British Railway Modelling

Has anybody received the issue out this month, yet.? I think it would be the October issue?

"Keith J Patrick" wrote

Yes, we received a delivery yesterday - they sent five copies instead of our normal twenty; another five arrived today and we've been told that the rest are on the way.

I have to say that the distributors are not very reliable, as we frequently get this sort of problem.

John.

Thanks John

They've been in WHS for several days - who have only *today* received MRJ which I gather was published a week or so ago!

Regards, John Isherwood.

Despite earlier arrival in some larger 'chain' newspaper shops, I still prefer a subscription service, living over 15 miles from the nearest W H Smith.

What happens locally is that half the mags arrive early and sell out almost immediately then a second shipment arrives towards the end of the month by which time few people are interested and they are left unsold. Previous expereince of W.H Smith has taught me it's pointless complaining about anything.

(kim)

In article , cctransuk writes

What is the point of sealing BRM in a plastic envelope? I don't buy it on spec, but skim through and only buy if there is a worthwhile article.

Two reasons for the current issue.

1. To keep the three seperate parts together so that you get a complete package. ie the magazine, the 16 page 'moving to P4' supplement, and the ad for the Hornby DCC system.
2. In the hope of increasing sales because those who normally read it in the shop will still want to read it. Keith

that's why.

"Keith" wrote

But this method of presentation puts more people off that it attracts, to the point where we have to have an 'opened' copy in the shop for people to peruse before they will buy.

John.

Because people like me won't buy it if it looks damaged or second-hand which many copies do. Also I have a lot of shopping to carry and there is less chance of it being damaged on the way home.

(kim)

And I suppose John if you were running a video librbary you would allow customers to play a video in ths shop so they could decide whether to rent it or not? :o)

(kim)

John Bishop said the following on 17/09/2006 20:39:

I think you just answered the question. WH Smith is not a library - it is a shop where you buy things, not borrow them, and expect to buy new magazines, not secondhand. If you want to see what's in it, perhaps the website will give you a clue.

Also, it stops things being separated. A few months ago I bought an MTB magazine. When I got home I found it should have had a DVD on the front. Back to Smiths, and there was a pile of DVDs loose in the slot, so I was able to get one (I asked first!) If it had all been in a bag, no problem!

No, cos that is why they have a "Jacket" which gives you screen shots and a write up...

Just having a picture, title and a few headers saying its this or that article is not as in depth as a DVD or Video cover surely ?

I didn't even pick it up in WH Smiths today, I went straight to the other titles. I confess I did buy it's sister magazine, but that just proves the point. Can't see, don't buy. Bit like the shop window - If you can't see the price and have to ask.... You can't afford it...!

"kim" wrote

If we were selling videos or DVDs on a large scale then I would certainly have a preview option, even though we talking about a different cost level.

John.

Agreed. I get MRJ on subsciption. Everything else I buy *if* there is something of interest in it, sometimes even if it's only one prototype photo of something elusive. If I bought everything which might have something useful in it then by the time I'd finished with all the railway, model railway, aircraft, model aircraft, archaeology and Land-Rover mags I'd have no money left for food let alone modelling. So I stand in Smiths and thumb through the magazines or at least read the contents page. If it's in a poly bag it stays on the shelf. And yes, if I decide to buy it I pick a pristine one from further back in the pile and I make no apologies for doing so - if you're a magazine retailer then you either accept wastage from dog-eared copies or accept reduced sales from casual browsers like me.

Stuart.

You're in a minority, though. Poly-wrapped magazines sell better, and with less waste, than unwrapped ones. So the retailer can afford to lose your custom, as it's being more than compensated for by gains from other purchasers.

Mark

Seems a little odd then that the esteemed market forces have not picked up on this selling advantage causing all the mags to be wrapped. Keith

I'm sure you see trailers of films before you go and see them at the pictures.

Chris