Since we first began publishing the Gypsy Journal over fourteen years ago, we have only raised our subscription rates once. In that time, the cost of printing, envelopes, postage, and the services of mail forwarding companies have doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled for some items and services that go into producing the paper, not to mention the ever increasing cost of fuel.
At the same time, the reliable commercial mail companies that we contract with to process and send out our Standard Rate envelopes are getting harder and harder to find. When we factor that in with the fact that many of our subscribers are fulltime RVers or snowbirds, who often fail to inform us of their new address when they relocate, which results in us having to send out a second copy because the first one was not forwarded to them, we barely break even on some subscriptions, and even lose money on many. The slow service by the post office for Standard Rate mail has also been a constant problem. Many times Standard Rate subscribers do not receive their paper for as much as a month after they are mailed. This has resulted in unhappy subscribers who want faster service.
To meet that need, a few years ago we added a First Class mail option, which costs $5 a year extra, but insures that papers get forwarded and arrive in a timely manner. We also introduced our digital subscription which has become very popular.
With the latest postal rate increases, and the cost increase by the commercial mail services we have used, we find that we have to raise our subscription rates again. We decided that if we have to raise prices, it is better for both us and our subscribers if we phase out the Standard Rate mail option and transition all subscriptions for the printed issue to First Class. We will begin that process with the January-February, 2013 issue.
What this means to our Standard Rate subscribers is that they will be paying the First Class rate of $25 for a one year subscription and $45 for a two year subscription on any renewals or new subscriptions that are postmarked after December 31. Our digital issue will remain at $20 per year and $35 for a two year subscription. If you have recently subscribed or renewed at the Standard Rate option, you don’t owe anything else until your next renewal date.
We always hate to issue a rate increase, which is why we’ve only done it once before in all these years, and we know that nobody wants to spend more money than they have to. But I believe once our readers start enjoying the faster First Class service they will appreciate it. And as always, Terry and I appreciate your continued support.
Thought For The Day – If my memory gets any worse, I could plan my own surprise party.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
A very good business decision. You should have done this a long time ago.
Gladly, Nick. I wouldn’t want to miss a single issue.
We get the digital edition and have decided not to renew ANY print-only editions of subscriptions so we can receive them quickly and not have to chase down any mail as we travel. It’s a great option and we appreciate being able to receive the issues in digital format. We are on the internet anyway and if I feel the need to “handle a paper” I’ll pick up a USA Today!
My question is, when do we know that our digital subscription has expired and needs to be renewed?
We wouldn’t want to miss another “You gotta see this!” place that you and Miss Terry visit and report back on. We are still raving to others about the little-known Warther Carving Museum you suggested to us near Canton, Ohio.
Thanks again and Happy Holidays !
No problem on my end Nick. Still under priced as far as I’m concerned.
Sounds reasonable to me.
I love receiving my issues via email. Like Candace Rivero, we don’t have any “paper” books, magazines, etc. Everything is in the computer and I love it. Oh, I just remembered…some of my favorite cookbooks are with us in hardback. Those books are the exception to the rule.
What JC 3 said — in spades!
What happens to those of us with time remaining (> 1 year) on our existing “standard” contract?
As much as we love the printed version we are switching over the the computer version I am notifying Terry via e-mail.
No problem with the rate increase, Nick. Everything goes up, unfortunately, it’s a fact of life. You shouldn’t be expected to cover the costs of sending extra copies when people don’t give you a change of address. We enjoy the digital version so we don’t have to wait for mail forwarding.
No problem. Just a good business move. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and Terry.
Having witnesses the hassles and effort you put into mailing out the subscriptions I applaud this change. I predict many, including us, will move to the digital edition.
ditto Sharon-email is cheaper than diesel and faster too.
And, by mailing first class you should reduce your sorting time.
Sandi – Nothing changes until your next renewal date rolls around. Then you will renew at the new rate.
Candace – We send out e-mail renewal notices with your second to last issue, and again with the last issue.
We appreciate everybody’s support and understanding.
Well count me out. I made myself a promise not to spend anymore money than I had to once Obama got reelected. We’ll all need every penny we can get our hands on just to survive the next 4 years and even then it will be iffy.
Richard,
Now you’ve gone and gotten me confused. I thought Obama wanted to raise taxes on the wealthy. but you are inferring the slight increase in Nick’s subscription rate is too much for you. Oh, I get it. In your tax bracket you are losing your deduction for educational materials.
Don’t blame you a bit for the increase but it seems like it would make more sense to have a bigger difference in price between the digital and hard copy subscriptions. Mailing is a significant cost above emailing and should expect to cover that expense.