Kitplanes subscription problem (Not RV related)

[Leonard_Smith_nz]

All,

I subscribed to the printed edition of Kitplanes approximately two months ago, but have not heard 'boo' from them. All attempts to contact them via email have gone unanswered.

While I appreciate that living in New Zealand may add a week or two, this seems a bit extreme.

Does anyone possibly "...know someone, who knows someone..." that can look into this for me or provide me with an 'insider' email address?

Any help much appreciated.

[AntiGravity]

I have an electronic sub to Kitplanes, and if I remember rightly I had a little bit of a run around too. I'll see if I can digout my emails this evening and let you know what I sorted...

I used to get the printed one reserved at the local paper shop, but the electronic one proved to be cheaper over all. I wish they would do one single PDF rather than a whole load of separate sections though :-(

Cheers,
--

[AntiGravity]

Hi Leonard,

looks like I've been a little ruthless with those particular emails, which is unusual because I tend to archive everything. I recommend you drop them an email though; two months is long enough to be patient!!

Cheers,

[Leonard_Smith_nz]

Originally Posted by AntiGravity

Hi Leonard,

looks like I've been a little ruthless with those particular emails, which is unusual because I tend to archive everything. I recommend you drop them an email though; two months is long enough to be patient!!

Cheers,

Thanks Jeff,

That's part of the problem...they're not answering my emails.

[Air UPSer]

Leonard, are you familiar with Skype? It's a VOIP client that's free to download. The sound quality is perfect and the cost for making calls is extremely low. In fact, if you're calling from Skype to Skype, it's free anywhere in the world! If you're calling from Skype to a landline, it's about 2 cents (US) per minute pretty much anywhere in the world.

I travel to Europe and Asia every month and use Skype wherever I can find a free Wi-fi signal. I've had it loaded on my computer for about 8 months and still have not exhausted the initial 10 Euros I bought when I signed up.

As long as you've got a high-speed connection, I suggest you download Skype (skype.com) and try to call Kitplanes.

Kitplanes
phone: 800/622-1065 (US & Canada)
phone: 386/447-6318 (International)
fax: 386/447-2321

Hope this helps!

Brad

[BillyBob]

Originally Posted by AntiGravity

I have an electronic sub to Kitplanes, and if I remember rightly I had a little bit of a run around too. I'll see if I can digout my emails this evening and let you know what I sorted...

I used to get the printed one reserved at the local paper shop, but the electronic one proved to be cheaper over all. I wish they would do one single PDF rather than a whole load of separate sections though :-(

Cheers,
--

I agree on the pdf comment. IMHO Kit Planes (if they are listening) should:

1. Build the electronic version of the magazine as a single pdf, exactly like the paper version. Then add in all the nice things that electronics allows, like web page links, embedded email, etc.

2. Then provide that electronic version at a price that is less than the paper version to reflect their savings in paper, ink, fuel, and distribution costs.

Think of it: Get today's Kit Planes in NZ, a second after it is published!

I was a subscriber to Kit Planes but am NOT now as I prefer the electronic version (less paper to recycle) and it should not be higher co$t.

[KPmarc]

First off, Lennard: Which email address are you trying for customer support? If you tell me, I can track it from this end and see who is dropping the ball.

Second, we're in the process of seeing how we can do a single PDF. It looks to be a trivial matter, but our IT people are shared with other venues, so getting their attention to make the change is another matter. From the editorial end, it's not a big deal to stitch the PDFs together into one file. It may not happen in the next couple of weeks but we ARE working on it.

--Marc @ Kitplanes

[BillyBob]

Originally Posted by KPmarc

First off, Lennard: Which email address are you trying for customer support? If you tell me, I can track it from this end and see who is dropping the ball.

Second, we're in the process of seeing how we can do a single PDF. It looks to be a trivial matter, but our IT people are shared with other venues, so getting their attention to make the change is another matter. From the editorial end, it's not a big deal to stitch the PDFs together into one file. It may not happen in the next couple of weeks but we ARE working on it.

--Marc @ Kitplanes

Well, as long as Kit Planes seems to be listening:

[Soapbox]
The modern way to do this, is to a paradyme shift. Just consider the magazines creation as all electronic to begin with, and do it that way. No more cut & paste, or hand page layout. No more light tables, exacto knifes, etc. Just do it all on the computer.

Then, when you get ready to publish, one route is to print on paper, another is to "print" to pdf, etc; that is create all your distribution media types from the same source. And it shouldn't be the IT people doing this. It should be the mindset of the whole creative staff.
[/Soapbox]

My apologies for being so opinionated in this area.

bc

[AntiGravity]

Originally Posted by KPmarc

Second, we're in the process of seeing how we can do a single PDF. <...snipped...> From the editorial end, it's not a big deal to stitch the PDFs together into one file. It may not happen in the next couple of weeks but we ARE working on it. --Marc @ Kitplanes

I'm very pleased to hear that, Marc. Good job.
Once it is a single PDF you could then progress to emailing it direct to subscribers...

[Leonard_Smith_nz]

All,

Thanks for your help. I've emailed Marc directly.

On the subject of paper vs pdf: I've actually gone the other way....nothing like reclining on the coach with the magazine on a Sunday afternoon, dropping off into a nice long snooooozzzeee....