Preferred Subscribers Advantage Program

[SandyDee]

I received a letter from CL in the mail yesterday welcoming me to this program. It talked a little about it but not in detail. I don't recall signing up for this and don't know anything about it at all. It sounds interesting and like it has some good features, but I am curious how I signed up for it and what the details are. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

[Beth]

No. But now you've given us something else to fret over besides whether we've gotten the latest magazine or reached member status. Now we have to wait to see if we have reache preferred subscriber status.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 01-11-2001).]

[BevP]

Maybe it's the preferred subscribers who get their magazines early. Meanwhile we, the non-preferred, wait till after every grocery store in North America has copies. (Please read this with a tongue in cheek tone)

[JJ40]

I'd be interested in knowing more about this, SandyDee, so please keep us posted!
(aah, I'm so witty.) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Julie

[SueK]

You know, this brings up a question for me. I know there have been many threads on this board concerning the distribution of CL, but when I searched for them, many of the pages were no longer available to view.

My question is, isn't CL distributed by various distribution houses? If so, you'd think they could all coordinate the mailings so that people would receive them before the magazine hits the newstand. I doubt it's done geographically, as I'm in PA, and got mine early this month, but Tiger, for example, who is not that far away, has yet to receive hers.

Also, regardless of where they are sent from, some months I get mine very late, some months unusually early (as in this month), and some months right around the time it shows up in the stores.

To me, this shows that not only is there inconsistency with the various groups of subscribers, but also inconsistency within each individual subscriber, since each month it is a guessing game as to when I'll get mine.

Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is that if it weren't for the fact that CL is an absolutely wonderful magazine, I would have given up by now and just buy it off the newstands. None of the other mags I subscribe to are this inconsistent with delivery. I'll stop rambling now!
Sue

[AndreaU]

As far as being considered a "preferred subscriber," I wonder what it takes. I've subscribed continually for the last 8 years and I'm sure there are many of you who have been with CL even longer!

[SandyDee]

Sorry to open up a can of worms. I have subscribed continuously for several years and I am not sure why I received this. Believe me it does not get you your magazine earlier. I do sometimes get them early, but many times I read the posts here of people who have tried so many of the recipes and I sit patiently (?) waiting for mine. This thing sounds great but I don't have the particulars. I will let you all know if I get any more on it. It might just be some advertizers ploy to make me think I got something when all it is is a confirmation of my subscription renewel. And here I'm getting all excited about it. I gotta get a life!!!!

[sushibones]

My guess is that's it marketing. Just like those offers for new credit cards because of your "excellent credit record." It's even possible that it's sent to new subscribers to entice them to spend more on books, etc. CL doesn't have to entice people who have been subscribing for 8 years--they know they've got you hooked. Old subscribers also don't get the reduced rates offered to new subscribers. Do you think it would be worthwhile to not send in the renewal forms and just send in new subscriber cards every year? You might have to buy an issue from the newsstand, but given the lateness of this month's issue, perhaps that would not be such a big deal. (I still haven't gotten my issue yet. I think's it time to finally contact CL.)

I might also point out that the marketing part of a business is often quite separate from everything else. The staff that produces the recipes and works hard to make everything come out right in terms of accuracy and taste is not the same staff that is trying to get you to spend more of your money buying their products. CL is such a good magazine it's hard to believe they would stoop to using come-on gimmicks, but to quote my husband who used to work in the marketing section of his company, "It's all marketing." He's very much happier now in the engineering section.

[JEdesign]

Having worked in the magazine publishing industry in the past, I might be able to give you some insight on how distribution works. Magazines are shipped at a special rate--3rd class I think--and postage depends on the distance traveled. Because of this, the printer and distribution center are usually located somewhere in the midwest, regardless of where the magazine's editorial offices are. The magazines to be mailed are bundled together by region--the larger the region, the longer the books stay bundled, which is why those of you in small remote towns are more likely to receive magazines in poor shape. For example, a post office in Los Angeles or New York will receive nice big bundles of books, while a post office in Gary, Indiana might receive smaller bundles or loose magazines. Thus, they get more handling between printer and mailbox. And if you are consistently receiving your magazines late, it's more likely the fault of your local post office, taking its time sorting the mail. Now you know more than you ever wanted to about this stimulating topic!