Went to the mail box, got a CTT today

[jonadel]

Jim--
Welcome to the "what the heck is going on at the post office" support group.  I've had very few complaints with USPS over the years, one huge one five years ago that never was resolved but for the most part good service.  However, since last year when the local post master retired (and she was drop dead gorgeous with a southern drawl) the whole system has gone to h%#@ in a handbag.  I have talked to the new guy, in a nice way, and he is just totally frustrated--I'm thinking his hands are tied.  I think the Chief actually did have one good idea this week and that is to see how we can help fix the problem.  Our situation is actually getting worse daily and I can't imagine how they will make it through the Christmas crush.  My delivery problems are many, I guess I can put up with the late in the day deliveries but when my mail goes to the neighbors two miles away and I get someone elses mail you begin to wonder what they are smoking the sorting room

My sympathies go to the publishers, printers and advertisers who want to be accountable.

Jon

[Jumijo]

Fromunder Cheese. And I already know where I can get a cracker for it!!! 

[ChiefEagles]

Jimbo, what kind of cheese do you want with that whine?

[Jumijo]

Doohhhhh!

I'll get mine when the mailman is done reading it.

[cheapclassics]

Jim,

I did get mine on Tuesday.

Mike C. from Indiana

 

[Jumijo]

Skunked again yesterday. A replacement is on the way.

[ChiefEagles]

Do it.  Will not hurt.  Just praise your courier and say you are real concerned that their outstanding service seems to be slipping.  Then state the problems [items opened and late].  Then ask if he could help you by finding where the "system" is breaking down.  That will make him think you are not blaming his office.

[hope he doesn't tell I've been paying them to hold train items but to rush sale items at department stores to Mary ]

[Jumijo]

I'm starting to think someone at the post office is interested in toy trains. Last night I got a Williams flyer in the mail. It was opened. But it also had a big headline - October 2006 Arrivals. This was the second time I got a "late" Williams flyer. I also had to call them to get a catalog after everyone else had received theirs.

I'm giving serious thought to talking with the town's postal manager about this. What do you guys think of that? Opening up a can of worms or what?

[ChiefEagles]

Is that the guy who poped up here?  If so, he is a rude dude.  Sent me a "nice" email.

HUH?

Some Yankee from NJ [I think] poped up here with a TCA forum and was not sanctioned by TCA.   Got rude and got zapped.  Then he came back and mouthed some.  Then he senmt me an email trying to get me to go to his forum.  Told him to take me off of his list.  His rely was not nice.  Word later was he was trying to stir up trouble in the Eastern Division.  Mad at York rules and other things. 

Jim, check my post on the Coffee Pot about your missing issue.  

[Jumijo]

Jim,

You may find the "toytrainstrading" Yahoo group interesting if you are looking for postwar items.

Excerpt from the group home page.

"Welcome to the Train Collectors Association Toy Trains Trading Mailing List (3TML). The purpose of 3TML is to provide a forum for those wishing to buy, sell or swap toy trains and accessories"

I am a TCA member but am not a member of this group so I don't know if TCA membership is necessary to read the listings.  Only TCA members can post to it. 

GregM,

Thanks for the info. I am not a member of the TCA or the LCCA, so I don't think I'd be welcomed there.

Jim

[GregM]

Is that the guy who poped up here?  If so, he is a rude dude.  Sent me a "nice" email.

HUH?

[Jumijo]

Still no CTT as of yesterday. I'll call today for a replacement and see if next month's comes "on time". If it doesn't, it's cancellation time. I subscribed to get the magazine as early as possible. My LHS and all you guys have had yours for a week now. That's 2 months in a row. UNACCEPTABLE!

Jim

[ChiefEagles]

   
Better than the hassle of wondering if and when the magazine will show up. I want the magazine as soon as it's available. There are advertisements that offer limited availability items (like post war locomotives) for one thing. I'd like a crack at those ads before the offer is no longer available.

Jim

 

Jim,

You may find the "toytrainstrading" Yahoo group interesting if you are looking for postwar items.

Excerpt from the group home page.

"Welcome to the Train Collectors Association Toy Trains Trading Mailing List (3TML). The purpose of 3TML is to provide a forum for those wishing to buy, sell or swap toy trains and accessories"

I am a TCA member but am not a member of this group so I don't know if TCA membership is necessary to read the listings.  Only TCA members can post to it. 

Is that the guy who poped up here?  If so, he is a rude dude.  Sent me a "nice" email.

Get the "crying towel" ready for tomorrow.  Jim didn't get his copy today.

[dbaker48]

CTT got to California today.  Made the whole trip, usually 2 to 3 weeks before the LHS. Not to go check it out.  Atlas doesn't get this far is the catalog a good BUY ?

[GregM]

   
Better than the hassle of wondering if and when the magazine will show up. I want the magazine as soon as it's available. There are advertisements that offer limited availability items (like post war locomotives) for one thing. I'd like a crack at those ads before the offer is no longer available.

Jim

 

Jim,

You may find the "toytrainstrading" Yahoo group interesting if you are looking for postwar items.

Excerpt from the group home page.

"Welcome to the Train Collectors Association Toy Trains Trading Mailing List (3TML). The purpose of 3TML is to provide a forum for those wishing to buy, sell or swap toy trains and accessories"

I am a TCA member but am not a member of this group so I don't know if TCA membership is necessary to read the listings.  Only TCA members can post to it. 

[Brutus]

Well, my label was about half-way torn off.

[ChiefEagles]

Mike C.

I agree with you that readers on the forum should get thier copy of CTT first, just a fact or two against cancelling the subscription is the price you pay per issue and the hassle of going to the local hobby store to get an issue of CTT.  My local (within 15 miles)hobby store does not have every issue around the same date.

Sometimes it makes me think that Kalmbach is testing the U.S. Postal service to see how long it takes to deliver the magazzines, or is the postal service at fault?

Lee F.

Better than the hassle of wondering if and when the magazine will show up. I want the magazine as soon as it's available. There are advertisements that offer limited availability items (like post war locomotives) for one thing. I'd like a crack at those ads before the offer is no longer available. I'm not blaming CTT for any of this. I like CTT and think the magazine is top notch. I'm just saying, if it doesn't get better, I'm going to start buying the magazine at the store instead of a subscription.

Jim

Jim spend money!!!!!!   Buying train stuff.   Mary must have oiled the squeek 

[Jumijo]

Mike C.

I agree with you that readers on the forum should get thier copy of CTT first, just a fact or two against cancelling the subscription is the price you pay per issue and the hassle of going to the local hobby store to get an issue of CTT.  My local (within 15 miles)hobby store does not have every issue around the same date.

Sometimes it makes me think that Kalmbach is testing the U.S. Postal service to see how long it takes to deliver the magazzines, or is the postal service at fault?

Lee F.

Better than the hassle of wondering if and when the magazine will show up. I want the magazine as soon as it's available. There are advertisements that offer limited availability items (like post war locomotives) for one thing. I'd like a crack at those ads before the offer is no longer available. I'm not blaming CTT for any of this. I like CTT and think the magazine is top notch. I'm just saying, if it doesn't get better, I'm going to start buying the magazine at the store instead of a subscription.

Jim

[jonadel]

Folks, it's not Kalmbach or the printer delaying your magazine, it's the USPS, period.  I used to work at a major printing plant (you would recognize many of the names) and the pallets of magazine bundles would leave on time.  Once they hit the PO it was out of their control, it's that simple.

On the other hand, Kalmbach could improve their forum software if they so chose.

Jon

[phillyreading]

That explains a lot Chief, I thought that Florida still employed the Barefoot Mailman(before roads were built he had to traverse land and swamps) from the 1800's to deliver the magazines. Or that the Pony Express was still operating below Fort Pierce FL.  Can I have a little fun at the delivery person's expense?

Lee F.

[ChiefEagles]

They [CTT's printer] have been having label problems.  Been getting them with labels about half off.  Last month mine came without the label and the name and address printed on the cover.  Surprised I got it.  Scanned the cover and emailed Bob Keller.  He forwarded to printer.  This month's, the label was stuck on real good.  Told you all, they do the delay to Yankees [especially New England ones] and former Yankees [Phillyreading].   I'm sure they go out in batches.  Also, I have been told that magazines are shipped at a Postal rate that the courier does not have to deliver immediately but has so many days to deliver.    

[phillyreading]

Mike C.

I agree with you that readers on the forum should get thier copy of CTT first, just a fact or two against cancelling the subscription is the price you pay per issue and the hassle of going to the local hobby store to get an issue of CTT.  My local (within 15 miles)hobby store does not have every issue around the same date.

Sometimes it makes me think that Kalmbach is testing the U.S. Postal service to see how long it takes to deliver the magazzines, or is the postal service at fault?

Lee F.

[cheapclassics]

Jim,

I tend to agree with you.  You are not alone in the delay as I am still waiting as well.  You would think Forum contributors would be first on the distribution list :-)

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

[Jumijo]

Still do not have mine. I'd like to remain a subscriber, but if everyone is getting their issues before me, including my local hobby stores, I don't see the logic. I'll just cancel and pick it up at a store.

Jim

[c50truck]

Mine arrived here today, over the Rockies in Greenaces WA. I guess the postmaster was finished with it. But it seems the wife wants the kitchen repainted before the holiday guest arrive. Priorities. Hmmmm.
Rod L.

[Brutus]

I think my regular mail person must be on vacation, because I just got mine!  Cool!

[cnw1995]

Well, some of us who like the four seasons but not necessarily the weather are kinda stuck where we live ;)

Did anyone peruse the circulation report on p. 102 of the latest CTT - average 8.3K newstand sales and about 66K subscribers (7.8K and 64K in the latest issue)?

[phillyreading]

Jim,

You are the one living in snow country and you hate the snow? 

Don't sound logical to me(Spock).

[Jumijo]

You are most likely correct, Lee. My bad karma has caught up with me.

Jim

P.S.
You can keep your snow. It's a four-letter word as far as I'm concerned.