Autosport Magazine on Subscription

[VIVA GT]

I have been a regular reader of Autosport Magazine for the past 35 years. Initially collecting it from a local paper shop every Thursday morning, but for the last 15 years od so (how time flies, I'm not exactly sure), I've subscribed to the magazine and had it delivered by post to me at work.
There have been the odd occasion over the years when the magazine hasn't arrived until the Friday (disappointing but not a major problem), but over the last 12 months or so, this has become more common.
This month (October) I have so far only received one out of four issues! I have contacted the subscription department who "can only apologise" and say that they'll send the magazines in a plain envelope in future as the clear packaging usually used sometimes causes the magazine to go missing! They have also very kindly (!) offered to extend my subscription by the number of missing issues.
Has anyone else experienced similar problems or is my paranoia true, and it's only happening to me?

[andrewc]

Can't comment on the autosport problem, but I have adverts on the back pages of some newsletters and club magazines which are sent out in clear packaging, and if the main address insert label has escaped or somehow got slipped into the magazine. Anyway, we often get these arrive with us.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

I have been a regular reader of Autosport Magazine for the past 35 years. Initially collecting it from a local paper shop every Thursday morning, but for the last 15 years od so (how time flies, I'm not exactly sure), I've subscribed to the magazine and had it delivered by post to me at work.
There have been the odd occasion over the years when the magazine hasn't arrived until the Friday (disappointing but not a major problem), but over the last 12 months or so, this has become more common.
This month (October) I have so far only received one out of four issues! I have contacted the subscription department who "can only apologise" and say that they'll send the magazines in a plain envelope in future as the clear packaging usually used sometimes causes the magazine to go missing! They have also very kindly (!) offered to extend my subscription by the number of missing issues.
Has anyone else experienced similar problems or is my paranoia true, and it's only happening to me?

Yes, I've experienced a similar problem though not quite as pronounced. I've probably missed about 6 or 7 issues in the last 12 months and about the same the previous year. They've been experimenting with different delivery methods to me from a guy on a bicycle to specialist magazine delivery couriers... it seems to be back to the Royal Mail again now. No matter what method they use, they seem to be skipping issues. I've not bother to contact them, but maybe I should.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Yes, I've experienced a similar problem though not quite as pronounced. I've probably missed about 6 or 7 issues in the last 12 months and about the same the previous year. They've been experimenting with different delivery methods to me from a guy on a bicycle to specialist magazine delivery couriers... it seems to be back to the Royal Mail again now. No matter what method they use, they seem to be skipping issues. I've not bother to contact them, but maybe I should.

Thanks davyboy, it's reassuring (from a paranoia point of view) to learn that I'm not alone.
I was annoyed by their apparent lack of concern when I pointed out to them that there's very little value in receiving a weekly news magazine a few weeks late!

[Rob29]

Interesting.have been buying Autosport from local newagent since around 1955.Yesterdays came with a card offering a free Hunt/Lauda book if I phoned number quoted-ended up signing up for subscription to mag.Get Motor Sport currently by sub and arrival date does vary

[andy97]

Yes I experienced similar issues. It's down to the ineptitude of the Post Office. Once Haymarket started putting the mag in brown paper envelopes I got it on time every week.

As soon as they returned to th selophane wrappers then issues started being delayed anything from Friday through to Monday.

Complaints to the Post Office made no difference.

It's about time that Autosport started offering a digital only subscription.

[Lorenzo S]

You're lucky you don't live abroad. I've had two years of back-and-forth emails and 'phone calls to Dovetail "Services" to try and salvage my subscription. For years Autosport used to arrive on the Saturday (which was quite good!) now it arrives anywhere from 7 to 14 days late. Royal Mail is inept, Dovetail can't do anything, and there aren't any carriers left who think there is any money in delivering magazines. Be pleased it turns up at all!

[bella]

it's funny, because ours turns up on thursday pretty much every week without fail. sometimes it's a bit late and doesn't make its way to us till friday, but it's pretty rare. that's in east aaaanglia. so it's clearly a regional sorting office thing.

[The SpeCTator]

Hi VIVA GT
My experience is a 100% copy of yours. I have had the extended subscription several times. I have had the tracking. I have had them send me out a copy usually arriving Monday!
I now have the plain envelope and although its only a few weeks in it is working.
My evidence showed when there was a controversial GP or a big crash that caused headlines on the front page of Autosport, the magazine got nicked. (The mentality of the new casual GP "fan?")
Hopefully the paper envelope will work for you to.

[davec]

I have been a subscriber for over 10 years (probably nearer 15) and have only had 1 or 2 fail to turn up at all and certainly no more that 1 per year that has been any later then Friday.

my guess would be that 90% turn up on Thursday and 10% turn up on Friday.

[Knowlesy]

I used to subscribe between 2005 and 2008 and the issues would regularly turn up a few days late or not at all towards the end. They were always very helpful in replacing though.

[The Fat Clerk]

my guess would be that 90% turn up on Thursday and 10% turn up on Friday.[/QUOTE]

Not in Leicestershire, its the reason I don't subscribe anymore, our post arrives between 1 & 2 pm, Friday was the norm and quite often Saturday.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

my guess would be that 90% turn up on Thursday and 10% turn up on Friday.

Not in Leicestershire, its the reason I don't subscribe anymore, our post arrives between 1 & 2 pm, Friday was the norm and quite often Saturday.[/QUOTE]

I know what you mean there, I often used to joke that 'The Leicestershire Edition' hadn't come out on a Thursday!
Funnily enough, for the past couple of weeks, my magazine HAS arrived as promised on Thursday. (Plus, it's still not in the plain wrapper yet, and neither of the magazines I was promised that would be re-sent have arrived yet!)

[wolfhound]

I am near to where Autosport comes from than Glasgow yet its usually the Thursday after puplication that my copy arrives, It must come by foot post and a dingy across the Irish sea to take that long.
The worst aspect of this is that the news is so old by the time I get to read it.

They will be getting a new editor I wonder will that make any difference?

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Not in Leicestershire, its the reason I don't subscribe anymore, our post arrives between 1 & 2 pm, Friday was the norm and quite often Saturday.

I remember an observation concerning Royal Mail's dropping of the second post delivery that observed that they had already dropped the first post and all we had was second post.

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

This month (October) I have so far only received one out of four issues! I have contacted the subscription department who "can only apologise" and say that they'll send the magazines in a plain envelope in future as the clear packaging usually used sometimes causes the magazine to go missing! They have also very kindly (!) offered to extend my subscription by the number of missing issues.

I've had the same thing with Autocar. That was the promise they just gave me.

I also had very bad service from Practical Classics. Pre-ordered a special to get it early, saw it in the shops ages before. Poor service and broken promises when I contacted.

Basically it is nothing to do with the magazine, as such. However they have cheap and numpty distribution. Peanuts. Monkeys.

[JasperClan]

Had the same problem and have been receiving copy in plain brown envelope for quite a while now. Still get the occasional late one and if it's not arrived by Monday it's not coming. Phone call get's offer to send another copy or extension to subscription. Annoying as even out in the sticks our post service is good.

Pete Richards

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by wolfhound

I am near to where Autosport comes from than Glasgow yet its usually the Thursday after puplication that my copy arrives, It must come by foot post and a dingy across the Irish sea to take that long.
The worst aspect of this is that the news is so old by the time I get to read it.

They will be getting a new editor I wonder will that make any difference?

At a guess no, unless he is somehow responsible for distribution.

But you never know, maybe he is reading this and will make an impassioned plea. Surely, given the fact the magazine appears to be printed on wafer thin recycled bog roll these days, there is enough money saved to fund a slightly better distribution service?

I suppose it is a lot more difficult for a weekly, which runs to tight and unyielding Tuesday deadlines covering a Sunday (sometimes Monday) sport, but still things could be better.

Thank god for monthly magazines, which always come early and have better content anyways.

[The Fat Clerk]

Thank god for monthly magazines, which always come early and have better content anyways.[/QUOTE]

Exactly

[Rob29]

Originally Posted by The Fat Clerk

Thank god for monthly magazines, which always come early and have better content anyways.

Exactly[/QUOTE]

Sorry reverse is the case here-saw jan 2015 'Motor Sport'mag on sale in WH Smith in Lincoln this morning -my postal copy not yet arrived

[old man]

Nice idea on the web edition recommending places to go, called Hitchhikers Guide to Motorsport, interesting that one thing recommended is Sonoma Nascar that, from the pictures is on a road circuit. Do they really race those things on road circuits? That I would like to see.

I do think however the staff display their bias, preference and focus in the opening paragraph with this comment:

"But for those who are not satisfied with just following their favourite series on television - be it Formula 1, touring cars or rallying - perhaps the AUTOSPORT team can help."

Do they not think that any readers are interested in sportscars? There is no mention in the guide to visiting le Mans and Marcus Pye only suggests GTs at Spa

[Rob29]

Originally Posted by old man

Nice idea on the web edition recommending places to go, called Hitchhikers Guide to Motorsport, interesting that one thing recommended is Sonoma Nascar that, from the pictures is on a road circuit. Do they really race those things on road circuits? That I would like to see.

I do think however the staff display their bias, preference and focus in the opening paragraph with this comment:

"But for those who are not satisfied with just following their favourite series on television - be it Formula 1, touring cars or rallying - perhaps the AUTOSPORT team can help."

Do they not think that any readers are interested in sportscars? There is no mention in the guide to visiting le Mans and Marcus Pye only suggests GTs at Spa

Re NASCAR-yep they do run a couple of rounds on road circuits-other one is Watkins Glen I think.Is this 'hichhikers guide' the same as 'our favouite events' in current issue?

[chunder]

In fairness old man, if you want to know about visiting the French race, this is the perfect place.

Just visit the sportscar section, this site revolves around sports car racing these days and you will find a home there.

[old man]

Originally Posted by chunder

In fairness old man, if you want to know about visiting the French race, this is the perfect place.

Just visit the sportscar section, this site revolves around sports car racing these days and you will find a home there.

Yes I know there is lots of stuff on here about LM. Been going every year just about since 1998, already booked house etc for this year. Just felt that they were neglecting the sportscar scene, bit paranoid perhaps.

[Aysedasi]

Autosport has neglected sportscars for years. I had a sub for many years but canned it about 10 years ago. I only ever set out to buy two copies now, the copy with Le Mans guide (now a pale shadow of what it was back in the 80s) and the Le Mans results issue. I may buy another if I need something to read on the train or something, but I'd rather buy Motor Sport for train reading - much better value and I don't get modern-day F1 thrust at me as if it was the be-all and end-all of everything....

[claude2cv]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Autosport has neglected sportscars for years. I had a sub for many years but canned it about 10 years ago. I only ever set out to buy two copies now, the copy with Le Mans guide (now a pale shadow of what it was back in the 80s) and the Le Mans results issue. I may buy another if I need something to read on the train or something, but I'd rather buy Motor Sport for train reading - much better value and I don't get modern-day F1 thrust at me as if it was the be-all and end-all of everything....

I don't even bother with the Le Mans guide any more as it is so poor now. The only issue I get every year is the Le Mans results one. Have been getting Motor Sport since I was at school and that was before Jimi Hendrix played on the Isle of Wight I find it has picked up again having gone through a period where it lost its way and is now the best for my interests. Of course, in the old group C days there was a mag which was entirely devoted to sports car racing (it was an offshoot of one which was dedicated the grand prix) but even the French don't have one like that now since their Endurance Racing mag folded.