The subscribed mags over here usually arrive at least a day before general release. Some up to a week before. The joy of being a subscriber.
Not sure in scale about your US ones to here. I do know, however, that it is very, very common for US parcels (especially your national USPS ones) to arrive here to Royal Mail, sit around a bit, be allegedly delivered (check the tracking) sometimes twice and then be sent back to the US to have to go through the process again. They are supposed to go to Parcel Force and through Customs and then sent on at an extra whopping postal charge. Three of my last five parcels from US have gone through this palaver. Reading material is supposed to be VAT free I believe.
I think our Posties gain a little extra Pay if they are willing to tote around all the extra junk mail!
Alex, if you yell GO when you know the next Quilt Life is in the postal system, I'll let you know when it arrives!!!
(You know it will be here in a flash!)