Thank you. I think I have reached "the put up and shut up" stage. I do feel a bit cheated on this one. However my son has received the first copy (28th Dec.) but rest assured I will NOT be renewing next year whatever the offer is.

Thank you for that. We did send an e-mail to Spectator in response to their confirming letter which was dated the 20th December. This letter told me that the champagne etc. was unavailable and the book "real life" by Meissa Kite, incidentally one of Spectators columnists was on it's way, so therefore too late to alter gift. I received this letter on the 3rd Jan. and book on the 4th. Apparently the diaries are available to buy but they chose not to send me one. This is clearly how they work and I will not be renewing it next year. It is a christmas present for my son. I didn't buy it for the free gifts but it was an attractive package.

I bought a subscription to 'The Spectator' magazine as a christmas present, including their offer of a christmas gift of a half-bottle of champagne, pocket diary, and money-off voucher. This was clearly stated on their website before Christmas. However, on confirmation of the subscription, the gift of champagne and a diary (worth £30-40) have been replaced by the gift of a previously unrequested paperback book (worth about £10). It seems that they can do this because the 'gift' is subject to availability. Anyone else have any experience like this, and suggest what further action I can take? Are the promises made about gifts worth anything at all? Thanks in advance!