BCM July issues

[HighTechRedneck]

First off, let us apologize for how late the July issue mailed out.  A lot of issues related to the changes played into it and it didn't mail until July 22.  And a cascade effect delayed August, but not nearly as much thank goodness.  It will be mailing this week.  The September issue is on track to go out on schedule (approx. Aug 24).  Also, the September issue begins the assent to getting back up to a beefier size.  It will have 25% more pages.  As an added note - because July went out so late, the "July Special" of 3 extra months free on subscriptions (new and renewal) has been extended to the end of August.

Second, due to a failure at the mailing service, the U.S. copies didn't get packaged in plastic as planned and the International issues weren't done with the kind of plastic we had specified.  Lot's of lessons learned and we are changing the mailing arrangements to give us better control over it.  But it appears that the lack of plastic is causing the same poor treatment by the USPS and I am getting calls from folks that haven't gotten their July issue yet.

This is where I am seeking your feedback - If you have a print subscription and have not received your July issue yet, please email me at web@busconversions.com and provide your name/address as they appear on your magazine labels.  I want to see if a pattern emerges.  If you live east of the Mississippi and haven't gotten it yet, I will hand mail you one by First Class mail as soon as I hear from you.  If west of Mississippi, I would like to give it to the end of this week to make sure it isn't just the USPS being slow due to it being "Standard Class".  But regardless of location, please email asap if you haven't received July yet.

The August issue will be neatly packaged in plastic and I firmly believe that will greatly improve the mailing reliability.  And it will certainly improve the condition the magazine is in when you get it.

I visited with the Postal Service bulk mail clerk at the main hub in Chattanooga.  They say that "Presorted Standard Class" mail will typically reach all domestic destinations within 2 weeks, but that they do not guarantee that.  Off the record, she also concurred that in plastic it will be less likely to get lost in the system.

Thank you for your patience and the tremendous support we have received from subscribers!  Your support is making this possible.

[Busted Knuckle]

   I got mine today!
It was in perfect shape!

except the pages are starting to look worn down from me reading it like a dozen times this afternoon!

OK so I was just drooling at the pictures the last 14 -15 times!
  BK 

[CrabbyMilton]

I received the July issue late last week and it was in flawless condition. I have yet to receive the August issue but the month is not over yet. I think I can speak for everybody where your voluntary explaination for this is most appreciated. Mike built a good publication over many years and I'm glad that you intend to carry it on.

[Dreamscape]

We received our July issues last week, forgot which day!  It was in great condition without the plastic cover, but I'm sure with the cover it will cut down on ripped pages from mechanical sorting etc..

As alwas Mike, your keeping on top of things and letting us know is the best way to communicate. At least we hear from you guys! 

Looking forward to August and behond!

Paul

[John316]

We received ours yesterday. You guys have done a great job, even though you didn't have as much to do with this one.

Even this BCM was an improvement. The content was better (I really liked Jack Conrad's article about the PA system). And I DIDN'T miss at all the tacky internet jokes portion. That was very nice to see that part gone.

Keep it up guys! You are doing great! Kudos to you all for resurrecting a magazine that the PO had destroyed (we had just about gotten to the point, before you bought it, that we were going to tell the Kadletz fellow to keep the rest of our couple years prescription, but tell him not to send us the crud anymore). I am really looking forward to having the good magazine back, and you guys have been doing leaps and bounds better already.

I guess there is one shocking thing, though. Mike, you have been very customer service oriented, and that is a stark change from the PO .

God bless,

John

[kyle4501]

I liked the jokes section. I guess some don't have a lighter side . . . . 

Just goes to show you can't please everyone all the time. 


Mike, I got my issue Saturday. Thanks for the fast response & explanation.

Good luck with the usps. . . . .

[John316]

Kyle,

I do have a lighter side, and I have all of the Jokes that I need in the OT section of the board .

God bless,

John

[kyle4501]

I would like it very much if the OT section stayed out of print!

Jokes are something that can help broaden the appeal of the magazine & lighten the heavy content.
Just as travel & use articles would be nice to see - once you have 'finished' your bus, why do you need a 'how to convert guide'?
I don't think limiting the magazine to 'converting process only' will be best.
How to use your bus would be of interest to me. . . . . Sure would help in the choosing the finer points of the conversion - a power pole queen has a very different utility plan than a boondocking bandit.


Tis easy to tear down (the negative comments do just that), quality construction is difficult.
I'd like to see more building (isn't that what we're trying to do with our buses?)
I propose we compliment the things we like or would like to see. If we don't like something, be quiet & let it dry on the vine. The new owners are smart enough to figure out what gets the best responses.


I'm just glad the new owners stepped up & are putting fourth a good effort. . . .

[loosenut]

I would like it very much if the OT section stayed out of print!...I don't think limiting the magazine to 'converting process only' will be best.
How to use your bus would be of interest to me. . . . . Sure would help in the choosing the finer points of the conversion - a power pole queen has a very different utility plan than a boondocking bandit.

Tis easy to tear down (the negative comments do just that), quality construction is difficult.
I'd like to see more building (isn't that what we're trying to do with our buses?)
I propose we compliment the things we like or would like to see. If we don't like something, be quiet & let it dry on the vine. The new owners are smart enough to figure out what gets the best responses.


I'm just glad the new owners stepped up & are putting fourth a good effort. . . .

I second Kyle's ideas.  Definitely keep OT out.  What is topical on the net is often out of date by the time print rolls around.  Look at how a thread grows like wildfire then dies in a moment

I think you can increase the audience by broadening the uses of a bus.  I had never heard of tin-tent or the thought about a hunting lodge.  While I never expected to drive my bus long distances I did expect it to be a beach babe which to many of my neighbors and relatives was an unexpected use. 

Occasionally highlighting the unexpected use will, I believe, inspire more people into buses.  I probably would have jumped in earlier instead of looking for a finished bus that I could upgrade in accordance to my skills.

Humor is important in magazines.  I'm not sure jokes are the best way to deliver humor but maybe bus cartoons, humorous bus anecdotes etc. would be nice.

I received my July issue arrived August 6th in good condition.

Mike

[Eagle Andy]

Iam out of town , My wife told me that the mag came the other day in good shape. Thanks for  talking to me on the phone last week and treating me as a valued costomer . even tho i just started receiving BCM Thanks again Andy

[Gary W]

I have every issue since day 1, I canceled my subscription last year. I didn't like the way the magazine was going. It was also a hassle trying to contact anybody with problems getting the magazine sent to Canada. I renewed my subscription last month for the on  line version. It is great getting it that way.
I agree  you have been very customer service oriented . Good luck.

Gary

[DaveG]

Called in a one year subscription yesterday (print version).

I get other mags in plastic and they always arrive nice. On the other hand, I just received another mag in the mail this week and it was not wrapped and is kinda beat up already.

[buswarrior]

The July issue arrived up here somewhere over a week ago.

In plastic, fine condition, like it never did before.

Thank you.

happy coaching!
buswarrior