MBM, bit of a rip off ?

[henryf]

As a subscriber to Motor boat monthly (and have been for over 5 yrs), I was a bit disappointed to be asked for seven quid to see an article originally published in 2006 (looking for a new flybridge circa 42-45 feet). Somewhere I`ll have it lying around amongst the pile of old MBM or MB & Y mags (although a recent house re-furb means some are hiding in odd places, other lost). I get a constant kicking off the wife for old mags lying around & it would have been nice to get access to archived material as a subscriber given I paid for it when it was first published. Would also mean I could chuck out all the old mags.

Hey Ho.

Keep smiling

Henry

 

[Whitelighter]

Why are you paying £7 for the mag?

 

[gjgm]

apply to be editor, then you wont have to pay at all!

 

[henryf]

The seven pounds was for a pdf download off this site, not for a back copy

Henry

 

[AIDY]

A request from an avid reader on this forum may of got you a copy FOC /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Ohh by the way welcome to the mad house

 

[henryf]

I just think it would be a good thing to offer subscribers. As it is I pay for Motor boat Monthly and Motor Boat & yachting every month, have done for as long as I can remember, not too sure why as the same boats seem to get reviewed in each mag but there you go, something with your name on it coming through the post that isn`t a bill !

It would certainly add weight to the value offered by subscribing to a publication. Casual readers or people wanting info on a one off basis can still be charged seven pounds for 12 pages of downloaded information that came from a magazine costing three pounds seventy pence and included both paper, ink & 158 other pages !!

Henry

 

[Nautorius]

Henry, welcome.

Firstly please stay around and join in!

Secondly, I agree! I subscribed for 4 years, could not find back copy and got a black and white photocopy for £3.95! I cancelled my subscription!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ari]

[ QUOTE ]
I was a bit disappointed to be asked for seven quid to see an article originally published in 2006 (looking for a new flybridge circa 42-45 feet).

[/ QUOTE ]

If it was the 42ft flybridge group test (Fairline, Sealine, Princess) then I'd give your local Princess dealer a shout. They were giving reprints of this test away at the boatshow last year I seem to recall, bound to have a few lying about left over I should think.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've got nothing to do with MBM but I think you're wrong. What you paid for and got was a magazine every month. What you did'nt pay for was everlasting free back copies whenever it took your fancy. It costs good money for MBM/MBY to maintain an archive of past articles and I don't think you should begrudge paying to download one. Anyway, had you had the sense to post on here first, you might have got some idiot like me to scan/e-mail you a copy (illegal of course) foc

 

[PhilF]

where's potsmouth, more moans thats what we need

 

[henryf]

[ QUOTE ]
I've got nothing to do with MBM but I think you're wrong......

[/ QUOTE ]

It just struck me as being a bit off having bought the mags for probably 10 years. I see the charging for downloads aimed more at people who don`t subscribe and take the articles about 19 foot walkabout fishing boats which are of no interest. Those people just want specific information and so they`ll have to pay for it. Similarly commercial outfits that want to use articles as a sales tool.

I am constantly bombarded with free offers and gifts at the boat shows to sign up each year. Rather than another chart bag, cap, teapot warmer, artificial cat or pair of socks that say fender on them I`d rather have access to the archives for as long as I subscribe. Possibly even something you could "earn" as a loyalty bonus after a number of years.

As it is there is no way I`m paying seven sovs for an article I would already have were it not for the fact we moved out of the house that month to start a 3 month house renovation & I do feel a bit bruised over it. When you subscribe to a mag you sort of feel like you`re in a little club. In this instance that club has made me feel like just another outside punter. I`m not saying it`s right, just how I feel.

Maybe the answer is to sent back issues that don`t really grab me, don`t have any articles I find relevant or are made up of articles I`ve already read in Motor Boat & Yachting and ask for a credit against my account. Up to now I`ve just taken it on the chin and chucked the mag on the pile with the other old copies.

As ever, keep smiling

Henry

 

[SnaxMuppet]

henryf,

I don't think that the fact that it costs MBM to maintain the archive justification to charge their best customers (subscribers) for back-copy articles. It costs every company good money for all of their loyalty promotional efforts and if that arguement was used to them then there would be no benefits for subscribing or for being a loyal customer. I am sure it costs Tesco millions to run their club loyalty card but it benefits everyone... Tesco as it retains customers and customers as it gives a little back for their loyalty.

Yes, it does costs MBM but the loyalty generated by offering downloads free to the most loyal customers could potentially outway the costs especially if they promoted the benefit as one of subscription. They could still charge non-subscribers.

 

[Alistairr]

Off subject, But when are we going to get pics of your lovely new boat? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers

Al.

 

[DogsBody]

Re: PDF downloads

One of the PC magazines I subscribe to regurlarly has PDF files of back issues on the DVD they send out with the mag. Noticed the latest disc has 3 years worth of the magazine in PDF files, sure saves storage room at home and a nice little bonus to subscribers.

Now if MBM would do that, I'd renew my subscription today and not worry about what freebie they might be giving away at SBS.

 

[rickp]

Re: PDF downloads

Agreed.

Rick

 

[Gludy]

Re: PDF downloads

I think that is a great idea. They could even offer it a freebie at the shows to induce new subs.
I would even be wiulling to pay extra if it was an option with the subscription - an annual DVD of the article pdfs.

 

[atlowers]

Re: PDF downloads

Top idea Dogsbody, regular subscribers only of course. It would also enable me to recycle all that paper aswell as clear much needed space which would delight the wife, seems everybody wins. Hope all the mags are watching this space.

 

[henryf]

Re: PDF downloads

Why the need for a dvd that you`ll lose & costs money to produce. All the info is on this site, just give people a password that you can revoke at any time (ie when they stop subscribing). You could even date each article and allow access to all the articles after the subscription date.

Henry