Gordon and Gotch yesterday supplied 12 copies of the The Friendship Book 2012 edition to one of my newsagencies. We have not had the title since we opened in 2009. In my view, there is no justification for them sending the title.
We were supposed to be on a list to not receive new stock unless requested or approved. This newsagency does not have flat-stack space, meaning that displaying the book in the appropriate place is challenging.
The only reason I can think of Gotch sending us this stock is that they had spare stock and wanted money from getting this out to stores, for the distribution fee. They will say this is not the case. Until I see proof of this I am a doubter.
We will give the title until the start of the last week of November. We’ll make space somewhere. If there are no sales and no discernable interest in the title, we will early return it to avoid the cash-flow hit.
It is activity like this, unexpected and unwarranted supply, which causes newsagents to act, sometimes early returning other titles without justification. Magazine publishers need to understand this – the behaviour of a distributor in their handling of one title can cause newsagents to strike out against another title.
What should have happened here? Here is my suggestion:
- Gotch should have emailed me saying that I am down to receive this new title, advising the quantity. The email should have three links: approved, no thanks and adjust supply quantity.
- I would have adjusted the supply quantity to 3 copies.
- I would then have asked Gotch for extra stock if sales warranted this.
By forcing the stock on me Gotch gets me offside and has me more likely to strike out against such (in my view) gross over supply. This only gives them another excuse to tell publishers and others that we are not good retailers.
Received 2 and sold them within 20 min . Not all mags work for everyone this is something everyone needs to realise .
one question how on earth do you get on a list where they do not send new tittles inless previously communicated with ? i would love to be on that list . i have told them i do not want anymore NEW overseas tittles and apparantly that is just not going to happen
Like Shaun S I received 5 and have a single one left this morning. Mind you I am located in “wrinkley central” (and love em !). The Justin Beiber titles here however do nothing even with the scholls nearby.
Would love also to know how to get onto a no receipt of new titles list ! Would probably cut my early returns in half.
I understand well the difference in demographics and the need to give titles a go – I have discussed both topics at length here.
My issue is the going from 0 to 12. This reflects badly on Gotch in my view.
Paul , yes Justin does not do anything here i don’t think i have ever sold anything to do with him .
I would bet London to a brick that the friendship book increase is a direct result
of Borders closing (and A & R).
We usually get about 6 Friendship books (however we do usually sell them) so this
time we got 10 so I don’t consider that to
be too unseemly.
However, multiply the effect by lots of mags that Borders were getting and newsagents are copping the brunt of that.
It impacts negatively on cashflow and it
is unjustifiable that we cannot change this
system.
We should be able to put in a cashflow no.
(say $20,000) to GG for the month and refuse to accept any “overs” and each newsagency should be able to control their
own cashflow. Weeklies should be able to
be adjusted weekly and monthlies adjusted
monthly so that there is no overlap.
THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE
DISTRIBUTORS THROUGH XCHANGEIT AND
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT USING IT.
They will, of course, say that data corruption is the cause and that newsagents are not sending their data in a
timely fashion or some other such rubbish
but it is simply not true that they cannot
change our supplies according to our returns.
My business still runs with a 53% returns
ratio and has done for many, many years.
It is unacceptable but the companies will
tell you that 30% is their aim. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WE ARE NOT REPRESENTED WELL ENOUGH AT
A NATIONAL LEVEL.
The thing is June if there was an explanation for the decision and respect in terms of – hey try this out and we have more stock if it works. But, no.
june , i have (just about every month ) told gotch that i want my account set at a certain amount meaning that i cannot afford it if it goes over that amount . the accounts lady told me to send emails asking this. well i have done this several times and still they send the crap out each month . I can tell you now that the next bill will not be getting paid on time because i already know it will be over what i want it to be just in the first 2 weeks of mags coming in .
is it possible to ask distributors to stop sending stock for 1 week if our store will be close for business during the new year week? im worried our shed will be filled to the max when we return from break.
would appreciate any advice.
Base on our experience they will stop the delivery if you are closed and you have communicated clearly.
Just a comment in regard to all the bitching about magazine distributors.
We find the operations side very responsive and very helpful.
Unfortunately this is in 180 degree to the credit department.
We should not be careless to paint them all with the same brushes.
What would happen if we pretend to be Qantas and the publishers can play the part of the unions and we lock the bastards out until we get them to the negotiation table.
Ricky it is the same credit department that stops my account if not paid , the very same credit department that i have asked to have my account set at a certain limit which has never happend . Who is your contact there that is so helpful ?
Richard, I think I love you LMAO
SOS I desperately need one for my Mum for Xmas. Where do I go to get a Friendship Book 2012 in my hands within two days. i live in Wollongong NSW
NewsXpress Macarthur Square Campbelltown has 5 left. We are only 40 minutes away.
Anyone know a stockist of this book in Melbourne? My Grandmother loves them and I have been in about 20 newsagencies with no luck!!
Hi Sarah, please contact cvnewsagency@netspace.net.au if you still need one. We are based in Geelong and have a few left.
Thanks,