Guess that answers my question about why I never got a sample sent to me. Other threads have complained about getting them in the mail. I wont lose any sleep over it.
Dave in the north.
DavidGSmith wrote:Guess that answers my question about why I never got a sample sent to me. Other threads have complained about getting them in the mail. I wont lose any sleep over it.Dave in the north.
Nor will I David. Though I may lose some sleep watching Joe Fugates videos into the wee hours. I am told they are much better than the MRR videos anyway and Joe intends to begin offering his DVD quality how to videos in regular 4:3 and in HD format, for download by the segment or by the volume at a very reasonable price. One of his how to videos for download will be less than half the cost of the MRR offering.
NevinW wrote:I agree that this is more likely to be due to some form of government regulation or trade law that causes MR to decide to not market it in Canada. It doesn't make any sense otherwise. - Nevin
Or it could very likely be something as simple as economics. I.e., mass mailings like these dvd's receive a nice price break for mailing in the US. And *only* in the US, whether it's dvds or the latest "get this credit card now" application, because it concerns domestic rates. Rest assured, that if Kalmbach had to mail these first or second class, they wouldn't be done. Different postal rates going to/from Canada obviously.
Don't know if Canada has similar things in their postal service; since it's a govt. agency and the US service isn't, not sure.
Mailman56701 wrote: Don't know if Canada has similar things in their postal service; since it's a govt. agency and the US service isn't, not sure.
Doubtful. Canada post...BITES!
Kevin--
First of all, I'm not only sorry that you cannot obtain the series in Canada, I'm rather confused by the reason--I have been given to understand that DVD's in both US and Canada are interchangeable. And considering the number of Canadian modelers that post on this forum, that is something that Model Railroader Magazine needs to address, and QUICKLY.
The format of the DVD's, whether or not everything on them will help you in the hobby, is almost immaterial. I have several of them, and if the entire DVD does not interest me, there are some portions of them that I have found rather helpful.
There is one other major problem, though. If you send more than two or three DVD's back to Model Railroader because they just DON'T interest you--for instance, one DVD was purely on modern diesels, and I model late steam--you stand to be dropped from the entire series. This has happened to me. VERY disappointing. But as always, I move on.
However, this should not preclude you and other Canadians from at least being able to sample the series.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
I think the reason is this simple:
MR has sent the DVDs to some of their subscribers -- not even every US subscriber.
It's a test market. If the response is good, they will continue (and expand) the programme; if not they will ditch it.
It's a tried-and-true marketing tactic. The difference is, in the digital age (and within our finite community) everybody now knows about it.
Regardless, the logic is: Why send a DVD to everyone and have the programme fail at great cost when you can minimize your risk by sending it to a smaller group?
Not that I think it will fail; I applaud MR for trying new things.
Me, I still haven't got around to watching my copy, but it is sitting next to the DVD player.
Craig
DMW
Craig is probably close to the truth here. If posters will recall, from what threads have appearred on this forum since the DPB series began, there seems to have been several cycles or waves of the DVDs appearing in the hands of different posters. I was part of the very first round, which must date from at least 2 years ago now. Early on, many here complained they were not getting any such DVDs and asked how to get on the mailing list. I recall later threads by folks starting to find the DVDs in their mail for the first time many months after I had received installment #6 or #7. And in just the past few weeks a new thread has surfaced that indicates some folks are receiving copies for the very first time...again.
CNJ831
Craig, & CNJ,
Your explanations may very well be right on target. What I found unpleasant was the fact that when I contact MRR directly and ask how I can get the DVD's I am simply told no, we don't send them to Canada. A little more explanation would have been nice but better yet going a bit further for a customer and saying we have not as of yet started shipping the DVD's to Canadian addresses but since you are specifically asking for them and are a subscriber already we will certainly be happy to send them to you.
Anyway. That isn't what happened, is not what's going to happen and I'm fine with that. The result of this post is that I have gotten a lot more feedback about the DPB DVD's and now I don't want them afterall. So in the end I haven't lost anything, Model Railroader has. I guess when you come right down to it I'm lucky they wouldn't send them to me...it saved me wasting money on a product that at best seems to be very hit and miss.
I wonder if the MRR guys will find a way to use up all those unwanted DVD's in a layout...maybe the managing editors need some of those flashy things in their backyards?
BlueHillsCPR wrote: Craig, & CNJ,Your explanations may very well be right on target. What I found unpleasant was the fact that when I contact MRR directly and ask how I can get the DVD's I am simply told no, we don't send them to Canada. A little more explanation would have been nice but better yet going a bit further for a customer and saying we have not as of yet started shipping the DVD's to Canadian addresses but since you are specifically asking for them and are a subscriber already we will certainly be happy to send them to you.Anyway. That isn't what happened, is not what's going to happen and I'm fine with that. The result of this post is that I have gotten a lot more feedback about the DPB DVD's and now I don't want them afterall. So in the end I haven't lost anything, Model Railroader has. I guess when you come right down to it I'm lucky they wouldn't send them to me...it saved me wasting money on a product that at best seems to be very hit and miss.I wonder if the MRR guys will find a way to use up all those unwanted DVD's in a layout...maybe the managing editors need some of those flashy things in their backyards?
they should be about perfect size for an N scale turn table OR a giant Z turntable
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
R. T. POTEET wrote:Would you accept annexation as a means of getting rid of that pesky border?
I don't think so...on the other hand is there ANY chance you guys could take Quebec?!
Now before I get a bunch of hate mail en francais I am just kidding.
BlueHillsCPR wrote: R. T. POTEET wrote:Would you accept annexation as a means of getting rid of that pesky border? I don't think so...on the other hand is there ANY chance you guys could take Quebec?! Now before I get a bunch of hate mail en francais I am just kidding.
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
My Train Page My Photobucket Page My YouTube Channel
Johnnny_reb wrote:Its simple have a friend in the US buy the dvd's for you and mail them to you. Think outside the box people. More then likely it is the exchange rate of US funds to Canadain funds kinda thing.
Well the dollars are nearly par...and already thingking outside the box...buying Joe Fugates superior video collection instead!
BlueHillsCPR wrote: Johnnny_reb wrote:Its simple have a friend in the US buy the dvd's for you and mail them to you. Think outside the box people. More then likely it is the exchange rate of US funds to Canadain funds kinda thing.Well the dollars are nearly par...and already thingking outside the box...buying Joe Fugates superior video collection instead!
With all this good advertising for Joe's videos I will order the whole series later tonight. They seems great.
Magnus
secondhandmodeler wrote: BlueHillsCPR wrote: Johnnny_reb wrote:Its simple have a friend in the US buy the dvd's for you and mail them to you. Think outside the box people. More then likely it is the exchange rate of US funds to Canadain funds kinda thing.Well the dollars are nearly par...and already thingking outside the box...buying Joe Fugates superior video collection instead! You're going to get Joe's dvd's for free pretty soon.
Nah...I'm in no way affiliated with Joe but he has done more to help me out, just out of downright kindness I guess and has certainly offered a higher level of customer service than MRR has thus far...and I have yet to give Joe one cent.
Lillen wrote: BlueHillsCPR wrote: Johnnny_reb wrote:Its simple have a friend in the US buy the dvd's for you and mail them to you. Think outside the box people. More then likely it is the exchange rate of US funds to Canadain funds kinda thing.Well the dollars are nearly par...and already thingking outside the box...buying Joe Fugates superior video collection instead! With all this good advertising for Joe's videos I will order the whole series later tonight. They seems great. Magnus
Again, not affiliated with Joe, just like his style and what I have seen of his video work. If you want to see for yourself visit his Youtube channel.
If my repeated praise for Joe's work is getting oppressive or annoying just let the thread die and I'll move on singing my praise of Joe Fugate elsewhere and in other threads. No problem!
Did I mention that Joe's videos will soon be available for download in segments or by the volume at very reasonable prices and in IPOD, DVD, and HD quality that can be burned to DVD, VCD, etc.?
I think that we should praise those who deserved to be praised. What I have seen from his posts on this forum and from his videos he seems to be a great guy. I always like to give my money to those kind of people. Also his website is superb, probably among the best in the industry.
Lillen wrote:I think that we should praise those who deserved to be praised. What I have seen from his posts on this forum and from his videos he seems to be a great guy. I always like to give my money to those kind of people. Also his website is superb, probably among the best in the industry. Magnus