Pathfinder 1E Paizo improved? probably a myth

[Crimson_Manticore]

I’ve subscribed to Dragon for nearly 10 years, and I have almost always been happy with my subscription. I started subscribing to Dungeon back when they were putting out the mini-games, and have happily kept my subscription current since then. I live in Colorado, and my mags nearly always arrive before they show up in the stores. I guess I’ve been fortunate.

Just thought I’d weigh in with my good experiences. In general, I like what Piazo has done with these fine publications, and I wish them only the best of fortune.

 

[Keith F Strohm]

All,

I don't have the time to respond to each of these posts individually, so I apologize in advance for this blanket response.

We at Paizo been aware of the problems with subscription mailing for awhile, and we have been working hard on solutions--regarding both national and international subs. Some of the problems have been internal ones, which we have addressed, and some of the issues are endemic to a magazine of our size using the periodicals mailing system. In the case of endemic problems, we have tried to provide solutions that help streamline issue delivery.

Here's what we have done:

1. Staggered our release of titles so that subscriber copies ship out from the print vendor first, giving them a 'head start' over newsstand distribution.

2. Worked with hobby distribution to develop on sale dates that hobby stores abide by, helping to insure that monthly releases don't appear on the shelves earlier than they should.

3. Worked with our print vendor to optimize our shipping options, 'ganging' our periodicals mailings with that of other titles, which helps speed the delivery of periodicals through the postal system, as the post office tends to prioritize the shipping of larger run titles over that of smaller titles.

4. Streamlined the international shipping process. This took longer than expected, and apparently we still have some bugs to work out, but we have significantly decreased delivery time of international subscriptions for most subscribers.

The difficulty for Paizo is that once our titles leave the vendor, they are at the mercy of the postal system. If you are still having subscription problems, I encourage you to contact customer service. If you do not hear anything within a reasonable time, feel free to contact me at keith@paizo.com, and I will follow up on your query.

As for the state of Paizo's corporate health, all I can say is that we are seeing an increase in subscriptions and a continuing growth in the strength of our newsstand sales for Dragon and Dungeon magazines. Our online store also continues to grow each week. This isn't an easy time for the gaming industry, but Paizo is weathering the storm. We'll be around for quite some time.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via email.

Thanks for your patience.

Keith Strohm
Chief Operating Officer
Paizo Publishing, LLC

 

[loki44]

I also have trouble receiving my subscriptions to Dragon and Dungeon on time (or at all for that matter). I will say that Paizo is very good about sending replacement copies quickly whenever I ask for one.

However, I'm not sure the problem is Paizo. No, I'm convinced that postmen, being the repressed lot they are (even erupting at times i.e. "going postal"), are actually closet gamers, afraid to unleash their true fantasies. Therefore they borrow our Dragons and Dungeons and return them later, which accounts for the lateness, or they simply steal them. The covers of those magazines are so colorful and enticing that they must pose a huge temptation. And even for those postmen who are not closet gamers, a magazine entitled Dungeon with a cover showing a scantily clad demon-like woman could easily be misconstrued for a bondage rag, another tempting option for some. I think my replacement mags arrive so quickly because they're sent in brown paper envelopes rather than clear plastic wrap.

I am a long-time Dragon and Dungeon subscriber and have no intention of stopping it. You gotta have something to read on the can right?

(No offense meant to any postal workers out there )

 

[Davelozzi]

My local shop guy told me Paizo is doing badly and he's expecting them to fold.

It doesn't even matter whether it's true or not. If that's what your dealers are saying about you, you've got problems.

That's too bad, in my opinion Dungeon has improved a great deal in the past 7 months or so (since the relaunch), and the past issue or two of Dragon (since Erik took over) shows signs of doing the same. Assuming I'm not alone in this opinion, I hope the word will get out and people will realize this and start buying more. That said, the past few years before the relaunches were not so hot in my opinion, which is likely the reason for this opinion.

As for issues about delivery time, I haven't paid attention to when I'm supposed to have them by per the official info diaglo alluded to, but I certainly can't complain. Lately I seem to be surprised at how fast they seem to be coming, and generally I get 'em within a day or so of someone posting a thread about the new issue.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I for one think both magazines have been dramatically improved since Erik redid the format (though if I could only get one, I'd get Dungeon over Dragon).

I had the same shipping problems as diaglo, but within the past 2-3 months they appear to have resolved themselves -- my magazine generally appears about the time the first "Dragon contents" post shows up on EN World, now.

As to international shipping, ????

 

[Squirrel Nutkin]

When they removed Polyhedron from Dungeon, I cancelled my subscription. This post will probably be followed up by a small horde of people who HATED Polyhedron though, so I already know I'm outnumbered. No need to rub my nose in it.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Horde #1: I hated Poly. Good riddance.

 

[Squirrel Nutkin]

Horde #1: I hated Poly. Good riddance.

OH MY NOSE! </marciabrady>

 

[Arkhandus]

Well I preferred Dungeon with Polyhedron, so there.

*casts Protection From Flames and hides*

 

[loki44]

Horde #1: I hated Poly. Good riddance.

Hordling #2: ditto