Quick one, I have submitted a paper for review to a springer journal (no need to name shame the specific journal here, but clearly it has a major publisher behind them), after 4 months, there hasn't been any update. I have followed up with the editorial office a few times in that period just to see if there has been any update, other than what I can see on their online portal, but I was just assured that it is with the editor who will shortly make a decision whether to send it for review or not. I have been getting the same response for the last 2–3 months.
As a result, I have asked the journal to take it out of the journal as I have no intention to further consider this journal for my publication, but the email I got back was the same I received previously as well, i.e. the standard email "it is with the editor, a decision will be reached shortly".
You could debate if 4 months is long enough or not to request an update, but that is not what I am interested, I am more surprised that there seemingly is no interest in honouring that request.
Other than emailing the customer service from Springer (which I have done), what other options do I have to request the manuscript to be taken out? I'm not too worried that the journal is going rogue and publish the manuscript without my permission, it is just an annoyance that I can't put the manuscript into a different journal as long as it is under "consideration" in the current journal.
