Free mug for new subscribers....

[RetroBob]

Clearly you are angry about it, otherwise you wouldn't have posted a thread, and LOL, it's just a mug, they probably have lots and need rid (notice they were on sale recently) and it'll to soften the "blow" for potential subs who might notice there was a price rise.

[junkmale]

It's not about the value and/or quality of the mug. The gift could have been an old pair of Darran's smelly socks.
It's the principle that's wrong.

[psj3809]

You know, I thought the same. But then, to be honest, every mag does this when they're trying to get new subscribers.

Whilst I'd love a Retro Gamer mug for being a subscriber for years now, I don't think they'd be able to put the business justification forward for the expense of sending out a mug to every existing subscriber! I'd rather they continue to spend any money they have free on the magazine's look and content.

Agree 100%

If people want a mug then call up to cancel the sub and then try do it online and no doubt get a free mug. I'm not bothered by a mug at all, these practices happen all the time for other magazines or insurance/Sky etc. New subscribers get months free etc, existing ones get nothing.

Like you say if they sent a free mug to every subscriber that would cost quite a bit, i'm fine to miss out on this.

[the_hawk]

but it's exactly the same principle as the 3 issues for a quid offer, just an introductory offer to generate new subscribers.

The fact that it's 3 quid a year cheaper for existing subscribers should cancel out the difference over time, it's not like these new subscribers are going to get a free mug every year!

[RetroBob]

It's not about the value and/or quality of the mug. The gift could have been an old pair of Darran's smelly socks.
It's the principle that's wrong.

Businesses are entitled to entice customsers however they choose (within the law obviously) - would you complain at Tesco because this week they are doing buy one get one free on crisps that you bought last week?

As ever, gamers are also... entitled.

[Jet Pilot]

It's not about the value and/or quality of the mug. The gift could have been an old pair of Darran's smelly socks.
It's the principle that's wrong.

That's the point. It's not about the mug...it's about the backwards business practice of looking at new customers as if they are the holy grail while taking current customers for granted.

And to be fair, this is hardly limited to Retro Gamer. It's a pretty standard business practice across many industries around the world.

[the_hawk]

I'd be far more annoyed if they charged me an extra three quid a year for a mug I'd never use.

[RetroBob]

It's not about the value and/or quality of the mug. The gift could have been an old pair of Darran's smelly socks.
It's the principle that's wrong.

That's the point. It's not about the mug...it's about the backwards business practice of looking at new customers as if they are the holy grail while taking current customers for granted.

And to be fair, this is hardly limited to Retro Gamer. It's a pretty standard business practice across many industries around the world.

It's not backwards, quite the opposite in fact. There is no point whatsoever in eating in to your margin by sending free stuff to loyal customers who would have remained so without it - no one in their right mind going to cancel their sub and never come back simply because there is an offer in the mag for new subs (especially since it is slightly more expensive).

The issue here is really that the email was sent out to current subscribers, and I understand but do not agree with the "well I didn't get one" thought. Personally I thought, "why did you send it to me? I am already a subscriber" (and indeed, mug owner LOL) - but to her credit, Lucy put her hands up and apologised.

[ipmarks]

personally don't care about the mug... just enjoy the magazine.
its not true to say that nobody sends gifts to existing customers though. i subscribe to mac format also and they gave me a laptop case when i started my subscription, and at christmas i got sent a free loyalty gift of a cd wallet with mac format written on it. pretty rubbish, but the thought was nice.

[Antiriad2097]

But as a Mac owner, one assumes you have millions of pounds to spend, so you're worth chasing for business.

I wonder if RG mug sales have gone up now so many people seem to want them again?

[ipmarks]

But as a Mac owner, one assumes you have millions of pounds to spend, so you're worth chasing for business.

I wonder if RG mug sales have gone up now so many people seem to want them again?

if only...to be honest keep meaning to unsubscribe mac format, as took out subscription years ago when first bought a mac to learn new tips for using it. nowadays it consists solely of letters and columnists slagging off windows, articles on photo manipulation and reviews of gadgets i can't afford. honestly same every month. no mug is a small price to pay for a mag of RG's quality.

[StickHead]

Anyway, I think I should receive a free mug, as every time I go to WH Smiths I spread the copies of RG across the shelf

You simply must photograph this. I insist.

[SirClive]

Businesses are entitled to entice customsers however they choose (within the law obviously) - would you complain at Tesco because this week they are doing buy one get one free on crisps that you bought last week?
As ever, gamers are also... entitled.

Spot on.

People are going on about a £10 mug against a £3 saving, but weren't the mugs half price last time they were advertised? So the actual lost revenue is probably less than the £3 saving that subs are getting. On initial reading of the mail I can understand the 'outrage', but it really isn't as big a deal as it looks on paper.

[NickLoTurco10]

No I'm not angry about it Retro Bob. I don't lie about that sort of thing. Plus I know what it feels like when I'm angry. I'm 32, it's happened a few times in those 32 years, this is not one of those occasions! And the crisps analogy is so dreadful it's laughable. I don't subscribe to one pack of crisps a week, only for new crisps subscribers to get a pack of crisps plus a mug AND 3 issues (bags of crisps) for £1.

The fact that the magazine included the picture of my kids in this months mail bag makes up for everything, it was a nice surprise as I sent it November!

[paranoid marvin]

The '3 issues for £1' was just as good a deal as a free mug (if not better), so I'm a bit confused as to why it's caused such a stir. Magazines - along with pretty much everyone else - will give offers to entice new customers , as it's much harder to get a new customer than to keep an exisitiing one.

RG saw me right when they revived the defunct mag and gave me 3 free issues because I'd lost out on my previous subscription. They also have people who work for the mag who actually care about their readership. Because of this , unless they do a Crash!-type u-turn in the way the mag is issued, they've got a subscriber for life.