Next issue late?

[Gavin WhitelawParticipant @gavinwhitelaw12643]

Howard – no one has "threatened to cancel their subscription" so perhaps you should read the posts carefully. The one option that they COULD have done was to offer an electronic version as they cannot provide the print version I paid for. That was not offered – they merely extended my sub by an issue – not great if I was following one of the series in the magazine. No reply in over a week to any of the messages I have contacted them with (apart from the sub dept saying they couldn't help). I have been working right through Covid as some of us have no option to work from home as we have to keep the railway running. All I am asking for is for SOMEONE to reply and to sort it out. Having to wait a week, with the next issue (hopefully) due is not good customer service in anyones book. I realise that these are strange times but certainly any contact should be replied to within a couple of days or so……

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

The other thread mentions folk cancelling their subscription, unless I read it wrong.

But maybe I should join the ranks of those determined to be offended by something.

After all, under lockdown, we have nothing else, productive to do perhaps?

My print copy of MEW arrived yesterday. Neil had already warned that it would be two weeks late, because of staff shortages. Did anyone read that thread?

Good to see that ME and MEW are awaited even more avidly than my delivery!

Thanks to all those who are working to keep things as normal as possible.

Howard

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Gavin, as you are not going to be out of pocket due to the extended subscription period you may like to try and purchase a back issue. Mags UK who deal with back issues for MTM say 4652 is in stock though for some reason there is no cover image, got to be worth a try if you want to keep a full set.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Gavin,

If you're not in a hurry you can have my paper copy, I tend to keep them for a bit then scan the good bits and skip the paper. I did have a collection going back to the 50's, but the attic floor started creaking!

It will be a while, as the latest issue is particularly good, not deliberately rubbing salt in your wounds honest

[Gavin WhitelawParticipant @gavinwhitelaw12643]

Thanks for the offer Duncan. Hopefully I won't need to take you up on it but if they don't get back to me by the time the next issue turns up I will be grateful!

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by JasonB on 01/12/2020 18:21:20:

Gavin, as you are not going to be out of pocket due to the extended subscription period you may like to try and purchase a back issue. Mags UK who deal with back issues for MTM say 4652 is in stock though for some reason there is no cover image, got to be worth a try if you want to keep a full set.

I have just come off the phone to someone at MyTime who is unable to send a copy of ME 4652 as they have none in stock – ie they have disposed of the in-stock copies to MagsUK before the magazine's date has passed!

No wonder they have none in stock.

I consider my contract with MTM to supply each edition of ME has been broken.

The person at the end of the phone tried to blame corona virus – but while this has delayed things and post only comes every other day it has not lost anything as far as I know personally and no-one of my acquaintance has spoken of this either.

I asked to speak to a manager who was 'in a meeting' but still able to speak to the call handler but not to me???

They are due to ring me back, but because of work commitments and a no-mobile-switched-on-in-the-school policy I have had to ask for a call before 8:30 or after 3:30. I will wait and see.

As someone who reads old editions I am upset that my set has been broken up. Being offered two extra editions is not really a substitute to missing an edition.

As far as I am concerned the lack of a magazine is a problem that needs to be solved. Disposing of available stock to a third party seller so soon strikes me as either a mistake, or more worryingly, a need for capital in a hurry.

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 02/12/2020 16:59:48

[Gavin WhitelawParticipant @gavinwhitelaw12643]

A lot of companies have blamed Covid on their inefficiencies and shortcomings. Just like the catch all excuse of "why we can't do that" is "Helath and safety".

Like you I consider that I have a contract with the supplier. If a magazine does not turn up then it is THEIR duty to provide on. ME is obviously NOT printed to the exact and precise number of subscribers and magazine stand copies and there will be spares.

The distributors make it difficult to contact them and do nothing to source or send a copy.

I have sourced a copy now but why do companies complain when because of lack of good customer service they get slated on forums and on social media?

Still no answer to my message on FB…….the Editor did reply to me and has sorted it out but it is NOT his job. That is what the distributors are paid for!

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

In the absence of both my printed copy of MEW and the digital version, both on here and Pocketbooks, can anyone tell me who won the Stevenson Trophy this year? Maybe even a heads-up on what else I'm missing out on in 299? (Unintentional) repeats excepted.

John

 

Edited By John Hinkley on 02/12/2020 19:19:24

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

My copy arrived today (299) delivered by the trusty newsagent. Quite happy to receive it and not sure whether late or not. A little patience goes an awful long way. Thank you.

Robert Butler

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Robert Butler on 02/12/2020 19:35:16:

My copy arrived today (299) delivered by the trusty newsagent. Quite happy to receive it and not sure whether late or not. A little patience goes an awful long way. Thank you.

Robert Butler

Fair comment, but that is why I left it until the day before the issue goes out of date for it to turn up before ringing (I thought the last day might not give time to do anything)

I read the other posts regarding when other subscribers' copies arrived but even then was patient.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

my subscription copy of #299 has not yet turned up here in SE England – I suspect MTM is at best a man and a dog operation – possibly the dog is sick?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Frances, they all get posted* at the same time, maybe complain to the post office

As for the dog being sick, someone who used parcel force a lot was telling me they are down at least 25% with staff off sick or isolating, I would imagine royal mail is the same or worse.

* when I say posted they are done by the pallet load not by a man popping a few into a post box while walking his dog.

As 

 

Edited By JasonB on 03/12/2020 10:09:21

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I e-mailed one of the MTM staff 10mins ago and just got these reply about the digital versions

"Hi Jason,

Sorry about this, I’ve got 4653 scheduled to go up tomorrow and I’ve had some issues with MEW. I’ll try and get them up today, tomorrow at the absolute latest. Please feel free to let members of the forum know that there have been some technical difficulties, but they’ll be up as soon as I can possibly get them.

Thanks for your patience,

Beth"

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Hmmm, I'll start by emphasising I have no connection with MyTime Media other than being trusted to tidy up iffy posts made by forum friends. So far as the magazines go I'm just an ordinary paying customer. No freebies or payments of any kind from MyTime Media or their advertisers. And I'm not asked to toe a party line on the Forum beyond the website's Terms & Conditions and Code of Conduct.

Magazines. Seems to me MyTime Media's Subscription Terms are clear about what happens when magazines go missing or the wrong one turns up. They either provide a replacement or extend the subscription, that's it.

This being the real world, no-one can guarantee delivery or that spare copies will be available. At the best of times it's inevitable that some people will be inconvenienced. And this is far from being the best of times – at the moment expect malfunctions because Covid is causing chaos. Even if you personally haven't noticed yet!

This being the season of goodwill to all men I wonder if people might reconsider their expectations? Reading Gavin's list of gripes, it's clear he subscribed without reading the Contractual Terms. ( Who bothers with small print. Me neither! )

Unfortunately contracts mean what they say, not what the parties involved imagine it should. Gavin said: 'If a magazine does not turn up then it is THEIR duty to provide one'. Fine and dandy except that's not what he and MyTime Media agreed to! Nor do MyTime Media's obligations include personal attention on Facebook or editorial interventions.

When Gavin's copy went missing MyTime Media responded as contracted. And despite Gavin's complaint about poor service being mistaken, the Editor went the extra mile and got him one. I think that's good service, not bad!

Dave

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

Dave exactly! my copy of 298 was a mongrel with missing and duplicated pages, and yes I raised it on the Forum but having raised the issue was prepared to leave it at that. Neil kindly tried to help but I purchased a copy from W H Smith as I have an unbroken set and there the matter rests.

There are two topics running on this issue (pun intended) and I think the subject has been done to death, MTM are not in breach of contract, the extra magazine(s) in lieu satisfies the contractual obligations and it will be possible to obtain the missing copy. Time to pull up stumps, everyone has had their say!

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 03/12/2020 13:14:56

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

#299 has just popped thru the letter box – problem now is that the wrapper states ‘this is your last issue – however at last renewal subs #4001627456 it is stated the 1st issue of the renewal will be Feb 2020 #290 – – I reckon my sub runs to +includes issue #302 – is removing 3 or 4 issues part of MTM’s standard contract or just covid caused incompetence

Edited By Frances IoM on 03/12/2020 13:49:05

[Gavin WhitelawParticipant @gavinwhitelaw12643]

Posted by Robert Butler on 03/12/2020 13:12:59:

Dave exactly! my copy of 298 was a mongrel with missing and duplicated pages, and yes I raised it on the Forum but having raised the issue was prepared to leave it at that. Neil kindly tried to help but I purchased a copy from W H Smith as I have an unbroken set and there the matter rests.

There are two topics running on this issue (pun intended) and I think the subject has been done to death, MTM are not in breach of contract, the extra magazine(s) in lieu satisfies the contractual obligations and it will be possible to obtain the missing copy. Time to pull up stumps, everyone has had their say!

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 03/12/2020 13:14:56

"satisfies the contractural obligations" – absolute rot – they advertise subscriptions as a way NOT TO MISS ISSUES. The fact that when I asked they did not even TRY and supply the missing issue shows they have no customer ethic whatsoever.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Gavin Whitelaw on 03/12/2020 13:46:35:

Posted by Robert Butler on 03/12/2020 13:12:59:

Dave exactly! my copy of 298 was a mongrel with missing and duplicated pages, and yes I raised it on the Forum but having raised the issue was prepared to leave it at that. Neil kindly tried to help but I purchased a copy from W H Smith as I have an unbroken set and there the matter rests.

There are two topics running on this issue (pun intended) and I think the subject has been done to death, MTM are not in breach of contract, the extra magazine(s) in lieu satisfies the contractual obligations and it will be possible to obtain the missing copy. Time to pull up stumps, everyone has had their say!

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 03/12/2020 13:14:56

"satisfies the contractural obligations" – absolute rot – they advertise subscriptions as a way NOT TO MISS ISSUES. The fact that when I asked they did not even TRY and supply the missing issue shows they have no customer ethic whatsoever.

And the fact that they disposed of excess stock to another company while the issue was still current signifies to me an intent to not supply after the first distribution.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by JasonB on 03/12/2020 10:03:17:

Frances, they all get posted* at the same time, maybe complain to the post office

Edited By JasonB on 03/12/2020 10:09:21

Unfortunately I have no contract with the Post Office so only MTM can complain to them.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 03/12/2020 12:30:14:

Magazines. Seems to me MyTime Media's Subscription Terms are clear about what happens when magazines go missing or the wrong one turns up. They either provide a replacement or extend the subscription, that's it.

Dave

Unfortunately the terms are not made available when you subscribe online, but the phrase 'Never Miss an Issue' is and clearly so.

[Gavin WhitelawParticipant @gavinwhitelaw12643]

Posted by Nick Clarke 3 on 03/12/2020 17:24:25:

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 03/12/2020 12:30:14:

Magazines. Seems to me MyTime Media's Subscription Terms are clear about what happens when magazines go missing or the wrong one turns up. They either provide a replacement or extend the subscription, that's it.

Dave

Unfortunately the terms are not made available when you subscribe online, but the phrase 'Never Miss an Issue' is and clearly so.

EXACTLY. False advertising.

[Robert ButlerParticipant @robertbutler92161]

I have just had a quick look at the website and can't see any inducements to subscribe in the form of "never miss an issue" and would be pleased if someone could direct me to this.

Having just gone through the "Subscribe" process and selected the MEW option the terms and conditions appears at the bottom of the screen and again at the "check out securely" page, accessed by a quick click. I would respectfully suggest the terms and conditions are there to be read and again respectfully suggest there is no guarantee to replace the missing issue. The prominence or otherwise of the terms and conditions option is no more obscure than any other site.

Further some of the statements made relating to MTM are borderline calumnious.

Robert Butler

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Robert, click "why subscribe" in the line of grey boxes

[Gavin WhitelawParticipant @gavinwhitelaw12643]

Posted by Robert Butler on 03/12/2020 19:08:45:

I have just had a quick look at the website and can't see any inducements to subscribe in the form of "never miss an issue" and would be pleased if someone could direct me to this.

Having just gone through the "Subscribe" process and selected the MEW option the terms and conditions appears at the bottom of the screen and again at the "check out securely" page, accessed by a quick click. I would respectfully suggest the terms and conditions are there to be read and again respectfully suggest there is no guarantee to replace the missing issue. The prominence or otherwise of the terms and conditions option is no more obscure than any other site.

Further some of the statements made relating to MTM are borderline calumnious.

Robert Butler

Absolute rot Robert. "Never miss an issue" may not be in their description on the webpage BUT it is how they always entice you to subscribe. What IS on the Model Engineer website is " All Print editions delivered to your door " Which IS basicall" never miss an issue" The pertinent word here is "ALL". WHAT is the point of subscribing if they fail to replace missing issues/can't fulfil THEIR obligation. All very well quoting Terms and conditions but ANY company worth their salt HELP out their customers when they can and don't just say, "well miss this issue but we will send out another one extra at the end of your subscription" THAT is not the point here and you know it.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

I must apologise because I have made a mistake.

I said that the terms an conditions were not available when you subscribe online. This is not correct.

If you go to the bottom of this page there is a terms and conditions link regarding the use of this website. Most if not all websites have a similar button with a similar function – Except what you are subscribing when the link that is to all intents and purposes identical to this one and thousands of other ones describing the conditions of use of that webpage turns out to be terms and conditions for subscribing. And far far smaller than the 'Never Miss an Issue' when you click on the second grey button as Jason has indicated.

I never looked at the terms when I subscribed because they were not made evident to me, even if present on the page because they were in a confusing place in tiny type.

All that being said, if the subscription service has the one role of sending out magazines to subscribers and fails to do so it is probably not fit for purpose.

My main worry is that having missed one issue of ME and reading that others have received their copies of MEW 299 and ME 4653 – have I missed out on these as well? They are already on MagsUK so I hope my concern is obvious – and if I replace any of these copies I pay full cover price not subscriber price with postage on top.

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