Kudos To Powder Mag (November)

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10-18-2005, 11:26 AM
Buster Highmen

Kudos To Powder Mag (November)

Life is very busy these days. Given the presence of two little blondtopped whirlwinds blowing about the house, there's not much time for reading. Or even looking at something as generically shallow as a ski magazine.

But last night I had a rare moment of space and time. So I foolishly plomped down to scan the pages of the latest ski periodicals to grace our postbox while slurping leftover pasta between gulps of some cheap plonk.

Though we are given to endless bitching this time of year it seems, I'll forgo whining or winging about the clumsy and pallid efforts of the more plopular ski monthly which flails, saucerboy like, in the tracks of Powder. They could have been a contendah.

But I've got to say: nice jawb d00ds. The Morphemes are jewelled chunklets of meaty chaw. The large format pics (and absence of the sequential photo minutia) are stunning. The notes on your special places, to which we can each and all relate in our secretive mien. The avie death article was touching, thoughtful and brutal. And the tongue in cheek self effacing humor shines through.

For what it's worth, from the far flug reaches of obscurest ski-addled parenthood, props to you clowns. Brodacious!

Now about those articles on the anti-bro....
10-18-2005, 05:22 PM
LaramieSkiBum

Seth's story was pretty chilling, I hope everyone here gets a chance to read it and learn...I remember the day it came over the news / this board...*shudder*

Kudos to Seth for having the courage to relive the experience in the process.
10-18-2005, 05:47 PM
Buster Highmen

And here I thought it was that your karma ran over your dogma.
10-18-2005, 05:56 PM
jimmy page

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive.

For some reason they have the new Powder at our local grocery store, but I have yet to recieve it in the mail.
10-18-2005, 06:36 PM
jump

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy page

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive.

For some reason they have the new Powder at our local grocery store, but I have yet to recieve it in the mail.

Your not the only one, im in the exact same situation.
10-18-2005, 07:01 PM
Ireallyliketoski2

Quote:

Originally Posted by jump

Your not the only one, im in the exact same situation.

I too, am in a similar situation. A few months ago, my 10 month old girl renewed my subscription as a birthday gift for her Dad. A heart-warming tale for sure, but it gets worse. Here it is November, and I still haven't received an issue. I shouldn't have to mention that she is shocked and chagrined by Powder's complete lack of consistency and timeliness. One can rest easy though knowing that she's is taking the proper avenue's to register her displeasure with this sub-par periodical. What kind of a world do we live in, where a 10 month old baby can't count on a company to deliver a magazine.
10-18-2005, 07:12 PM
jump

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireallyliketoski

What kind of a world do we live in, where a 10 month old baby can't count on a company to deliver a magazine.

Once that is certainly doomed!
10-18-2005, 07:46 PM
KevinDineen

I hear about sub problems on this board, and others, every month. But when I go to bat for you, this is the type of response I get:

"We've been watching customer service pretty carefully and here's what I can tell you.
Every time we did a search on a real problem it turned out that the person moved, sometimes more than once, and really took their time notifying us. Change of address and missed issues are the two largest complaint categories for Powder (the third largest is general customer inquiry) and these three together move hand-in-hand.
The post office does not forward second class mail. If subscribers wait to tell us they moved or more likely don't even realize they have to tell us there is nothing we can do about it. As you can see from the monthly report, we do re-send copies to those with legitimate complaints.
Sadly the people on these message boards are very quick to blame and very slow to take responsibility.
In total complaints in 2005, we've reduced the average from 1.10% to 0.80% - a huge drop.
Please know that we take this very seriously but we can only do our part; there is a part that is up to the subscriber."

I, more than anyone, want to see you guys get your magazines on time. But you need to help me help you. So please, if you are not getting your subscription, take up the issue here:

powder@palmcoastd.com; 800-289-8983

Otherwise they think there is nothing wrong, and when I complain, I just look like a jerk.

Thanks mags, and thanks for the props!
10-18-2005, 08:04 PM
shera

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinDineen

the people on these message boards

We're maggots, Powder maggots, IIRC.

I do want to read the mag.
10-18-2005, 08:38 PM
Blatant

The one thing i can count on is powder NEVER arriving when it should. I have to force myself by the "new" issue in the store so i can thoroughly enjoy mine whenever it finds it's way.
10-18-2005, 08:46 PM
warthog

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinDineen

I hear about sub problems on this board, and others, every month. But when I go to bat for you, this is the type of response I get:

"We've been watching customer service pretty carefully and here's what I can tell you.
Every time we did a search on a real problem it turned out that the person moved, sometimes more than once, and really took their time notifying us. Change of address and missed issues are the two largest complaint categories for Powder (the third largest is general customer inquiry) and these three together move hand-in-hand.
The post office does not forward second class mail. If subscribers wait to tell us they moved or more likely don't even realize they have to tell us there is nothing we can do about it. As you can see from the monthly report, we do re-send copies to those with legitimate complaints.
Sadly the people on these message boards are very quick to blame and very slow to take responsibility.
In total complaints in 2005, we've reduced the average from 1.10% to 0.80% - a huge drop.
Please know that we take this very seriously but we can only do our part; there is a part that is up to the subscriber."

I, more than anyone, want to see you guys get your magazines on time. But you need to help me help you. So please, if you are not getting your subscription, take up the issue here:

powder@palmcoastd.com; 800-289-8983

Otherwise they think there is nothing wrong, and when I complain, I just look like a jerk.

Thanks mags, and thanks for the props!

I subscribed October 1st, and still have nothing. I will call the number.

I live about 2 hours from the distribution center. Want me to go bust some skulls?
10-18-2005, 09:57 PM
XtrPickels

My issue was sniped by a semi-cute airline stewardess.
She got my number and my magazine
Hopefully she calls so I can get it back
10-19-2005, 06:56 AM
baseWeldr

I've been helping out the cause lately and buyin the fullprice mag at hogBarns and igNobles, its on the way to my local golf course... I blow past the latte sippin book browsers and rooted mag aislers to grab a Pow at speed then hit the register for the 180 spin back to the truck... yeah I need to renew

my 3yr old got ahold of the sept issue while attempting a #2 in the reading room lately and decided a page by page removal was a good distraction to her effort... so now that one's a stack of looseleaf and I store them elsewhere, she can rip up the ReadersDigest my mom keeps sending me for that shit (heh)
10-19-2005, 07:09 AM
iceman

My subscription has been like clockwork since you guys switched to PalmCoast, and it was a disaster before, so there is at least some good news out there.

Is that final "d" in the email addy supposed to be there, KD?
10-19-2005, 10:02 AM
KevinDineen

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

My subscription has been like clockwork since you guys switched to PalmCoast, and it was a disaster before, so there is at least some good news out there.

Is that final "d" in the email addy supposed to be there, KD?

Yes, Palm Coast Distribution.

Warthog: Yes crack some skulls
10-19-2005, 10:16 AM
oscoj

Powder's November subscription mailing was delayed 1 week due to problems at the printer, that is why it is on the newsstands and not in your mailboxes.
Sorry for the inconvenience but we had to make sure that they got it right.
10-19-2005, 10:23 AM
cj001f

I've no problems getting my magazines.

I do have problems with the Primedia Spam emails every week! If I wanted Military history magazine I'd be a subscriber already!
10-19-2005, 10:24 AM
smmokan

I finally got my November Powder after getting skunked on the first two issues this year- so I'm a happy mag.

However, in regards to oscoj's post... shouldn't you guys worry about the paying customer base before the stores? I know you sell them for more money to the stores and more of your revenue is there, but being loyal to the people who pay up front seems to be the smarter option here... especially with the number of complaints I've seen on the board lately.
10-19-2005, 10:54 AM
KevinDineen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd Christmas

In regards to oscoj's post... shouldn't you guys worry about the paying customer base before the stores? I know you sell them for more money to the stores and more of your revenue is there, but being loyal to the people who pay up front seems to be the smarter option here... especially with the number of complaints I've seen on the board lately.

It wasn't a one-or-the-other issue, Lloyd. There is a special insert in subscriber copies that got screwed up at the printers and had to be redone. This insert isn't in newstand copies.
10-19-2005, 11:49 AM
powder11

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinDineen

Sadly the people on these message boards are very quick to blame and very slow to take responsibility

sadly, the customer is always wrong has now become the standard in customer service :fuckyou:
10-19-2005, 11:56 AM
Buster Highmen

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinDineen

Sadly the people on these message boards are very quick to blame and very slow to take responsibility.

A 21st Century Truth.
10-19-2005, 12:37 PM
smmokan

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinDineen

It wasn't a one-or-the-other issue, Lloyd. There is a special insert in subscriber copies that got screwed up at the printers and had to be redone. This insert isn't in newstand copies.

Oh, cool. I was just guessing, thanks for straightening that out. Like I said, I got my Nov issue, so I'm a happy camper.
11-16-2005, 02:00 PM
warthog

Sorry to drag this back up, but just wanted to give props to KD for the info here. I finally called them, after not getting anything since Oct. 12th(when I renewed) My ship date is Nov. 29th for the Dec. issue, but they are sending me a Nov. issue to make up for it. So, I will get two at a time, which is fine by me.

KD- question- they want $9 for each back issue. Is this correct? I missed most of last year, and thought I might be able to occupy some time with them. But, at $9 apiece, I think I will just replenish my ski porn library.
11-16-2005, 02:05 PM
Buster Highmen

And w00t for the December Ish as well.
11-16-2005, 02:07 PM
DaveTV

It really is quite the excellent issue - nice job on the hidden New England, also you exposed my lil secret in $30something ..:nonono2:
11-16-2005, 02:07 PM
Buster Highmen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Now about those articles on the anti-bro....

Displaying clairvoyance, huh?
11-16-2005, 02:10 PM
vinzclortho

I dunno, I moved from Boston to Ventura back to Boston and Powder followed me and seemed close to on time all the way.

Great articles by the way Kevin D. about the unsung heros of the skiing world and Porter Fox's schweet article about lost NE resort...may have to break out the snowshoes and huff it up to some of these lost peaks this winter.
11-16-2005, 03:47 PM
XtrPickels

I'm not sure how I feel about the article on NELSAP areas. Back when the homebase was in NH, I was big into hitting them. I feel like "my" semi-secret stashes are exposed, to be ravaged by gapers.

But at the same time, I was lucky to discover it, I'm glad someone else will enjoy it. Hopefully the gapers will be too lazy to look for trails off the beaten path.

I dunno, I'm confused.
11-16-2005, 04:05 PM
Schmear

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Now about those articles on the anti-bro....

Displaying clairvoyance, huh?

Nice useage of the rare self quote-quote.
11-16-2005, 05:49 PM
KevinDineen

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinzclortho

Great articles by the way Kevin D. about the unsung heros of the skiing world....

Er, yeah. About that, um, we kinda messed up, sorta. Read about it here:

http://powdermag.com/features/news/dec-tease/