Lapsed C+ Subscription

[Andy in Sig]

I decided to let my subscription to Cycling Plus lapse for a number of reasons: I'm not a roadie and so had no interest in double page spreads on the latest Shimano/Campag groupsets and reviews of bikes which all look the same and there was little or poor coverage of touring and general cycling. So far so good.

Over a few weeks I received three copies of the same letter with a "Priority Renewal Form" (now what's the betting that a non-priority form doesn't exist) and finally yesterday got a thing cunningly done up to resemble a final demand, everything in red ink and marked URGENT and containing the following amusing lines:

Despite our earlier letters we haven't received your instructions to renew, so delivery of your magazine has now been suspended ..... It is very unusual for a regular reader like yourself to let your subscription lapse. We can only assume that you have been away or have put the renewal to one side to "do later". Whatever the reason, please act now. ... To show our good faith, I have asked that a copy of the next issue is reserved for you for the next few days.

There's obviously been a lot of thought put into the psychological impact of that note with respect to both appearance and content. Shame they can't up the quality of the journalism in the mag. Is anybody in a position to tell me if that is the last communication I will receive?

 

[Scoosh]

Closely related on the subject of, I guess it's "marketing speak", here is an extract from an email mrs scoosh received recently:

We would like to inform you about the status of your order.

Your desired delivery date has been reached and not all of your items are in stock. We have now extended your delivery date to make sure your order is complete.

If you have any questions or want to make any changes, please get in touch with us. If we don't hear from you, we will send your complete order as soon as everything is in stock.

"Desired delivery date" - yeah, that would be the date YOU told us it would be delivered.
Don't you just love the "extended your delivery date" bit
Great way of saying "It's late 'cos we haven't got it in stock"

 

[Danny]

I was planning to let my subscription lapse at the beginning of the year, but they kept phoning me up encouraging me to renew. I eventually agreed to do so if they sent me one of their introductory offers - which turned out to be a not very good light set.

Presumably you are too far away to make it worth phoning up.

There have actually been a few good touring related articles in recent issues, but generally the magazine now seems to be dominated by endless reviews of high end road bikes costing £1500+, and associated expensive gear. So unless things improve I'm going to let my subscription lapse at the end of the year.

 

[TVC]

I stopped taking C+ for the same reason over the years I packed in Trail magazine, FHM, Mens Health etc. After about 18 months I find they start repeating themselves, in Trail they even started using the same photos. In all specialist areas there is only so many different topics to cover and eventually stuff gets recycled - when I spot it happening I start saving money.

 

[Wolf04]

I stopped taking C+ for the same reason over the years I packed in Trail magazine, FHM, Mens Health etc. After about 18 months I find they start repeating themselves, in Trail they even started using the same photos. In all specialist areas there is only so many different topics to cover and eventually stuff gets recycled - when I spot it happening I start saving money.

So true. Add Q, Mojo, Uncut, T3 and Stuff for me over the years. I think the worst thing C+ did was to stop the website and forum I always felt they supported the monthly magazine really well

 

[Andy in Sig]

I stopped taking C+ for the same reason over the years I packed in Trail magazine, FHM, Mens Health etc. After about 18 months I find they start repeating themselves, in Trail they even started using the same photos. In all specialist areas there is only so many different topics to cover and eventually stuff gets recycled - when I spot it happening I start saving money.

You're right but one of the reasons I prefer the German bike mags is that they actually do some journalism e.g. sending somebody to a bike or a component factory and reporting on the manufacturing, research and development processes. That sort of thing makes interesting and informative background reading. In addition the C+ touring coverage seems very superficial by comparison. Of course the German mags repeat themselves but not to the same extent.