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Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: jerryl on April 28, 2009, 09:58:14 PM

Title: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: jerryl on April 28, 2009, 09:58:14 PM
 Reciently I chose not to renew 2 RRmag. subscriptions.  One I had for MANY years, the other for only a few. Neither one contacted me to find out why.  Seems they would want to know if i didn't like the format, I died, was upset about the price increase or was displeased about something else. ??? Railroad mags have a small circulation compared to many other mags. & you would think they would be interested in keeping everyone they could.  Maybe things are going better for them than I think. 
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: hotrainlover on April 28, 2009, 10:05:37 PM
Same here.  I let mine go...  Recession and all.  If they had decreased their prices, (having been a customer 20+ years) I might still be a customer....  I did get 4 reminders that I was forgetting to renew ...

Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Yampa Bob on April 29, 2009, 12:26:15 AM
Since we installed indoor plumbing, we no longer have a need for magazines.   :D
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: grumpy on April 29, 2009, 12:56:14 AM
Bob
Some people like to have a library. It is usually nice and quiet so that a person can read.
Don
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: jward on April 29, 2009, 07:49:09 AM
i agree about the customer service. i subscribed to a model rail magazine over the phone back in february. i have yet to receive an issue.

oh well, the model magazines keep dumbing down their content. i'd rather read trains......
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Santa Fe buff on April 29, 2009, 08:38:49 AM
My friend had that problem. Except, his i]Model Railroader[/i] subscription was placed last December. They didn't know exactly about the problem until my friend contacted them. This was somewhere around the release of the February issue, so while they logged him into to the computer, he finally received his first issue, the March issue. He wasn't given on-line access until April, probably something got mixed up.

Try contacting them, jward, something good might happen.

I, too, think it's sad how not many Model Railroad magazines are around... Like Model Railroading, Model Trains, and a few others. At least since Kalmbach Publishing also focuses on other aspects of model trains, not to mention real trains. Kalmback Publishing may only be up and running parically due to the fact they sell other more 'in style' magazines along with Model Railroader.

See here: http://www.kalmbach.com/kpc/default.aspx

Joshua
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Kevin Strong on April 29, 2009, 11:36:13 AM
Disclaimer - while I am a regular contributor for one major magazine, I have no knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the publisher.

I would expect that just by shear numbers, contacting each individual who did not renew would be a nearly impossible task, and not worth the return on the investment. For instance, if a magazine has a paid mail subscription base of 26,000, and you figure 10% turnover every year, that's 2,600 people not renewing. At 260 business days a year, that's 10 people per day to call and check up on. In other words, that's at least one person's salary to pay just to find out why people are dropping the magazine. Assuming this is a lower to mid-level position, that's $40K plus health, payroll taxes, 401 (k), etc., probably around $60K when all is said and done. Assuming that of those 10% who drop the magazine, 10% of those can be convinced to re-up for another year, that's 260 subscriptions, at $30/year. You've just spent $60K to bring back in $7,800. In other words, you're losing money trying to keep subscribers.

Most magazines send out periodic reader surveys to try to get a pulse on what readers want, don't want, etc. That's typically the most useful tool for determining content, as the responses can be quite detailed as to why readers like or don't like something--and they're targeting all readers, not just the disgruntled ones who are leaving.

Later,

K
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Joe Satnik on April 29, 2009, 12:52:22 PM
Dear All,

Kalmabach's customer service answers its 800 number and has been very good, helpful and patient with me.

If you've got an issue, give them a call.  It's their dime. 

How can they not listen to your comment, or help you get your subscription straightened out?

If you have subscribed, the worst that can happen is they'll tell you when you should get your first issue. 

(800) 533-6644

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik   

   
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: jward on April 29, 2009, 05:50:24 PM
that's ok, except that it isn't kalmbach whose magazine i subscribed to. i will have to look up their customer service number and give it a try.
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: jerryl on April 30, 2009, 10:17:31 AM
  Yes, both mags. have my email. Wouldn't cost much to type a few words & press "SEND".    Just seems they don't care why people drop out.
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Joe Satnik on April 30, 2009, 10:42:48 AM
Jerry,

You took the time and effort to tell us.

Why not tell them?   
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Old John on April 30, 2009, 11:46:43 AM
Kalmbach's 800 Customer Service is very responsive and goes out of their way to help.  I had a billing problem on some DVD's and they stayed on the phone for 30 minutes resolving the problem.

RMC on the other hand insists that subscription questions, problems or change of address be handled via the mail.  They do offer a subscription Email address, but do not respond or acknowledge your inquiries to it.  I've sent them 4 Emails in mid March and have yet hear back.
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Kevin Strong on April 30, 2009, 02:31:46 PM
Quote from: jerryl on April 30, 2009, 10:17:31 AM
  Yes, both mags. have my email. Wouldn't cost much to type a few words & press "SEND".    Just seems they don't care why people drop out.
That's the point, though--it does cost them in terms of human resources. Sending an e-mail is free. Devoting an entire day day to the task of sending out e-mails to everyone who drops the magazine isn't free, because you've got to pay that person to send those e-mails. Your return on investment is pretty low. In most cases, it makes more sense to have that person concentrate on generating more new subscribers. So long as your overall net is positive, you're in good shape.

Some magazine business models are based on high turnover rates. For instance, my wife and I get two or three parenting magazines right now, because we've got two young children. In two more years, those magazines will have zero relevance to us. Their sales staff isn't going to call us and ask why we dropped. It's a foregone conclusion that we will have outgrown the content. Fortunately, the local maternity wards keep them supplied with plenty of new readers.

The time to tell a magazine what you think of their content is while you subscribe to them, not when you drop them. Once you've made up your mind to leave, there's little incentive on the part of the magazine to "make right." I work in TV, and it's very much the same way. When a viewer calls us and tells us they're mad and not going to watch us anymore, nothing we do is going to change their mind--even if we were to institute the changes they want. On the other hand, if a viewer calls with a suggestion as to what they think would make them more likely to continue to watch, we take that much more seriously. Our sales and marketing folks generally don't bother with the disgruntled viewer. It's much more productive to serve the ones who are there, and generate new ones.

Later,

K
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Yampa Bob on April 30, 2009, 07:13:02 PM
Actually, it doesn't require even one second of "manpower" time to notify those who let their subscriptions lapse.  Remember this is the age of computers and automation.

All subscriptions are entered into a suspense database. After a preset number of days after the expiration date, an email is sent automatically to a lapsed subcriber. After another preset number of days, a second notice is sent automatically, usually offering a special discount to renew the subscription.

Some publishers generate a mass mailing to subscribers shortly before the expiration dates, offering a great savings for early renewal. Again these mailings are generated automatically based on a preset suspense schedule.

I have many deadlines to meet, my computer notifies me of them daily at first boot. I programmed a special database based strictly on our needs.
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Jim Banner on April 30, 2009, 07:30:29 PM
When I dropped my subscription to MR, they sent me all kinds of special offers.  Unfortunately, the special offers were valid only in the USA.  I let them know that I would renew my subscription if they would extend those offers to me up here in Canada.  They wouldn't.  I didn't.

Jim
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: bevernie on May 03, 2009, 08:33:15 PM
 :DGREETINGS!! ???One major question that I have is: Why does MODEL RAILROADER seemingly PUNISH their subscribers by charging them $42.95 to renew, while charging new subscribers only $32.95?? :o
                                                                                                THANX!!
                                                               8)                                 Ernie
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on May 04, 2009, 02:55:03 PM
Ernie,
Excellent point, but you could just drop the subscription and after a month begin again as a new subscriber!!   

It would be better if they gave the same deal to renewers!!

I quit MR over a similar situation about 18 years ago, never went back either, but before that I used the quit for a month trick for a few years.  Some libraries also carry model magazines.   

I get most of what I need online anyway,  thanks to all the online forums out there!
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: CNE Runner on May 04, 2009, 10:22:04 PM
I recently took stock of the amount of money I spend on various 'none essential' items. At that time I was receiving 3 model railroad magazines and decided that I was a victim of redundancy. In that regard, I decided to not renew two of the subscriptions and only kept Model Railroader. Reason? MR seemed to give the broadest coverage of our hobby. RMC was a close second...but didn't make the cut. With magazine subscriptions running $40+/year one has to economize somewhere. I, too, have wondered why publishers give deals to new subscribers whilst the rest of us pay dearly.

Ray
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: boomertom on May 05, 2009, 12:06:30 AM
Over the years, I have subscribed to Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman and through NMRA membership Scale Rails.

If I still maintained subscriptions to each of these, I would be deviating close to $100.00 of hobby funds away from products of actual use on a layout.

I still maintain NMRA membership but witout the magazine option.

The only thing I really miss about the magazines are the ads - great fodder for empire dreams and realities.

Tom
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: renniks on May 05, 2009, 07:13:26 AM
Quote from: boomertom on May 05, 2009, 12:06:30 AM

The only thing I really miss about the magazines are the ads - great fodder for empire dreams and realities.

Tom


      No Subs.
      I buy a single copy of MR or RMC about once a year to keep up with new items and for websites of suppliers and makers(cuts down number of 'bookmarks').  Since I am in On30 I prefer RMC for their greater coverage and also get notice of some new items posted on relevant Yahoo groups.


      Eric UK
       


       
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: jerryl on May 05, 2009, 01:33:53 PM
Quote from: Joe Satnik on April 30, 2009, 10:42:48 AM
Jerry,

You took the time and effort to tell us.

Why not tell them?   

Idid tell them, my point was that they never asked.
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Jim Banner on May 05, 2009, 01:56:47 PM
Quote from: bevernie on May 03, 2009, 08:33:15 PM
Why does MODEL RAILROADER seemingly PUNISH their subscribers by charging them $42.95 to renew, while charging new subscribers only $32.95??
Ernie
And why don't those attractive introductory rates ever apply north of the border?

Jim
0:4
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: richG on May 05, 2009, 02:49:54 PM
Gave up MRR magazine subscriptions some years ago. Do not want my children to find me buried under a pile of old magazines.

Rich
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: CNE Runner on May 05, 2009, 05:19:36 PM
I also had that problem Rich. I solved it by going through the magazine and cutting out any articles of interest (this was done after the new issue was received). These articles are placed in an accordion folder for future reference. You guessed it: I have tons of articles that I never look at!

Cheers,
Ray
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: richG on May 05, 2009, 06:06:12 PM
Yeah, about the same here. I have cut out articles, scanned them into the PC and then forget I have  some of them, I have so many. Quite labor intensive but when you are retired, it is not a big deal.
It does make it a little easier to find them in the PC though. Much easier to catalog them.

Rich
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Yampa Bob on May 07, 2009, 12:17:52 AM
No subs here, and I don't even look for the mags at my LHS. I'm on the mailing list for Athearn, and I get Bachmann information here, that's all I need.



Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: grumpy on May 07, 2009, 01:26:09 AM
I subscibe to the magazines for the ads. The pricing in the ads is more up  to date than the websites, which don't get updated very often
Don
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: jerryl on May 08, 2009, 12:34:20 PM
Just got my MAY RMC today....looks like they are on the road to recovery...Jerry
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Santa Fe buff on May 08, 2009, 08:39:07 PM
I've recently received the June issue of Model Railroader. I'm quite impressed, they have very good information, but they cut down on the Information Desk and Workshop article space to allow more information be published discussing the On3 layout, Night-Time operations/wiring, and don't forget my favorite article I'm in the process of reading... The ATSF GP7u. Very impressive models that are modeled in the article. I love MR, but I also see your guy's perspective on the not-so-good side...

Joshua
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: ScottyB on May 15, 2009, 05:25:41 PM
The only two magazines I subscribe to anymore are RMC and the Narrow Gauge Gazette (which in my opinion is the best train mag out there regardless of if you model narrow gauge or not.)

The others just seemed to have the same or similar content over and over and over.  RMC and NGG have numerous articles which go into nice detail without spanning 6 issues to cover the whole topic.

As far as magazine prices, there are a handful of internet sites that sell MR and RMC at a substantial discount - I've never had an issue renewing online.  Quick search (google: magazine price search) turns up both MR and RMC for about 40% off list.  The Gazette you can only subscribe direct, but it's worth it.

Scott
Title: Re: Magazine subscriptions
Post by: Santa Fe buff on May 15, 2009, 08:18:30 PM
Another subscription I've noticed that caught my attention was N Scale Model Railroading.

Anyone have some experience with this magazine they'd like to share, before I start a subscription, I'd like more information one the quality.

http://www.nscalerailroadn.com/NewToTheHobby.html

Joshua