30% price increase of MR justified?

[Anonymous]

What is the reason for a 30% increase of the Jan. issue? It certainly is not matched by an equal in crease it content.

[Anonymous]

Gee, Maybe they just want to pay the bills. 30% is quite steep though, isn't it?

Now, if anyone can really tell me that 30% is the amount that MR raised their price, I might just consider a cancellation in my subscription.

Anyone else, anyone??

[Anonymous]

Probably because it was the 70th Aniversary, they did it on their 65th aniversary.

[RhB_HJ]

Yeah well 70th anniversary and all that. Jolly good!

If they would have liked a real eye opener and huge round of applause they could have sold the issue for the same price as MR Vol1 #1.
OTOH I was never one to hold my breath for such grand gestures.

As of the Feb issue it will be back to the library copy, that's much better value in my book.
What I do like are the reviews etc. that are on the website.

[RhB_HJ]

BTW it isn't 30%; at least not here in Canada.

It is 28.77% according to my calculation.
And I'm sure according to the "bean counters" it probably is "only" 23.35%. After all those guys always take the new price and compare it to the old price, when the price goes up or down. That way they always get a more favourable figure i.e. smaller increase, larger decrease. [;)][:)]
Funny part is we never seem to have extra money in our pockets with that kind of accounting.

[Anonymous]

Why 30%? How about 50%!! I stopped purchasing the mag. years ago, just go to the library and read it for free. If you take out the ads, you have a magazine about 10 pages long with interesting topics, great pictures etc etc etc. One would think that all the ads would be way enough to pay for the magazine and lower the price to a buck or so. Seems to me, someone is getting very wealth.
Happy New Year!!!

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by hohobo

Why 30%? How about 50%!! I stopped purchasing the mag. years ago, just go to the library and read it for free. If you take out the ads, you have a magazine about 10 pages long with interesting topics, great pictures etc etc etc. One would think that all the ads would be way enough to pay for the magazine and lower the price to a buck or so. Seems to me, someone is getting very wealth.
Happy New Year!!!

Yep, when you boil it down that's what MR and GR turn out to be.
I had been buying MR since 69 (when I arrived from Europe), I had been buying GR since I started in Large Scale 4+ years ago.
One day last winter/early spring I sat down, had a hard look at what I was getting and decided that the library issue will do just fine.
At the same time I started writing for a German garden railway magazine which has a much nicer balance between ads and articles.

[Anonymous]

I counted 82 pages of full ads. Not counting the pages in the first half of the issue that are 2/3rds ads. Subtract the Editors page, Al Kalmbach life story and Tony Koester's stuff I never read. You may have 20 to 25 pages of content. Granted there is a lot of pages with new product releases which are sort of ads. Oh and the monster layouts that are 400+ square ft. that are beuatiful and redone about every 8 to 10 years. So why fo I subscribe. I like the small amount of workshops they have, the events calendar and the new releases. Is MR worth the money? Some months yes many months not at all. Is the magazine worth $6 NO! I can get most of the info supplied by way of the internet.

RMax

[Anonymous]

Has MR stated they are raising the retail price of the magazine or is all this just supposition based on the 70th Anniversary issue price?

Randy

[IRONROOSTER]

Looking at December and January:
The cover price went from $4.95 to $5.95 or $1.00 this is a 20% increase. This is $71.40 for one year up $12.00.
Tthe subscription rate box on the credits page the one year sub is the same $39.95 (also on the postcard inserts). The two year sub went from $67.95 to $74.95 or $7.00 a 10% increase.
Three year from $94.95 to 106.95 or $12.00 a 13% increase. (all percents rounded off).

Looks like the cover price is where the biggest increase is. More incentive to subscribe. Probably a reflection of the wholesale price they get from the retailers vs the sub price less postage. Unfortunately, everything is going up and MR has probably been holding off for a while.

Still I think MR is the best model rr mag. Whether it's worth it, is a personal decision.

Paul

[douginut]

yes!



Doug, in Utah

[Anonymous]

I think the magazine is losing subscribers and this is a way of trying to get more by making the news stand price out of site. Unfortunately I think the reason for the news stand buyers is because the decline in quality over the past few years. Recently the magazine has improved in some regards but I can still live without the reruns of layouts past, large amount of ads and some of the monster layouts. It's true that the magazine is worth the price if it's a value to you. If you buy off the news stand you are able to pick and choose if the magazine is worth anything to you. If you subscribe it just comes in the mail. A price increase on the news stand would just effect my = value a little more.

RMax

[Anonymous]

Please note that the $5.95 single copy price for the January issue of Model Railroader is for this single issue only. It is not a permanent price increase. This special anniversary issue was priced higher due to the inclusion of additional editorial pages and foldouts.

Effective with the February 2004 issue, the price will return to $4.95.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Michael Barbee
Circulation Director

[Anonymous]

I have to disagree with anyone who says that the 70th anniv. issue didn't have a lot of extra content. I thought it was great, especially the piece on the Tehapachi layout in San Diego (excuse my spelling if this is incorrect) and the Altoona museum.

Guys, first of all we have to remember that we have chosen to partake in a somewhat expensive hobby.

Secondly, we have to remember that MR does not have the kind of circulation of TIME, Better Homes, GQ, etc etc. It's a real niche market and so I'm not surprised that the prices are a little higher than some other magazines. Besides my subscription to MR, last year I also had sub's to Railroad Model Craftsman, Model Railroading, N Scale, and N Scale Model Railroading. I'm here to tell you that none of these others offer as much content even as MR in my opinion. They are also full of ads as well. What's more, some of them are only bi-monthly, yet are the same prices or even more (which means you pay just as much as MR but receive, at most, 1/2 the content). All in all, MR is still the best value and the best resource. I have since let my sub's to the other mags lapse because of the lack of content (and because it was getting too expensive!).

I would like to see more, however. I think MR could give us more layout features, how-to, DCC articles, etc. I especially like articles on the future of DCC such as the article in the Dec. 2003 about the bi-directional DCC we can expect within the next year!

[Anonymous]

The 70th anniversary issue was beautiful and it's good to hear they magazine will not be going up in cost. As a whole the Staff of Model Railroader Magazine do an excellent job. Like everyone else there are some parts of the magazine that I like and parts I do not. I'm sure there are people out there that like what I don't care for. They compete and walk a very fine line. For the price of just over 2 issues you can buy some of the how to books that have more specific information. On the other end Railroad books are very expensive. $60 or so for 100 pages or less of prototype info. Sometimes when I wasn't a subscriber I would weigh buying a car or the magazine(about the same price).

RMax

[Anonymous]

I believe there was another post on this topic not long ago. It was explained by the people at MR that the price increase was only for the January '04 issue. This was due to special foldouts, extra pages, and such for the Anniversary issue. The February '04 issue is supposed to be back to the normal price (same as December '03).

A suggestion: If you purchase a subscription to MR, you will not be as affected by price increases. Especially if you get a multi-year subscription. If the price increases during your subscription, you won't have to pay the higher price until you renew your subscription. Thus you save $$ in the long run. In addition, you usually save $$ with the subscription when compared to buying the same number of issues at the cover price. This is true reguardless of what magazine you subscribe to.

Dale B.

[cacole]

I'm a subscriber, so the additional cover price of the January 2004 issue didn't have a direct effect on me; however, with all of the additional advertising that was in the magazine because it was the 70th Anniversary issue, and the advertising rates being what they are, they should have been able to give the magazine away and still show a profit. Charging more just because it's an Anniversary issue is not justified when all of the additional content is advertising, and there were no more news items than prior issues.

[bluepuma]

Biting the hand that feeds you.... It looked like my subscription cost will be going up again this year, had to let Trains elapse and buy it when I could a few months cause
I didn't have the extra $40, but could spare single copy. Finally renewed my sub. got my wife the Trains sub. afterwards, she got a better rate. Didn't miss any, but the sub elapsed for about 7 months. I get the mags, but missed out on a few microtrains releases...

[Anonymous]

[^] I think the increase is worth it for a 'zine that goes hand in hand with model railroading. Subscribing clearly is more cost effective. Personally, when I pause to consider the amount of money I've wasted on other items that had little if any real value over the long run, I think the price increase is worth it. At least I'll have issues that I can turn to repeatedly months and years from now.

[Anonymous]

I hope that the 75th Anniversary Issue will be more like the 50th Anniversary issue than the 70th Anniversary issue. MR is still good, but the internet and forums provide more relevant information sooner.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Price increase? I've seen a few. I think that the first issue I purchased was $.50. Every issue doesn't bole me over, but every issue keeps me entertained for several days. Besides, years later I'll be going back and looking at forgoten articles again. Great research meterial too. Keep up the good work, Gang.

[krump]

$6.95 Cdn + 14.5% BC taxes in Dec 2003
$8.95 Cdn + 14.5% BC taxes in Jan 2004

I don't like such a jump in cost, but I was hoping / expecting that the Febr 2004 etc would be typically less (perhaps $7.45 Cdn ???).

I'd prefer to subscribe to Model Railroader Magazine, however ...

1) I can not call TOLL FREE (?) to MRR from Canada to get a final cost or special offer.
2) The current subscription offers don't give me ENOUGH INCENTIVE -- no more savings than the cost of one issue over the year (and that doesn't cover the cost of the necessary USD money order, or the purchase points / discounts that I'd receive independantly from the store ... basically, it costs me equal or less to purchase MRR at the store than a subscription would cost me. However,
3) if MRR was available at a subscription savings rate, via a personal cheque from Canada in Cdn dollars (simply suggesting a Cdn mailing address /box number for Subscriptions only, and a North American toll free number), it would be convenient / convincing for me to send a cheque out for a FIVE (5) YEAR SUBSCRIPTION.

Happy New Year 2004, and Happy MRR reading... I thoroughly enjoy MRR mag.

[Anonymous]

I subscribe to computer magazines that cost $1.00 to $1.50 when subscribed to, but on any news stand cost around $8.00. Same for most other magazines also. MR is not the cheapest, but have you checked paper, ink, and other costs of doing business?

Expand your thinking a bit and tell me what has not had substantial increases lately. A never ending cycle. I haven't heard that wages have gone up.

What about medical care?

I will stick with Model Railroader though. [:)]

[Anonymous]

I found a great way to buy my issues of Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman, Railfan & Railroad and other railroad magazines at model railroad flea markets and at hobby shops for much less than what Carstens and Kalmbach Publishing want for their magazines. This past november i bought 6 issues of Model Railroader and Railfan & Railroad for a total of $3.27 at Central Tennessee Hobbies in Cookeville, Tennessee. All 6 magazines were in mint condition. i also bought 6 issues of Model Railroader, Railfan & Railroad, and Trains at the Wilmington Railroad Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina on December 8, 2003 for a total of $2.00, and all also in mint condition. I am sorry but i will not be buying issues of Model Railroader at the full price anymore as they usually do not have much of anything of interest anymore. It would be nice to see them do articles on prototype shortlines, smaller layouts and more coverage on lesser known smaller lines. i mean haven't we all seen enough on UP, Pennsy, D&RGW, and other big railroads?

[krump]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mbarbee

Please note that the $5.95 single copy price for the January issue of Model Railroader is for this single issue only. It is not a permanent price increase. This special anniversary issue was priced higher due to the inclusion of additional editorial pages and foldouts.

Effective with the February 2004 issue, the price will return to $4.95.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Michael Barbee
Circulation Director

thanks Michael for the clarification,

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by krump
....
I'd prefer to subscribe to Model Railroader Magazine, however ...

1) I can not call TOLL FREE (?) to MRR from Canada to get a final cost or special offer.
2) The current subscription offers don't give me ENOUGH INCENTIVE -- no more savings than the cost of one issue over the year (and that doesn't cover the cost of the necessary USD money order, or the purchase points / discounts that I'd receive independantly from the store ... basically, it costs me equal or less to purchase MRR at the store than a subscription would cost me. However,
3) if MRR was available at a subscription savings rate, via a personal cheque from Canada in Cdn dollars (simply suggesting a Cdn mailing address /box number for Subscriptions only, and a North American toll free number), it would be convenient / convincing for me to send a cheque out for a FIVE (5) YEAR SUBSCRIPTION...etc.

Mr krump.......While I don't find MR the value it used to be, [ mainly due to content and editorial capability ], I think it's only fair to report the TRUTH about Canadian subscription cost....which is not what you have stated.

First of all, the toll-free number 1-800-533-6644 on my subscription renewal card ALWAYS WORKS JUST FINE from Ontario, and I always get to speak with a friendly lady who courteously takes my renewal information. Every year.The card plainly states the number is good in both the USA & Canada....just observe the Central time zone hours.

Second of all....I provide a credit card number for billing, so I have no money order cost.
In fact, I get 1% of my subscription cost BACK as Canadian Tire money, due to having an affinity card.

Thirdly, the cost is definitely lower than buying across-the-counter. My renewal for one year was USD$47.50, plus the GMR I always add on, for USD$8.00,for a total of USD$55.50 NET, and that came to C$79.34 at the 1.43 exchange rate I was charged on Sept 01, 2003.
If I bought the issues at retail, I would pay C$83.40 for 12 issues, plus the extra C$2.00 this year for the January issue, plus C$9.95 for the GMR, PLUS SALES TAX ! ......Do the math by all means....it's sure worth more than one issue's cost !
And each issue is right to my door, early as can be, while my nearest "hobby shop" is 18 miles away.

Expecting to be able to "mail a CDN$ cheque to a Canadian address" is rather whiney.
Even for one of us Canadians.[:0]
Happy New Year anyway,
Mike, in Meaford,
Eastern Canada.[:D][:D]

PS....to everyone else complaining about the cost of MR....how do you like the cost of this website and forum ? Is "free" good enough for now ?[;)]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: [i]Originally posted by robmik

Expecting to be able to "mail a CDN$ cheque to a Canadian address" is rather whiney.
Even for one of us Canadians.[:0]
Happy New Year anyway,
Mike, in Meaford,
Eastern Canada.[:D][:D]

PS....to everyone else complaining about the cost of MR....how do you like the cost of this website and forum ? Is "free" good enough for now ?[;)]

Ohoh it's East picking on West

Well I have you know I have a completely "free" discussion forum as part of my hobby site.
There isn't an ad in sight, despite us also being in the business as a manufacturer www.easternmountainmodels.com
And by the middle of the year we'll be using phpBB which will offer even more features. For now we use a Canadian host (Bravenet). So don't give me the super-generosity bit, I know how the game works!
As to the Canadians whining about Canuck cheques to a Canuck address. Wellllllll why not, after all Kalmbach manages to collect the GST for the Feds, has a mail depot in Windsor etc. etc.
Besides I know that the Yanks are no happier to pay Can$ to a Can address than vice a versa.

Happy New Year to everyone.

[brothaslide]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RMaxfield

. . .Unfortunately I think the reason for the news stand buyers is because the decline in quality over the past few years. Recently the magazine has improved in some regards but I can still live without the reruns of layouts past, large amount of ads and some of the monster layouts. . . .

Curious - What, in your opinion, has brought the quality down and what is brining it up? I know you can't please all of the people all of the time but what would make it a better magazine?

[Anonymous]

I thought the Jan issue was worth the extra. As far as the ads go,I read the mag cover to cover including the ads. In fact I actually like looking through the ads. Compared to the rest of the MR mags out there its still the best. I've found that even though I'm not interested in a certain article there is usually something I can use in it, if not now somewhere down the pike. Why are so many people ragging on Koester? I've nver met the guy but I like his articles and respect what he's done.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Strider1

Why are so many people ragging on Koester? I've nver met the guy but I like his articles and respect what he's done.

Well,

I'd never rag on Tony Koester, matter of fact his column is one of the first things I read. I met him once, he's a very nice guy!

Now when it comes to "ragging" how about Malcom Furlow? In our circle of Canadian Operating Groups we generally referred to him as "The King of Schmalz".
Well judging by his latest efforts that is still an apt title. What is a bit galling is his LS caricature being used as a (typical??)sample of Large Scale. Yep, sure guys!