magazine price

[captainslogParticipant @captainslog]

dear editor, i have just had an email from hobbyzone advertising the new magazine"world of model boats" priced at £4.99. Pre order yours now !!

this price does not include post and packing. how much that is i dont know but going by the latest rip off post office prices must be about another £2. thankyou but no thanks. read further down and you can buy it from smiths with no p+p. but the advert doesn`t state iff there is a different price for smiths. Surely if you pre order anything then you should be offered that item at a reduced rate because your company are guaranteed a sale. when you place the item in a shop you are hoping people will go in and buy it? at the end of the month you will have a number of pre ordered sales/ shop sales and evcentually returns for non sales from smiths. I will be buying it but i refuse to pay postage on top to get the magazine just that little bit earlier. It doesn`t seem fair that pre orders are penalised by the additional cost of postage. why not increase the price on the bookshelf to compensate?

keith

[captainslogParticipant @captainslog]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Keith

I'm not the Editor of Model Boats but I have been in the model trade for a while and thus believe I'm fairly qualified to reply. Paul Freshney will probably have his own take and will, no doubt, be more diplomatic than me!

Your complaint seems to revolve around "fairness" but do you really imagine that all businesses are run by rich and indulgent philanthropists? MyTimeMedia is not exactly Bloomsbury Publishers either ("Harry Potter" etc etc).

Establishing a selling price is always a headache and comes down eventually to a compromise between several cost factors and how much can reasonably be expected from the customer for the product – in this case the cover price.

The cover price is printed on the cover and is what the customer is asked to pay for the magazine over the counter. The costs of actually getting both him and his copy of the magazine to the same point are not material to the transaction, as is the case in practically every normal retail event on the High Street. If instead the customer chooses to order his copy in advance of publication then he must accept that there is an identifiable additional cost associated with getting his copy to him which, of course, hasn't been taken into consideration when establishing the cover price. In the absense of a reasonable alternative this cost comes down to Royal Mail's charges. As you say these have skyrocketed in the last year or so, to the extent that in asking to have your copy post-free you are expecting what amounts to a 40% discount on the cover price for the priviledge of receiving your own personal copy a week or so in advance of Smith's customers etc. Your answer to this is to load the shelf price to compensate. How fair is that??

The choice of whether or not to order in advance is yours and yours alone, taken in the light of all of the other possible choices and factors. Turn the mirror and ask yourself why the bloke who pays his bus fare or drives his car to the local model shop or WHS should be penalised by paying an increased price because you wanted your copy in advance and weren't prepared to pay for the priviledge?

We have a saying around here – "Fair do's, m'duck!". In other words if you want special treatment then be prepared to put your hand in your pocket.

No offence intended here.

Dave M

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 26/06/2013 20:08:34

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Keith,

I'm afraid the commercial realities are not in line with your post.

The Special issues are produced as part of a contractural arrangement with W H Smith. The standard price of £4.99 is fixed as being the most appropriate level to maximise demand.

Smith's take a certain number of copies and distribute them to those branches where they think they are likely to sell a minimum number so not all W H Smith branches will stock it. Any unsold copies are not returned, they are pulped as is the normal practice with magazine publishing I'm afraid. Smith's take a large proportion of the cover price of these copies so MyTime Media only get a relatively small return on them.

MyTimeMedia retain a proportion of copies for selling direct and for distribution overseas. In order to maintain a reasonable profit level MTM add postage to the cover price. The overall budget of these special issues is in fact very finely balanced and ultimately MTM cannot risk making a loss but neither do they make a huge profit on them. Believe me, this is not a 'get rich quick' industry – I have seen some of the figures. I get paid for editing the Special issues but you could never make a living from it. I do it because I enjoy the hobby.

So, you essentially have the choice of hoping that your local W H Smith will stock it or paying a bit more to guarantee your copy.

Personally I think it's a good buy but I edited it so I'm biased!

Colin

 

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 26/06/2013 20:10:34

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Keith, it seems to me, as an unbiased observer, that your gripe is with the British postal service rather than the magazine publisher. Dave and Colin have answered your question from the publisher's pont of view so, as Colin said, your choice is clear, pay the postage to be sure you obtain a copy, or risk your local W.H. Smith's store having some.

Living, as I do, in Australia, I also have 2 choices, pay the international postage and be sure of receiving a copy soon after publication, or take a chance that a newsagent near us may have some in about 2 month's time. I made my choice and mine is ordered. If previous specials are anything to go by, I won't be disappointed in the final product.

Peter.

Edited By Peter Fitness on 27/06/2013 00:11:29

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Keith

As a reader, subscriber and being disabled my view on the subject is that I am happy to pay a premium to have the MB magazine delivered to my door.

As for 'The World of Model Boats' whilst I am sure it is a fine publication I will stick with MB as I have been reading it in its various guises since I was nine years old and I have always found the content to be first class with complete and totally unbiased editorial views.

In essence I have grown up with this magazine and it is more like an old friend than a value driven piece of coffee table fodder.

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Paul

I have a sneaking suspicion that the publication in question is actually called "World of Model Boating". If this is the case then I think you will be receiving a complimentary copy of the forthcoming issue. Check out the Homepage of this website.

Dave M

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

A complimentary?? I havbe pre ordered one! Ashley

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Posted by ashley needham on 27/06/2013 07:58:19:

A complimentary?? I have pre ordered one! Ashley

Twit! Maybe you could send the spare to Captainslog?

DM

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I have never had any complimentary magazines for MB articles and so I didnt think there would be one in the offing for this.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Further more considering the number of contributers one would not have though all and sundry would be dished out a complimentary considering the cost and time sorting addresses etc for a mag.

My nearest large WHS is Kingston, £3.40 return on bus on 40 min cycle. then there is the time taken to collect this, the added expense of coffe and additional purchases inevitable when making such a trip. i have tried other WHS in the past but it is a bit hit n mis.

So, teh additional cost of postage is actually cost efficient ( to return to original post).

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Further more considering the number of contributers one would not have though all and sundry would be dished out a complimentary considering the cost and time sorting addresses etc for a mag.

My nearest large WHS is Kingston, £3.40 return on bus on 40 min cycle. then there is the time taken to collect this, the added expense of coffe and additional purchases inevitable when making such a trip. i have tried other WHS in the past but it is a bit hit n mis.

So, teh additional cost of postage is actually cost efficient ( to return to original post).

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Contributors who have been commissioned to provide material normally receive a complimentary copy from the Editorial allocation as will happen with this issue. Also it is the usual practice to send copies to organisations who may have facilitated the preparation of an article, in this case the RM Submarine Museum will get a copy as they kindly let me tour the place and showed me behind the scenes.

So Ashley will be able to read two separate articles simultaneously and then either pass one copy on to the Lad as and example of fatherly fame or mount it in a gilt frame to be displayed above his fireplace.

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

"All & Sundry"? Sounds like a good name for a firm of solicitors specialising in legal aid work.

If you take out a UK subscription for Model Boats magazine then not only do you receive your copy in advance of publication date but it comes to your doorstep post free and you save an additional £15.55 on top of the normal cover price over thirteen issues.. That's enough to buy both of the two yearly specials and have them posted to you in advance, with change. Sounds like a no-brainer; one wonders why so many magazines are sold at WH Smith's.

As far as the cost of postage vs collecting a magazine is concerned, if it becomes a matter of that much significance then maybe one should consider another hobby with less overheads – like watching clouds or keeping tadpoles.

Dave M

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I was only replying on the original post regarding cost of pre ordering magazines…just in case it was thought I am THAT tight.

We have tadpoles in our pond now. I never have much success with them, they only last a month or two and dissappear?

Yes it will join the others over the fireplace

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Am I daft or am I missing something here…who is Hobbyzone? I thought the MB mag was owned by MyHobbyStore.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Not quite, Paul. MyHobbyStore is now MyTimeMedia. Do keep up at the back, there!

Hobbyzone appears to be part of a group of companies which went into administration just yesterday. If you can be bothered here's the link **LINK** Quite why it should be sending out E-Mails pp MyTimeMedia is anyone's guess. Maybe a typo?

Dave M

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Um…

MyHobbyStore and MyTimeMedia are part of the same organisation. The former is now the retail arm and the latter the publishing side. They are still closely connected.

It was MyHobbyStore who sent out the email for my Special issue as a retail marketing exercise. I know of no organisation called Hobbyzone. There is a chain of shops called Modelzone who went into administration yesterday and which are the company Dave mentions. They have no connection with either MyHobbyStore or MyTimeMedia.

Hope this clears things up.

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 27/06/2013 13:28:20

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

Hello who are at the palace gates ….some fair comments made by all Dve for PM he gets my vote

and Colin the diplomate , as for model boat content it covers all aspects of the hobby…

where you purchase the mag is your chioce me it is W H smiths , ……

give me chance to browse the other mags that catch my eye , and to make another purchase..

the staff allso are quite helpfull , the other popular mag covering the hobby .

is not as good MB resricted model items and to much items wich you get on any web page…. so well done all , who put the mag together,…………..

But there you go you can not please every body………..keep the red flag flying high …

comrad Larry..

[Ian JopsonParticipant @ianjopson21383]

If Modelzone is gone (I haven't been to that part of town for a couple of weeks) then that only leaves one railway modelling shop in town, the nearest 'proper' model shop (i.e. one that covers ships, aeroplanes, cars, etc) is now some 30 miles away – and businesses wonder why we carry out most of our shopping on-line and they miss out on those impulse buys.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Posted by Ian Jopson on 27/06/2013 16:27:55:

If Modelzone is gone (I haven't been to that part of town for a couple of weeks) then that only leaves one railway modelling shop in town, the nearest 'proper' model shop (i.e. one that covers ships, aeroplanes, cars, etc) is now some 30 miles away – and businesses wonder why we carry out most of our shopping on-line and they miss out on those impulse buys.

Ian

It's chicken-and-egg time here, I'm afraid. The model shops would say that Internet shopping is the cause of their lack of business, while the customers say they have to buy on-line because they can't find what they need at their local model shop. We have two pretty decent model shops in Nottingham but neither is exactly well stocked with model boat stuff. They might say it's because local model boaters are tight-fisted and never know what they want! All I can add is that I worked in two local model shops in the 70's and the situation viz a viz stocking model boats was exactly the same then.
At least we can obtain most of what we want (if not all) without having to order it from the other side of the world. I feel sorry for the guys in Oz, the USA, Canada and NZ who have no "native" boat suppliers of any description.

Dave M

[captainslogParticipant @captainslog]

wow have i run into a hornets nest? i seem to be the target yer ouch. firstly dave m, what exactly rich stamp collectors have to do with pre ordering magazines i dont know. still trying to work that out. And yes i was a bit taken back by your reply i was only trying to make a point and not having a go at publishers. 2/ colin you seem to have answered it quite reasonably but as i`m reading further in to this there seems to be alot of companies involved in producing /distributing this publication including the extortionate royal mail. 3/pete f i feel sorry for you matey, living in oz when your nearest neighbour is 50 miles away so god knows where your nearest wh smiths is. maybe postage is the answer to you. good luck pete because iff your copy is sent by our royal mail you should get it by xmas.4/ paul T I understand your predicament and your only option is mail. I would have thought all publication distributors would have come up with some sort of subsidy for those who cant genuinly get about to purchase something that may enhance theitr enjoyment of life, 5/ashley, 40 minute bike ride, is that all? i have to walk 30 minutes to get to a bus stop where i live, keeps me fit. use the bike ashley and feel much better for it with added bonus of not paying bus fare and postage. think how much you save there. positive thinking assley. i think thats all for nowhappy days all i`m sure theres more to come lol

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

**LINK**

Philately will get you nowhere.

Lol………………

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 27/06/2013 19:10:11

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Captainslog, I may live in Australia, and on a farm, but my nearest neighbour is 100 metres away, and the nearest town is Lismore, NSW, population close to 50,000, all of 7km up the road. The only WH Smith shops I am aware of here are at Sydney and Melbourne International airports, (there may be others) but we do have a large network of very good newsagents throughout Australia, who stock a wide range of magazines, similar to Smiths. The problem with overseas publications is that thay can be on sale here up to 2 months behind the country of origin publication date, and this is why I subscribe. I usually receive my copies of overseas mags within a week or 10 days, at most, so Royal Mail can't be all that bad, at least for overseas customers

The situation regarding model shops is similar to what some people on the forum are saying, inasmuch as model boats are not high on their list, and mail order via the internet is usually the way to go.

Peter.

 

Edited By Peter Fitness on 27/06/2013 23:15:37

[captainslogParticipant @captainslog]

ashley please forgive me mispelling your name in my last post its just i`m 1 finger short on the left hand and it sometimes goes keyboard dyslexic.(assley)? I think not your names not lee is it? well i am overwhelmed by the response on this thread, normally mine go to 2 replies. now we are onto the issue of model shops (peter fits last response. I know the feeling pete we used to have a wings and wheels in tiverton, that went years back. now we got 1 shop in taunton who deals mainly in trains!!!!(excuse me while i wake up) so yes pre ordering has its pros (and cons) so i went to minehead wh smiths today and reserved my copy. btw i am really chuffed i started a hornets nest. happy days all

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