R50/53 Don't subscribe to MC2 magazine
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Guadalajara, MX
I'm having problems with the postal service too. But Barry sen't me the issues with the last one. Haven't arrive, but I think the last issue is getting shipped on these days. I think.
Is this correct Barry?
Is this correct Barry?
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
legal action...
polite + laced with sarcastic subtext = impolite
sorry, i'm sure your very frustrated, and I can definitley understand why. With customer service issues, (as someone who worked in customer service for a while) it's important to remember that the less angry you are outwardly the better chance you have of getting what you want. It's human nature to shut down once someone starts yelling. I'd say here that by threatening legal action you basically dropped a bomb on any hopes of getting the situation resolved the way you'd like.
Just my 2 cents.
Maybe you should search for/start some motoring magazines in your neck of the woods?
sorry, i'm sure your very frustrated, and I can definitley understand why. With customer service issues, (as someone who worked in customer service for a while) it's important to remember that the less angry you are outwardly the better chance you have of getting what you want. It's human nature to shut down once someone starts yelling. I'd say here that by threatening legal action you basically dropped a bomb on any hopes of getting the situation resolved the way you'd like.
Just my 2 cents.
Maybe you should search for/start some motoring magazines in your neck of the woods?
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 1
From: MD
Sorry everyone, I was in a rush this morning to get to work so didnt post every email that Barry and I have had in correspondence. I believe that I have been polite and patient in all my correspondence to them and TOTALLY agree with everyone that is is a great magazine so not trying to put ANYONE of subscribing but just wanted overseas people to know that they either (a) may never receive their magazine or (b) it can be delayed up to six months...............
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Olympia, WA
but I will not be accepting a renewal
from yourself Judith ***. You're the only reader I've had to state this too.
There is no legal body any place on the planet Earth that will deal with $13
as a legal problem, not even your credit card company.
Please don't contact me again, as MC2 has done no wrong,
Barry Brazier
Publisher, MC2 MINI Magazine"
from yourself Judith ***. You're the only reader I've had to state this too.
There is no legal body any place on the planet Earth that will deal with $13
as a legal problem, not even your credit card company.
Please don't contact me again, as MC2 has done no wrong,
Barry Brazier
Publisher, MC2 MINI Magazine"
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: San Juan, PR
I have to agree with most people that have posted here. You say your e-mail "was more of a friendly gesture" but after reading through it really doesn't come off as a "friendly gesture" IMHO.
That and the contradiction between "not trying to put ANYONE of subscribing" and the title of the thread makes you loose some credibility in my book. I also live in Puerto Rico and I do agree that the shipping has been inconsistent, but never enough as to have to complain, in my case at least.
I hope everything turns out well for you!
That and the contradiction between "not trying to put ANYONE of subscribing" and the title of the thread makes you loose some credibility in my book. I also live in Puerto Rico and I do agree that the shipping has been inconsistent, but never enough as to have to complain, in my case at least.
I hope everything turns out well for you!
Neutral
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Having lived abroad a good portion of my life (whether it was in East Africa, England, or all over the Caribbean) one thing I can stress is that you can never expect international mail to be easy, quick, or at times to even arrive at all. I remember one time while living in abroad I received a letter at my address for someone else that was literally 5 years late!! In the end, it's not a perfect system but it does work rather well. It is going to take longer and Daisygirl.... if you have done soooo much stuff via international mail you should know this.
To send something the size and weight of a magazine to Australia probably costs more than $13. If you wanted all of your magazines to arrive NOW NOW NOW you should have sent him extra $ for postage.
Besides, relax. It's 13 bucks!!!
To send something the size and weight of a magazine to Australia probably costs more than $13. If you wanted all of your magazines to arrive NOW NOW NOW you should have sent him extra $ for postage.
Besides, relax. It's 13 bucks!!!
4th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Hollis, NH
Hey - it's the post office 
. Every post service handles a zillion pieces of mail. Frankly, it's a miracle that any mail gets delivered, at all 
.
I've found both Barry and Gary to be reasonable folks and I'm confident that it's not their intention to separate you from your money or your magazine issues. I'm sorry that your experience wasn't better; as you see by the other postings, they're very positive about MC2 and the staff there.
. Every post service handles a zillion pieces of mail. Frankly, it's a miracle that any mail gets delivered, at all .I've found both Barry and Gary to be reasonable folks and I'm confident that it's not their intention to separate you from your money or your magazine issues. I'm sorry that your experience wasn't better; as you see by the other postings, they're very positive about MC2 and the staff there.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
I'm really impressed with Barry. I've had 2 issues go missing, and after emailing him both times I had a replacement copy in the mail within days. And a nice explanation over his frustration with the mail service. The second time he included issue 5, so I got that one early. 
No complaints or curses from him, just genuine empathy. Works for me. That and the content isn't fluff.
It's not easy getting a small specialty magazine off the ground. Barry's got cojones to pull this off. I wish him the best.
No complaints or curses from him, just genuine empathy. Works for me. That and the content isn't fluff.It's not easy getting a small specialty magazine off the ground. Barry's got cojones to pull this off. I wish him the best.
.
Coordinator::Asia
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 2
I just had to chime in on this one...
I have had problems getting MC2 to me here in Korea via the military postal system. I have had 3 issues resent to me by Barry. All it took was me sending an email and saying my issue did not arrive and he made sure a replacement was sent. Heck....issue 4 got to me half shredded by the post office and that was replaced too.
Barry is a real reasonable guy and something must of really ticked him off for sure. It would be interesting to see the emails that were sent to him. MC2 is his baby and he can sure say yeah or nay to subscribers if he wishes to.
I just re-subscribed under the charter member deal and I am sure there will be some problems with me getting MC2 again next year. But I know that if I email Barry it will be taken care of.
I have had problems getting MC2 to me here in Korea via the military postal system. I have had 3 issues resent to me by Barry. All it took was me sending an email and saying my issue did not arrive and he made sure a replacement was sent. Heck....issue 4 got to me half shredded by the post office and that was replaced too.
Barry is a real reasonable guy and something must of really ticked him off for sure. It would be interesting to see the emails that were sent to him. MC2 is his baby and he can sure say yeah or nay to subscribers if he wishes to.
I just re-subscribed under the charter member deal and I am sure there will be some problems with me getting MC2 again next year. But I know that if I email Barry it will be taken care of.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
Just read daisygirl's follow-up post. This would have pissed me off big-time:
"Please advise when you will be sending our Issue no 5 or our refund or I will be in contact with my friends in America to suggest the relevant legal body to contact."
Think I'll subscribe too.
"Please advise when you will be sending our Issue no 5 or our refund or I will be in contact with my friends in America to suggest the relevant legal body to contact."
Think I'll subscribe too.
Took the words right out of my mouth
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
From: Shasta, CA
Having read "Daisygirls" posts and exchange, and knowing the quality of the magazine and the professionalism of both Barry & Gary, I will ask if I can get a lifetime subscription.
This is a fine magazine that serves our MINI community well. Let's give it the support it deserves.
This is a fine magazine that serves our MINI community well. Let's give it the support it deserves.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 1
From: Irwin, PA
"Hi Barry,
You wont believe what arrived in the mail today !!! Issue Number 3 finally arrived. Yes, thats right Number 3 that was posted on 30 June.
It seems the problem is that it is being sent from India via Sea Mail. I think you need to contact the people who are sending out the magazine and ask them (a) not to post Ashley and my magazine from India and (b) ask them to send by airmail instead of Sea Mail (or should that be snail mail).
I assume the latest magazine will have the same problem is your postal delivery system is sending ours the wrong way. We received Issue 1 and 2 no problems but I believe you said that you then changed the company that you use so the problem is definately at your end and there is nothing wrong with Australia Post who delivers at our end. Australia Post is a country wide system so the company that delivers to the states of Victoria and New South Wales is the same company that delivers to myself.
The problem is with the company that you use to post out the magazines and they way that they have stored the details for us.
We were supposed to get six issues with our initial subscription so if you have decided that you cannot deliver then I suggest that you either (a) post our magazines with a company that means that they will arrive or (b) refund for the the two issues that will not be arriving ie a third of our membership which should be $13 each. What do you prefer to do? I am sure that in America keeping funds for an item that you have no proof has been sent or you refuse to send is illegal!!!
I regularly get mail from overseas including America and Canada and have never had a problem. If you are outsourcing to a company in India to send your magazines then I suggest that is where the problem is.
Please advise when you will be sending our Issue no 5 or our refund or I will be in contact with my friends in America to suggest the relevant legal body to contact.
Kind regards
You wont believe what arrived in the mail today !!! Issue Number 3 finally arrived. Yes, thats right Number 3 that was posted on 30 June.
It seems the problem is that it is being sent from India via Sea Mail. I think you need to contact the people who are sending out the magazine and ask them (a) not to post Ashley and my magazine from India and (b) ask them to send by airmail instead of Sea Mail (or should that be snail mail).
I assume the latest magazine will have the same problem is your postal delivery system is sending ours the wrong way. We received Issue 1 and 2 no problems but I believe you said that you then changed the company that you use so the problem is definately at your end and there is nothing wrong with Australia Post who delivers at our end. Australia Post is a country wide system so the company that delivers to the states of Victoria and New South Wales is the same company that delivers to myself.
The problem is with the company that you use to post out the magazines and they way that they have stored the details for us.
We were supposed to get six issues with our initial subscription so if you have decided that you cannot deliver then I suggest that you either (a) post our magazines with a company that means that they will arrive or (b) refund for the the two issues that will not be arriving ie a third of our membership which should be $13 each. What do you prefer to do? I am sure that in America keeping funds for an item that you have no proof has been sent or you refuse to send is illegal!!!
I regularly get mail from overseas including America and Canada and have never had a problem. If you are outsourcing to a company in India to send your magazines then I suggest that is where the problem is.
Please advise when you will be sending our Issue no 5 or our refund or I will be in contact with my friends in America to suggest the relevant legal body to contact.
Kind regards
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
From: Shasta, CA
OK, don't we all think enough is enough? If you don't like MC2, then don't buy it. If you like it, then subscribe. Having a debate over an issue that deals with one person that lives light-years away from MC2 not getting their copy in time is not a community problem. We now have heard the complaint, let's move on.
Having this thread keep popping up saying "Don't subscribe to MC2 Magazine" is unfair.
Michael (NAM), how about putting a stop to this madness by ending this thread?
Having this thread keep popping up saying "Don't subscribe to MC2 Magazine" is unfair.
Michael (NAM), how about putting a stop to this madness by ending this thread?
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 1
From: MD
OK, don't we all think enough is enough? If you don't like MC2, then don't buy it. If you like it, then subscribe. Having a debate over an issue that deals with one person that lives light-years away from MC2 not getting their copy in time is not a community problem. We now have heard the complaint, let's move on.
Having this thread keep popping up saying "Don't subscribe to MC2 Magazine" is unfair.
Michael (NAM), how about putting a stop to this madness by ending this thread?
Having this thread keep popping up saying "Don't subscribe to MC2 Magazine" is unfair.
Michael (NAM), how about putting a stop to this madness by ending this thread?
