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I have been holding the line on the subscription rate for the magazine for quite some time. I realized tonight I had no idea just how long. The last subscription rate increase was implemented with the February 2004 issue, nearly eight years ago. I just about tipped over backwards tonight when I figured that out. The January 2012 issue is about to go to print.
I have not had tiny increases each year because it is too troublesome. Someone sends the wrong amount and it would cost the amount of the error to write and inform them. Consequently, I have had larger increases, less frequently, since July of 1984.
This time too much time slipped by because I did not realize just how long it had been. There has been a great increase in printing and mailing costs in the nearly eight years that have elapsed since the last increase.
I am really forced into looking at this because of an impending change in the postal service's..... service. Our bulk mail distribution center in Cedar Rapids is going to be closed and that process will occur in Milan, Illinois. This seems insane, since Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is by no means a small place. But, the postal service is improving things, as they put it. It is going to increase the cost of mailing substantially, and the mailing will probably have to actually be delivered to Illinois by my printer, rather than Cedar Rapids.
Currently, by 12 monthly subscription, the magazine cost is $3.73 per issue. You can't buy a sandwich for that amount, and you are getting a magazine that is all Dodge, every month. Given my review of the increased costs that have been absorbed over this time period, not to mention the impending increase, and subsequent increases, I believe I have to increase the monthly cost a minimum of about $0.42.
Considering the current rate has applied for a month short of 12 years, it amounts to about 3/4% per year increase. It is not enough to cover all the increases that have occurred, and does not take into account future increases, but I need to do something to remain viable.
The value for you is content you can't get on the web, and providing service to a marvelous group of people who have been with me since July of 1984. We have some great article series going — and in the hopper — covering WWII and M-series Dodges. Also, magazine subscribers get full benefits of the forum; including access to all of the forum archives, which are substantial.
In conversation with someone it was suggested to me I don't need to explain all this. I disagree. You have all been with me for so long, and we have such a wonderful connection, it is like a big family. So I explain it all to you, as I have here. I want you to understand the circumstances and factors driving the change.
I am not exactly sure when the change will occur, but it will likely be within the next 30-60 days.
Thank you so much for your loyalty and dedication. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to speak to you Dodgers every month through the magazine.
I have not had tiny increases each year because it is too troublesome. Someone sends the wrong amount and it would cost the amount of the error to write and inform them. Consequently, I have had larger increases, less frequently, since July of 1984.
This time too much time slipped by because I did not realize just how long it had been. There has been a great increase in printing and mailing costs in the nearly eight years that have elapsed since the last increase.
I am really forced into looking at this because of an impending change in the postal service's..... service. Our bulk mail distribution center in Cedar Rapids is going to be closed and that process will occur in Milan, Illinois. This seems insane, since Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is by no means a small place. But, the postal service is improving things, as they put it. It is going to increase the cost of mailing substantially, and the mailing will probably have to actually be delivered to Illinois by my printer, rather than Cedar Rapids.
Currently, by 12 monthly subscription, the magazine cost is $3.73 per issue. You can't buy a sandwich for that amount, and you are getting a magazine that is all Dodge, every month. Given my review of the increased costs that have been absorbed over this time period, not to mention the impending increase, and subsequent increases, I believe I have to increase the monthly cost a minimum of about $0.42.
Considering the current rate has applied for a month short of 12 years, it amounts to about 3/4% per year increase. It is not enough to cover all the increases that have occurred, and does not take into account future increases, but I need to do something to remain viable.
The value for you is content you can't get on the web, and providing service to a marvelous group of people who have been with me since July of 1984. We have some great article series going — and in the hopper — covering WWII and M-series Dodges. Also, magazine subscribers get full benefits of the forum; including access to all of the forum archives, which are substantial.
In conversation with someone it was suggested to me I don't need to explain all this. I disagree. You have all been with me for so long, and we have such a wonderful connection, it is like a big family. So I explain it all to you, as I have here. I want you to understand the circumstances and factors driving the change.
I am not exactly sure when the change will occur, but it will likely be within the next 30-60 days.
Thank you so much for your loyalty and dedication. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to speak to you Dodgers every month through the magazine.
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