May PC Magazine!

[Brian-Bear_5094910]

Cannot comment as the May issue it has not hit the newsagents in N. Ireland yet.

I do like the format of the mag but especially love the technical stuff and caravan reviews. Alex if I may make a suggestion, keep the internal mag advertising at a higher premium price than it is now, but as an offset to your adverisers offer a mini mag suppliment just full of adverts covering different sectors, insurance, finance, caravan sites etc. This will keep the main mag content for caravan related journalism which is after all what you guys do best

 

[cris_408518]

Yes but Steve! - think of the money we could make servicing them all!

Think of the money we would save not doing under warranty repairs ;-)

And think of the market share you would get initially with people flocking to buy lighter stronger long lasting water proof kit ;-)

 

[milliemop]

I'm always concerned to find that readers aren't enjoying the magazine because an enormous amount of thought and effort goes into producing each issue.

With regards to advertising, it's important to bear in mind that the magazine is a business and ads are a major source of revenue which it would be bad business sense to turn away, and I think on the whole all of our advertisements are appropriate for most of our readership. You might also want to consider that if it wasn't for the ads, the magazine would have to be more expensive. Put it alongside its competitors and, even without the ads, I think it's obvious that Practical Caravan offers a lot more quantity and quality of material, so I think a few extra ads shouldn't detract from what is in fact a very good value magazine.

I'm also sorry to hear that anyone would think that Practical Caravan's journalists don't reflect the 'real life' experience of caravanning, because we all caravan frequently for the magazine (each of us goes away 1 week in every four during the summer, and regularly during the weekend) so it's a real pity if our experiences don't come across as being useful to other readers, and that's certainly something for us to address straight away.

As for the lack of DIY/practical content, it's important to bear in mind that even many used caravans have so many mod cons fitted that there isn't the pressure to retro-fit items such as cassette toilets or cookers as there once was. However, we are currently planning to increase practical content of the magazine, including help and advice for everyday ownership of a caravan, so I hope that this concern will be addressed before too long.

Aside from responding to your most prominent complaints about the magazine, I would like to say that I believe Practical Caravan offers far more everyday advice and, importantly, entertainment and actual interest to readers than any of our rivals, and seeks to present its content in the most appealing way possible to inspire and encourage newcomers and old hands alike. Our magazine is by far the more enjoyable read, thanks to our dedication to combining useful and exciting ideas, professional and properly crafted journalism, and great design and photography. And if you want to talk about readers voting with their feet, I'm pleased to report that people have already done exactly that - in favour of Practical Caravan, with a yet another increase in sales saying all there is to say about what caravanners think of PCV.

Please keep the comments coming, none the less - I'm still keen to hear what you want to read about in the magazine.

Alex Newby

PCV Editor

Unfortunatley these days we get advertising shoved down our throats from all corners-- magazines, newspapers --it comes through your letterbox, --TV, ---Cinema---remember the days when you used to see 2 movies----this could not happen now, because of the obvious. Even when you check-in at a CC site, there will be adds all around the office wall. Avertising is big business, and no doubt part of PC Magazine's revenue, but over the last few years this has increased to the stage that people are fed up paying for a magazine where 75% of the content is advertisements---if you think this percentage is high then open upnext month's issue and start counting!!

 

[CliveV]

I am starting to think about this with a bit of seriousness (I must be mad)

I did my PhD in materials and mechanical engineering. I still use Autocad and I am trying to get drawings of an Alko chassis to see what I can do.

Funny what stupid ideas you get when you have a lot of time on your hands

Steve

Steve - you come up with a design, I will organise the finance, Lutz can be our quality control - so who would we have for marketing - I reckon Lol would be good.

 

[CliveV]

Hi All

I rarely by the mag maybe a couple of times a year to 'catch up'. It definitely misses that 'practical' element. I also buy practical classics every month (I have a classic car) and it is an all round well balanced read with informative hands-on articles.

I would have thought there was a ready supply of feature material here on the forum. Why not take a suitable posting in the technical forum and do a monthly 'fix it' article in the mag

Spot on Martyn - Agree 100%

 

[BJ]

I agree with many comments here and only by an occosioal PC mag when it has articles I want to read.

I am a towing caravanner (retired) and like to take foreign hols. I find that the Motor Caravanners mag MMM is often a better read for me. It has more articles, including foreign trips, site reports and information on the lifestyle.

If PC adopted more of this format it would be an improvement.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Hi Martyn - I also buy Practical Classics each month but find it is going the same way regarding advertising. The staff car sagas are also poor in so much that they are not writing about classic cars but modern cars which they think might become a classic. The information on these vehicles is readily available in normal motoring magazines. Incidently I have a number of books for sale in the miscellaneous section of the free ads. as I am retiring from the classic car scene and my wife and I are going to spend more time in the motor home enjoying our joint retirement while we can.

 

[Edward_5065872]

Hi Ann, I took out subscription to the mag for the first time just over a year ago, because it was on special offer,I've not renewed because of the ammount of adds(even at cheap rate its still over priced) and the repetion of articles,its like a staff magazine. I'm aware that the editors excuse for the ammount of adds,is that in their oppinion it keeps the price of the mag low?.The editor should take a look at the MMM.mag for motorhome owners, its not great, but it covers a wider range of subects which I found more interesting.But thats just my opinion Cheers Edward

 

[MadamLegertz_5040505]

Edward, I agree with you on that. My Dad has a motorhome and is subscribed to the MMM. I get them handed down to me each month and it's so much better.

I have a caravan but there seems more articals that relate to caravans in MMM than in the practical caravan magazine.

On item in there that could also be included in PC is the classic 'vans. It would be great to see some classic caravans and how we used to cope before blown heating and metal roofs.

The technical articals are also so much more interesting but that could be because there is more technical things in a motor home than in a caravan.

Pete

 

[CliveV]

I never even thought to look at this mag.

I will now.

There is no doubt a lot of commonality

Thanks guys!

 

[mikeE]

And am I still the only one to find the comment on Page 81 May Mag " Under-inflated tyres increase fuel economy " confusing ?

Mike E

 

[MonkeyHanger]

I find it confussing to that mays mag is out at the end of march why is this?

I hav'nt yet purchased this months (i mean mays) mag yet but by the sounds of it i might give it a miss and get out and about instead as thats not a bad read and has basically the same articles in

 

[coljac]

I thought I would add my twopenneth,I agree that whilst ads are needed to run the magazine financially there are far two many with little else,that is why I stopped my subscription and only buy the one that interest me.

Has anybody else noticed in the caravan press how it seems dominated by all things Bailey!

Finally the jaunts by Alex and co are a bit boring but I emailed them to complain about setting a bad example when she stated that an offside rear bulb had gone but they set of anyway even though it was dark,she then went on to say that she always carries spare bulbs and it only took a couple of minutes to replace the next day,we get enough bad press without the editor of PC endorsing this behaviour,my email received acknowledgement but no explanation.

NO EXPLANATION/now theres a suprise you cant expect the editor to spend time giving you an explanation .Far to busy touring Pembroke /Cornwall/.in her dealer /suplied free car and caravan.

[Dont they always get wonderfull write ups]I stopped buying PC and now subscribe to Out and About .Same adverts but better features and journalism.The same rule applies that she will not have the time to read any critisism on this forum

Coljac

 

[coljac]

I'm always concerned to find that readers aren't enjoying the magazine because an enormous amount of thought and effort goes into producing each issue.

With regards to advertising, it's important to bear in mind that the magazine is a business and ads are a major source of revenue which it would be bad business sense to turn away, and I think on the whole all of our advertisements are appropriate for most of our readership. You might also want to consider that if it wasn't for the ads, the magazine would have to be more expensive. Put it alongside its competitors and, even without the ads, I think it's obvious that Practical Caravan offers a lot more quantity and quality of material, so I think a few extra ads shouldn't detract from what is in fact a very good value magazine.

I'm also sorry to hear that anyone would think that Practical Caravan's journalists don't reflect the 'real life' experience of caravanning, because we all caravan frequently for the magazine (each of us goes away 1 week in every four during the summer, and regularly during the weekend) so it's a real pity if our experiences don't come across as being useful to other readers, and that's certainly something for us to address straight away.

As for the lack of DIY/practical content, it's important to bear in mind that even many used caravans have so many mod cons fitted that there isn't the pressure to retro-fit items such as cassette toilets or cookers as there once was. However, we are currently planning to increase practical content of the magazine, including help and advice for everyday ownership of a caravan, so I hope that this concern will be addressed before too long.

Aside from responding to your most prominent complaints about the magazine, I would like to say that I believe Practical Caravan offers far more everyday advice and, importantly, entertainment and actual interest to readers than any of our rivals, and seeks to present its content in the most appealing way possible to inspire and encourage newcomers and old hands alike. Our magazine is by far the more enjoyable read, thanks to our dedication to combining useful and exciting ideas, professional and properly crafted journalism, and great design and photography. And if you want to talk about readers voting with their feet, I'm pleased to report that people have already done exactly that - in favour of Practical Caravan, with a yet another increase in sales saying all there is to say about what caravanners think of PCV.

Please keep the comments coming, none the less - I'm still keen to hear what you want to read about in the magazine.

Alex Newby

PCV Editor

Alex i do apreciate that you need advertisments but you need reades who buy the magazine first. I will be honest with you PC is overpriced and is not as good a magazine as Out and About

I dont buy PC any more for the same reason as most of the contributors to this thread .I will buy PC in 3 months time to see if you have picked up on some of the points raised here, and i will Email you on what i think.

Coljac

 

[coljac]

Well, I may try it for another month! Then, if it is no better, I will cancel my order.

Without readers the advertisers would not place adverts .So methinks readers come first. Coljac

 

[butler1]

Well, as a subscriber I may as well have my tuppence worth as well. I think the magazine has become a bit too 'frilly'. There's no such thing as a bad caravan, site or tow car. Everything seems to get the full sucking up treatment. I suppose it's hard to bite the hand that feeds you but I get fed up with articles ending in "yes, I'll really miss my top of the range

 

[colin(bridgend)]

The reason that they only print glowing reports is that should they give any bad report about either a caravan, tow car, extras, sites or any other related item they would be sued for deformation and loss of sale. This applies to all magazines not just PC.

 

[BrianStAlbans]

George, I agree 100% with your comments on the mag and about Lutz.

The posts about the mag shows that above all this Forum is the place to look for REAL advise on caravanning

Brian ;O)

 

[colin(bridgend)]

George, I agree 100% with your comments on the mag and about Lutz.

The posts about the mag shows that above all this Forum is the place to look for REAL advise on caravanning

Brian ;O)

The only problem with your response Brian is that this forum is being financed, run and moderated by the magazine. Just recall the problems associated with that well known insurance company who pay the magazine to insert fliers. A few fingers were burnt on that issue as it did not bode well between the magazine and the advertiser.

I also agree with Cris that it would appear that Lutz has an excellent brain regarding technical matter and I only wish to God I had part of his knowledge. He is a very helpful and informative chap.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

The only problem with your response Brian is that this forum is being financed, run and moderated by the magazine. Just recall the problems associated with that well known insurance company who pay the magazine to insert fliers. A few fingers were burnt on that issue as it did not bode well between the magazine and the advertiser.

I also agree with Cris that it would appear that Lutz has an excellent brain regarding technical matter and I only wish to God I had part of his knowledge. He is a very helpful and informative chap.

Sorry should have been George and not Cris - apologies to both gentlemen

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Your right Colin but the fact is the issue with the insurance company was discussed even though we were stopped from using the actual name of the company.I'm sure everybody knew which company was being discussed. The mag would never have printed the topic (for obvious reasons )but it was something that was of great interest to us as caravanners and therefore shows the importance of this forum. Brian (",)

 

[Edward_5065872]

Your right Colin but the fact is the issue with the insurance company was discussed even though we were stopped from using the actual name of the company.I'm sure everybody knew which company was being discussed. The mag would never have printed the topic (for obvious reasons )but it was something that was of great interest to us as caravanners and therefore shows the importance of this forum. Brian (",)

I stated earlier on this site, I had cancelled my subscription to P.C. mag owing to the ammount of ads,BUT,I want something to read,so I've taken out a special offer to Out and About,starts with the May edition,6 issues for

 

[butler1]

The reason that they only print glowing reports is that should they give any bad report about either a caravan, tow car, extras, sites or any other related item they would be sued for deformation and loss of sale. This applies to all magazines not just PC.

Hi Colin, I can see how you'd have to be careful but surely if you can prove the accuracy of information then you'd be on firm ground I'd have thought. The other point I'd like to raise is this. Which? magazine often says 'not recommended' with regard to some of their tested products. How can they be so forthright? (glad they are mind.) Similarly, influential restaurant reviewers have been known to effectively close places down with what they have said. Surely there's not a lot of difference whether subjective comments are based on restaurants or Caravan sites, so where's the consistency? Wouldn't it be great if we were able to read what reviewers really felt? Best Wishes, George T.

 

[coljac]

NO EXPLANATION/now theres a suprise you cant expect the editor to spend time giving you an explanation .Far to busy touring Pembroke /Cornwall/.in her dealer /suplied free car and caravan.

[Dont they always get wonderfull write ups]I stopped buying PC and now subscribe to Out and About .Same adverts but better features and journalism.The same rule applies that she will not have the time to read any critisism on this forum

Coljac

SORRY got the bit wrong about not replying.SORRY

 

[cliff_5040076]

Having read thru all the 76 posts on this thread, I have come to the conclusion that what is needed is an online edition of PC in pdf format. E-magazines are cheaper to produce (no paper, no printing, no distribution costs) so