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Wed Mar 24, 2021 9:14 pm

Zundfolge1432 wrote: Dear VW trends, go fuck yourself. You cheated me out of a two year subscription and sent me some fucking magazine I didn’t ask for then stopped that too. I’ll never buy your magazine, stick it where the sun don’t shine.

I have to say this happened to me also....And regardless, I will NEVER give Trends a second chance. DONE!!!!

Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:17 pm

Zundfolge1432 wrote: Dear VW trends, go fuck yourself. You cheated me out of a two year subscription and sent me some fucking magazine I didn’t ask for then stopped that too. I’ll never buy your magazine, stick it where the sun don’t shine.

To be fair that's not VW Trends itself, that's the parent company screwing you over.
Unless they are long gone, your gripe is with them and I say they owe you money.

Thu Mar 25, 2021 6:33 am

Hope this doesn't kill the resell value of my black vwtrends t-shirt

not sure I agree with paying "seed" money to get the business back up and running, especially since I don't see what it can offer different than anything thats not avail all over the internet, FB, IG, etc...
If they strongly believe they can succeed and be a profitable business, they should do it on their dime....

Will they have exclusive never seen before feature cars?, articles of proprietary first time released information? classified ads?

I'd probably flip through one if I see it on a news stand, but having 20+ yrs of HVW and VT magazines sitting in boxes as it is, It would take something extremely remarkable to purchase anymore.

Thu Mar 25, 2021 10:24 am

Contrary to the rumors floating around the interwebs, I am *NOT** associated with the re-birth of the magazine, in any way, shape, manner, or form. I was asked, yes, but I declined. Kaferdave is *NOT** going back to VW Trends. I do hope the very best for the new VWT. I don't have any issues with them, I am just retired, and plan on staying that way... 8)

Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:05 am

Thanks Everett, it was the parent company that killed the magazine (not even sure who owned it at the time ... TEN? Primedia?), but I get where people would point the finger at VWT for it's demise and ultimately not getting their subscriptions.

As far as how/why we're raising funds, fact is we are investing our own money. LOTS of it. There's tons of behind the scenes legal stuff that goes into starting a publishing company and bringing back a print magazine. All of us have day jobs, so this is really a passion project that we do after hours and on weekends, just like building or restoring a VW.

One thing i want to address is that NONE of the four partners involved are taking any kind of draw on the startup money ... EVERY penny raised goes back into producing the magazine, and will for a minimum of a year (most likely longer). We've planned on this from the start, and all of us agreed that this would be the way to make the magazine solid enough to support itself moving forward.

We decided we wanted to have the VW community be a part of VW Trends' comeback, since the feedback was there were enough people wanting it to return. Hence the crowd-funding aspect, much like a Go fund Me or Kickstarter project. We have the premier issue almost complete from a content standpoint, and we're pretty proud of it.

Some people like VW Trends and want to support it. To those people, I say thanks. Others we're never a fan, or didn't like the direction it was headed before it was killed. I'm okay with that too. That's what's great about the VW community ... we're an interesting, fun, and diverse bunch of people.

The bottom line is, if you'd like to be a part of VW Trends coming back, the go check out www.vwtrendsmagazine.com and lend your support.

Thu Mar 25, 2021 12:34 pm

I guess the banks turned you down for a loan.

Seriously have you tried GoFundMe?

As we all knw VW owners are cheap and I don't see many laying out $200 for a tee shirt, 4 out dated magazines and a signed copy that you can put with your NOS EMPI stuff in your showcase.

Thu Mar 25, 2021 1:52 pm

I enjoyed Trends but like others mentioned, you could see the death spiral occurring.
What sort of market research have you and your investors done to believe that this time Trends will succeed?
I'm rooting for your success but you should hopefully have something incredibly special to ask what your asking a potential subscriber to do. A magazine the size and look of a club newsletter with pages as thick as bargain toilet paper won't cut it for me, not that I'm assuming it's going to be your format. It's just food for thought.
The low hanging fruit has been picked long ago. Maybe you will have better luck trying to highlight the truly exceptional and/or rare VW's." Use heavy archival papers, artistic thoughtful layouts and some prose that just doesn't regurgitate what has already been done. Gear it to the discerning collector instead our collective hoard.
What's your demographic? I like automotive themed coffee table books. But I'm 60+. I think we older ones go for that stuff. For the younger enthusiast's IMO the only way they want to absorb media is on-line.
I really do wish you luck !

Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:11 pm

Hi Glenn,

Actually, We didn't apply for a business loan, and we did extensive research on the fees that Go Fund Me, Kickstarter, and other crowd sourcing platforms charge. We felt by going direct to the enthusiast, we could better use the money that would otherwise have gone to loan interest and platform fees. As a successful businessman yourself, I'm sure you'd likely agree with that logic.

And I agree, VW enthusiasts are frugal. Hell, I'm all about the bargain too. But I think enthusiasts also see value in what they purchase or services they have done (much like having you rebuild a distributor for their VW), I know I do.

I assume you're referring to the Platinum level sponsorship, which also includes an invite to the exclusive VWT Jam Party 2022. Not meaning to brag, but it's been our fastest selling package of the four since we launched last Sunday night. We've even had people from out of the country asking for dates so they can plan their vacation around being at the party.

And again, I totally hear you that it's not for everybody. Then again, Volkswagens aren't for everyone ... but those who get it, really get it. :)

Thanks for the feedback!

www.vetrendsmagazine.com

Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:44 pm

Hi KingKarmann!

You raise some great questions, let me try and address them:

<<What sort of market research have you and your investors done to believe that this time Trends will succeed?>>

We've actually been doing market research for several years, and feel that now, more than ever, this is the perfect time to bring VW Trends back. People are looking for something that brings them some joy, and remind them of what it was like when they first got into VWs. The feedback we've received has been overwhelmingly pro bringing the magazine back. None of the people involved would have invested their time, money, and other resources if we felt otherwise.

And to be clear, VW Trends was at one time, a very successful publication. It's demise was the direct result of the publishing company not understanding what it took to create a magazine for enthusiasts. They cared about the bottom line, so cutting the staff, lowering freelance budgets, and putting a stranglehold on creativity is really what lead to it's downfall.

<<A magazine the size and look of a club newsletter with pages as thick as bargain toilet paper won't cut it for me, not that I'm assuming it's going to be your format.>>

You are 100% correct. We're going to start out at 96 pages (more if the advertising support is there), with thick glossy stock, all color paper. It's going to have heft to it. We're pretty proud of how it's coming together, and like anything else, it's going to keep getting better as we go.

<<What's your demographic? I like automotive themed coffee table books. But I'm 60+. I think we older ones go for that stuff.>>

The demographic is all over the map. The short answer is anyone who's into VWs. Our goal is to create a magazine that covers ALL aspects of the VW industry, air, water, electric ... any and everything VW. Obviously the primary audience is air-cooled, but we'll cover everything else as long as it's awesome. The response we've gotten from our supporters is the age range is from 18 to 65, to date. Funny, we were talking about a year-end compendium in a hardback format, much like they do with graphic novels.

<<For the younger enthusiast's IMO the only way they want to absorb media is on-line.>>

For the most part, I agree with you. Our data has shown that while the 16 to 27 year old crowd gravitates toward the Internet, they are also wanting some of the "nostalgia" of holding an actual magazine in their hands, and being able to turn pages, without having to "zoom in" to see details. But we'll be having an online presence with daily updates for those people who prefer to get their info online. We think the website should be a compliment to the printed version ... not just a digital copy. Stay tuned for more on that.

Hope this sheds a little light on what we're up to.

www.vwtrendsmagazine.com

Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:52 pm

^^^^
I'm in
Thank you for the info!

Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:59 pm

You bet man! Thanks for the support. If you have any other questions you'd rather ask off forum, you can reach me at [email protected]

www.vwtrendsmagazine.com

Thu Mar 25, 2021 4:51 pm

FWIW, I’ve been a subscriber to hotVWs since ‘87 and a lot of folks also hate it! Did subscribe to the VW Trends too. Haters are just going to hate for whatever reasons. I will check it out once it’s out. Best of luck! 8)

Thu Mar 25, 2021 8:30 pm

<<A magazine the size and look of a club newsletter with pages as thick as bargain toilet paper won't cut it for me, not that I'm assuming it's going to be your format.>>

If the quality of the paper stock is any indication of future value, the February 1975 Hot VWs (yes, THAT one) had about 16 or 20 pages printed on orange craft paper!

Fri Mar 26, 2021 5:11 am

here's a thought...

When I go to Costco, BJ's, Whole foods, etc. and there's a new product being introduced they give out FREEsamples..

If I like the product, I buy it.

They don't require me, the consumer, to pay a huge premium to sample it.

I was a loyal buyer of HVW and VWtrends and BOTH left me holding the bag with my subscriptions...

HVW when it transitioned and VWtrends when it folded.

Asking for a premium price to fund and bring back a brand that folded once, just doesn't sit well. Especially since your indicating your putting the "cost" to do so on the consumer as opposed to taking on the debt personally (loans, kickstarter fees, etc.)

Who holds the bag if subscriptions are prepaid and this venture fails in a year or 2, or even less..
Is the another parent company that's going to fill the void with "another" replacement magazine?

What exactly will we be buying?

If you have access to all the past subscribers, especially those who lost out, how about offering them a FREE sample to show what it's about.

I know your presenting this as a NEW company and a NEW magazine under the same name...
BUT, being NEW and unproven, I believe the cost burden should fall on those who will reap the reward (profit)

Fri Mar 26, 2021 6:15 am

Good luck. I haven't worn a watch since I got a pager, then a cell phone. I haven't bought a magazine since I got the internet. I didn't even notice when it went out of print the first time. :wink:

Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:43 am

I don't see the point in re-hashing the name. Seems like it's going to present it's own set of problems. I never though VWT was a particularly good magazine anyway. At this point, you're competing with Hayburner, which has a far-reaching, international presence and very high quality. Good luck.

Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:41 am

Hi vwinnovator!

I totally hear you, and your concerns, and want to address your questions:

<<I was a loyal buyer of HVW and VWtrends and BOTH left me holding the bag with my subscriptions...>>

I haven't been with the magazine since 1995. I know a lot of people that got hosed when VWT folded (I cannot speak for HVWs) ... some got subs to other mags for the remainder of their subscription, some got refunds, some got nothing at all. And that's just plain wrong.

You have to remember that it wasn't the magazine that did that, it was the publishing company behind it. Corporate greed is what killed VWT, plain and simple.

<<Asking for a premium price to fund and bring back a brand that folded once, just doesn't sit well. Especially since your indicating your putting the "cost" to do so on the consumer as opposed to taking on the debt personally (loans, kickstarter fees, etc.)>>

Again, I hear what you are saying. I don't know if you read the entire thread, but I mentioned a few lines up that as far as how/why we're raising funds, fact is, the four of us are are investing our own money (as well as sweat equity). LOTS of it. There's tons of behind the scenes legal stuff that goes into starting a publishing company and bringing back a print magazine. NONE of the four partners involved are taking any kind of draw on the startup money ... EVERY penny raised goes back into producing the magazine, and will for a minimum of a year (most likely longer).

We decided we wanted to have the VW community be a part of VW Trends' comeback, since the feedback was there were enough people wanting it to return.

<<Who holds the bag if subscriptions are prepaid and this venture fails in a year or 2, or even less.>>

The burden of that falls on us. What happened before was wrong. I can speak toward the future and say that should anything happen, subscriptions and pro-rated remainders of subscriptions with be refunded, NOT swapped out for some weird, unrelated publication.

<<What exactly will we be buying?>>

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking. The website lists all of the perks for each level of support. Email me if I can add some more clarification.

<<If you have access to all the past subscribers, especially those who lost out, how about offering them a FREE sample to show what it's about.>>

Honestly, I wish I did have access to that list. The magazine was passed around to several publishers, and I really am not 100% sure where it was when it got killed. All I know is that it was a travesty for it to die the way it did. We will have samples of the publication on our website once the fundraising part is over. I wish I had the resource to give everyone a free copy, but that doesn't make any fiscal sense at this time.

<<BUT, being NEW and unproven, I believe the cost burden should fall on those who will reap the reward (profit)>>

It may seem "new", but it's definitely a proven entity. Remember, this year VW Trends et al turns 46, Yes it was down for 16 years, but it coming back now with new ownership ... for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts. I hear what you are saying about the burden of cost, and it is. All of us have invested thousands of our own money to bring this back I'm personally banking my retirement on this). The feedback we've gotten is that the people who loved the magazine wanted to be a part of it's second coming, so we decided to make that option available.

I really hope this answers the majority of your questions, if you'd like to reach out and email me for an off-forum discussion or even a phone call, I'm totally up for that! [email protected]

Thanks again to everyone that's supporting this project, for those of you that want to support it, but don't want to purchase a Founder's Package, we have regular donation buttons added to the purchase products page.

www.vwtrendsmagazine.com

Fri Mar 26, 2021 10:05 am

One suggestion, and it's probably hard to get across.

Most trade/enthusiast magazines today are just thinly-veiled coverage for advertiser's products. This isn't evil, it's just the reality of getting advertiser money to keep the enterprise going.

But man, at least be subtle! Running an ad for a product on the same page as the "story" covering how cool it is always turns me off, and makes me doubt the honesty of the review.

Those stories didn't make me come back. What I really valued in those vintage magazines (Motor Trend, Road and Track, Car and Driver, etc) were the stories about people and events and (dare I say it?) trends.

The most memorable stories, ones I re-read again and again, are those that covered things like growing older and having to get rid of the sports car now that a baby is coming... retiring of a great journalist, on his last drive across the country to join his new assignment (and along the way talking about the general state of automotivedom and his Benz in particular)... the effects of safety and smog laws on the industry and consumers... peripheral issues like law enforcement, insurance, used car sales... dealing with spouses or children as they are exposed to the whole scene... LIFE, not STUFF.

Yes, cars were involved, but it's stories about people and ideas and evolution that drew me in and kept me wanting more.

Those writers are rare, and hard to "sell" to advertisers... but THAT is what keeps people coming back, and those stories are timeless.

Aim high, and you will draw these in. Advertisers that want a quick buck with today's product are not those you should seek. Rather, go for those who cater to the long-term enthusiast, who then becomes a salesman for their company, not just their trick product of the day.

That is what makes for staying power. Abandoning that is why so many print magazines have died. This minute's news is best covered online. The long view, the human interest stories, the perspective... THAT is what print does best.

Add good photography, reader involvement, good editorial content... those hallmarks are gone and so are the magazines who ignored them.

Fri Mar 26, 2021 1:18 pm

Wow KTPhil!

Those are such awesome suggestions, and I agree 100%. All of your points are valid and spot on (especially the "advertorials").

I'll be taking all of those suggestions to heart. Thanks for taking the time for you input! It is appreciated!

Dan

www.vwtrendsmagazine.com

Fri Mar 26, 2021 3:52 pm

I enjoy all vintage cars, Volkswagen being one of them, I'm a subscriber to The Rodders Journal magazine, If the new VW Trends magazine is based on this type of photography, writing & history, I would be interested, as then it would be worth having and saving as a collectible magazine, something that you could return to for many years later. I wish you luck with this venture.