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GeorgeL Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2006 Posts: 7346
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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Iowa Mark wrote: |
Asking a magazine to censor advertizing is not such a great thing to get started. Advertizing has always been something that showed the product in a light that might not be real in everyday life. Look at how tall that cheezeburger is in the picture compared to the one you unwrap. Advertizing helps the publisher make a living and send folks out to witness things the rest of us can't see. If it becomes acceptable to find fault with a certain advertizer and bow to the readers on just who gets into a magazine, there will be something wrong found for every single advertizer in that magazine. |
Anyone with the money to advertise should be able to do so if they wish. However, the fact that they do buy advertising should not affect the editorial content of the magazine, and it is obvious that it does. You never hear a discouraging work about anything advertised in the magazine. |
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gobo57 Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2004 Posts: 158
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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i can say that i have more than a couple of hundred of what were both mags out. glossy pics in hand ( aka dub porn ) is soothing. if you want to know, learn, how to with pics most of the time, stay here on the SAMBA. buy from the people that you can learn to trust here.this is a small community and does well policing itself so to speak. |
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bugnut68 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003 Posts: 4180 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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GeorgeL wrote: |
bugnut68 wrote: |
GeorgeL wrote: |
Occasionally a magazine develops a backbone and tells it like it is, but it seems that the norm is to take the ad money and slide down the path of mediocrity. |
I still would like to see such examples. By by no means am I an advocate for shitty companies like GEX, but I'd like to see a specific example of a magazine that told advertisers with bad reps to shove off. |
If you tell the truth about their products they will shove off without prompting. One example I can think of is Dirt Bike magazine in the '70s, under the editorship of Rick Sieman. They didn't tell any advertisers to pound sand, but they didn't feel any aversion to testing the products and pronouncing them junk if they were. They did the same thing with the motorcycles they tested. If a bike had a problem they said so. If it had many problems they would get downright nasty about it. Advertisers pulled their ads. Readership went up. Advertisers came back. Products got better.
Unfortunately, it didn't last. After he built the magazine for a decade, the suits pushed Sieman out and the magazine declined.
bugnut68 wrote: |
The problem is it's a Catch 22 situation, because the revenue is vital to a publication's feasibility, but there are also consumers who get screwed by shady companies. And the VW market is, by no means, large enough for a niche publication to pick and choose its advertisers. |
If a VW magazine is but one GEX ad away from bankruptcy then they should fold up their tent. Sleep with dogs, wake up with fleas. |
I still say your comments are a bit of an oversimplification, but hey, we've all got our viewpoints. |
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GeorgeL Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2006 Posts: 7346
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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bugnut68 wrote: |
I still say your comments are a bit of an oversimplification, but hey, we've all got our viewpoints. |
Is the situation all that complex?
Magazines depend upon advertisers for their profit.
If editorial content is critical of an advertiser's products the advertiser is likely to pull his ads, reducing the magazine's profit.
Editorial content is therefore steered by the advertisers.
This is evident to anyone reading the magazines and noting the complete lack of any critical statements in the articles. Saying that the situation is too complex for us mere readers to understand is a handy excuse, but not one that holds much water. |
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bugnut68 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003 Posts: 4180 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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GeorgeL wrote: |
bugnut68 wrote: |
I still say your comments are a bit of an oversimplification, but hey, we've all got our viewpoints. |
Is the situation all that complex?
Magazines depend upon advertisers for their profit.
If editorial content is critical of an advertiser's products the advertiser is likely to pull his ads, reducing the magazine's profit.
Editorial content is therefore steered by the advertisers.
This is evident to anyone reading the magazines and noting the complete lack of any critical statements in the articles. Saying that the situation is too complex for us mere readers to understand is a handy excuse, but not one that holds much water. |
Well, okay, I get your point. Overcomplexity may not exactly be the right choice of words, here, and I'll even admit that now that I've had a chance to admit it.
We're all aware of how many people who have been burned by GEX, as that seems to be the prominent example. How many people have we heard from that's had a GOOD story? I know of a buddy of mine that a GEX 1641cc hydraulic lifter engine in his bus for 60,000 plus miles and never had an issue with it. Granted this was several years ago, and the evidence is insurmountable against GEX, given all that has been provided. I have no idea of how recently they're products went to super shitty, though there have been plenty of warranted cases that prove exactly that.
But, regardless, I'd like to see how many satisfied customers there are.
That being said, what I disagree with is the inference that Hot VWs lacks integrity because of who advertises in their publication. The VW market is way too small to discriminate who can or can't advertise in a publication, in my opinion (and that's all it is, an opinion) because what kind of door would that open should they tell an outfit such as GEX, "Sorry, we won't allow you to advertise in our publication?"
I think I already likened it to the shittiness of EMPI parts in an earlier post. If people wanted to say that the magazine needs to stand up and bar any advertiser that stocks or carries EMPI products, the magazine would, no doubt, lose a large amount of its advertising base.
In my opinion, it's just not a realistic thought to infer that Hot VWs lacks integrity because of who advertises with them. I hate EMPI's garbage parts with a passion, but I don't blame Hot VWs for carrying their ads. |
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ovalboy Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1310 Location: Beautiful Northern Cincinnati
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Well, after about 10 years of renewals, I decided to let my subscription run out this year. After receiving the latest issue, I figured I could come to the Samba for any technical advise, parts, and event reviews that I may need, and for features I'll just wait for the cars to pop-up for sale on Oldbug.com. They are always there the month after the feature, and Randy does a much better job with the pictures and descriptions.
Seriously, the last 2 issues I've gotten zero value from. They didn't even make it to the 'library'. Why do we need 4 pages of car 'renderings'? I get those from my 8 year old on a weekly basis. |
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ScrapJunkie (O\U|U/O)
Joined: March 17, 2004 Posts: 3977 Location: Hutchinson, Kansas
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:50 am Post subject: |
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I'd rather read Import Tuner than that trash.. _________________ (O\U|U/O) Top Vw (o\UU/o) |
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Dean1 Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2004 Posts: 339
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:51 am Post subject: |
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ovalboy wrote: |
Why do we need 4 pages of car 'renderings'? I get those from my 8 year old on a weekly basis. |
So, you are comparing the great ideas by Steve Sanford to an eight year old? I suppose Chip Foose does second grade work as well? |
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HerrrKafer Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004 Posts: 1465 Location: East Fishkill, NY
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:57 am Post subject: |
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Foose draws well. As for design ideas -- at least VW-related ones -- 2nd grade level is a generous evaluation.
I like the Sanford renderings and always look forward to them. _________________ Evan H.
EverettB wrote: |
In a perfect world, anyone running chromies would be shot. |
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69 Jim Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2004 Posts: 6264 Location: Chickengeorge's Neighbor
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:07 am Post subject: |
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ovalboy wrote: |
Well, after about 10 years of renewals, I decided to let my subscription run out this year. After receiving the latest issue, I figured I could come to the Samba for any technical advise, parts, and event reviews that I may need, and for features I'll just wait for the cars to pop-up for sale on Oldbug.com. They are always there the month after the feature, and Randy does a much better job with the pictures and descriptions.
Seriously, the last 2 issues I've gotten zero value from. They didn't even make it to the 'library'. Why do we need 4 pages of car 'renderings'? I get those from my 8 year old on a weekly basis. |
Unfortunately, I have to agree. As a longtime subscriber I have kept my subscription going on for sentimental reasons only. I am pretty much done with the rag.
Last edited by 69 Jim on Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:42 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ghiaddict Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002 Posts: 2632 Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:39 am Post subject: |
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Same here.
I just got my renewal notice in yesterday's mail.
I think it's time to just let my subscription expire. _________________ ****************************
Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed. |
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my65vert Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2003 Posts: 6186 Location: Middleburg, Florida
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:42 am Post subject: |
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Dean1 wrote: |
ovalboy wrote: |
Why do we need 4 pages of car 'renderings'? I get those from my 8 year old on a weekly basis. |
So, you are comparing the great ideas by Steve Sanford to an eight year old? I suppose Chip Foose does second grade work as well? |
barf _________________ OGJHC
Kombisutra;
I'm starting to get little wafts of bus stink coming from the north. Something about the unique scent of drivers seat padding when it's glued together with mouse piss and shit that really gets me going... and I'm smelling it! Oh yeah! Time to start loading up the equipment. |
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hpw Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2006 Posts: 3010 Location: memphis
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Mr. Unpopular Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3715 Location: Tampa Florida
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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I'm letting my subscription expire too. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, I'll donate the cost of a subscription to the Samba every year which I think is a much better value. _________________ "In any racing engine, the nearer you are to it disintegrating, the better it's performance will be"
-Keith Duckworth, creator of the Ford/Cosworth DFV |
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GeorgeL Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2006 Posts: 7346
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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my65vert wrote: |
Dean1 wrote: |
ovalboy wrote: |
Why do we need 4 pages of car 'renderings'? I get those from my 8 year old on a weekly basis. |
So, you are comparing the great ideas by Steve Sanford to an eight year old? I suppose Chip Foose does second grade work as well? |
barf |
I believe that that was his point.
Rearranging the emblems and turn signals does not a custom make. |
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Ghiaddict Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2002 Posts: 2632 Location: Now in Honea Path, SC
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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Well then, Dean1 should seriously consider what's going on
with many long-time subscribers such as myself opting out.
Maybe just a matter of time before they go the way of
VW Trends _________________ ****************************
Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed. |
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bugnut68 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2003 Posts: 4180 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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I know I've already said it elsewhere in this thread, but I'll say it again anyway. No one will ever be 100 percent happy 100 percent of the time with any magazine.
There's things about UltraVW I like, but, in all honesty, there's lots of things I couldn't care less about, like the history of some obscure dune buggy kits or something similar in a recent issue. |
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roy63 Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2004 Posts: 1338 Location: Mechanicsville Va.
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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Ive been a subscriber for years. I never recieved my October mag and December has yet to show up .... WTF _________________ MyBuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=571921
Some day when the rust is gone, I will at last found inner peace... (Peace has Been Found)
"Wide awake, and keeping distance from my soul" |
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Terry Cloyd Banned
Joined: March 23, 2004 Posts: 2218 Location: Valley Center "SO CAL"
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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Skim wrote: |
Terry Cloyd wrote: |
I read the old one's. 1980 and below Good Sh$t |
I miss the "Treasure hunting in Costa Rica" type stories. |
Wow....44.000 posts you need to leave your computer sometimes to check out the puumbing |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69827 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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Florida_Buggy wrote: |
I'm letting my subscription expire too. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, I'll donate the cost of a subscription to the Samba every year which I think is a much better value. |
Holy crap, that would be awesome if everyone did that.
Thank you very much. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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