Msg: 4264 *Conference*

04-25-93 23:00:58

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : CARL VOGEL

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4258 (PORTABLE 100)

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Carl: I get issues eveytime they're printed but then I pay them over
$1,000/month for advertising--or should I say, "paid."  You see, they send us
advertisers copies as proof that "they" shipped the goods, so we will pay them
but do they send any others out?  Don't know.  For sure, you and a lot of
others do not get what you paid for--even though you paid less then $30/year.

So, what do we do about this situation?  Write a letter demanding what you paid
for and send a CC to me.  I'd send a CC to Tracy Allen at EME Systems,
Berkeley, CA as well.  You see, "we," not you, are the ones who "really" foot
the bill.  And when "we" hear that "you" are not getting with "we" paid for
then "we" have leverage, i.e., $1,000/month beats $30/yr any day of the week.
You have no leverage cause $30 ain't nothing.
 
Now that we're on this subject, I will let the cat out of the bag; so to speak.
Some of you--perhaps not "you" personally--recall when Mike Nugent ran Portable
100 magazine.  The mag was out the door on time every month.  But, for some
reason, Mike gave up the position as chief cook and bottle washer.  The mag
reverted to the "old" management--and late again became norm.  We'll, to make a
long story even longer, I talk with Mike from time to time.  Mike says that
"the reason" the mag is always late, or not shipped at all, has to do with the
management spending the printing and mailing money on other, non-Portable 100
things.

Furhtermore, Mike did not like the idea of having to call the advertiser every
month trying to get them to pay early, in order to get the mag out of hostage
at the printers.  Yes, they do that almost every month.  I can expect a call
from Bob Liddle, asking if I could FedEx--no less--a check to help release the
mag from the printer so they can mail them.

This practice has gone on far too long.  I stoped paying a few months ago.  So,
I guess you will probably not get another issue.  Someone else is just going to
have to free the hostage magazine.  I refuse.  -Rick-