XBIZ Magazine -- Return To The 1990s! - GoFuckYourself.com

Forkbeard · 05-15-2006, 08:19 PM

So I picked up a copy of the XBiz paper magazine at Phoenix thirteen months ago. It was pretty cool and had some decent reporting, so I "subscribed" (online) to the publication, which is of course free, as trade publications tend to be. ("Subscribers" being of great value to trade rag publishers, because the number of subscribers determines advertising prices, which is where the money is.)

Imagine my stunned suprise to get a bizarre email today, informing me that my "subscription" was expiring. That was odd all by itself -- trade mags usually keep mailing copies forever. But this email was *particularly* odd, because it informed me that in order to keep the magazine coming, I would have to download a .pdf file with a subscription form, print it out on actual dead-tree paper, fill it out, and *fax* it back to the numbers provided.

Fax? You mean, like that modem-in-a-plastic-box-that-makes-all-the-funny-noises? Geez, what is this, 1992?

Like many folks these days, I run a lean-and-mean, fully-portable, all-electronic business. My laptop is my office, and I travel a *lot*. I own printers at various addresses, but they aren't usually plugged in. My last fax machine is in a box 800 miles away, and hasn't been plugged in in years. I can dig out this last-century tech when I really need it, but for something as stupid as renewing a free trade magazine subscription that shouldn't even need renewing? I don't think so.

This email was so retro and odd, I seriously considered that it might be a strange species of phish. But the URLs all check out, and they don't ask for any sensitive info on the .pdf, just the same name-and-address info that they already have in order to mail me the magazine. A 2-second web form with one "please renew" checkbox would accomplish everything this strange 1990s ritual seems aimed at.

Strange, bizarre, clueless, blast-from-the-past business practices, and not at all what I expected from the xBiz crew. I guess I'll just read them online from now on. But seriously, WTF?

I did send a shorter version of this rant to the included questions/comments email address. But so far, no response.

tony286 · 05-15-2006, 08:22 PM

We got the same thing and I agree, its fucking crazy.

AmateurFlix · 05-15-2006, 08:23 PM

it sounds like they outsourced their subscriber services to someplace that doesn't know what they're doing

BoyAlley · 05-15-2006, 08:24 PM

I got that today too, i was like WTF? Watch as their subscriber list goes WAAAAAAAAAAAY down. People won't spend the time to fax shit.

AmeliaG · 05-15-2006, 08:31 PM

A lot of trade magazines do ask for faxes. I'm not sure why, maybe something to do with circulation audits or something.

Bdiddy · 05-15-2006, 08:31 PM

wtf? Those people are crazy...you can borrow my comp if you need to d-load the .pdf...

Forkbeard · 05-15-2006, 08:32 PM

I bet you're right about the outsourcing -- this is something a stodgy old business magazine aimed at cubicle rats would do. Print magazine industry is full of dinosaurs -- you know, the folks who publish "Midwestern Farm Equipment Review" and the like.

Theo · 05-15-2006, 08:34 PM

not smart move

usually ppl are bored to go and unsubscribe,imagine having to send a fax to subscribe

baddog · 05-15-2006, 08:47 PM

Just an FYI: I took this question to the source and was informed that next month's issue will have a mail-in card attached - just drop that in the mail.

Forkbeard · 05-15-2006, 08:50 PM

Ah, well, that's a step in the right direction. Still pretty retro, though. I wonder what's wrong with a web form if they want to keep their mailing list fresh?

It was good enough to get me on the mailing list, why isn't it good enough to keep me on it? (Rhetorical question, not aimed at you Badddog.)

BoyAlley · 05-15-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddog

Just an FYI: I took this question to the source and was informed that next month's issue will have a mail-in card attached - just drop that in the mail.

AH thanks much! Saved me the drama of FAX.

baddog · 05-15-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forkbeard

It was good enough to get me on the mailing list, why isn't it good enough to keep me on it? (Rhetorical question, not aimed at you Badddog.)

I am not going to say this is why, but perhaps it has something to do with people that opt-in, then forget and start bitching that they are getting spammed. Or maybe people added other people's info.

Just a guess.

baddog · 05-15-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoyAlley

AH thanks much! Saved me the drama of FAX.

Yeah, well I did not think it was a brilliant idea, and I had a feeling that I was not the only one that felt that way.

Being a moderator, I felt it was my responsibility to say something.

XBizSu · 05-16-2006, 09:30 AM

I'm very sorry if this has caused any inconvenience to you!!! WE HATE FAXES TOO but the U.S. Postal Service requires signatures from time to time.

FlogTheLog · 05-16-2006, 09:45 AM

media · 05-16-2006, 09:54 AM

It's all about email to fax baby!!!!

XBizSu · 05-16-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony404

We got the same thing and I agree, its fucking crazy.

Also for those of you who really really don't want to fax it back keep an eye out for our June issue of XBIZ World, you will find a prepaid postage card that you can fill out and just drop it in the mail box. NO FAXES !!!!

baddog · 05-16-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XBizSu

Also for those of you who really really don't want to fax it back keep an eye out for our June issue of XBIZ World, you will find a prepaid postage card that you can fill out and just drop it in the mail box. NO FAXES !!!!

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showpo...73&postcount=9

karlm · 05-16-2006, 11:16 AM

I ahve to pay cos i live in the uk

(((

Luc Lonely · 05-16-2006, 11:22 AM

I recieve the fucking porn book monthly. my family is like what the fuck ? they call it playboy . it's been 5 fucking years and they still have me on the list. so no matters if you renew or no. you still have it anyway. dont worry much

xoxo

CynthiaB · 05-16-2006, 11:39 AM

I know four other people including myself who got that email. So basically, it had nothing to do with any sub expiring, because it's unlikely we all expired at the same time. Sounds like a mass mailing to everyone with an attempt to get additional information such as address, etc. that they may not already have.

Cyn

baddog · 05-16-2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc Lonely

I recieve the fucking porn book monthly. my family is like what the fuck ? they call it playboy . it's been 5 fucking years and they still have me on the list. so no matters if you renew or no. you still have it anyway. dont worry much

xoxo

Nice try, but it hasn't been around that long

JFK · 05-16-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddog

Yeah, well I did not think it was a brilliant idea, and I had a feeling that I was not the only one that felt that way.

Being a moderator, I felt it was my responsibility to say something.

You're a Moderartor ??

BrettJ · 05-16-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XBizSu

Also for those of you who really really don't want to fax it back keep an eye out for our June issue of XBIZ World, you will find a prepaid postage card that you can fill out and just drop it in the mail box. NO FAXES !!!!

Yay! snail mail. another out dated medium

baddog · 05-16-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CynthiaB

Sounds like a mass mailing to everyone with an attempt to get additional information such as address, etc. that they may not already have.

Cyn

How could they mail it to you if they did not have your address already?

baddog · 05-16-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFK

You're a Moderartor ??

At XBiz? Yes.

Forkbeard · 05-16-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XBizSu

I'm very sorry if this has caused any inconvenience to you!!! WE HATE FAXES TOO but the U.S. Postal Service requires signatures from time to time.

Please explain this, because until you do, I'm calling bullshit.

Under what circumstances does the United States Postal Service require a mailer to have a signature on file in order for the mailer to send mail?

Educate me please, or find a better excuse.

tony286 · 05-16-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddog

At XBiz? Yes.

im having a problem logging on , was i banned ? any info would be great

Vendzilla · 05-16-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony404

im having a problem logging on , was i banned ? any info would be great

Contact SeeSea, she'll get your login corrected, Your not banned

baddog · 05-16-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony404

im having a problem logging on , was i banned ? any info would be great

If you don't know how to contact SeeSea, contact me and I will contact her.

tony286 · 05-16-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddog

If you don't know how to contact SeeSea, contact me and I will contact her.

I dont know how to contact her or u besides here

baddog · 05-16-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony404

I dont know how to contact her or u besides here

16075497

05-15-2006, 08:19 PM	#1
Forkbeard Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: I Roam Around Posts: 2,236	XBIZ Magazine -- Return To The 1990s! So I picked up a copy of the XBiz paper magazine at Phoenix thirteen months ago. It was pretty cool and had some decent reporting, so I "subscribed" (online) to the publication, which is of course free, as trade publications tend to be. ("Subscribers" being of great value to trade rag publishers, because the number of subscribers determines advertising prices, which is where the money is.) Imagine my stunned suprise to get a bizarre email today, informing me that my "subscription" was expiring. That was odd all by itself -- trade mags usually keep mailing copies forever. But this email was particularly odd, because it informed me that in order to keep the magazine coming, I would have to download a .pdf file with a subscription form, print it out on actual dead-tree paper, fill it out, and fax it back to the numbers provided. Fax? You mean, like that modem-in-a-plastic-box-that-makes-all-the-funny-noises? Geez, what is this, 1992? Like many folks these days, I run a lean-and-mean, fully-portable, all-electronic business. My laptop is my office, and I travel a lot. I own printers at various addresses, but they aren't usually plugged in. My last fax machine is in a box 800 miles away, and hasn't been plugged in in years. I can dig out this last-century tech when I really need it, but for something as stupid as renewing a free trade magazine subscription that shouldn't even need renewing? I don't think so. This email was so retro and odd, I seriously considered that it might be a strange species of phish. But the URLs all check out, and they don't ask for any sensitive info on the .pdf, just the same name-and-address info that they already have in order to mail me the magazine. A 2-second web form with one "please renew" checkbox would accomplish everything this strange 1990s ritual seems aimed at. Strange, bizarre, clueless, blast-from-the-past business practices, and not at all what I expected from the xBiz crew. I guess I'll just read them online from now on. But seriously, WTF? I did send a shorter version of this rant to the included questions/comments email address. But so far, no response. __________________ Offering sponsored blog posts and custom writing services.

05-15-2006, 08:23 PM	#3
AmateurFlix Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 7,719	it sounds like they outsourced their subscriber services to someplace that doesn't know what they're doing __________________ Why gamble with bitcoin bubbles, ponzies, and greater fool theory? Crypto has evolved! Daily payouts from stablecoins at Elephant.Money community bank! High performing crypto asset ELEPHANT - Futures - NFTs - Millions in liquidity

05-15-2006, 08:31 PM	#5
AmeliaG Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,377	A lot of trade magazines do ask for faxes. I'm not sure why, maybe something to do with circulation audits or something. __________________ Blue Blood's SpookyCash.com Babe photography portfolio

05-15-2006, 08:31 PM	#6
Bdiddy Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle & Manila Posts: 2,456	wtf? Those people are crazy...you can borrow my comp if you need to d-load the .pdf... __________________ "..and which one of you had the prime rib?" - Waiter "frankly, I don't see how that's any of your business!" - Peter Griffin

05-16-2006, 09:30 AM	#14
XBizSu Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 110	We Hate Faxes Too!!!! I'm very sorry if this has caused any inconvenience to you!!! WE HATE FAXES TOO but the U.S. Postal Service requires signatures from time to time. __________________ Su Mac XBIZ ICQ 262 471 544 su/at/xbiz.com

05-15-2006, 08:22 PM	#2
tony286 lurker Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: atlanta Posts: 57,021	We got the same thing and I agree, its fucking crazy.

05-15-2006, 08:24 PM	#4
BoyAlley So Fucking Gay Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 19,715	I got that today too, i was like WTF? Watch as their subscriber list goes WAAAAAAAAAAAY down. People won't spend the time to fax shit.

05-15-2006, 08:32 PM	#7
Forkbeard Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: I Roam Around Posts: 2,236	I bet you're right about the outsourcing -- this is something a stodgy old business magazine aimed at cubicle rats would do. Print magazine industry is full of dinosaurs -- you know, the folks who publish "Midwestern Farm Equipment Review" and the like.

05-15-2006, 08:34 PM	#8
Theo HAL 9000 Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 34,524	not smart move usually ppl are bored to go and unsubscribe,imagine having to send a fax to subscribe

05-15-2006, 08:47 PM	#9
baddog So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: the beach, SoCal Posts: 107,090	Just an FYI: I took this question to the source and was informed that next month's issue will have a mail-in card attached - just drop that in the mail.

05-15-2006, 08:50 PM	#10
Forkbeard Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: I Roam Around Posts: 2,236	Ah, well, that's a step in the right direction. Still pretty retro, though. I wonder what's wrong with a web form if they want to keep their mailing list fresh? It was good enough to get me on the mailing list, why isn't it good enough to keep me on it? (Rhetorical question, not aimed at you Badddog.)

05-16-2006, 09:45 AM	#15
FlogTheLog CuriousToyBoys Little Bitch Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,842

05-16-2006, 09:54 AM	#16
media Confirmed Moneymaker Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Eugene, OR It's Like Jail, Only with Trees! Posts: 9,851	It's all about email to fax baby!!!! __________________ I'm here for the violence!

05-16-2006, 11:16 AM	#19
karlm Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: UK Posts: 4,194	I ahve to pay cos i live in the uk ((( __________________ ICQ 584665926

05-16-2006, 11:22 AM	#20
Luc Lonely Ask me about negative cash flow Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 499	I recieve the fucking porn book monthly. my family is like what the fuck ? they call it playboy . it's been 5 fucking years and they still have me on the list. so no matters if you renew or no. you still have it anyway. dont worry much xoxo

05-16-2006, 11:39 AM	#21
CynthiaB Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The OC Posts: 1,274	I know four other people including myself who got that email. So basically, it had nothing to do with any sub expiring, because it's unlikely we all expired at the same time. Sounds like a mass mailing to everyone with an attempt to get additional information such as address, etc. that they may not already have. Cyn