Due to economic “issues” I had to let my subscription to Railroad Model Craftsman lapse about 3-4 months ago, but am still getting Railfan and Railroad. I got an e-mail today from Carstens Publications saying that from now til early January, they are allowing folks to renew for one-year at only $20 (basically 1/2 price). I contacted them and besides renewing Railfan, they’re also letting me re-start my RMC subscription again as a renewal, so only costs me $40 for both.
Why would the moderators worry about this thread? Everyone I know who gets RMC also gets MR. Even with these economic times I get MR and did not renew my RMC. I see the two publishers as rivals but not competition. I have not worked any overtime since December and most of my side jobs have disappeared. As it stands right now I will make 30% less $ this year than last. My hobby money is not scarce its non existent. MR should feel lucky I renewed. I can probably scrounge up $20 to resubscribe to RMC. And this is something I will remember for a looong time. I don’t see too many companies doing that these days.
Hal Carstens was a great guy. I had ordered a book from them about 10 years ago. They shipped me the wrong book. I called to straighten it out and Hal answered the phone. He sent me the book I ordered and told me to keep the one shipped by mistake. I had that book already so I donated it to the local Library. With out a doubt it is a great company to do business with.
This discount is just what we need. It sends a message to their loyal customers a big THANK YOU!
I have subscribed to MR and RMC for over 35 years now. I don’t see them as rivals but more as complementary different approaches to the hobby. They are my 2 favorite magazines. I miss Hal Carstens Notes on an Old Timetable.
I have been both an RMC and MR reader for years no one preference over the other. The styles of the two are different in my O/P thats why I like both equally. If they were dead on the same why buy one over the other? As the saying goes, “Thats why they make different colored cars” because not everyone likes the same thing.
As far as MR killing this thread, I think thats a bit of extreme thinking it’s called professional courtesy
Both organizations are very good. As a subscriber to both since 1983, I look forward to both of them. I see them as frindly rivals, they both talk nice about the other magazine. I’ve never seen anything to indicate anything but mutual respect for both organizations. When it comes down to it, they are all model railroaders. Heck Tony K. was the editor of RMC for quite awhile.
Sorry to hear about your economic issues. I understand completely. I’m glad your day was brightened.
However, what are we to say to those who went ahead and renewed at the regular rate and have not received an offer to extend their subscriptions for a year?
I guess people could try contacting Carstens through their website and ask about it, never hurts to ask. It’s labelled as the Oct 2009 “Carstens Publications Newsletter” so I’m guessing anyone on their mailing list is getting it. The e-mail had a “forward to a friend” button, so it’s apparently not a secret or anything.
I don’t find this on their website. Was this an e-mail you received? I’m a subscriber, but I’m not on their e-mail list. Can you forward the message to me, or copy/paste to a PM? I re-upped my subscription a couple months age, but I’m retired, so if someone is going to make me an offer I can’t refuse…
That’s a very nice gesture at a time when many are feeling the economic crunch! It’s nice to see companies give something back to the hobby now and then.
I have always thought of RMC as the “scratch builders” model railroad magazine and have only ever read a few copies over the years. Now that I am older and more interested in building from scratch perhaps I should look more closely at RMC?
As for why this thread has not been locked or deleted for promoting “the other guy”…it beats me. I know from watching, that past events have shown these threads to be of very limited lifespan…I’m thinking of back when that free online MRR publication was being mentioned in threads. That was the kiss of death for awhile there, lol.