Dungeon Magazine: New Format, New Subscription Price

[PatrickLawinger]

It's five bucks, dude, let it go. These guys are busting their collective humps to do right by the consumers, I vote we don't stab them repeatedly with a shank for their efforts.

Oh, I am "letting it go" the $4-5 is not that big a deal, it does, however, continue a trend. Besides, I have no intention of dealing with customer service again, one dose a year is enough.

I guess my point is simply that without improvements to customer service, vast improvements in the magazine and even price drops aren't going to increase the subscriber base.

Let's see, sign up online, there is an automated system to log on, set up an account, and purchase a subscription. Great, easy to do, didn't work for me, had to call up and have customer service set up the account. The account then didn't work. Bah, whatever, call and subscribe by phone, customer service enters the information incorrectly leading to a temporary hold on my card while fraud prevention attempts to contact me. That isn't customer service, and the fact that I was willing to deal with it to resub certainly shows that I am not trying to "stab them repeatedly with a shank..." Does customer service have a consistent problem? No, but when someone does have a problem, very few people seem to know how to deal with it. --If you do have a problem, contact Amanda Titus at amanda@paizo.com she finally solved the problems in a single email.

I am a "loyal" customer, I don't think many new customers are going to be satisfied with the customer service I have received. Without much better customer service the improvements to the Dungeon aren't going to mean much. Starting out by saying "hey, we have improved, and dropped the price, but not for you people that already subscribed" is not the way to go. Announcing a "special introductory price for new subscribers" doesn't insult your present customers and accomplishes the same thing. It also keeps the door of canceled and re-upped subscriptions closed (although not entirely). A small distinction that someone should have thought about when making the price change.

Dungeon has responded to critique and complaints on the magazine, in order to truly regain their subscriber base, and even improve upon it, they need to take care of customer service. Without a stable subscriber base the magazine's long-term survival is in question and I think all of us want the magazine to stick around.

 

[Mercule]

Oh, a question for you Erik (or anyone else who knows): If I went out today and subscribed online, would my first issue be #114 or would I still be picking that up at Barnes & Noble (no FLGS, here).

 

[PatrickLawinger]

Oh, a question for you Erik (or anyone else who knows): If I went out today and subscribed online, would my first issue be #114 or would I still be picking that up at Barnes & Noble (no FLGS, here).

You'd have to contact customer service to be certain (hehe, see above) but I believe all subscriber issues for 114 have been mailed out. This is the way magazines usually operate. The 4-6 weeks they ask you to allow for your subscription to begin means that the magazine needs time to get your name in the computer to have the labels printed. The fact that people have #114 already means the labels for that issue were printed and that your subscription should start (at best) with #115. Labels are often printed before the magazine is even ready for shipping, your subscription may even start with #116 if they have already printed address labels for #115. With a new subscription drive I am guessing they haven't yet, but who knows.

If you are going to ask customer service, contact Amanda Titus as I mentioned above.

 

[Greyson]

It's Awesome!

Hi, all.

I received my Dungeon #114 on Wednesday (yesterday) and it looks awesome! I think the new format and new sections are great. I am a current subscriber and will be for the forseeable future. I don't get too wrapped up in what I pay, because the magazine is a great value at any price. Dungeon is perhaps the most exciting item I get in the mailbox. And this new format makes it seem like I'm getting a whole new magazine.

Keep up the great work at Paizo. And thanks to Amanda at customer service, who is always so helpful and responsive. Her dilligent help has allowed me to get countless back issues.

 

[buzz]

Wil Wheaton's column was sincere, well written, and just as readable whether you are a Star Trek fan or not- I have no strong opinions about Wheaton as an actor, but the guy can write!

I second this. I think that this type of column is exactly what Dungeon (or Dragon, if that had been the decision) needs: a "slice of life" look at the *people* who enjoy this hobby. I only wish I had a column like this to hand around during the Pulling era.

I still miss Poly, though.

 

[Belen]

Eric,

I had already signed up for a new subscription when you annouced the new format as I promised. I went ahead and signed up for an additional year of both Dungeon and Dragon today!

Dave

 

[Pielorinho]

I almost bought it last night at my FLGS, but I'd just bought China Mieville's new novel, and my wallet was feeling light, so I held off. Your post here is enough to change my mind: it did look pretty great, and I may become a resubscriber.

Kudos for the improvements in quality!
Daniel

 

[billd91]

Just got my copy of #114 in the mail yesterday. Wil Wheaton's column was awesome. And I have friends who can probably really relate to it having their own step-kids getting into gaming.

I have barely broken the surface but it's looking really good. Except the logo, maybe. Reminds me too much of this era of design: http://www.lileks.com/institute/motel/index.html
And we all know we don't want to go there. Heck, I drive by this place every time I go to Milwaukee and it creeps me out.

About the LG adventure: Will Dungeon be doing any more of these in the future? I think it would be a great way to broaden LG's appeal. I'd love to see more core LG modules in Dungeon.

 

[Arnwyn]

I re-upped for the full 3 years just a month or two ago when the new format was announced.

I've been a loyal reader since Issue #33, and I won't be stopping now.

 

[Ron]

Erik,

I am considering getting Dungeon but not Dragon and I am in doubt as how both magazines will tie up. Recently, both released articles regarding Dark Sun. As far as I understand, the players' portion was published in Dragon, whereas the dungeon master's portion was published in Dungeon. Problem is, if I was a subscriber of Dungeon I would not have access to all information needed to play Dark Sun 3.5 and I will have to run after a copy of the tied Dragon. How cases such as this will be handled under the new editorial directions?