Hornby Magazine 62 - August 2012 Options

[Heygate]

I finally received my August copy on the 14th August. That's to Bungendore just outside Canberra. If this continues then that's the end of my subscription, there's just no point in it

Tony T

[ssammi]

In the last week I have sent the publisher emails telling them I had not received the August Issue and pointed out that the lengthy delivery times were an ongoing issue. I also asked that they fix this problem of delays.The only response was to arrange to send another copy.

What was slightly bizarre was that they said the replacement magazine should arrive in 5-7 days.

They also said I should have received the September issue by now. Which of course I haven't. So if I complained, I would probably get a replacement before the original arrives.

In their emails they totally ignored the issue of on going delays with deliveries.

My subscription is now due for renewal and I have advised them I will not be renewing.

PS the August issue has arrived

ssammi
Sunshine Coast

[BluePullman21]

I emailed them on Tuesday but yet to receive a reply. My subscription ends after the September issue, but I failed to tell them I won't be renewing...

William

[barrymx5]

Surely an answer is that everyone with a current full subscription should be entitled to access the on line version. That way the articles are current and those overseas can shuffle through the pages eventually but not get too cross in the meantime. Those of us in the UK can read the hard copy version but dispose of after a year or so and still have access to archived copies on line.
All this pre-supposes that on line versions are available but that seems to be the way magazines are going.

[Bigglesof266]

The day we're coerced into that as the only timely International option is when I'll just torrent it.

[barrymx5]

The day we're coerced into that as the only timely International option is when I'll just torrent it.

Well that is pretty direct Biggles! Take much longer to fly it out in a flying machine from your era!

[Bigglesof266]

Hi Barry

I know from email exchange with the editor of another high profile model railway magazine (not Mike at Hornby Magazine) that he views International subs as unimportant, inferred an unwanted nuisance. We're 'by catch' (my words) for want of another term. I wonder if their advertisers also feel that way about foreign currency and additional sales in what is an increasingly easy to access global marketplace? I referred earlier in this thread to my spend with UK model rail etailers of whom Hattons were far from an exclusive recipient. The amount mentioned was a conservative guesstimate.

If I may offer a few examples as to why I am so completely puzzled that it should take a month or more to receive something so small, light and portable as magazine from the UK. After all, it's not like the publisher hasn't known twelve months in advance that a magazine is due out, or to whom and thus had time to make adequate arrangements?

Example 1. I just last week bought a Kenwood Chef Titanium mixer for the Mrs. online from Amazon.co.uk. Chose to ship it inexpensively using Amazon's lowest International priority shipping.

Ordered it on the evening of the 13th, packed & despatched from their warehouse on the 14th. Departed the UK (Midlands) and arrived in DE (Düsseldorf) that same day. Was in AU (Sydney) clearing customs at 2059hrs Kilo (local) on the 16th. I'm in a regional coastal town in Queensland approx. 1400km north of SY. Ex AU Customs with carrier again on the 17th enroute to me. Had the weekend not occurred (18th/19th), we'd have it now. As it is, it'll arrive tomorrow or Tuesday 21st. That's 7 calendar days including a weekend (no deliveries) from the UK to here for a box the size of two computer case boxes which weighs a whopping 10KG!

Example 2. A complete bicycle from Wiggle (UK) hardly takes any longer, and my heavy Elite Mag Elastogel Supercrono trainer (about the size of a PC case box but much much heavier) arrived from ChainReaction Cycles (UK) in just over a week. Accessories like my Northwave bicycle shoes and Schwalbe trainer tyres et al take on average about 10 days.

Example 3. Hattons, SignalBox or TheModeller.com et al ex UK orders on average take 10 days give or take a day using their cheapest air transit methods possible. Have done for the past three years.

So how is it that Key Publishing can't manage to get a copy of Hornby Magazine to their Australian subscribers in less than a month after its public availability on UK news stands? O.o

When Ian Allan was HM's publisher, whilst I'd liked it to have been less, delivery was consistently two weeks after news stand release date give or take a day. So at least we got it within the same month annotated on its cover and whilst it was still the current issue. So precedent illustrates that it is within the realm of possible human achievement, although clearly not through the current contractor and method.

Perhaps Key Publishing should get Amazon, Wiggle or ChainReactioncycles to deliver Hornby Magazine on behalf of Key Publishing and show them how timely delivery can and should be done? ;P

If this all sounds rather sarcastic and 'fed up', here's why. It's not as if the arrangement between Key Publishing and its AU subscribers is gratis.

"Rest of World" AU subscribers pay a hefty premium (currently 53% more) to subscribe in order to cover postage, and always at the full fare rate being specifically excluded in the fine print from those frequent special deal direct debit promos UK subscribers can avail themselves of. In fairness, Hornby Mag is the notable exception which does at lest honour the new subscriber bonus gift offers such copy of the latest Yearbook etc to International subs.

Come the business week, I'll be making polite telephone call to Kirsty just to ensure she knows what's happening. My sub expired with this August Ed., and although I'd really like to keep buying the magazine, I haven't renewed yet despite an initial and followup reminder notice. The reoccurring problem with timely and/or damaged delivery since the May edition is why. I should know by the middle of this week whether I'll bother to renew my sub -or not.

[barrymx5]

Biggles
Seems to me you have every reason to be miffed.
You speak of the Special Offers a available to UK subscribers. Usually it is only NEW subscribers who qualify. I hardly ever renew an existing sub but let it expire and start again as a new subscriber. The Subscription Depts of UK magazines are sadly often rather amateurish - especially compared with those in the USA.

[barrymx5]

Surely an answer is that everyone with a current full subscription should be entitled to access the on line version. That way the articles are current and those overseas can shuffle through the pages eventually but not get too cross in the meantime. Those of us in the UK can read the hard copy version but dispose of after a year or so and still have access to archived copies on line.
All this pre-supposes that on line versions are available but that seems to be the way magazines are going.

I am delighted to see that Railway Modeller is going down this route ie buy a standard subscription and have the right to access the on-line version too. That is a real selling point for me and I will renew my RM sub.

[Rhiwderin_Ray]

I am delighted to see that Railway Modeller is going down this route ie buy a standard subscription and have the right to access the on-line version too. That is a real selling point for me and I will renew my RM sub.

RM is the best magazine around by a mile in my humble opinion. Always something of interest and more reading than most. Plus next year is a feature on "Hannem"!

[barrymx5]

RM is the best magazine around by a mile in my humble opinion. Always something of interest and more reading than most. Plus next year is a feature on "Hannem"!

I think Hornby Magazine gives it a good run for its money. October RM missed the opportunity to have a decent article on the LSWR in its Modelling the Pre-Grouping railways. To say the 2 pages were poor is an understatement. I am sure Tim Rayne is capable of better.