On the shelf, and yet...

[Jessica]

I did some grocery shopping on my lunch hour and there was the May CL, mocking me from the newstand. I think subscribers should have it first--my other mags arrive before the copies hit the shelves.

[hka]

I agree with you Jessica! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I think subscribers should have it first as well. Otherwise, what's the point?

[Gail]

Forgive my ignorance, but I thought the advantage to having a subscription was (1) convenience and (2) saving money in the process. Could it be that the circulation department may look at it from the standpoint that those paying full price should be given priority, sort of like first-class passengers boarding the plane before everyone else? Or maybe this was simply a fluke this month?

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 04-20-2001).]

[patsyk]

I have to agree with Jessica and hka that subscribers should get "first dibs" on new issues. It seems like all other magazine distributors do it this way... wonder what's the hold up this month - it's never really seemed to be a problem before????

[This message has been edited by patsyk (edited 04-20-2001).]

[AndreaU]

I agree with you all... in my eight or so years as a CL subscriber, I can honestly say that I ALWAYS see it on the stands before I see it in my mailbox! I had a rant a while back about subscription prices and just found a site where I can get a year of CL for $16, as opposed to the "special renewal price" of $22/year! But anyway, I thought, as did Gail, that the reason you subscribe (in addition to saving $ off the cover price) was to receive your magazines before the shelf-shopper... (sigh) Oh well! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif

[sneezles]

Aside from the fact that seems to be "discussed" every single month...I have to agree with Gail. Having a subsription also means I don't have to put it on a list to buy, it gets delivered to me! And I tend to stay away from threads where others are bragging about getting their copy-I'm sorry but I don't think this is a contest. I enjoy my magazine, in my chair, all by myself and if I happen to make a recipe that I really enjoyed then I might post a thread or I might not!

[Grace]

I agree with Sneezles - it doesn't really matter to me when everyone else gets their issues.

I would like to say that Maelynn has addressed this topic a couple of times, and she has repeatedly told us that the issues are shipped to stores about a week before they are to be put out onto the shelves. They are clearly marked with something that says "DO NOT DISPLAY BEFORE ....(then the date). Unfortunately, most stores don't pay any attention to this at all, and go right ahead and display them when they're not supposed to. CL certainly can't police every store in the country to make sure they don't do that.

[Jessica]

Oh dear, I did not mean to start another lengthy discussion. I was just trying to be funny and it fell flat--probably why I write finance articles instead of humor columns.
I started it, and I am happy to finish it. Happy Cooking to All.

[Gail]

Not to worry Jessica. I don't think anyone's up in arms. It's one of those things I doubt anyone will ever be able find a definitive answer for-- could be it's something as benign as something to do with trucking routes for all we know! Can't say I blame those of you who become a bit miffed with the seeming inequities of the delivery system-- I suppose when you've given the magazine your commitment,loyalty and money it seems only right to expect a bit of preferential treatment in return.