picked up a copy of this months brm and i think it could be my last :thumbsdown:its littered with rmweb adverts promoting folk to get on it with their views to articles etc and i find it completely spoiled my enjoyment of a normally good mag :thumbsdown: then you have articles from the rmweb owner or ex owner whatever he is promoting yes you guessed it frigging rmweb :sleep: :sleep: maybe just me being a grumpy git ;D ;D
The reason is Will, is that RM Web is now under the ownership of Warner Publications which also owns BRM. :NGF:
and they would call it progress probably :( i hope the promoting calms down or it will be ruined :thumbsdown:
Will, what month is your magazine?. Cheers john.
I've not been impressed with the past 3-6 issues ... !
Think it's time to call the Subs dept & tell then where to shove it ... :evil:
Quote from: painbrook on May 12, 2012, 08:22:02 PM
Will, what month is your magazine?. Cheers john.
its the june issue mate :thumbsup:
Me too, at over A$13 an issue and when you get the April addition when it arrives sometime after May 23 im giving it a miss. The n gauge reviews are not as good as when i first came across it in 2009. I now check out each mag to see which has the best n gauge
BArt
Might be worth letting them know why you are unhappy with BRM - if enough people complain then they might do something about it.
Quote from: gwrwill on May 12, 2012, 06:55:26 PM
. . . . . maybe just me being a grumpy git . . . . .
Yep, ;D
To be fair the last issue had an enormous amount of N gauge content and this (June) issue also has probably more than it's fair share (including a layout) when you consider that in the UK the market for N gauge is only about 10 - 15% of the total model railway market.
H.
I became disenchanted with BRM over the last 4 or 5 months so did not renew my subscription when it was due last month. :thumbsdown:
IMO BRM had been going downhill for some time but from the last two months issues it looks like it has turned the corner and is now on the way up again. I say that not from just N gauge content but all round content, design and attitude - they are starting to listen and change.
However, (also IMO) it is Model Rail that is currently on the way down. Poor paper quality, instransigence, 'filler' articles (sponsored top ten lists and the like), a distinct lack of N gauge and turning it's back on it's 'modern' heritage (if that's not an oxymoron). It was once a very good mag, with very interesting and well researched articles such as prototype info and masterclass modelling, but it's no longer as good as it once was.
Railway Modeller has definately come back up since Steve Flint took over as editor. It's now bright, breeezy, packed with modelling and forward looking. There's a better balance to the content. It's now back on top.
Hornby Mag is still finding it's feet and bumbling along - making too many mistakes (in the articles and so on) and with little modern or N gauge coverage and content. It's never really shaken off that 'only OO end of steam era' content policy it stated out with. It always gives the impression of being superficial to me and definately lost something when snapper Chis Nevard left.
H.
Apart from your opinion of BRM I agree completely with you H and I don't have any magazine subscriptions now. I just buy a magazine if it has articles that particularly interest me.
I actually think it has improved considerably lately especially the May issue that was full of N gauge. The promotion of RMWeb didn't bother me either, I am a member of RMWeb as well as :NGF: but I visit this forum much more often.
I believe it is no longer bagged which means that if you are at a news agent you can browse before buying.
One breakthrough has been being able to get BRM as a digital magazine. I have had a few teething problems with the digital version of BRM but will persevere as it's the only viable option for me.
I find I occasionally get fed up with the other magazines as well, they go through patches when there's not much of interest to me.
Regards
Veronica.
Regards
Veronica
Quote from: Chinahand on May 13, 2012, 08:06:45 AM
Apart from your opinion of BRM I agree completely with you H and I don't have any magazine subscriptions now.
The last two issues of BRM have certainly had more N gauge than previously and they are definately begining to listen and engage; http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55954-brm-june-2012/ (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55954-brm-june-2012/)
But I did also drop my BRM subscription earlier this year.
H.
;D
Quote from: H on May 13, 2012, 08:21:19 AM
Quote from: Chinahand on May 13, 2012, 08:06:45 AM
Apart from your opinion of BRM I agree completely with you H and I don't have any magazine subscriptions now.
The last two issues of BRM have certainly had more N gauge than previously and they are definately begining to listen and engage; http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55954-brm-june-2012/ (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55954-brm-june-2012/)
But I did also drop my BRM subscription earlier this year.
H.
Well, talking of subscriptions, H, when at we going to get subscriptions to the #only# N gauge mag - N'spirations?? ;D
Cheers
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on May 13, 2012, 09:10:16 AMWell, talking of subscriptions, H, when at we going to get subscriptions to the #only# N gauge mag - N'spirations?? ;D
Cheers
Kirky
Quite honestly it's hard enough work producing, selling and distributing it already, without having to run a subscription service as well. It would mean having to set up an account and hold people money in advance responsibly, transfer funds as copies are posted out, maintain records for individuals, and then be under pressure to produce issues at regular/set times. Not only that but people would expect a discount for paying in advance and I'd have to take any hit on any unforeseen cost increases (like print and postage).
It's not really on.
H.
Quote from: H on May 13, 2012, 09:18:35 AM
Quote from: kirky on May 13, 2012, 09:10:16 AMWell, talking of subscriptions, H, when at we going to get subscriptions to the #only# N gauge mag - N'spirations?? ;D
Cheers
Kirky
Quite honestly it's hard enough work producing, selling and distributing it already, without having to run a subscription service as well. It would mean having to set up an account and hold people money in advance responsibly, transfer funds as copies are posted out, maintain records for individuals, and then be under pressure to produce issues at regular/set times. Not only that but people would expect a discount for paying in advance and I'd have to take any hit on any unforeseen cost increases (like print and postage).
It's not really on.
H.
Of course, H. That's a comprehensive and honest answer and perhaps it helps those of us who are not in publishing understand what is involved.
Incidentally, I thought I'd set my PayPal system up to indicate when the next n'spirations would be available. No such notification has appeared. Am I mistaken into thinking this was possible?
Cheers
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on May 13, 2012, 09:24:28 AMIncidentally, I thought I'd set my PayPal system up to indicate when the next n'spirations would be available. No such notification has appeared. Am I mistaken into thinking this was possible?
Cheers
Kirky
I doubt you can on PayPal - I don't notify them about N'spirations - but I don't know for certain. You probably can on ebay by listing me as a prefered seller (or something like that). But I usually notify people on forums like this so you'd get to know that way.
And, as advance notice, I'm planning (assuming nothing goes wrong and there's no delays) for the next issue to be out for TINGS.
H.
Quote from: H on May 13, 2012, 09:18:35 AM
Quite honestly it's hard enough work producing, selling and distributing it already, without having to run a subscription service as well. It would mean having to set up an account and hold people money in advance responsibly, transfer funds as copies are posted out, maintain records for individuals, and then be under pressure to produce issues at regular/set times. Not only that but people would expect a discount for paying in advance and I'd have to take any hit on any unforeseen cost increases (like print and postage).
It's not really on.
H.
I'll take that as a 'No' then ;D
Quote from: Chinahand on May 13, 2012, 07:25:56 AM
I became disenchanted with BRM over the last 4 or 5 months so did not renew my subscription when it was due last month. :thumbsdown:
Make sure that it's cancelled - I didn't renew
& they 'auto-renewed' me !
Another reason I'm not happy with them ...
Mike
Quote from: MikeDunn on May 13, 2012, 11:58:28 AM
Quote from: Chinahand on May 13, 2012, 07:25:56 AM
I became disenchanted with BRM over the last 4 or 5 months so did not renew my subscription when it was due last month. :thumbsdown:
Make sure that it's cancelled - I didn't renew & they 'auto-renewed' me !
Another reason I'm not happy with them ...
Mike
I thought that was the point of them having subscriptions, once you 've signed up, your signed up until you cancel. That's why they entice you in with good giveaways, in the hope you keep up your subs. And I'd be surprised if all mags don't do the same (n'spirations excepted of course, which is good enough without giveaways!)
Cheers
Kirky
If I sign up for a 12-month/12 mag sub, I don't expect them to keep doing it - I don't mind if they ask, but they just did it without my permission (AFAIR, there wasn't anything on the sub form to allow this)
Mike
Model Rail don't auto-renew subscriptions, I've subscribed to them from the start, sometimes I wish they would auto-renew, the last reminder took over a month to get here!
Veronica.
Quote from: H on May 13, 2012, 09:33:38 AM
And, as advance notice, I'm planning (assuming nothing goes wrong and there's no delays) for the next issue to be out for TINGS.
H.
Good to know! :thumbsup:
Quote from: MikeDunn on May 13, 2012, 12:19:23 PM
If I sign up for a 12-month/12 mag sub, I don't expect them to keep doing it - I don't mind if they ask, but they just did it without my permission (AFAIR, there wasn't anything on the sub form to allow this)
Mike
I totally agree with you Mke, my point being that they aren't that bothered about what you want, more bothered about keeping customers in the dark and sneakily extracting money. And I'm afraid I just assumed that that is what the world is like. Good to know some mags don't do that.
Cheers
Kirky
Quote from: Pendy on May 13, 2012, 06:26:59 AM
Might be worth letting them know why you are unhappy with BRM - if enough people complain then they might do something about it.
Pendy, bet you would'nt put money on that. I gave up on BRM and MR a few years ago, keep up with RM probably for the 009 articles, but even that's getting iffy. Just have to rely on our forum and the NGS. Cheers john.
The thread linked to above in RMweb did at least contain an admission that BRM management realised things needed to change, and perhaps that is the reason some people have said the last couple of issues are better. I must take a look myself next time I pass a Smiths. It would be a shame however if they were simply plugging RMweb at every opportunity - sometimes the mags seem to be more interested in selling related products than informing and entertaining the reader.
Quote from: painbrook on May 13, 2012, 04:39:18 PM
Quote from: Pendy on May 13, 2012, 06:26:59 AM
Might be worth letting them know why you are unhappy with BRM - if enough people complain then they might do something about it.
Pendy, bet you would'nt put money on that. I gave up on BRM and MR a few years ago, keep up with RM probably for the 009 articles, but even that's getting iffy. Just have to rely on our forum and the NGS. Cheers john.
It is a long shot, I agree, but you never know. Some mags (admittedly not model railway mags) have changed as a result of feedback.
I think the new format whereby the ad pages are mixed in with the main content is dreadful. Also there seem to be fewer pages of content.
The management rarely answer emails and the model railways live site is very difficult to follow. They had a 'contact us' to air your views on that site about 2 months ago but it was impossible to access - for me at any rate.
Mojo
Quote from: edwin_m on May 13, 2012, 06:24:37 PM
The thread linked to above in RMweb did at least contain an admission that BRM management realised things needed to change, and perhaps that is the reason some people have said the last couple of issues are better. I must take a look myself next time I pass a Smiths. It would be a shame however if they were simply plugging RMweb at every opportunity - sometimes the mags seem to be more interested in selling related products than informing and entertaining the reader.
(my highlight)
Agree with this. :thumbsup:
Quote from: edwin_m on May 13, 2012, 06:24:37 PM
It would be a shame however if they were simply plugging RMweb at every opportunity
I got curious, so I counted :
- Plug @ the end of the Loftus Road article (1st one)
- @ end of the 'Improve Pect track' article (next page)
- @ end of 'Build an O Gauge cattle van' (missed an article in between !)
- @ end of airbrush article (next one)
- @ end of Cornard article (next one)
- @ end of Bath Green Park article (missed two this time !)
- @ end of photo comp (next page)
- @ end of 'Make a goods shed' article (missed one)
- @ start of Waton (missed one, because of pushing digital version of mag)
- @ end of 'Make walls' article (next page, excluding entire page pushing M-R-L)
- @ end of Wishlist Poll (missed 2 articles on News & reviews)
- @ end of Letters (missed 3 reviews)
So - out of 22 actual items in the mag, there are 12 plugs for RMweb, 6 for M-R-L, and 2 for the digital edition ...
Mike
Not impressed with the digital version.
After a lot of rigmarole to actually get to read it,the first thing that came up was a new reader available with a download from Microsoft..no thanks.Used the old reader instead and the text was too small to read easily or when I clicked the magnify icon I then needed to scroll all over the screen to look at it.
I didn't think the content was particularly inspiring although I didn't really examine it much because it was a pain to read.
YMMV.
Allan
I hadn't spotted a single plug for RM...
You see, i just look at the pictures. I don't read the words!