GM Subscription farce

[MegaSteve]

For purchasing magazines I prefer to support my local [independent] newsagent... If it helps to keep them in business I am more than happy to continue to shop there... We'll all complain when we've no local choice left and have to do our shopping with the Tesco's of this world...

 

[Toad]

DB I don't see the point of your post, what are you hoping to achieve? Do you expect someone from the mag to come on and say poor you, here's a dozen balls or a new driver for your troubles?
I took out my subscription years ago when there was no free gift, do I care that others are getting balls etc, not one bit. If it affected you that much why not just cancel and renew to get your free balls instead of having some mindless rant on here.
As in any business it's about getting more new customers in, those that already subscribe make a saving and may even have had a free gift when they started, to need something every time you renew is pretty sad in my book.

 

[Porno]

As in any business it's about getting more new customers in, those that already subscribe make a saving and may even have had a free gift when they started, to need something every time you renew is pretty sad in my book.

Total rubbish

 

[thecraw]

Total rubbish

Great reply even if it is total rubbish by yourself!

 

[Porno]

Great reply even if it is total rubbish by yourself!

Whys that then ? What he said was total rubbish and exactly why Joe Public are getting had off by allsorts.

 

[chris661]

Whys that then ? What he said was total rubbish and exactly why Joe Public are getting had off by allsorts.

In your opinion.........

 

[Deke]

The only reason I don't subscibe to GM is the lack of quarterly direct debit option.As the other golf mags offer this,I really cannot fathom why GM do not! Maybe a box of 12 premium balls is a little too much to ask every year,but it would be nice if they gave you a wee sleeve of 3 at christmas or your birthday to say thanks for your custom.I can't see this costing much and it would help retain custom no? For the moment I will continue to buy from my newsagent,but I would subcribe straight away as soon as my preferred dd option is available.

 

[chris661]

The only reason I don't subscibe to GM is the lack of quarterly direct debit option.As the other golf mags offer this,I really cannot fathom why GM do not! Maybe a box of 12 premium balls is a little too much to ask every year,but it would be nice if they gave you a wee sleeve of 3 at christmas or your birthday to say thanks for your custom.I can't see this costing much and it would help retain custom no? For the moment I will continue to buy from my newsagent,but I would subcribe straight away as soon as my preferred dd option is available.

A sleeve of three premium balls at Christmas? How many subscribers is there? 10,000 or so I genuinely have no idea but that works out (assuming I can count) at 2,500 boxes of balls. How much do you think your subscription would cost then?

 

[bluewolf]

DB I don't see the point of your post, what are you hoping to achieve? Do you expect someone from the mag to come on and say poor you, here's a dozen balls or a new driver for your troubles?
I took out my subscription years ago when there was no free gift, do I care that others are getting balls etc, not one bit. If it affected you that much why not just cancel and renew to get your free balls instead of having some mindless rant on here.
As in any business it's about getting more new customers in, those that already subscribe make a saving and may even have had a free gift when they started, to need something every time you renew is pretty sad in my book.

Totally agree.

 

[Deke]

As an above poster has allready stated,the ball manufacturer would probably do this for free,it is good advertising after all! Even lower priced balls would be fine,it's the thought that counts! There is no way in hell GM would pay full retail for a sleeve of 3,ball companies give these away willy nilly at corporate events,golf shows,ball fittings,demo days,and offers in magazines.I said before a full box is not necassary,just some small token to make you feel valued as a customer!

 

[malek988]

cleared it up never mind

 

[MikeH]

Hi all

as you know always I read threads about the mag and subscription with particualr interest and reply if i think I've got anything useful to say... so, a few points

Free balls are as an incentive for new subscribers - every new subscriber (bar some exceptions like Tesco clubcard when you get the sub in retrun for points) get a gift and a discount too.

Normally that gift is a dozen balls but we have also done other gifts (leather scorecard holder and GM folio were two variations last year) and ocassionaly the offer is 50% saving on the RRP

The current offer is 22% off the RRP and a dozen Callaway HX Blacks

As I have said many times before (and other have mentioned above) if we gave every single on of our 27,000 susbcribers a dozen golf balls for renewing every year we'd go out of business pretty quickly!

if you renew after year one you get a 22% discount (off the full price of £59.60) as a reward for your loyalty not NOTHING as has been suggested.

As a subscriber you're also getting the issue ahead of when it goes on general sale, delivered to your door for free, access to the newsstand iPad version at no extra cost and exclusive subscriber only competitions and offers

Direct Debit - we offer a six monthly direct debit as well as annual DD and one off credit/debit card payments. We dont offer quarterly or monthly DD options as the extra admin costs would add extra business costs. Other mags maybe able to do this because they dont have anywhere near the number of subscribers we do

Srixon/Callway balls - as it me who does the deal I can assure you we pay for them - not £39.99 or whatever the RRP is but we pay a price that takes into account that they are getting some free exposure for the balls in the form of the subscribe advert. I have just done a deal with Bridgestone for the B 300 RXs that will appear from the November coverdated issue onwards

If you really want the balls that badly and can be bothered with the faff then you can, as has been stated above, let your subscription lapse then take out a new one and benefit from whatever the offer is. At the end of the day I'd rather keep a susbcriber than lose one

Hope the above helps clarify a few things

 

[drutz]

I signed up and knew it was a one off of £45.99 a year, just over 3 pound an issue as it gives you 13 magazines. I must admit the IPC communication is a bit useless, got sent an an email saying my order was processed and they would let me know in 10 working days as to when my first magazine would arrive. After 3 weeks I heard nothing so emailed them and was told they'd be in touch in 48 hours. 4 days later I get an email saying 'Oh yes all is well and we sent you an email start of August confirming everything' Slight problem was I didn't sign up until 5 days after they said they sent my confirmation email, even though I provided my order number etc.
Well first issue should be here next month but will see what happens.

 

[DCB]

I've had the magazine subscription for a good many years, too many to remember actually. Best of all, I've never paid a penny for it all that time. My wife renews as part of my Christmas every year, so it just goes on falling through the letter box each month.

Ideal situation

 

[pbrown7582]

I've had the magazine subscription for a good many years, too many to remember actually. Best of all, I've never paid a penny for it all that time. My wife renews as part of my Christmas every year, so it just goes on falling through the letter box each month.

Ideal situation

me too now suits all round even had the 3 issues for £3 to start rather than the balls.


is that a (free with subs to TG) norman drew putter for sale in the for sale section for the cost of subs?

 

[palindromicbob]

I signed up for subscription because of how I have been treated as a member of the reader editorial panel. GM will treat loyalty and involvement well. Take things such as prizes for reader reviews etc. The offers to forum members, regardless of whether they subscribe or even read the magazine. Reader exclusive offer, subscriber offers etc. This magazine treats you well and offers a massive number of ways to get involved and take advantage of the offers. You want free stuff then get involved. You can cancel and resubscribe (mmm 12 bridgestones you say ) and still get the free gift while some companies don't allow new subscriber offer to be taken by past customers. Even a one of cost of £50 has got to be worth it. Although I don't know how I'll afford to keep using premium balls now. The freebies have given me the taste for a more responsive ball

 

[Rooter]

Good to see a response from the Gaffer, cheers mike. Hopefully that has cleared it up....

Keep up the good work guys, 99.9% of the people here do appreciate the efforts you guys put in to the mag!

 

[HotDogAssassin]

In my book GM give more than enough benefits away to their loyal customers. Personally, in the past year I've been lucky enough to receive

1. GMac signed GM centenary flag
2. £50 AG voucher
3. Pair of FJ Icons
4. 1 year free subcription to the mag

OK, these did not come as a result of being a subscriber and I know that I will not be so lucky every year, but there is always something being given away including money can't buy opportunities. Getting or not getting some balls (or other) on renewal seems pretty insignificant to me.

When are people going to wake up and understand what a new customer incentive is? It's pretty much the same as the rant made recently about the Golf Insurance companies not giving out the freebies and discount price on renewal. The terms are quite clear that these incentives are only applicable for the initial deal.

As Mike said (and well done for responding) if you want the hassle of doing it you merely need to cancel and start again shortly after.

 

[drawboy]

Yeah, dont pay for the mag, but come on here and no doubt put your name down for fittings/prizes etc. Nice one.

There will be no mag or forum if we all did that!

Sorry pal I didn't realise this would have so much effect on you. I'll sign up immediately at full price or stop using the forum.

 

[stevelev]

I have just subscribed, it cost £5 for first five issues then £16 every 6 months after that. By my reckoning which isn't great that's a saving of..................

£45.60 over the 16 months I'll be paying. £2.31 a month so that's half price subscription.

How dare IPC ask such extortionate fee's for a great magazine. It's disgusting to have to pay less than £2.31 per magazine for something that Joe Public has to pay £4.20?? for. The joy of using the offers on English Golf

:ears: