What's with the July issue????

Guys,

The OP had several complaints that we are dealing with and there seems little reason to leave the thread open. If you have anything more to add, contact Tim or me directly.

Cheers, Aaron

I have no problem at all with the time my magazine arrives,There are bigger things to worry about,when it comes it comes.

I'm with Eric and Bish on this, there are far more important things to worry about in life than waiting an extra few days for a magazine.

I'm at the other end of the world compared to most of you in the US, yet my paper copy normally comes within a few days of most others online here, so I think FSM and Kalmbach are doing a great job.

Like Eric, I really don't get any mail with my name on it except for bills, so it's always a great day when FSM arrive - I couldn't care less if it's late or a store had it before me.  Just enjoy it when it comes.

I'll admit there was one instance when mine didn't come, I contacted FSM and they confirmed it had been dispatched, but obviously lost in the post.  They immediately sent me a replacement copy.  You can't deride customer service like that.

Oh, and may I add I received no compensation of any kind for the article.  I think that gives me some leverage for complaining.  YMMV.

I don't care about when the hobby shops get it and I resent that is what you...people think.  I want to read it - I saw a couple articles when I browsed through it and one is about the model I am working on.  As far as supporting FSM, I seem to recall a rather large article for FSM that appeared in April 2012.

So, go ahead and rag at me if it makes some of you feel better.  My opinion is my own and I am as entitled to it as you are to yours.

I only go to the book store once or twice a month but, I visit the mail box every day and my magazine is always a nice surprise.  I have trouble keeping my Christmas Card distribution in order once a year, so if the book store receives their shipment before I get my copy it is no big deal, I need not be the first to have a copy in hand I have far too many other nagging issues to deal with to quibble over delivery precedence.

I'm with Eric. I don't pursue a hobby as a reason to get angry and rant about things.

Anybody who gets upset about how soon a local hobby shop gets merchandise should consider how lucky he is to have a local hobby shop.  The closest one to me is 35 miles away.

I've been an FSM subscriber for quite a few years, and my copies invariably arrive a few days earlier than they turn up at the one local retailer who sells them: Barnes and Noble. In any case, with all due respect to the magazine, I don't think there's any material in it that I need in a desperate hurry. I subscribe for two main reasons: to save a little money, and to get access to this Forum. It's a pleasant part of my existence - except when members use it to launch diatribes at either the management or each other. Especially unjustified diatribes.

I've been building models for 58 years. My principal interest is sailing ships, which scarcely ever get covered in FSM.  But I find almost everything in the magazine interesting for one reason or another.  I like to read the reviews (I buy a kit on the strength of them now and then), and I frequently find valuable stuff in articles about aircraft and armor.  I wish FSM were bigger and that more people sent in sailing ship articles (which probably would not be interesting to most other readers). But I know the editors function under restrictions - the biggest being what authors send in. (One of these days I may offer a sailing ship article myself.) In the mean time, I'll continue to subscribe.

Mr. Kidwell - thank you for your remarkably courteous and patient response. I look forward to getting my copy of the July issue within the next few days.

I get mine when it comes, and I'm extremely satisfied with that arrangement.  FSM staff do a great job, keep up the good work!

Best regards,

Brad

Winks

How come my local hobby shop has the July 14 issue of FSM and I don't even have the digital version?  You guys really don't care about us current subscribers do you? 

Hi Wink,

I just checked with distribution and we have all of the dealer copies for the July 2014 issue downstairs. They haven't left the loading dock. Subscriber issues started going out last week, and your digital copy should be available for download now.

Could you please email me the name, city, and state of the hobby shop where you saw the July copy for sale? My email address is tkidwell@finescale.com.

If you are having trouble downloading your digital copy or receiving your paper issues, please call Customer Service at 800-533-6644 or email customerservice@kalmbach.com.

Modelmaker66 wrote: That's why I cancelled my Subscription, It would show up two weeks after the book store. they don't care about subscribers and no that is not being rude. When you give them the money in advance and they take care of retail outlets before you, you know what their priority is. Now I go to the store, read what is interesting which is not much anymore and get to do it before my subscription would have arrived, free! 

Hi Modelmaker,

I regret that you had an unsatisfactory experience as a subscriber to FSM. We do appreciate your critique, however. I can tell you that everyone at FSM works hard to make the magazine the best it can be, and we do care A LOT about our readers--all of them. Without our readers, we don't have FSM. We also understand that we can't make everyone happy all of the time, so we try to make everyone happy at least most of the time.

On a personal note, I work hard to make sure the stories that come my way are as good as they can be--Mark, Aaron, Monica, and Matt all do the same. We have a great group of readers who have helped us expand the magazine and do more with it during a time when other magazines have shrunk or closed altogether. We appreciate you guys. Very much indeed.

If anyone has any questions about their subscriptions, please direct them to Customer Service, the phone number and email are listed above.

Best, 

Tim

I got my paper copy today, seems to be early this month. I am with Eric, there's to many other things to worry about than not having my copy just yet. Its a pleasant surprise when it does arrive, which I must admit, is usually earlier here than it seem to be in the States.

We get money off and subscriber only content and that's just fine by me. And on the very rare occasion an issue has been missed, the customer service was first rate.

Sometimes I feel in this age of high download speeds, on-demand movie and TV viewing, instant ticket printing, etc, we've lost our patience for things.  It feels like we demand what we feel we're entitled to and if we don't get it, we pitch our fits, display road rage, post rants, you name it.

Our hobby is supposed to be calming by its very nature.  It reminds us to shed the stresses that life imposes on us or, in some cases, that we impose on ourselves.  I hope the delaying of a publication doesn't cause that much stress in one's life.  I find that I have too many other things in my life that add stress and tear my attention away from my family and my hobbies.  That's why whenever I open up the mail box and find my copy of FSM in amongst the bills, it truly is a happy surprise.  It'll get here when it gets here but the bottom line is that it DOES get here.  I don't feel the need to be the first person in my state to receive my copy of FSM or my local newspaper.

Eric

That's why I cancelled my Subscription, It would show up two weeks after the book store. they don't care about subscribers and no that is not being rude. When you give them the money in advance and they take care of retail outlets before you, you know what their priority is. Now I go to the store, read what is interesting which is not much anymore and get to do it before my subscription would have arrived, free!

I'm not being rude.  I pay for a magazine in paper and a digital copy.  Why shouldn't I get it before the local hobby shop? The fact that I don't means I as a subscriber am not a priority.  If you define that as rude, well, show me how it is.

There is no need for you to be rude on here.