[Ant590]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if any non-US subscribers of The Bridge World were experiencing delivery problems?

I have been a subscriber since October 2008, and have never had an issue arrive on time. Each month I report the pervious month's issue undelivered and then the replacement arrives in around a fortnight. This was really annoying, but at least I got the issues in the end (all be it six weeks late). Now the replacement issues are not arriving either, and I am really frustrated. It's a quality publication, but not worth this hassle!

Is this issue common to other transatlantic traffic? I notice that more often than not the magazines I do receive have been opened by customs, so perhaps it is a thing with them? I mean, postcards hardly ever get lost, so why small parcels?

Any ideas?

Ant.

[TMorris]

I'm in the UK & have subscribed for a year or so. They have always turned up but when they turn up is relatively random. Occasionally they are on time but not that often. I don't worry about it since they always come in the end

[skjaeran]

I'm working at the Norwegian Bridge Fedaration's office, and the federation is a subscriber. I've never registered any problems, BW arrives on schedule here.

[sfi]

I've had the same experience. Issues have even arrived out of sequence, but they do make it here eventually.

The one time I reported one missing I received two copies of that issue, but that was slow as well.

[Dwingo]

I have the same problems, I haven't got my April09 and May09 issues. I have complained and they have said I will get a replacement. I haven't got the replacement still.

In 2008, I had similar problems atleast on 4 out of the 12 months. Disappointing.

[blackshoe]

I understand the frustration. Keep in mind though that it's quite likely not the magazine's fault, but the postal system's.

[mike777]

Hopefully a digital version will be an option at some point. At least the option to read BW on a digital book reader would be nice. Customers could store old issues and have search ability. It would be great to be able to pull up and read old issues for ten or 20 minutes on demand while we are waiting. BW could offer digital issues at a discounted price and still keep their profit margins.

[jkljkl]

No Problems at all, got for instance the June 2009 issue about eight-ten days ago.

ciao stefan
germany

[Roupoil]

I receive BW in France, and get my magazine at a quite random date in the month, but never with a big delay.

[Ant590]

blackshoe, on Jun 1 2009, 02:40 AM, said:

I understand the frustration. Keep in mind though that it's quite likely not the magazine's fault, but the postal system's.

I agree entirely. On re-reading my initial post I see how it looks like I am criticising the magazine --- far from it --- they've replied to all of my emails on the same day they were sent, and twice extended my subscription to compensate for my hassle (without me requesting too). I was just wondering if I was unlucky, or if the problem was more widespread.

My theory is still that it's UK customs thinking I'm being sent narcotics or something! I wonder if the packaging they're using is standard?

[cnszsun]

Ant590,
I have the same the problem as you in my first year's subscription.
At first, i blame the magazine. But, now I've found the wrong was made by the local postal service.
Later, i try to change the delivery address, then the issues begin to arrive on time.
I guess the problem may lie in the packaging they are used for international issues. They are using plastic bag which could be not standard for my local postal office.

[FrancesHinden]

When I first started subscribing the timing was fairly irregular, but they changed to airmail for everyone a few years ago and I get it at roughly the same time each month (the June edition arrived last Saturday, for example).

[nickf]

My only gripe was when I first started subscribing about 12 years ago - unenveloped magazines (with the address label adhered to the back cover) would arrive in my mailbox. I wrote to them that I though this was an unusual practice, particulary as my copy had to travel half way around the world.

Eventually they changed their practices. I dont notice these days if my copy arrives on time - I'm just aware I get a copy every 4 weeks.

nickf
sydney