Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Nothing at all is on their site to alert subscribers that they are purchasing through a third party. The person I talked to there today seemed not too willing to talk about this. They've heard complaints about this before. I found this third party's website and messaged them asking when they plan to notify Linn's and told them I'd prefer a refund so I can call Amos and renew directly.
Note I posted a similar rant on SCF earlier today. I accidentally lapsed out and now want to get my issues resumed, especially as I want to get the issues prior to the StampShow. I never got any notice of expiration from them. Somebody at Amos sure is trying to save Nickels and dimes.
Login to Like
this post
Linns is not the only one doing this. Kalmback Publishing (Model Railroader Magazine and many others) has gone to a third party company, and it has been a nightmare for me trying to get them to process my order. Kalmbach told me it has to go through the third party as they don't handle the paperwork anymore. That is horrible customer service.
Kalmbach is more concerned with getting people to sign up for the online subscription, not the paper magazine. Perhaps Linns is following the same tactic.
Login to Like
this post
What gets me is there is no indication on Linn's website that their subscriptions are being serviced by a third party with attendant delays in processing. I wouldn't expect them to come out and say if you renew using their website link you'll be weeks getting your papers but maybe a 'for faster service, call us directly.' This outfit's website looks like publishers Clearing House; I'd bet if I left this alone I'd still be waiting by Fall.
I will need to call my card carrier to push them on cancelling this charge (still on my account) Then call Linns next week and rebook it direct with them.
This is just another example of what is happening with Amos making bad decisions. I posted earlier about their no longer apparently doing on site printing of their pages for one thing.
Login to Like
this post
They have done printing on demand using a third party printer for many years. The problem has been that the "on demand" means when it gets put on their printer's work list. From the month's I have had to wait for some items, I think their printer puts everything from them on the bottom of the list at lowest priority.
Third party printing does have its advantages whereby, in this case, Scott doesn't have to maintain inventory of pages, probably most don't sell very often. So that lowers their costs. However, instead of giving collectors a break on the cost part, they keep jacking up the prices of their products. I guess they have to try to pay for all the companies that they (Amos Media) have bought.
This is what happens (Kalmbach included) when you're the only major show in town.
Login to Like
this post
It is probably more about reducing operational costs since their revenues are likely declining due to fewer subscribers and sale of philatelic supplies. The carrying cost of unsold inventory can be a burden for any business. Of course delays in delivering print on demand does not encourage future sales either.
Most companies will outsource any service they do not need to do in house that is not critical to the basic business even at the risk of reduced customer service.
It is the sign of the times.
Login to Like
this post
I know people at Kalmbach, Scale Auto Enthusiast and Fine Scale Modeler. It's a good company, but with shrinking advertising revenues due to the Internet. It used to be that your advertising paid for all the printing, so sold copies were all gravy. Not so much any more!
Did you notice that their new publication devoted to diecast cars is only on-line? No print version.
Login to Like
this post
Just a heads up; if your subscription to Linn's lapsed or is about to, do NOT use their website to renew. they won't get the order. Instead it goes to some NYC outfit 'Subscription Core'. My payment for $66 got sent there last week. They ran it through right away. Linn's has not to date heard from them and I was told today that it could take 6-8 weeks before my issues begin resuming.
Nothing at all is on their site to alert subscribers that they are purchasing through a third party. The person I talked to there today seemed not too willing to talk about this. They've heard complaints about this before. I found this third party's website and messaged them asking when they plan to notify Linn's and told them I'd prefer a refund so I can call Amos and renew directly.
Note I posted a similar rant on SCF earlier today. I accidentally lapsed out and now want to get my issues resumed, especially as I want to get the issues prior to the StampShow. I never got any notice of expiration from them. Somebody at Amos sure is trying to save Nickels and dimes.
Login to Like
this post
re: Linns Using a Third Party for Subscription Services
Linns is not the only one doing this. Kalmback Publishing (Model Railroader Magazine and many others) has gone to a third party company, and it has been a nightmare for me trying to get them to process my order. Kalmbach told me it has to go through the third party as they don't handle the paperwork anymore. That is horrible customer service.
Kalmbach is more concerned with getting people to sign up for the online subscription, not the paper magazine. Perhaps Linns is following the same tactic.
Login to Like
this post
re: Linns Using a Third Party for Subscription Services
What gets me is there is no indication on Linn's website that their subscriptions are being serviced by a third party with attendant delays in processing. I wouldn't expect them to come out and say if you renew using their website link you'll be weeks getting your papers but maybe a 'for faster service, call us directly.' This outfit's website looks like publishers Clearing House; I'd bet if I left this alone I'd still be waiting by Fall.
I will need to call my card carrier to push them on cancelling this charge (still on my account) Then call Linns next week and rebook it direct with them.
This is just another example of what is happening with Amos making bad decisions. I posted earlier about their no longer apparently doing on site printing of their pages for one thing.
Login to Like
this post
re: Linns Using a Third Party for Subscription Services
They have done printing on demand using a third party printer for many years. The problem has been that the "on demand" means when it gets put on their printer's work list. From the month's I have had to wait for some items, I think their printer puts everything from them on the bottom of the list at lowest priority.
Third party printing does have its advantages whereby, in this case, Scott doesn't have to maintain inventory of pages, probably most don't sell very often. So that lowers their costs. However, instead of giving collectors a break on the cost part, they keep jacking up the prices of their products. I guess they have to try to pay for all the companies that they (Amos Media) have bought.
This is what happens (Kalmbach included) when you're the only major show in town.
Login to Like
this post
re: Linns Using a Third Party for Subscription Services
It is probably more about reducing operational costs since their revenues are likely declining due to fewer subscribers and sale of philatelic supplies. The carrying cost of unsold inventory can be a burden for any business. Of course delays in delivering print on demand does not encourage future sales either.
Most companies will outsource any service they do not need to do in house that is not critical to the basic business even at the risk of reduced customer service.
It is the sign of the times.
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: Linns Using a Third Party for Subscription Services
I know people at Kalmbach, Scale Auto Enthusiast and Fine Scale Modeler. It's a good company, but with shrinking advertising revenues due to the Internet. It used to be that your advertising paid for all the printing, so sold copies were all gravy. Not so much any more!
Did you notice that their new publication devoted to diecast cars is only on-line? No print version.
Login to Like
this post