113 replies to this topic

[potmotr]

This has sprung from dicussion in another thread...

A number of us have subscribed to Autosport magazine for many years.

The arrival of the Motorsport Bible on Thursday is eagerly awaited.

But this year (and for me, even before the postal strike) delivery times have become so slow they're bordering on ridiculous.

The mag arriving seven days late has become typical, but eight days isn't unknown either.

And I live within Zone 2 in central London!

As great as the magazine is, this isn't very useful for a publication carrying news.

[potmotr]

As detailed in the other thread I have had some examples of extreme lateness this year.

The Economist arrives on time through hell and high water.

Not sure why Autosport can't do the same...

I'd be happy to perhaps pay for a little more postage if they could guarantee delivery on the same day.

With the innernet and other news avenues a late Autosport looks totally prehistoric by the time it washes in.

[JPW]

OK I'm from the Continent so won't vote but my 2c anyway.

Several years ago (2005 iirc) I had a very similar problem with Autosport magazine, it used to arrive always on the Friday or occasionaly on the Saturday which imo is fine, but all of a sudden the mag was delayed by 5 days to more than a week.
That greatly diminishes the worth of the magazine because of less actuality and some items were even rendered worthless because the race had already been held.

Several calls to the subsciptions dept. revealed that they switched to another distributor and each time I complained the mag was not there they would add another week to my 1 year subscription, all was solved in about a month or 2 and after that things returned to normal.

My experience was that the people I spoke with in the subscriptions dept. were extremely helpful and open about the problems they encountered.

Anyway good luck guys and I agree a late Autosport magazine is a very devaluated Autosport magazine.

[Muz Bee]

The once respected magazine has declined to such a degree I wouldn't even snatch a peep in the newsagents any more, even if it weren't on the NZ shelves a few weeks old.

The hard-bitten old English speaking F1 journos like Henry and Roebuck have all moved on to pastures, errrr..... greener. Cheers, I'll have mine with a little nostalgia!

[mrsheen]

Mine is usually one day late with the occasional Saturday delivery, however I have been surprised as the last two issues have arrived on Thursday. I'd given up on expecting to read it when I get home on a Thursday evening.

[Ginga]

To offer a quasi-official response, the magazine always get to the printers on-time. If it didn't then we would miss our slot at the printers and it wouldn't get printed. Simple as that.
Subscriptions copies are always posted out on the Wednesday. Always. I'll say it again for emphasis, ALWAYS.

There is a postal strike on at the moment which is not helping matters in terms of timely delivery. Whilst I'm sure some of you may be frustrated in your experience with your subscription, please bear in mind that the subscriptions company may be getting a kicking from you over a matter that is not their fault.

If you have really reached the end of your tether regarding your subscription, feel free to PM me and I'll see if I can help to grease the wheels (I might come to regret this offer ), but the best method is to use the contact form, http://www.autosport.com/contact.html, selecting the AUTOSPORT Magazine: Subscription option.

David

[potmotr]

Thanks for taking the time to respond David.

If you don't mind me asking, where does the fault lie?

The reason I ask is that other weekly publications I subscribe to make it on time almost without fail.

Edited by potmotr, 09 October 2009 - 11:55.

[dank]

Thanks for the response and the offer of trying to help out. Thing is, I don't know what else can be done other than personally come round and deliver each issue?

My post has been today and this week's issue hasn't arrived again. I could go out and buy a copy from the newsagent to tide me over in the meantime, but having done that several times, I'm not prepared to waste my money any more.

Until now there hasn't been any pro-active attempt to explain the situation to the customer. As an example, another publisher whose magazine I subscribe to saw it necessary to email all its customers to explain possible distribution problems in the future due to the Royal Mail. It might not be rocket-science to understand the problem, but it shows at least they're trying to resolve the situation and doing their best to inform. Lesson to be learnt there?

[sidepodcast]

To offer a quasi-official response, the magazine always get to the printers on-time. If it didn't then we would miss our slot at the printers and it wouldn't get printed. Simple as that.
Subscriptions copies are always posted out on the Wednesday. Always. I'll say it again for emphasis, ALWAYS.

just a thought, but has autosport ever considered a service similar to this:

http://gb.zinio.com/...ductId=69303020

that's digital version of a paper magazine, delivered to your inbox. no need to deal with the silly strikers.

failing that, could magazine stories not be posted on autosport.com at the time of writing? you could up the subs price to compensate.

spc

[Ginga]

Potmotr, as I said, the subs copies go into the postal system on Wednesday, first class mail. The current Royal Mail issues are well documented...

Dank, there could well be a lesson to be learnt there, thanks for the input

[potmotr]

Potmotr, as I said, the subs copies go into the postal system on Wednesday, first class mail. The current Royal Mail issues are well documented...

I hear you, and once again thanks for responding.

I'm just curious why the other titles delivered by first class post turn up on time but Autosport is always chronically late?

Out of interest where are the copies posted from?

[dank]

Potmotr, as I said, the subs copies go into the postal system on Wednesday, first class mail. The current Royal Mail issues are well documented...

Dank, there could well be a lesson to be learnt there, thanks for the input

Just a couple of other things.

Could it not be the sorting office closest to the source that is causing the problem here?

Would it not be an option to allow subscribers an option to pick up a copy from the newsagents as used to happen in a bygone era?

[Ginga]

just a thought, but has autosport ever considered a service similar to this:

http://gb.zinio.com/...ductId=69303020

that's digital version of a paper magazine, delivered to your inbox. no need to deal with the silly strikers.

failing that, could magazine stories not be posted on autosport.com at the time of writing? you could up the subs price to compensate.

spc

Without being able to go into too much detail, yes we have/are. There are a couple of issues that have precluded this up until now. I don't want to be too much of a prick-tease but... watch this space

[Ginga]

Out of interest where are the copies posted from?

That I don't know. Will endeavour to find out.

Would it not be an option to allow subscribers an option to pick up a copy from the newsagents as used to happen in a bygone era?

Ah, brings back memories of the Beano and their little coupon: 'Dear newsagent, please reserve me next weeks copy of the Beano'

[potmotr]

That I don't know. Will endeavour to find out.

Cool, thank you.

[Kristian]

I haven't had much of a problem... last month two weeks in a row they came on the Friday, otherwise they've always come on the thursday. And I live in Liverpool which isn't known for reliable postage!

[JPW]

Without being able to go into too much detail, yes we have/are. There are a couple of issues that have precluded this up until now. I don't want to be too much of a prick-tease but... watch this space

But Autosport mag was available in a digital form I think in 2005 already.
One could log in on the site and flip through the mag already on Wednesday, oops there I found an old e-mail from 2005:

Read Autosport a day early.

As a subscriber to Autosport, we are pleased to inform you that you can now read this week's issue today.

Autosport First View is a new concept in magazine production that allows you to read your favourite magazine at your desktop as soon as it is written. This a completely free service is available only to Autosport subscribers.

That was a great concept even if the mag was late I could still read previews and stuff (also my cheapskate mates liked it very very much)

[ensign14]

Thursday/Friday, evenly divided, it seems.

[Ginga]

But Autosport mag was available in a digital form I think in 2005 already.
One could log in on the site and flip through the mag already on Wednesday, oops there I found an old e-mail from 2005:

Indeed. Though it was a bit web 1.0, and chuffing pricey too. The world has moved on a bit since then though, hence my earlier remarks...

[Imperial]

But Autosport mag was available in a digital form I think in 2005 already.
One could log in on the site and flip through the mag already on Wednesday, oops there I found an old e-mail from 2005:

Read Autosport a day early.

As a subscriber to Autosport, we are pleased to inform you that you can now read this week's issue today.

Autosport First View is a new concept in magazine production that allows you to read your favourite magazine at your desktop as soon as it is written. This a completely free service is available only to Autosport subscribers.

That was a great concept even if the mag was late I could still read previews and stuff (also my cheapskate mates liked it very very much)

And it was also perfect for checking on Wednesday evening if mylatest letter had been posted or was star letter. I in fact just won my 4th Road Angel (to add to my Rubens Barrichello F1 car) a couple of weeks ago :-))

I do keep seeing the same few names pop up on the letters page as well as my own (real name obviously!) week after week. Any of you guys on here?

[dank]

And it was also perfect for checking on Wednesday evening if mylatest letter had been posted or was star letter. I in fact just won my 4th Road Angel (to add to my Rubens Barrichello F1 car) a couple of weeks ago :-))

I do keep seeing the same few names pop up on the letters page as well as my own (real name obviously!) week after week. Any of you guys on here?

You've won four Road Angels? FOUR?!!

Blimey. I won one of them back in May for winning the 'star letter' on Nick Tandy getting his first British F3 victory at Rockingham following the death of his brother. I probably shouldn't admit this, but I promptly put it on eBay as I had no use for it...

[Imperial]

You've won four Road Angels? FOUR?!!

Blimey. I won one of them back in May for winning the 'star letter' on Nick Tandy getting his first British F3 victory at Rockingham following the death of his brother. I probably shouldn't admit this, but I promptly put it on eBay as I had no use for it...

A few years back I got a Barrichello Ferrari, first Road Angel was the compact, since won two Navigators and most recently took a Professional. I'll not be the only one as there are two or three other dudes who's names I constantly see popping up. I've had a load of other letters printed that weren't star letter, as have my letters-page 'colleagues', so in fairness I do suspect that there aren't so many letters submitted. Either that or we're simply awesome at letter writing. :-)

Edit:

I remember your letter by the way, very nice.

Edited by Imperial, 10 October 2009 - 10:29.

[potmotr]

Monday, and still no sign of the Suzuka issue...

[dank]

Monday, and still no sign of the Suzuka issue...

No don't say that. My postman hasn't come yet and I'm still holding out for hope!

[Felix]

No don't say that. My postman hasn't come yet and I'm still holding out for hope!

Well, mine arrived in Belgium on Friday - as it does 99.999% of time. Haymarket uses a magzine courier service into Europe, and it works perfectly, which proves that the hold up is with Royal Mail and not the publisher. F1 Racing arrives this way, too, and no probs whatsoever.

As a matter of interest, another British motoring mag publisher (there are only two majors) refuses to use the courier (despite my having fed them all the info on numerous occasions) and their mags used to arrive anything up to three weeks after shelf date in the UK. I gave up and cancelled my subs.

[Ginga]

Sorry for the delay Potmotr, weekend got in the way!

Out of interest where are the copies posted from?

Essex

[dank]

Last week's issue just popped through the door.

Be interesting now to see how quickly the next couple arrive through Ginga's little experiment that he's got planned!

[Ginga]

Further to these discussions, have got some info from our subscriptions team:

The recent unofficial strike actions by postal workers across the country has led to widespread disruption to deliveries over the last few weeks (it is estimated that over 10million pieces of mail are currently delayed); you may have received one or more of your subscription copies later than usual.

As you may have seen in the press, Royal Mail workers have now voted in favour of official strike action, which will inevitably cause further significant delays to deliveries. We are currently reviewing the alternative options available to us and will attempt to keep disruption to a minimum.

As a result, the volume of calls and emails in to our customer service team has been significantly larger than usual. We have drafted in additional staff to deal with this increase in demand and the backlog of enquiries - please be assured that we will strive to address it as quickly as possible.

[potmotr]

Thanks for the information Ginga, it is appreciated.

Mine Suzuka copy arrived today by the way.

[potmotr]

So, it's Tuesday.

Perhaps last week's copy might show its face today so I can soak up all that great Brazil preview material...

[dank]

So, it's Tuesday.

Perhaps last week's copy might show its face today so I can soak up all that great Brazil preview material...

And the good news is that you (and just about every other subscriber) probably won't be receiving this week's issue, er, this week due to the planned Royal Mail strikes.

[potmotr]

And the good news is that you (and just about every other subscriber) probably won't be receiving this week's issue, er, this week due to the planned Royal Mail strikes.

If the was an alternative courier service available I'd almost consider forking out a little more.

This is getting a bit ridiculous.

[whimsical]

every month :-)

[potmotr]

every month :-)

Huh?

[potmotr]

Well, it is Wednesday and still no sign of Autosport from last week...

[Greem]

Through all of the short strikes so far my copy has turned up on time, every time.
The fact that I still haven't read last week's makes the delivery time a bit pointless, though...

[potmotr]

Through all of the short strikes so far my copy has turned up on time, every time.
The fact that I still haven't read last week's makes the delivery time a bit pointless, though...

Do you live out of London?

I think the strike is hitting London especially badly.

A week late is pretty useless for me.

Although I have sympathies for Haymarket given the postal strike it is getting really irritating.

And as I've said before, my Economist always arrives on time...

[Greem]

Do you live out of London?

Very much so, yes, in the den of iniquity that is the East Midlands. This is why I love Donington so, you see... but will have to start going to Mallory more often now.

I think the strike is hitting London especially badly.

A week late is pretty useless for me.

Although I have sympathies for Haymarket given the postal strike it is getting really irritating.

And as I've said before, my Economist always arrives on time...

I know this might be contentious, but I'm totally fed up now with the CWU. From where I'm standing all they're doing is causing themselves the problems their management are having to sort out, by causing more and more people to turn away from the Royal Mail. That means income falls, which means they have to make "efficiencies", which means changing working practices/not replacing leavers/redundancies. So the union get shirty again, they go on strike, more customers leave... and so on, and so forth.

It's a bit like Heller's famous Catch-22. Circular, and painful. Eventually something bad will happen, and we'll all be forced to pay more to have DHL deliver the magazine!

[dank]

And as I've said before, my Economist always arrives on time...

Is it sent via Royal Mail? Some subscription services use alternatives and leave Royal Mail to do the last leg of the journey (as in popping it through your letter box).

[potmotr]

Is it sent via Royal Mail? Some subscription services use alternatives and leave Royal Mail to do the last leg of the journey (as in popping it through your letter box).

Dunno, all I know is that it comes wrapped in plastic and comes on time!

I'll investigate.

[Ginga]

Hmm, the Economist is having difficulty arriving promptly at our household though.

Anyway, that's not why I'm here. Are you a magazine subscriber worried about the impact of the postal strike? If so, read this announcement http://forums.autosp...howtopic=117474

Cheers
David

[potmotr]

Hmm, the Economist is having difficulty arriving promptly at our household though.

Anyway, that's not why I'm here. Are you a magazine subscriber worried about the impact of the postal strike? If so, read this announcement http://forums.autosp...howtopic=117474

Cheers
David

That is an excellent solution, thank you very much David!

[dank]

Just to show there is no rhyme nor reason to the Royal Fail; this week's copy of Autosport seems to have defied all the backlogs and strikes to arrive on the day of publication!

[potmotr]

Just to show there is no rhyme nor reason to the Royal Fail; this week's copy of Autosport seems to have defied all the backlogs and strikes to arrive on the day of publication!

You're joking!

My copy from last week is still MIA.

[dank]

You're joking!

My copy from last week is still MIA.

It's probably sat on a postman's coffee table.

[potmotr]

It's probably sat on a postman's coffee table.

I don't think my postman can read.

[jeze]

I live in Sweden, and usually it turns up on the Tuesday, but sometimes on a Wednesday. Twice has it failed to be delivered at all, but I have recieved those issues along with latter ones. It's frustrating reading a GP preview after a race, but it's better than nothing.

[milestone 11]

Since living in the Canaries, best six days, worst fifteen weeks. Usually between eight and eleven days. Those that think the Royal Mail leaves a little to be desired, need to check out the Spanish system.

[potmotr]

Got home before, saw an Autosport on the step...

...was last week's!

So annoying!

Oh well, at least that digital copy is available.

Sure like having a fresh copy in my hands though.

[potmotr]

Economist arrived on time yesterday.

Delivered by hand!