or billing statement:

• Your full name and address on file
• Your subscription number or account ID
• Email address associated with the subscription
• Billing statement date and most recent charge amount
• Original order confirmation or receipt

Pro tip: Take screenshots of your account page and billing history before you cancel. If disputes arise later, you'll have proof of what you were charged.

How to cancel step-by-step

Follow the method that works best for you. Each approach has strengths: online cancellation is fast, phone cancellation is personal, and registered mail gives you indisputable proof.

Method 1: cancel online (fastest)

1. Visit cigaraficionado.com and log in to your account using your email and password
2. Look for "Manage My Subscription," "Account Settings," or "Billing" in the top menu or account dashboard
3. Select your active subscription and click "Cancel Subscription" or "Turn off auto-renewal"
4. You may be offered a retention discount-accept only if you genuinely want to keep the subscription
5. Confirm the cancellation and note the effective date on the confirmation screen
6. Screenshot the confirmation page and save your confirmation email

Warning: Some publishers hide the cancellation button deep in account settings or disguise it as "manage preferences." If you cannot find it within 2 minutes of searching, move to Method 2 (phone) instead of wasting time.

Method 2: cancel by phone or email (personalized)

1. Find M. Shanken Communications' customer service contact information on the Cigar Aficionado website or your billing statement
2. Call customer service during business hours or send a cancellation email to the address listed; have your subscription number ready
3. State clearly: "I want to cancel my Cigar Aficionado subscription effective immediately [or your preferred date]"
4. Ask the agent for their name, the date and time of your call or email, and a confirmation number
5. Request that they email you a written cancellation confirmation within 24 hours
6. Write down all details in a personal record (date, agent name, confirmation number, what was agreed)

Pro tip: Call during the first week of the month when customer service wait times are shorter. If you email, send it from the email address associated with your subscription and use clear subject line: "Cancellation Request: [Your Name] - Subscription #[Your Number]".

Method 3: cancel by registered mail (legally airtight)

This method creates proof that M. Shanken Communications received your cancellation request. It's slower but invaluable if disputes arise later.

1. Write a formal cancellation letter on plain paper, typed or clearly handwritten, that includes:
   • Your full name and address on file
   • Your subscription number
   • Clear statement: "I request cancellation of my Cigar Aficionado subscription, effective [date-typically today or end of current billing period]"
   • Request for written acknowledgement: "Please confirm receipt and cancellation in writing"
   • Your contact email and phone number
   • Your signature and today's date
2. Make two photocopies of the letter (keep one for your records)
3. Address an envelope to M. Shanken Communications at their registered business address (listed on the Cigar Aficionado website or your billing statement)
4. Visit Canada Post and purchase a Registered Mail with Acknowledgement of Receipt service (costs approximately $15 to $20)
5. Send the letter via registered mail; request a tracking number and keep the receipt
6. Canada Post will provide proof that the recipient signed for the letter; retain this proof for your records

Pro tip: Registered Mail with A/R (Acknowledgement of Receipt) is the Canadian equivalent of registered mail and gives you the strongest possible proof. Wait for the signed receipt before assuming cancellation is complete.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation doesn't end immediately-there's a timeline and several things to monitor. Stopee recommends treating this period as active, not passive.

The cancellation timeline

M. Shanken Communications typically follows this sequence:

• Day 1 to 5: Your cancellation request is processed and recorded in their system
• Days 6 to 30: No new issues are shipped to you; existing auto-renewal is disabled
• Current billing period end: Your subscription officially expires; you stop receiving new issues
• Next billing cycle: No charge appears on your card (verify this yourself)

If you cancelled mid-month, you'll typically retain access to issues already paid for until the end of your current subscription period. Print magazines you've already received are yours to keep.

Monitor your payment method

Even though you've cancelled, charges can slip through due to system delays or publisher error. For 60 days after your cancellation date:

• Check your credit card or bank statement weekly for any Cigar Aficionado charges
• Watch for charges from M. Shanken Communications or related billing names
• Set a phone reminder for your next would-be billing date (e.g., if billed on the 15th, check your account on the 16th)

Warning: If a charge appears after cancellation, contact customer service immediately with your cancellation confirmation number. If they refuse to reverse it, file a dispute with your credit card issuer.

Account deletion and privacy

M. Shanken Communications may retain your account information for recordkeeping, fraud prevention, or legal compliance even after cancellation. Under PIPEDA, you have the right to request deletion or a copy of your personal data. Send a privacy request email to their privacy officer (email address usually listed on their privacy policy page) asking them to delete your account or provide all personal information they hold about you.

Will you receive a refund?

Refund eligibility depends on your subscription terms, your cancellation timing, and whether an error occurred. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate refund requests successfully-here's how to approach yours.

When refunds are possible

You may be entitled to a refund or credit in these situations:

• You cancelled before auto-renewal and your account was charged despite cancellation
• You were charged twice for the same subscription period (duplicate payment)
• The publisher made an error in your billing (e.g., charged the full price instead of the discounted rate)
• You cancelled within a cooling-off period (some provincial laws allow 14-day returns on distance sales)
• You paid for a future issue that was never delivered

When refunds are typically denied

Magazine publishers often refuse refunds for:

• Issues already delivered to you (considered "consumed" services)
• Partial billing periods (they claim you've used the service for part of the month)
• Cancellations well after purchase (no cooling-off period eligibility)
• Introductory rate promotions after the promo period ends

How to request a refund

1. Contact M. Shanken Communications customer service by phone or email with your subscription number and cancellation date
2. Explain clearly why you believe you deserve a refund: "I was charged on [date] after requesting cancellation on [date]" or "I was charged twice for the same period"
3. Provide proof: attach a screenshot of your billing statement, cancellation confirmation email, or bank transaction
4. Request a written response: "Please confirm in writing whether you will issue a refund and by what date"
5. Allow 7 to 10 business days for a response

Pro tip: Email is better than phone for refund requests because you have a written record. If the publisher refuses, reply in writing: "I dispute this decision. Please escalate this to a supervisor or provide your formal refusal in writing."

If the publisher refuses your refund

You have two escalation options:

• Credit card dispute: Contact your card issuer and file a chargeback for unauthorized or fraudulent charges. Your bank will reverse the charge while investigating. This typically succeeds if you have proof of your cancellation request.
• Consumer complaint: File a formal complaint with your provincial consumer protection regulator (e.g., Consumer Protection BC, Ontario Consumer Protection Act enforcement). Include your cancellation confirmation and refund denial letter.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancellation frustration is real, and small mistakes can delay your success or cost you money. Here's what to watch for.

Mistake 1: not disabling auto-renewal separately

Some subscriptions have two steps: (1) cancel your current term, and (2) turn off auto-renewal. If you skip step 2, you'll be automatically re-billed at the end of your current period. Always confirm that auto-renewal is explicitly disabled.

Mistake 2: forgetting to save confirmation details

If you cancel online, screenshot the confirmation page. If you cancel by phone, write down the agent's name and confirmation number immediately. If disputes arise, you'll need proof of exactly when and how you cancelled.

Mistake 3: cancelling too close to your billing date

If your billing date is tomorrow and you cancel today, the charge may process before the system registers your cancellation. Cancel at least 3 to 5 days before your next billing date when possible.

Mistake 4: assuming silence means success

Don't assume your cancellation went through just because you didn't hear otherwise. Verify by logging back into your account 48 hours later, or by calling customer service again. Watch your billing statement 30 days after cancellation.

Mistake 5: throwing away billing statements

Keep your cancellation confirmation email and billing statements for at least one year. If a charge appears unexpectedly, you'll need these documents to dispute it.

Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to stay organized and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Summary: take control of your cigar aficionado subscription

Cancelling Cigar Aficionado is straightforward when you follow the right process. You have three cancellation methods to choose from, strong consumer protections under Canadian law, and clear escalation paths if the publisher refuses to cooperate.

Your next step is simple: gather your subscription details, choose your cancellation method (online is fastest, registered mail is most secure), and execute your cancellation before your next billing date. Save all confirmations, monitor your billing statement, and don't hesitate to dispute any unauthorized charges.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers successfully cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges. You have the right to cancel without penalty, and Stopee is here to empower you with the knowledge to do it confidently. Start today, and reclaim control over your subscription spending.

Contact information for m. shanken communications

For cancellation requests, contact M. Shanken Communications customer service using the details on your billing statement or the Cigar Aficionado website. If you choose to cancel by registered mail, address your letter to the publisher's registered business address (confirm this on their website for the most current address). Include your subscription number, full name, and a clear cancellation request in writing.