91 replies to this topic

[JimFosterAutosport]

Hello to our European print subscribers

I know that, in recent weeks, the performance of our AUTOSPORT print subscriptions delivery has been rather sub-standard. I have been chasing our subs department for you on this (even though I am strictly digital only!) and this is the very latest from them, which I thought I would share with you:

Over the last few weeks Air Business have been making some tweaks to the Priority Mail service that we use across Europe, focussing particularly on Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, which are the countries who had previously been having their copies routed through hand delivery agents by DHL Global Mail. Having reviewed the routings for Autosport they are confident that we are now delivering within the Priority Mail aim of 2-5 working days following dispatch from the UK. This means that some subscribers will be and are receiving their copies on a Saturday, but that it can take up to a week after UK publication for other European subscribers to receive their copies. We appreciate that this must be very frustrating for those of you who are used to receiving your copies so soon after publication and we will continue to discuss alternative options with our distributor over the coming weeks. If your copy is taking over a week to arrive with you then please flag this up with our customer service team at Autosport@servicehelpline.co.uk so that we can look into your account for you.

So there we go - my subscription colleagues are working on it, so if you're still having problems with late deliveries I would urge you to contact the email address listed and get on their case to sort your particular subscription out.

Please do keep the feedback coming, good or bad; if problems still exist we need to know about it.

Once again, apologies for the delays.

Best wishes

Jim

[milestone 11]

Thanks Jim. As you are probably aware, I'm in the Canaries so feel rather left out in the thread title. Could we not just have European delivery delays?
A week is mentioned in the message that you have received from the subs dept, I wish, nothing would make me happier. "Normal" delivery for me is 23-28 days.
I spoke most recently with a very helpful young lady by the name of Emily, I have arranged to call her next Monday, any update that I get will be posted here.

[Tuboscocca]

Jim thank you--I personally do know this statement..and sure as soon as the mag is in the box, a mail is send to the Forum...

And I agree with milestone11--sun alone at the Canaries is not enough, he needs a good magazine in TIME!!

Best regards Michael

[webmeesterB]

Thanks for the reminder Jim. The last two mags were in time (both delivered on saturday). Let's hope it stays that way. And if not... well I guess my mailadress is quite a familiar sight for your colleagues at subs by now.

Greetings, Bernard

[Tuboscocca]

Oh it's Saturday,

NO NOTHING in Gemany ..(I'm talking of Autosport 19.April 2012)...

Regards Michael

[webmeesterB]

Received on Saturday for the third time in four weeks. I consider myself a lucky person.

Hope it improves for others too!

Bernard

[Tuboscocca]

Received on Saturday for the third time in four weeks. I consider myself a lucky person.

Hope it improves for others too!

Bernard

Congratulations..
all foreign subscribers have to move to NL or even better to UK???

Regards Michael

[ReWind]

No, Michael, just move northward to the edge of the Lüneburger Heide where this week's issue was delivered today (Saturday).

[Tuboscocca]

No, Michael, just move northward to the edge of the Lüneburger Heide where this week's issue was delivered today (Saturday).;)

Ok not bad there!!

Michael

[Tuboscocca]

MONDAY!!!!

ASPT 19.April arrived in South Germany on Monday 23.April 2012..
Not good..

Michael

[milestone 11]

Well, something is happening. Issue 29th March arrived on Monday 23rd April, today, 26th April, I have received both the 5th and 12th April issues. Unbelievable.
Unfortunately though, it could be down to the fact that the postal service are just clearing the backlog that had built up after the recent three day holiday which has recently been taken. As these were just three of the forty bank holidays that are celebrated here, obviously, I'm not holding my breath.
The irony though, is that they wonder why this country of siesta and fiesta is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Edited by milestone 11, 25 April 2012 - 11:45.

[Tuboscocca]

Well, something is happening. Issue 29th March arrived on Monday 23rd April, today, 26th April, I have received both the 5th and 12th April issues. Unbelievable.
Unfortunately though, it could be down to the fact that the postal service are just clearing the backlog that had built up after the recent three day holiday which has recently been taken. As these were just three of the forty bank holidays that are celebrated here, obviously, I'm not holding my breath.
The irony though, is that they wonder why this country of siesta and fiesta is on the verge of bankruptcy.

milestone11: it would be a fortune for you, if the Postoffice would move buildings..they will find all the missing Autosports??
Sorry for joking around...

Still best regards Michael

[Tuboscocca]

It's SATURDAY, and you guesed it...NO Autosport delivered...in South Germany

Michael

[ReWind]

This time likewise in Northern Germany.

[Tuboscocca]

This time likewise in Northern Germany.

Rewind...sorry to hear this..the solution: Airbusiness/MediaService Hamburg is far from 'stable'!!! (or Gerechtigkeit??)

Michael

[webmeesterB]

Well, no Autosport for me too this weekend...
Guess moving to NL is not a helpful solution.

Greetings Bernard

Edited by webmeesterB, 29 April 2012 - 22:15.

[Tuboscocca]

Same on Monday--NOTHING...Tomorrow is Public Holiday...Wednesday????

I'm not too sure, they solve this problem...

Michael

[webmeesterB]

Still nothing in Holland...

I have sent the usual email to Haymarket, but this time they have not even bothered to respond.
Maybe they too know there is nothing left to explain, it's been a mess for the last three months and it still is.

Bernard

[Tuboscocca]

Still nothing in Holland...

I have sent the usual email to Haymarket, but this time they have not even bothered to respond.
Maybe they too know there is nothing left to explain, it's been a mess for the last three months and it still is.

Bernard

Germany :ZERO Points....
What do you expect from unfAirbusiness..

Michael

[webmeesterB]

Finally an answer:

Thank you for your email regarding Autosport magazine.
I would like to advise that I have now amended your dispatch method so that your magazines are sent in brown paper envelopes. i have now resent this issue for you.
I would like to offer you my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by this matter.

Brown envelopes, is that going to make the difference???

Bernard

[webmeesterB]

Received on Saturday for the third time in four weeks. I consider myself a lucky person.

Hope it improves for others too!

Bernard

Okay, I know, I know, I should never have posted this one.
Asking for trouble obviously...

[Tuboscocca]

Finally an answer:

Thank you for your email regarding Autosport magazine.
I would like to advise that I have now amended your dispatch method so that your magazines are sent in brown paper envelopes. i have now resent this issue for you.
I would like to offer you my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by this matter.

Brown envelopes, is that going to make the difference???

Bernard

Oh Bernard,

that's the famous 'intelligent' ServiceHelpline..They are thinking overseas Europe is full of criminals ,STEALING the perfectly in-time-delivered Autosports (..it went astray...)..
Hence the BROWN Manilla..
I have written this many times to the Autosport management.. THEY are simply ignoring the MAIN problem..
Maybe it's time to 'leave' them--normally a decrease on the money-side moves things best around..SAD to recommend that

Michael

[milestone 11]

Michael, Bernard et al.

If only it were that simple, my Autosport has been sent in a "plain envelope" for the last two years or so. The result ultimately, is little change, in fact, on occasion the situation is worse for the following reason.
It seems that putting an A4 Autosport into a C4 padded envelope is too difficult, exclusively, mine arrive in a C3 padded envelope, (324x458mm). The European standard letterbox has an opening 230mm wide to allow the posting of flat A4 sheets in a C4 envelope, (229mm wide), of course, the Autosport envelope becomes undeliverable.
One of the postmen who delivers to my house has agreed that if I am not in, he will leave the envelope stood up in the window and then close the shutter, great. The other though, point blank refuses to do this on the pretext that it may get stolen and that he is not allowed to do so. If I am not in and the second postman is on the round, he will leave me a form which tells me to collect from the post office, neither will try a second time for delivery, if this happens, I have a twenty minute drive and then possibly a forty five minute wait in the post office. It's bloody madness!
The crazy thing is though, all other mail arrives within a week. The last Autosport that I have received is the 12th April issue.

Edited by milestone 11, 03 May 2012 - 10:38.

[Tuboscocca]

Thursday--Nothing...

I think nobody cares at Haymarket...

How mad must one be, to 'fight' for an already pre-paid subscription???


Michael

[webmeesterB]

Thursday--Nothing...

I think nobody cares at Haymarket...

How mad must one be, to 'fight' for an already pre-paid subscription???


Michael

April 26 arrived on May 3. Wrapped in plastic, not stolen, just plainly slow.

The only thing Haymarket manages to get delivered in time is a letter to remind me time is running out to renew my subscription.
The letter starts with this sentence: "I hope you enjoy your subscription..."

I just wish they would make that possible.

Bernard

[ReWind]

Thursday--Nothing...

Hatte ich dir eigentlich schon empfohlen, nach Norddeutschland zu ziehen?

The April 26 issue arrived here today.

[Tuboscocca]

Hatte ich dir eigentlich schon empfohlen, nach Norddeutschland zu ziehen?

The April 26 issue arrived here today.

Danke!! Bayern wird wie Afrika behandelt...

Michael

[Tuboscocca]

Autosport on FRIDAY!!!!

only joking , it was the issue 26 April 2012...

Michael in Southern Germany , next to North Africa??

[milestone 11]

19th April arrived this morning. Things are looking up, 15 days is the best for some considerable time.

[Tuboscocca]

SURPRISE

03 May on Saturday 05 May!!!
Well done!

Michael

[webmeesterB]

SURPRISE

03 May on Saturday 05 May!!!
Well done!

Michael

Nothing here,

Maybe it's time to move to Germany now.
(Moving every two weeks, I wonder if Haymarket wants to share in the expenses)

Bernard
(Enjoy your magazine, Michael. I'm really anxious about the Villeneuve tribute)

[ReWind]

'm really anxious about the Villeneuve tribute

As a subscriber you can read the digital edition. You don't have to wait until the postman arrives...

[webmeesterB]

As a subscriber you can read the digital edition. You don't have to wait until the postman arrives...

Thanks Rewind (like your avatar),
I already did read the article.

Still, I'm an old-fashioned guy who likes to read from paper...

Best regards, Bernard

[Tuboscocca]

Thanks Rewind (like your avatar),
I already did read the article.

Still, I'm an old-fashioned guy who likes to read from paper...

Best regards, Bernard

EXACTLY!!!!

So it is not a good idea to move to Netherlands or Northern Germany . A 'Mobile-Autosport-Subscriber-Motorhome' could be the answer??
BUT , the address changes take certainly 6 weeks..

BTW : the tip with digital edition is always preached by Haymarket...method here in??

Best regards Michael

[webmeesterB]

May 3 arrived on May 8

Subscription has ended now (don't know where the promised extra one has gone)

Bernard

Edited by webmeesterB, 08 May 2012 - 17:15.

[The Kanisteri]

I used to buy Autosport paper magazine here in south Finland from little shop which even dared to get it into there collections by request. I paid almost twice (6.2€!) of it's real price in UK and as fastest it was always over week late. Around xmas and Easter delays was from 2 weeks to 3 and occasionally missing an issue altogether since it was not delivered at shop.

After all shop got new owner and they discontinued selling Autosport and I stop buying it.

Also, subscription of weekly magazine in UK is alright as:
£144.00 for 51 issues

But continuous 1-3 week delays in Finland:
£209.00 for 51 issues...

I'll pass

Edited by The Kanisteri, 11 May 2012 - 07:03.

[milestone 11]

April 26th issue arrived this morning 14th May. There has been an improvement of around a week. I suppose it depends on whether one considers 18 days as being acceptable. I don't. Were it not for the fact that three plus years ago 7-8 days was the norm, I probably would accept it. Other mail, (UK), is still arriving in a week.
I have been in constant discussion with the subs department and await an update, hopefully today.
Will keep up-dating.

[milestone 11]

Wow. May 3rd issue just arrived, May 16th, things really are looking up.

[Tuboscocca]

Just an update on delivery in Germany

3 May on 5 May
10 May ???(was on holidays)
17 May on 19 May
24 May ( today Saturday) nothing...

And you????

Regards Michael

[milestone 11]

I was away from the end of May until the 20th June, albeit the remaining May issues arrived whilst I was away, I cannot confirm dates.
Issue 7th June arrived 25th June.
Issues 14th June and 21st June arrived together today 12th July.

It appears that a pattern is developing since the Spanish Correos became responsible for sending Autosport, that is, one week worse than it was before. 3-4 weeks is absurd, the whole manana manana culture has brought this country to it's knees and they're too bloody stupid to realise it.

[milestone 11]

It just gets worse!
Issues for June 28th, July 5th and July 12th all arrived this morning July 26th.
Unbelievable.

[Tuboscocca]

It just gets worse!
Issues for June 28th, July 5th and July 12th all arrived this morning July 26th.
Unbelievable.

Oh milestone...you are right : UNBELIEVABLE...
Cynics would say 12 July on 26 July --not bad...

Hope we see ,in near future, a happy end??

Regards Michael

[milestone 11]

Problem is though Michael, I don't know which to read first.

[dank]

You do know there's a digital version of the mag which comes as part of the subscription to the paper copy?

[Tuboscocca]

Problem is though Michael, I don't know which to read first.

thank you for not being 'angry' on my remark!!

Well, the newest first. The oldest you can read as an 'ersatz' for 'Motorsport- magazine' --dealing mainly with 'historic' sport???

Regards Michael

[milestone 11]

And again. 19th and 26th July arrived arrived this morning 10th August.

[milestone 11]

Issue 2nd August arrived yesterday 27th August.

[milestone 11]

9th August today 31st. Three weeks appears to be the best that can be achieved. Just think, employing a couple of Spanish cyclists would solve the problem overnight.

[milestone 11]

Well I suppose that I'd almost given up on my updating here because frankly, I had almost given up. Until today.
Since my last update, nothing has changed. Well it has actually, it's got worse. 21-28 days has been fairly much the norm, sometimes a double delivery and again, once, a triple. There have been occasions where I have received issues out of sequence, but I waited, until today, as today represented 5 weeks since the last issue that was delivered to me,
yep, the last issue received is October 4th.
I have once again spoken with the subscriptions manager. Latest is that I shall now be sent 2 copies a week via different methods, one, in a plain envelope, please, please
not C3's, I refer to my posting of May 3rd.

Michael, Bernard et al.

If only it were that simple, my Autosport has been sent in a "plain envelope" for the last two years or so. The result ultimately, is little change, in fact, on occasion the situation is worse for the following reason.
It seems that putting an A4 Autosport into a C4 padded envelope is too difficult, exclusively, mine arrive in a C3 padded envelope, (324x458mm). The European standard letterbox has an opening 230mm wide to allow the posting of flat A4 sheets in a C4 envelope, (229mm wide), of course, the Autosport envelope becomes undeliverable.
One of the postmen who delivers to my house has agreed that if I am not in, he will leave the envelope stood up in the window and then close the shutter, great. The other though, point blank refuses to do this on the pretext that it may get stolen and that he is not allowed to do so. If I am not in and the second postman is on the round, he will leave me a form which tells me to collect from the post office, neither will try a second time for delivery, if this happens, I have a twenty minute drive and then possibly a forty five minute wait in the post office. It's bloody madness!
The crazy thing is though, all other mail arrives within a week. The last Autosport that I have received is the 12th April issue.

The next few weeks could be interesting.

Edited by milestone 11, 08 November 2012 - 13:14.

[Felix]

Well I suppose that I'd almost given up on my updating here because frankly, I had almost given up. Until today.
Since my last update, nothing has changed. Well it has actually, it's got worse. 21-28 days has been fairly much the norm, sometimes a double delivery and again, once, a triple. There have been occasions where I have received issues out of sequence, but I waited, until today, as today represented 5 weeks since the last issue that was delivered to me,
yep, the last issue received is October 4th.
I have once again spoken with the subscriptions manager. Latest is that I shall now be sent 2 copies a week via different methods, one, in a plain envelope, please, please
not C3's, I refer to my posting of May 3rd.



The next few weeks could be interesting.

I know it is little consolation, but it is not only Autosport that has been hit by these delays. I take Motorsport and Car in Belgium, and the delay is up to four weeks. My latest iPad edition of Motorsport was available on 24 October (and on the UK shelves on that day), my hardcopy arrived yesterday. In the case of a monthly it is not as critical as a weekly, but the delay is still annoying.