It’s Thursday morning. We have had our two magazine arrival staff members at the shop since 6am, waiting. Then, an hour and a half later, we get notified.
For years, Gotch managed pitched excuses, reasons why magazine distribution was challenges. Then, it was Ovato making similar pitches – the name change achieved nothing. Now, under new owners, well, here we are … waiting for magazines.
It’s a one-way relationship, and here’s why I say that. Their starting position when a newsagent reports short supply is that they do not believe you. It can take 3 ro 4 contacts to progress a claim. But, sometimes, you’re not successful,. even though know the magazines were not delivered.
One of my shops, one I bought just before Christmas 2021, does $380,000 a year in magazine sales. The distribution mess in Melbourne overseen by Are Direct is commercially harmful. Publishers should be screaming at them.
Footnote: I appreciate not everyone is impacted by this. Right now, it appears to be Melbourne focussed.
It’s 3:18pm and we still don’t have today’s magazines.
Us publishers do not even get told or notified if magazine shipments are delayed. We get told by the disgruntled reader telling us they went into the newsagent to buy the magazine like we told them to and it wasn’t there. A lost sale for you and me.
Please can you tell me why I have a standing order with my newsagent for Hornby Magazine issue 177 February 2022 my newsagent yet did not receive my order copy at my newsagent, I when to another newsagent nearby
they had 3 copy’s of this magazine on their selves for sale to customers,
Surely you should be looking after orders first ?
Regards
R Hughes