We have been grossly oversupplied with Wheels magazine this month, an increase of 30% on the back of a low sell-thorugh. I noticed it Saturday and was going to call them today. But talking with newsagents yesterday at the ANCOL trade show in Adelaide many complained about gross oversupply of Bauer titles – Motor, Top Gear, AWW and Gourmet Traveller.
Different newsagents reported oversupply of different Bauer titles. Five or six newsagents expressed concern. Their experiences coupled with my own make me wonder if there has been a change made in the Bauer allocations process. Something is broken and newsagents appear to be carrying the cost of this.
Given that Bauer owned Network Services takes a zero tolerance approach to returns credits and given that their accounts office acts quickly to cut supply to newsagents even though the company may have a security deposit, it does not apply the same discipline to its own dealing with newsagents when it comes to oversupply.
The sooner individual newsagents test this in a forum of authority the better.
Yep, rediculous oversupply from Bauer at the moment. After informing them that I had cut about 20% of my magazine pockets 7 months ago they seemed to drop my supply accordingly but have since increased it back to what it was plus some.
Plus we keep getting titles that we haven’t had, according to the Tower POS, for at least 7 years but that are now getting supplied again and increasing volumes.
I’ve actually started to make a list of the titles that are being increased in supply even though we’ve previously returned a percentage of them or are being miraculously supplied even though we’ve not asked or been asked for them particularly in categories that don’t do well for us anyhow.
TIME MAGAZINE HAVE NEVER SOLD A COPY in about 3 years stopped it in December 2012 and in july it stared back up again except this time instead of 2 they send 4 and still no sales whats so ever ,the other one is new scientist I have never sold a copy since 2010 but I am seeing how many years it will go on for before they actually stop it them selves
Mark, I am certain Newsagents would support such a forum, but reality is the only opportunity Newsagents have to voice their concerns is this blog. I am unaware of any other forum for Newsagents to express their concerns.
Same here. Five or six Bauer titles increased when I was returning 30% of each. What’s up with these people.
To actually make progress it would take a number of us do what Paul has started in making notes and building an argument to take to a “forum”. Unless there is a body of facts it is all just unsubstantiated talk. A lot of hard work may get a change.
2 more copies of Wheels on the way, 4 of the 5 originals still on the shelf. Sales based replenishment? I don’t think so …
Brett same happened with top gear this month sold one out of 5 and got two lots of sbr
Thats funny I had the exact same thing with Top Gear.
invoiced 9 Sold 2, SBR 2
Lol..At least you sold something to get a SBR.
Womens Fitness. One copy arrived this morning and it’s still sitting on the shelf.
Guess what though ?
.
.
.
.
Thank you for sending your sales data.
Based on the information you have provided, we have raised an extra order on your behalf.
This order will be delivered to you on the next available delivery day.
Outlined below is a list of what the order will contain.
Bipad Issue
Code Title Quantity
Ordered Quantity
Supplied Status Notes
03340 1310 WOMEN’S FITNESS 2 2 Confirmed
Early Returns have generated SBR orders for my business.
I sure hope that there is something really, really special about the next AWW on Thursday!! Based on invoices received already via XChangeIT, my allocation has been increased by 25% on last month, which was already 25% too high based on sales in recent months!!!
I’ll have more on this topic tomorrow.
Network sends us extras that we don’t need and Gotch never has extras when we do need them.
Under supply is just as frustrating as oversupply as we lose sales and so do the publishers!