Sail Magazine

[Larry3525]

Has any one else had problems with Sail Magazine renewals. I have had six phone calls this weekend asking me to renew. My phone number is on a do not call list and I have told them that but they still keep calling. I hope this isn't the publishing company and only the marketing company I origionally did the subscription with. Either way it has cost the magazine any future renewals I may consider. I probably will not order magazines at boat shows any more either.

 

[Joe]

I'd complain to the magaizine, they are probably offering incentives to outside contractors who provide new or renewed subscribers.... but that said, it's a great magazine now that they've changed much of the format and I wouldn't let an aggressive subscription service deprive you of what Sail has to offer. FWIW I never renew over the phone... you might end up with 2 or 3 subscriptions... I always renew via the mail with a check that has the subscription year written on it...

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Unfortunately, the DNC list...

Exempts any business or organization with whom you've ever done business or had a relationship...so if you've ever had a subscription to SAIL, their subscription service isn't violating the DNC law by calling you. However, continuing to call to sell you something after you've said no IS a violation. Email SAIL'S editorial offices and strongly--though politely recommend that they instruct their circulation contractors to back off or you'll report 'em to your state atty gen.

 

[Cest La Vie]

Re: Unfortunately, the DNC list...

Peggie is correct-the Do Not Call list does not prohibit anyone with whom you have conducted business, political parties, or non-profit entities from calling. Once you have requested the calling enitty to cease and desist, however, they should remove your name from their list. If you get continued calls, use the following link to address the issue with the Federal Communications Commission-they are highly responsive to complaints: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall/#howtocomplain

 

[catsailor]

Peggie is correct-the Do Not Call list does not prohibit anyone with whom you have conducted business, political parties, or non-profit entities from calling. Once you have requested the calling enitty to cease and desist, however, they should remove your name from their list. If you get continued calls, use the following link to address the issue with the Federal Communications Commission-they are highly responsive to complaints: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall/#howtocomplain

They're struggling in these times. You can see the mag is getting thin.

I had not subscribed for many years, but then ran across a cheap 2-year offer.

The first 3 issues they sent were ones I had already seen, through friends, before I sent in the paperwork! They were back issues that had gone unsold!

But that's OK. The rate really was cheap, though I doubt I will renew, even for really cheap. Most good blogs have more content. It is nothing like the mag sail used to be.

 

[heart of gold]

I don't think I'll renew either. Way too much advertisement these days. I will miss it. thinking about good old boat as that is what I have

 

[dscribner]

My wife bought me a subscription for two years. They sent me two, one year subscriptions (ie. two identical issues each month). Pam called to complain and straighten it out, get a full two years. They cancelled both. She called to complain. The started up both one years subscriptions. We gave up and switched to Sailing Magazine.

 

[rardiH36]

Having been in this "sailing thing" for only about 3.5 years -- so its still new to me -- I actually find Sail magazine generally useful and a fun read -- both for the initial 1/2 hour it takes to flip through the pages, and then later for lingering through a few more times while the other eye is watching the evening news and the pallet is critically engaged slugging down a glass of wine.

I just made a gift subscription of Sail to my mid-80's father who as an ex-sailor continues to enjoy it. At $15 for two years, the gift was certainly more the "thought" rather than a demonstration of the extent of my financial resources. As I filled out the on-line subscription form, I found myself wondering if all two years of Sail would actually make it to his mailbox.

The fact that "Sail" reps are calling reminds me that this happened last year for a fingerstyle guitar instruction magazine which I enjoyed for almost 10 years. Even though I had another four or so more semi-monthly issues remaining on my subscription, the rep wanted me to extend for another two years. I declined because I had observed that the period between issues had been getting longer, the quality of the instructional content had diminished significantly, and the quantity of advertising had decreased. The magazine ceased publication about that time. I never received the balance of my subscription.

On Sail's online subscription web page I declined the option for the website to forward a internet "gift card" to my father which required his email address. I didn't want him to be added to the parent publication company's distribution promotion list.

 

[knotalot22]

Exempts any business or organization with whom you've ever done business or had a relationship...so if you've ever had a subscription to SAIL, their subscription service isn't violating the DNC law by calling you. However, continuing to call to sell you something after you've said no IS a violation. Email SAIL'S editorial offices and strongly--though politely recommend that they instruct their circulation contractors to back off or you'll report 'em to your state atty gen.

Good info. Companies that you have done business with can only Harass you unheeded for 90 days from the conclusion of your business. I would suspect that was the month the last magazine was mailed. But I could be wrong. I would love to thing it was 90 days after the subscription company first hooked you.

Calling the mag may work, I've had luck before...

 

[Sailm8]

I gave up on Sail

and let my subscription lapse after about 10 years as a loyal reader. I felt that it was no longer relevant since it to me and my needs as a sailor. The last straw was an article about a boat that explained the difficulties of getting the flat screen to retract into the settee. Just not what I'm looking for. Reviews of the latest 50+ footer just don't appeal to me. Not saying it's good or bad just not my cup of tea.

After about a year they sent me an offer that was so cheap I gave in and bought a 2 year subscription. I will let it lapse.

Seafaring is the rag I read now. I like articles written by average people on average boast making unusual voyages.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Sail Mag

I don't think Sail, or any of the other sailing magazines, make significant money from subscriptions. (Only Good Old Boat really depends on subscribers). What they really want is to be able to show potential advertisers, who spend big money on ads, just how many subscribers they have. As such, you can virtually dictate what you feel like paying for a subscription. Each year, when my subcription is about to end and you get all the postcard offers to renew, just call the 800 number and them you'd like to renew for $5. You'd be surprised at the result....

 

[Deadline]

Achilles' Heel

Subscriptions are the Achilles' Heel of the print biz. I know, because I run a newspaper. I gave up on Sail years ago not just because of poor subs service but because the people in the main operation were equally flummoxed. Customer service is vital. Buy it on the newsstand.

 

[RECESS]

I actually cherish my subscription to Good Old Boat.

It is the best magazine I have ever seen about sailboats.

 

[caguy]

Is Practical Sailor worth the price?

I'm glad you brought this up. I got an offer from Practical Sailor to receive their magazine first issue for free and then $19.97 for the next 6 issues if I don't cancel. If I do cancel they will "send me a refund".
I am not good at tracking this stuff and have found myself waiting for rebates (Sprint) and rewards (Costco) etc. If I do subscribe I assume it will be for one season, so I want to make sure that it is everything they claim.
They are not sponsored by any advertising and claim that they are impartial to reviewing new products. They tout that they are a no nonsense informative magazine.
Has anyone had experience with them?

 

[RichH]

I don't think Sail, or any of the other sailing magazines, make significant money from subscriptions. (Only Good Old Boat really depends on subscribers). What they really want is to be able to show potential advertisers, who spend big money on ads, just how many subscribers they have. As such, you can virtually dictate what you feel like paying for a subscription. Each year, when my subcription is about to end and you get all the postcard offers to renew, just call the 800 number and them you'd like to renew for $5. You'd be surprised at the result....

FWIW - It certainly shows in most magazines these days that 'subscribers' arent important .... Sail and Cruising World, etc. seem to be 60%-70% advert. and 30-40% 'content' - I dumped them.
The same thing can be said for 'cable TV' where it seems that ~50% of the time Im watching commercials ... the same adverts. over and over and over but at louder volume than the 'content'. In any human discourse if a person kept repeating over and over and over the same thing ... youd call that person an absolute self contained bore and then you'd turn your 'listening' off - "I HEARD you the first 100 times!!!"

 

[Pops]

Last time I renewed, after getting probably a fifth or sixth pleading letter, I checked the box for the 2 yr subscription and put a $5 bill in the return envelope (I think they wanted $16 or $18). I not sure the 2 yrs worth of the magazine was worth even that, although I've worn the free hat they sent.

 

[Joe]

re: Practical Sailor

I'm glad you brought this up. I got an offer from Practical Sailor to receive their magazine first issue for free and then $19.97 for the next 6 issues if I don't cancel. If I do cancel they will "send me a refund".
I am not good at tracking this stuff and have found myself waiting for rebates (Sprint) and rewards (Costco) etc. If I do subscribe I assume it will be for one season, so I want to make sure that it is everything they claim.
They are not sponsored by any advertising and claim that they are impartial to reviewing new products. The tout that they are a no nonsense informative magazine.
Has anyone had experience with them?

Yes.... they are like Consumer Reports... only more impartial. I think they provide an important service to all sailors and they act as a watchdog on the marine products industry. Do not confuse PS with any of the other popular sailing rags... they are a completely different animal. More like a private advisor or report than a commercial driven magazine.

I subscribed for years.... then let it go when I dropped all my magazines. Many organizations and yacht clubs subscribe and keep the issues filed in loose leaf binders so members may photocopy them... For a long time WEST MARINE used to keep current and back issues of PS in their library section... Maybe the larger, older stores still do...not sure. The magazine publishes an index quarterly and yearly so you can look up past tests and reviews of products that interest you.

I suggest you subscribe for a short while and see how you like it... you will learn alot. If you have some boat buddies you could go together and split up the costs.... the publication unbinds easily for quick duplication.

 

[rgranger]

I have the January 2011 edition sitting next to my computer as I type. It is all multi-hull stuff and not very relevant to my type of sailing... but I like it. The subscription was a Christmas present two years ago and I've kept the subscription.

However anytime I'm at the newsstand I buy Small Craft Advisory & Good Old Boat. SCA is my favorite but I like them all.

 

[Dan Johnson]

After subscribing for over 35 years, I've finally let my subscription expire with no intent of renewing it. Only recently have they had articles on boats and boating that most of us could afford. I don't see any Morris, Hinkley, or Swan owners on this forum and have pointed out their high-end orientation to them in the past with no response.

Even a $10 subscription offer no longer tempts me. "GOB" and "Sailing" are much more relevant.

 

[Joe Snuffy]

My 2 year script to Sail is about to expire. I do not plan to get another. The rag seems to be nothing but ads and reviews of new expensive boats.