AST magazine

[AdrianF]

Is anyone else having problems with their subscription to AST?
I was lead to believe that I would get my magazine upto 7 days before it gets to the newstand but the last 3 issues have arrived upto 18 days after it gets into our local newsagent, I havent received the latest issue yet and the mag as been on the shelf for 3 days.
I have sent an email to AST asking if there is a problem but as of now I havent received an answer.

Adrian

[rastis95]

Hi Adrian,
The only trouble I have had was the latest issue it was 2 or 3 days after it showed up at my local newsagent, never had to wait 18 days though:shrug:. Id say there has been a big stuff up at there end or australia post up to its usual tricks. Hope it shows up soon.

Cheers
Scott

[ngcles]

Hi Adrian,

I'm a Contributing Editor to AS&T and a member of IIS.

I'm sorry to hear you haven't received your Feb/Mar AS&T yet. I get a free but otherwise regular subscription (just like yours) and my copy arrived early in the mail on Wed 28th January 2009 -- so they have definitely gone out.

I have notified Greg of your concerns. I dunno why you didn't get an immediate reply to your email inquiry but Greg was away for a time on a short break until recently which could at least explain the non-contact.

I'm certain if you dash off another email now, you'll get a reply and hopefully a speedy resolution.

If there is any other way I can help over the issue, feel free to PM me and I'll look into it to the extent I can.

Best,


Les D

[danielsun]

Mine arrived yesterday.:thumbsup:

[chrisp9au]

My copy arrived today, some 4 days after it appeared at the newsagents. I agree it's frustrating! but that's life in the bush!

And in my opinion this months edition was certainly worth waiting for, lots of observational articles of immediate value! And the Chief scope looks tempting for incurable tinkerers like me! :whistle:
Great magazine!
Cheers
Chris

[rastis95]

i agree on the chief scope, looks like a promising design wonder if it will catch on

[AdrianF]

I agree the mag is worth waiting for but it is frustrating that I dont get it until late. The Nov/Dec issue is still in its sealed bag because it arrived 18 days late and I ended up buying one, 5 days before mine arrived, from the newsagent so I didnt miss it.

Adrian

[Enchilada]

A kindly request to moderators...

The issues with arrival of various astronomical magazines continues to be an on going issue throughout IIS threads. While not receiving magazines in the post might concern one or two individuals, the general angst it causes (especially against the publisher reputation) doesn't seem to be that productive nor helpful in solve the overall problem. I.e. AdrianF's issue might also be caused by other problems than AS&T; problems with post office delivery, stolen magazines from letterboxes, the subscribers location in Australia, incorrect address or name, subscription glitches, etc.

May I humbly suggest perhaps that the moderators just close these threads, and instead put in place a general advisement on how they might solve the problem and who and how they can directly contact the magazine publisher in question?

To solve AdrianF case here, I would just go to A&ST at http://www.austskyandtel.com.au/contact_asandt.htm
then contact, under "Subscription Enquiries"
subscriptions@austskyandtel.com.au or directly phone 02 9439 1955
(This is directly stated on the website)

AdrianF. I hope this issue is solved for you.

[AdrianF]

Been there done that. I didnt mean to open a can of worms it was just a question as to whether others where having problems aswell.

Adrian

[JethroB76]

Normally have no problems with AST but I did notice the shops had this issue a few days before me..

[astroron]

Enchilada, I do not agree with, If it is alright to give any company slaps on the back when perceived to have done good service, it should be the same if one perceives that he is getting lousy service get a rassberry.
I am not in favour of one sided reports.
As Adrian as said he has done all the above suggestions and still no reply.

[cookie8]

Mine arrived yesterday.

[Greg Bryant]

Hi all,

The February/March issue of AS&T was delivered by the mailing house to Australia Post here in Sydney on Wednesday of last week (January 21). I am disappointed too that this issue took so long to reach people. Our office raised the issue earlier this week, and I am awaiting an answer.

Adrian, if you could please forward your e-mail to me (greg@austskyandtel.com.au), I'll follow it up with the relevant people.

Regards,
Greg

[AdrianF]

I am not blaming anyone in particular there are a lot of variables. But I did send a bottle of limited edition wine from Roma to Sydney and it took 3 months to get there. Posted late november it arrived in February last year.

Adrian

[andrew2008]

In the same boat here Adrian. Recieved subscription over christmas so this is first issue and was disappointed to see it in stores yesterday but seems should be here early next week if most people just got theres.

[Alchemy]

i just buy mine at the newsagent, pay my couple dollars, walk out with a good read. never get into a flap about missing it, or worrying about the post office losing it or crushing it in my P/O box. Given that i only check the mail once a week it probably wouldnt be any earlier anyway.

i enjoy the AST Mag, the chief scope was interesting to say the least, no more diffraction spikes, i wonder what the color would be like given it goes through 2 bits of glass

les's essay on 3606 was particularly well written, might have a look for it (hope its viewable from here)

lots of other interesting stuff....... cant wait to have a look in the newsagent on the 18th march for my next copy

[BerrieK]

I also go to the newsagent to pick up a copy. In my own time. Never disappointed.

[wavelandscott]

Mine arrived safely to me at my new house in Connecticut...

I was just going to post about how wonderful it was that it made it here so fast!

Cheers and Clear Dark Skies!

[astronut]

Mine was late as well..............the first time in 3 years!!!!:)

[Glenhuon]

Mine turned up yesterday, but whats the problem with it being a bit late :rolleyes:
As long as it gets here eventually, its OK by me.
I never even tried to look for it in the newsagents here, far to "Nerdy" for the local populace I'm afraid. Even have trouble finding Astro mags in Wagga. Once it leaves the hands of the publisher its in the dubious hands of Aus Post, sometimes they are good, and sometimes slow as a snail. Thems the breaks guys. :)

Bill

[Glenn Dawes]

Hi guys,

I can't comment on AST specifically, but I can relate some problems we have had with the yearbook. I've posted orders in multiple packages at the same time and mail box, and have had them delivered a week apart?! I've also replaced missing books after a month, only to have them turn up the day after the replacement arrives!

Regards

Glenn

[Alchemy]

tough luck there bill, here in yarra juction they stock AST , Astronomy, The BBC one plus a whole host of other scientific stuff...... must be a nerdy area :) ....... oh and a few really weird ones from soldier of fortune type things to people who believe faked up images of aliens to the whole alternative greeny thing.

[mick pinner]

still haven't received mine.

[Davros]

I can understand the dramas with Auspost. I have ordered itmes from the UK and locally and have had the UK items turn up first many times.

[Enchilada]

Those interested in the operations and procedures regarding Australia Post will find it featured on the Web at; General Post Guide (http://www.auspost.com.au/pdfs/General.pdf) Here Sections 4, 5 and 6 are probably relevant to the discussion here, especially under pg.65 G6.6 "Exclusions from cover" - especially worrying me in the statement; :scared:
G6.6.12 – Delivery delays
Australia Post excludes any claim for carriage or delivery delays.*

It seems ya' take yer chances....

* What comes to mind is that line in the 1983 movie "High Road to China" when Patrick O'Malley (Tom Selleck) is held hostage with little chance of escape to the Suleman Kahn (Brian Blessed), saying ; "You hold all the cards". In Australia Post's case, indeed they also seem too! All care, no responsibility.

[Ric]

On that point Enchilada I was reading the delivery terms for a company that are selling weather station the other day and they basicaly say that will not be responsible for anything once they have posted it regardless of whose fault it is. I'll look elsewhere for a weather station.

On a good note I received my mag on the 28th and on a bad note it's all read on the 1st.:lol:

When's the next one due out.:whistle:

[Omaroo]

I'm like Berrie - I buy mine off the newstand at a large newsagency. Works every time.

The reason I prefer to buy them like this is that I once missed out on a special deal that I kicked myself over because the mag arrived in my letter box shortly after the deal had already expired.

Maybe magazine editors do consider this, and ask advertisers to cater to this phenomenon. Advertisers need to compensate for magazines arriving "averagely late" because of the post.

Still - option 1 has always worked so I'll continue with it.

[mozzie]

mine was 2 days late this month chris i emailed them to see if there was a mailing prob still waiting for reply
mozzie

[erick]

Just back at work today after a week away. AST was waiting for me. The post date stamped on the plastic is "29/1/09 02:22".

[AdrianF]

Mine arrived this morning along with a package sent from NZ last wednesday. Five days from NZ compared with 13 from Sydney.

Adrian

[Screwdriverone]

I had a similar experience, however slightly different.

I just resubscribed to AS&T as they notified me last month that I had run out, two days after I subscribed again (with the Hubble DVD offer) my REGULAR copy for February turned up :)

Then the NEXT day, my NEW subscription copy arrived for February :lol: with the Hubble DVD in it, however, the Hubble DVD seems to be blank? the picture is on the front, but it wont read in ANY DVD player I have (PC or home DVD) must get that replaced.

Bugger about the two copies, but seeing as how I always read them for MONTHS at a time, I am not too worried....one for the upstairs loo, and one for downstairs loo.....;) (oooh, that sounds like I am the LOO for months! - not true!)

Generally the magazine is always on time and ALWAYS a top read! I am like Ric though, doesnt take long to read it from cover to cover, however, a good idea is to skim through, take notice of a few things, then revisit in detail things like Les' Deep Sky delights or Sue French's celestial sampler bits and bobs, very entertaining no matter how many times you read them.

Most of mine are dog eared by 1 -2 weeks...

Cheers

Chris

[Outbackmanyep]

Let me get this straight, how do Newsagents get their stuff? Post or Courier????

Secondly, Australia Post sub-contract their mail runs, i wonder if the contractors/AP are to blame!?
I have always received mine on time, a day late this time but i'm not complaining!!!
Hope everyone sorts out the problems!!! Cheers!

[erick]

Just sent my subscription away for another two years :thumbsup:

[toryglen-boy]

well, i just bought my first issue, i didnt even know what it was, until i read it on here!!

and i must admit, some of the articles are good, but it tends to suffer from the same affliction as thousands of other publications, lots of adverts but no prices or information. i bought this hoping for a good read, and to get some idea of prices of equipment, all i read was "see your local dealer"

yeah, yeah, yeah

heard it all before

:doh:

[Ric]

They are probably the only adds I actually don't mind reading.

[OneOfOne]

I also subscribe to the US version of the magazine, and the latest one arrived on Monday and finished last night (Tuesday). Unfortunately, nearly 50% of the content was repeated from the US, but when my US subscription runs out next year I won't bother renewing it, at the moment I feel like I pay 2 subscriptions to get 1.5 magazines :(

[toryglen-boy]

you're right Ric, i went back through it, and actually really enjoyed it
That will teach me to open my mouth, and let my belly rumble


:lol:

[Screwdriverone]

Hey how good is this?

Last night I sent an email to AS&T about the Hubble 15 years DVD that I got with the latest subscription not working.

This afternoon, I opened an envelope from AS&T with TWO replacement DVD's in it, both of which work just fine.

How prompt is that?!?

From complaint to delivered by Aus Post in LESS than a business day.

AWESOME!!

Chris