Subscription Delivery

QUOTE: Originally posted by F4PHANTOMGUY I willingly admit I am not fond of the concept of DELAYED GRADIFICATION. Why do local bookstores have the latest issue of Fine Scale Modeler on their shelves when I have yet to receive my latest subscription issue? On occasion the delay has been 7 to 10 days. You would think that purchasing a subscription would at least provide the benefit of my issue arriving at my home no later than the availibility date of the issue in the local bookstores.

This is a topic that unfortunately comes up from time to time for us here. We certainly do our best to ensure subscribers receive their copies prior to an issue appearing on newsstands, but that is not always the reality. Please see my post in the thread at http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24678 for the unabridged explanation for why it sometimes happens.

Hmmmm,
how to say what I need to say without sounding like Im whinning. Well, I subscribed to finescale, with the hopes of recieving my issues before the hobby shops put them out, and reliably. This has not happened. I recieve mine anywhere from seven to fourteen days after the hobby shops put them out for sale. This is a little upsetting so I think I am going to let my subscription lapse, and will buy it from the hobby shop directly (I'm in there regularly anyways). I thought it might be a good thing, but before I renew my subscription, I will have to hear good things from the subscribers that things have changed.

jim

Exactly what I did Jim. I have subscribed several times over the last 15 years or so and I never got the magazine before it was avaliable at the LHS or grocery store.

Often times the subscription rate is discounted, especialy around the holidays. I think I've seen it up too 40% off, but I'm not sure. Heck even if it's only 20% off it sure does beat paying full price. That seams to be worth waiting for.

Darren

I used to subscribe too myself but like what some of you guys did, I had to stop because of the delays in the mail. During the first few months at the beginning of my subscription they even come wrapped in plastic but lately they come without it so sometimes especially when it rains I get my issue a bit soaked. I thought that the price wouldn't hurt that much if I just get mine from the local bookstore.

I haven't had any problems they are doing a good job for me , they are alway on time and wraped up in the plastic bag..
But one thing that I would like to know when your subscription has ended or about to end do they advise you of this and ask you to resubscride..because I think that mine has ended or about to end..

mike..

Mike

Love to know that also!!

Hey!! I have seen that PBY somewhere before!!!

cheers

Mike

QUOTE: Originally posted by mgbriggs I haven't had any problems they are doing a good job for me , they are alway on time and wraped up in the plastic bag.. But one thing that I would like to know when your subscription has ended or about to end do they advise you of this and ask you to resubscride..because I think that mine has ended or about to end.. mike..

Yes they will. You will probably receive three or four reminders before the subscription runs out.

Mine usually shows up only two or three days behind the LHS so I don't think I have too much to complain about. If it failed to show up at all as it did a few times some years into the past, I would now start to scream bloody murder about it. The reason for plastic bags in Australia must be due to shipment outside of the USA. We haven't seen plastic wrapping in a number of years. That must be why my copy looks preread when it arrives. Why subscribe if you can read it before you deliver it? LOL.

thanks claymore68..

I just recieved the December issue and noticed the card inside it advising the free gift when you subscride for 1yr/10 issues..
workbench tips 101 didn't get it . I can't see anything in the fine print not been avalible too none USA..anyone know whats happening with this..


mike

Hmmm...got my second copy of the new issue today. The first one came in a closed envelope which has never happened before-- today's came as usual- open to the air. Wonder how I got two???

Ok,
This has bugged me a little since I reupped my subscription (at an extremely high discount). Went back and read Micheal's explaination in the old thread. While I understand the second class mail issue, I still would like to get my mags before they are in the stores. Saw the new issue in Barnes and Noble yesterday.
I can take my issue a little later if I am getting 50% off the cover price. I have every issue of the mag since the first test issue. Some years I subscribe, some I pick it up at the store. I get a 10% discount at Barnes and at my local hobby shop (IPMS discount) so when I am offered a renewal at the regular subscription price, I give it a break and wait for that "special offer" to come in the mail before getting a new one.
My suggestion is give the current subscribers that special rate up front.

One thing though is the Customer Service is pretty good. Had requested my new subscrption start after a certain issue which I had picked up at the store. Yep, got the same one in the mail. Used the forum and got the CS number from Lawrence. Gave them a call and they extended my sub another issue. So I ended up with a spare issue to give away to a kid at one of our club meetings.
My suggestions is give CS a call and let them know how you feel, you never know what you will get.

"If we may be of any further assistance please contact Customer Sales and Service at 800-533-6644. Customers outside the U.S. and Canada may contact us at
414-796-8776, ext. 421, via fax at 414-796-1615."

I have had no problems with my subscription. I get timeous reminders of renewals and even if it comes later than in the LHS or bookstore, the saving that I get from a subscription when compared to bookstores makes it worth the extra wait. The delays in postage are unfortunately beyond FSM's control, but they do their best.

I sent an e-mail to Kalmbach Publishing last night . I just recieved there response about the workbench 101 tips mag that I didn't get . they said it was in the post..great to here . also found out how to keep track of my subscription through eCare account status all I had to do is registered..
I just recieved the my last issue , have to renew now..

madmike heres a link to there site..if intrested..
https://secure.kalmbach.com/advantageweb/help/asp/

QUOTE: Originally posted by mgbriggs I sent an e-mail to Kalmbach Publishing last night . I just recieved there response about the workbench 101 tips mag that I didn't get . they said it was in the post..great to here . also found out how to keep track of my subscription through eCare account status all I had to do is registered.. I just recieved the my last issue , have to renew now.. madmike heres a link to there site..if intrested.. https://secure.kalmbach.com/advantageweb/help/asp/

That's great Mike, thanks I was wondering the same thing myself re me subscription.

I also missed out on the workbench tips 101 and just figured it wasn't shipped to Aus. Could you please let me know who in Kalmbach you wrote to?

Cheers
Darren

at least in the US, the date the subscription ends is printed on the address lable.
toward the upper right hand corner.

darson

QUOTE: That's great Mike, thanks I was wondering the same thing myself re me subscription. I also missed out on the workbench tips 101 and just figured it wasn't shipped to Aus. Could you please let me know who in Kalmbach you wrote to?

I just e-mail customer service and asked them why I didn't get the workbench tips 101,I sent them my address and my account number and they e-mail me back advising me it was in the mail should get it in 4-5 days all been well..

mike