Is anyone else here having problems with RMC? I have received nothing since last August edition. Quite a number of other people in Europe also have this problem. RMG answered one mail out of many stating that things would improve in January, however nothing has changed. Is there any action that can be taken against them? Because it went through the postal system could it be considered Mail Fraud? Would the local Better Business Bureau ( if one exists) be able to help? Thanks in advance Ian
Dear Ian, The United States Postal Service has been shifting, changing and altering their Foreign Mail requirements the past few years. This has driven up costs to mail and also costs to produce and print because certain magazine pages with postal information must be compliant. So, it could be either the changes delaying delivery, or the added cost making it a loss to mail your copies. Usually, though, a publisher will inform their readers if cost changes have forced a change in delivery, and offer a refund on the remaining subscription. However, you are in Europe, so they may not offer any such option on foreign subscriptions. Postal Fraud in this case would be difficult to prove, there has to be intent to defraud. Also, as you are not a US Citizen (I assume) and the transaction was not solely in the US, you probably cannot make that claim. Likewise with the BBB. There is a branch in New Jersey, where Carstens, the publisher, is based, but as a foreign national I surmise the best they would do is tell you to have a nice day. Best I can offer is I hope you only paid for a one year subscription. Have you tried to call Carstens direct? NJ is 4-5 hours behind western Europe. You may get the best info straight from the Jerseyan's mouth. The language may be slightly obscene, but straight. If you can slip in you think the New Jersey Devils are the worlds greatest hockey team, it may help you in your cause. Cartens Numbers Voice: (973) 383-3355 Voice: (888) 526-5365 I doubt the 888 (toll free) number will work, but you can always try. -Mark
Ian - I would try E mailing or calling them again. I am in the US and rarely have problems with my subscription arriving. They are usually pretty reliable although I have heard some people have had a small delay occasionally due to late delivery from their printers. RMC has always been a good outfit to deal with.
I'll second Alcos4ever. Seems to me that last summer a complete month on a new system got "lost". Since that time I no longer receive RMC on the first of the month, but normally around the middle of the month and to the best of my knowledge their issues still trail 'Model Railroader' by about a month. I would again try e-mail contact especially if it's an overseas subscription. RMC has a very good reputation and that's been so over their 75 year or so existence.
Ian, no solution! I've drop so many mails to RMC and have back .... no feedback , that I lost any hope to solve this situation. Italy: August 2009 received two numbers in two consecutive days! Nothing 'till January 2010 when I received again 3 past numbers same day! last week he drop in mailbox the January number.... The strange think is that the newspaper stand have all copies in correct time! That's the advantage to be a subscriber?
Received my May issue yesterday, the 15th. Seems as though they maintaining that two week delay - at least for domestic subscribers.
Unfortunately I thought my subscription had expired so renewed for another 2 years!! I've just fired of another mail to them so will have to see if that helps. ian
