NSMC- Just some comments..etc..!

[Scott Parkhurst]

Hey all-

I saw the locked thread about the Club deal and how several were unhappy with the mailings etc.



I did not get a chance to comment before it got locked, and I felt obligated to say something, so, here's "something"...

Firstly, my job is to create the magazine. I was pleased (!) to see several of you say you did like the mag. I appreciate that and I want you to know I always have and always will give my very best effort to do the finest-possible job on anything with my name attached to it.

That being said, the books etc. being sent out are incredibly popular. Obviously, there are several (here especially) who are not interested in them, but without divulging numbers (which I don't have in front of me), all I will say is I am quite suprised at the number of positive responses we get from people who (A) are more than happy with the quality of the books we send, (B) are suprised at how affordable they are, and (C) have asked if they can buy additional copies to give as gifts.

This being said, we also have a simple 1-800 number to call if Members would prefer not to recieve Club-related mailings. Surely, its not for everyone and that is totally cool. But, there are many who really love getting decent quality automotive-related books and other things in the mail. Sure, we get some returned- the pre-paid postage labels are included for a reason.

So, as much as I understand your discontent, please know we've made it easy to opt out of the mailings if you desire. Its no big deal and many choose to do so while maintaining their Membership for the other priveledges we offer. We're still growing and developing further Club-specific discounts, rebates, and coupons on parts, products, and services car enthusiasts normally shop for. The incredbly-swelling Membership numbers (now over 150,000 and still accelerating) are making the idea(s) more attractive to potential partners in the discount arena.

For what its worth, in less than a year the NSMC Membership now rivals the circulation of PHR. Think about that for a minute.

We're trying to make the Club a true bargain for those who sign up. By "bargain", I mean that if a Member were to take advantage of a couple of our discount programs, they could save more money than the annual Club dues cost, and that qualifies as a good deal to me.

Our list of available discounts is ever-growing, and is sure to swell to include many things enthusiasts would normally purchase anyway.

This was the original intent and represents the direction of the Club. It's honestly not too far off the "group purchases" and such that are popular on this site and others.

So, before you write it all off as a bad deal or whatever, please understand the Club is not even a single year old yet. We're just getting going and the potential to be a "win-win" deal is tremendous. It's my hope to provide enthusiasts nationwide a big fat "group purchase opportunity" and save them cash in the long run....at least as much as their annual dues would cost them, anyway...hopefully more over the years they are Members.

..that way, the magazine is free, and it too will keep improving as I get it up to full speed.

That being said, I appreciate your comments (good or bad) and I will share your sentiments with the powers-that-be here.

I check in here regularly and answer all personal e-mails as fast as I can, as many here can attest. There's nothing slippery about this deal, and it will grow to be a strong representation of street rodders, custom car owners, and general American car enthusiasts along with g-machine/Pro Touring devotees.

Thanks for checking out the mag, and if you have any further questions, let me know.

~SP~

[Nine Ball]

Scott, thanks for the response. We are glad that you are an active member on this site.

About those books, the quality of them is excellent. I think most people just do not like having them sent out without prior approval to do so. Maybe you could have a page in the magazine showing what the book of the month is, and they can cut that page out and send it in to get the book? I kept the first book (engine building), but the street rod one will be returned. Nice book, but I have zero interest in street rods.

Do a pro-touring book and we will all keep it

The magazine is excellent, and your artwork guy has some good styling skills. I like the variety of different cars in the magazine too.

Tony

[camcojb]

I agree with Tony. Ask first would be better. I've spoken with at least 15 people about this and none of them liked it and none kept the books. So I guess my circle does not represent what you seen, which is good.

After the book deal I decided not to renew my subscription, just left a bad taste in my mouth. Especially since I did not read everything that came with it and assumed it was a gift, so I threw the label and box away! Then had to figure out how to get it back, wait for a new label, then box it myself. My fault for sure, but never expected it to be anything other than a gift, since I never requested it.

I am going to re-consider my decision to not renew; I like you and want you to do well, just wasn't happy with that one issue.

Jody

[astroracer]

I started the "locked" thread and, after reading all of the "positive" (negative) responses it got I feel it was something that needed to be said. I really had no idea I could "opt out" of the mailings when I started the "locked" thread and, now that I have gone back and read the thread that was referenced in one of the responses I suppose I went off half-cocked... BUT, what really set me off was the "Life Member" thing. If you read my initial post you can see that I was burned by another "club" and I was not pleased by the aspect of this one going down the same path. Money for nothing is what I paid the other club and I was sure this one would be the same deal so I responded with a bit of a knee-jerk...
Scott,
I know you cannot guarantee anything about the life member deal so I will not be applying for that but, like Zody, I will re-consider canceling my membership as I do enjoy your work on the magazine and, if I can put a stop to the automatic mailings I will do so.
Tony's suggestion for a tear-out order form is a good one and knowing what will be available is also a plus.
Thank you for responding, and thank you for listening.
Mark Smakal