Chief Technical Officer
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Hi! I was wondering when the Europen issues shipped from the UK? Anyone any info?
You can always check that at http://www.theplaceforgames.com/news.asp?Action=News&NewsID=72.
Their info doesn't seem correct:
DragonLast Issue Sent: 348
Last Issue Sent on: 14th September 2006 (Projected Date: 11th September 2006)
Next issue due on: 13th November 2006Dungeon
Last Issue Sent: 138
Last Issue Sent on: 14th September 2006 (Projected Date: 11th September 2006)
Next issue due on: 13th November 2006
Spacing image
They've sent them out after the projected date? And I'm sure I've already received dungeon 138. But not Dragon 148. So how should I read this: have Dugeon 139 and Dragon 148 been sent on the 14th of september? When should they arrive?
The key question at the moment is where the hell is 139 - and has anybody in the UK actually received it yet?
It shouldn't take 5 days to deliver a "large letter" in the UK - even if you send it 2nd class or even by some even cheaper bulk-for-business mail service.
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Hi Vic,
I am trying to understand : all european issues are sent to UK, then dispatched ?? Is it how it happens ?
Because I received on friday the 15th the STPG and several other things that were sent 14 days ago, but I have not received yet issue 139 that was sent 28 days ago...
Could this be the reason ?
Thanks !!
Hi Vic,
I am trying to understand : all european issues are sent to UK, then dispatched ?? Is it how it happens ?
Normally, it takes about three weeks from the shipping date given on the paizo website for the magazines to reach their european destination. And yes, they are shipped to "The place for games" linked above, and then sent individually. Sometimes they wait until they have Dungeon amd Dragon, to save shipping cost - at least, they did in the past.
But I´m beginning to worry now: If they were sent from TPfG as indicated, they should reached their destination by now. If they are not here at the end of the week, I´ll consider them lost.
Stefan
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Chief Technical Officer
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Something is not OK with the info. I recieved #138 over a month ago. However, maybe they just misspelled it, and sent out Dungeon with Dragon in the same post.
But one question still remains: why there is no Dungeon and Dragon in october?
You're right. We'll check into it, but I think they meant 139 instead of 138, and October instead of November....
-Vic.
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Still nothing in my mailbox today.
Oh, the agony! ;-)
No, really, in the past the magazine had arrived by the time the next issue shipped. So, something is amiss here, even if just a little bit.
Stefan
Got mine in Germany today. My retailer (dragonworld) had it since last friday I believe.
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Still nothing in my mailbox today.
Oh, the agony! ;-)No, really, in the past the magazine had arrived by the time the next issue shipped. So, something is amiss here, even if just a little bit.
Stefan
I am also in agony...
Still no Dungeon 139 here in France (suburb of Paris) !
What am I supposed to do ? I'd like to begin the STAP in around 2 weeks ...
Still no issue in Sweden.
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The Place For Games are getting pretty crap. However, I understand that Paizo don't necessarily always cover themselves in glory. I missed out on one Dungeon because Paizo didn't send enough to Europe to cover the subscription requirement that month, and so TPfG didn't have enough to send to everyone and Paizo didn't send any replacements.
All in all, if you are not in the US, the subscription to these magazines is an execise in frustration. I fail to understand why it takes so long for Paizo to send out the magazines (what method is used - sailing ship?) and TPfG don't have especially effective databases and distribution themselves.
Spare a thought for us non-Americans - we suffer for our hobby!
Still nothing here in the UK.
I don't believe that TPFG have actually posted the magazines despite claiming they sent them on 14th September - I know the Post Office here in the UK are rubbish, but even they don't take a week to deliver an A4 sized envelope within the UK.
TPFG can be e-mailed at carlcrook@btconnect.com for those who'd like to query or complain about this appalling lack of service.
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I am in the UK and I'm subscribed to both magazines; I received Dragon 348 today, but no Dungeon.
I'm hoping to DM the Savage Tide soon, so you can imagine my disappointment when I opened that white envelope!
I hope it's just a case of Dungeon being delayed by a day or two, and it hasn't been forgotten.
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The last Dungeon I got was 138, the last Dragon I got was 347. I am in the UK. My subscription is with the Place for Games (Paizo's European distribution partner). I ordered the Savage Tide Player's Guide from Piazo in the USA and it arrived fine within 5 days but a UK distributor cannot get magazines to me?
The most annoying part is Leisure Games in London, whom I web order most of my RPG books from, have issues 139 and 348 in stock! How can they have it and The Place for Games doesn't and why am I wasting my time with a subscription? Note TPFG has been late several times before. I'd rather pay a few quid more each year and order on a case by case basis and get it ASAP than have this unreliable service. I hope Paizo take note of this when the European distribution deal is up for re-tender and obtain a more reliable partner.
Do all UK subscriptions go via TPfG? I subscribed via Paizo's website, and the last couple of issues seemed to arrive in reasonably timely fashion, but I'm still waiting for Dungeon #139.
Still nothing in my mailbox today.
Oh, the agony! ;-)No, really, in the past the magazine had arrived by the time the next issue shipped. So, something is amiss here, even if just a little bit.
Stefan
I am also in agony...
Still no Dungeon 139 here in France (suburb of Paris) !
What am I supposed to do ? I'd like to begin the STAP in around 2 weeks ...
I live in Paris and I've got Dungeon #139 since last thursday, you can find it at Starplayer
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TPfG are quite unreliable. They have had issues with their subscriber database, and their processes for posting are pretty ad hoc. By and large they appear to be a fairly amateur outfit, mostly involved with card trading games, and the subscription piece seems to be a side issue. I would prefer a more professional firm to deal with this, even if it increases my cost. Most of us would be happy to add a few quid (or euros) to our subscription to get a reliable service. If TPfG games got the contract by being very cheap.... Well, you get what you pay for. If they can't make the subscription business work for them without bundling the magazines together, causing delays, they haven't priced the service appropriately. I think they are well-meaning based on my conversations with them, but not up to the job.
That said, I don't think Paizo are really taking this issue, and the irritation it is causing European subscribers, very seriously. There have been a number of occasions where the magazines have been very late, and the problems mentioned on these boards. But Customer Services at Paizo appear to wash their hands of the difficulties we are experiencing, and frequently there is no reply to the posts from European subscribers. Where there is, it is of the "Ask TPfG" variety. Ultimately, Paizo hired TPfG for the job, and they are therefore responsible. It would be nice if Paizo could address these issues for us, work out some sort of appropriate level of service for TPfG to live up to, and try and ensure some sort of service for the loyal readership of their magazines.
And there seem to be massive delays on occasion with getting this stuff accross the Atlantic. Why so long? Most of the magazines have appeared in the shops before we get to see them. As I have posted before, I didn't even get one of my because Paizo didn't send enough to TPfG (at least, that was their excuse). This really causes a lot of annoyance - we are now TWO issue behind everyone else, now that 140 is out.
I have been tempted to subscribe directly with Paizo, to cut out the middle man (and the cost appears to be comparable). However, I have a sneaking suspicion that TPfG will still be the distributor - can you please confirm whether this is the case or not?
I have been tempted to subscribe directly with Paizo, to cut out the middle man (and the cost appears to be comparable). However, I have a sneaking suspicion that TPfG will still be the distributor - can you please confirm whether this is the case or not?
I subscribe directly with Paizo, and as you see further up in this thread my issue is also missing. I therefore suspect TPfG is responsible for the distribution of my issues as well.
That said, this is the first time since the infamous European Subscriber Hiccup 2(?) years ago that I've had problems with the distribution.
My copies weren't waiting for me when I got home - and frankly I still don't believe that TPFG have actually posted them.
They also haven't replied to the e-mail I sent them yesterday enquiring about subscription issues in the UK and Europe.
Has anybody in the UK actually received a SUBSCRIPTION copy of Dungeon yet? I know its available in the shops all across the UK and Europe - but I have a subscription to ensure I get a copy at about the same time as its released - not so that a bunch of unreliable amateurs can possibly send me a copy (badly packaged and quite often damaged in transit) a week or two later.
Way to go Paizo with your European/UK "distribution" partner. Maybe next time you negotiate this contract you might want to consider the capability of said "distributor" to actually send magazines to people.
I subscribed directly through Paizo but haven't gotten anything yet (in Belgium). So it has nothing to do with where you subscribed. It all goes through TPFG.
About 2 years ago it was very, very bad. After a lot of complaints from European subscribers they changed somethings and it went a lot smoother. This year I was noticing some strange things again (as described above: sometimes Dragon and Dungeon would be together, sometimes not.) And it also felt as if it took longer than last year for the mags to reach me. And Dungeon 139 seems to be the worst of this year. I do believe the US subscribers received them later than usual also. But it is quite frustrating to hear everybody rave about the STAP when you still haven't gotten it.
*snip*
That said, I don't think Paizo are really taking this issue, and the irritation it is causing European subscribers, very seriously.
The fact that Vic Wertz from Paizo has posted 3 times in this forum in the last hour in older threads than this one dealing with various queries - but has avoided posting in this specific thread suggests you're right.
I have been tempted to subscribe directly with Paizo, to cut out the middle man (and the cost appears to be comparable). However, I have a sneaking suspicion that TPfG will still be the distributor - can you please confirm whether this is the case or not?I subscribe directly with Paizo, and as you see further up in this thread my issue is also missing. I therefore suspect TPfG is responsible for the distribution of my issues as well.
AFAIK, TPfG is the european partner for shipping subscriptions. My envelopes are stamped in the UK, and I think that it was stated that TPfG was responsible for shipping them all over europe.
Stefan
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Chief Technical Officer
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Some general notes:
All European subscriptions are fulfilled through The Place for Games, even if you subscribed at Paizo.
Dungeon 139 apparently shipped a week late from the printer, so subscribers worldwide are getting it late.
I know The Place for Games has had some problems with respect to servicing our customers; they recently fired and replaced the person working on our account, but, judging by this thread, I'm not sure that that's solved the problems.
All I can tell you is that we'll be discussing it all here soon.
-Vic.
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Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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Folks,
We're in the process of looking into the issue to see if there is anything we can do to help. I share your frustration with the situation and ask for a little more patience while we try to track down what is happening and if there is anything we can do about it.
Thanks,
--Erik Mona
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Folks,
We're in the process of looking into the issue to see if there is anything we can do to help. I share your frustration with the situation and ask for a little more patience while we try to track down what is happening and if there is anything we can do about it.
Thanks,
--Erik Mona
Knowing you guys are working on it keeps my frustration at a minimum level! These boards, and all of you paizo-people checking in daily, makes me so much more patient than I would have been with any other thing!
Thanx for checking the issue on issue #139;) !!!|
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Hi everyone,
I just got my Dungeon 139 & Dragon 348 today in France (Paris).
However, as it was mentionned earlier, I pay shipping for both Dungeon & dragon.
If TPfG sends them together, why should I have to pay twice the shipping ?
I won't complain, though, since I received Dungeon 137 & Dragons 346 & 347 separately (this may be exceptionnal).
(My dungeon 138 got lost, and the replacement issue I received was sent by Paizo).
Just arrived here in Zamora, Spain. And also, my dragon and dungeon issues were in the same envelope.
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Just arrived here in Zamora, Spain. And also, my dragon and dungeon issues were in the same envelope.
Hmm, I'm getting more than a little concerned about my copy of Dungeon 139! I got Dragon 348 yesterday in the standard white envelope, but still no sign of Dungeon. I'm in the UK.
In general, what's the best thing to do if I have a specific CS query about either one of my subscriptions (which I bought through Paizo) - post in an existing thread in here, start a new thread, e-mail Paizo or e-mail TPFG?
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Just arrived here in Zamora, Spain. And also, my dragon and dungeon issues were in the same envelope.Hmm, I'm getting more than a little concerned about my copy of Dungeon 139! I got Dragon 348 yesterday in the standard white envelope, but still no sign of Dungeon. I'm in the UK.
In general, what's the best thing to do if I have a specific CS query about either one of my subscriptions (which I bought through Paizo) - post in an existing thread in here, start a new thread, e-mail Paizo or e-mail TPFG?
As I wrote earlier, both of my copies were in the same enveloppe, for the first time (after 2 issues received both of Dungeon & Dragon).
What I would do first is e-mail TPFG and see if your 139 is on its way !!
What I would do first is e-mail TPFG and see if your 139 is on its way !!
Nothing received here in Cambridge still.
Dungeon 139 was allegedly posted a week ago, but nothing as yet. And no reply to the e-mail I sent on Tuesday either.
Today I received Dragon 348 and Dungeon 139 together. I'm not really bothered about it. I'm glad I'm getting them (a few years ago it was much worse). But I would like them to be consequent about it. Either always mail them together or never, otherwise it can sometimes lead to bigger gaps between mags.
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Chief Technical Officer
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In general, what's the best thing to do if I have a specific CS query about either one of my subscriptions (which I bought through Paizo) - post in an existing thread in here, start a new thread, e-mail Paizo or e-mail TPFG?
If you subscribe directly through them, talk to them; if you subscribe from us, talk to us. Any of the methods you mention are fine. We'll have TPFG look into your missing issue.
If TPfG sends them together, why should I have to pay twice the shipping ?
Agreed. I'd love to hear some input from Paizo on this subject.
It would be inappropriate to discuss this here until we have a chance to discuss this with them. I mention this just so you know that, while I'm not answering, I'm not ignoring the question.
-Vic.
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Dungeon 139 was allegedly posted a week ago, but nothing as yet.I can confirm that you're on the list we sent to The Place for Games. Since we're just now getting reports that issues are arriving, I'd suggest you be patient for a few more days.
-Vic.
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Still nothing here - suprise suprise!
Just to give you an idea of how frustrating this is, and how ridiculous it is to expect that Dungeon will turn up any day now as TPFG posted it on the 14th and the mail has just been a bit slow, please consider these examples:
I placed three Amazon Marketplace orders with different sellers over the last two weeks.
Two were placed with UK based sellers on the 19th - one arrived yesterday and one today. Thats not just postal time, thats including them processing the actual order.
The other order was with a US based retailer - they shipped on the 14th and it arrived today (having crossed the atlantic by normal airmail, no premium service)
TPFG (who I notice aren't posting here to explain or apologise for their failings, and who also havent replied to any e-mails) allegedly shipped Dungeon to all European/UK customers on the 14th - given numbers of us stil haven't got it I think you really need to do soemthing (beyond simply telling us to watch the postbox) in order to sort this shambles out.
Your alleged distributor, and your apparent failure to manage your business relationship with them really doesn't do your name as a company and publisher any good in these circumstances.
Checked the post this morning - suprise suprise, no Dungeon magazine.
I have also had neither Dungeon or Dragon and am in the UK. I am becoming increasingly concerned since I can see from the thread above that subscribers in mainland Europe have had their magazines already.
If they all ship from the UK then even the Royal Mail should be able to deliver to UK addresses more quickly than European ones. This suggests either that the posting of the magazines is being staggered, giving different subscribers different levels of service or that some of us have been missed off the mailing list (again!). I very much appreciate Erik and Vic taking the time to read and post on these threads but from a Paizo point of view it must be bad for profit margins if replacement issues have to be shipped to Europe on a regular basis.
Will post here when mine turn up.
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Dungeon 139 was allegedly posted a week ago, but nothing as yet.
I can confirm that you're on the list we sent to The Place for Games. Since we're just now getting reports that issues are arriving, I'd suggest you be patient for a few more days.
-Vic.
Still nothing here - suprise suprise!
Just to give you an idea of how frustrating this is, and how ridiculous it is to expect that Dungeon will turn up any day now as TPFG posted it on the 14th and the mail has just been a bit slow, please consider these examples:
I placed three Amazon Marketplace orders with different sellers over the last two weeks.
Two were placed with UK based sellers on the 19th - one arrived yesterday and one today. Thats not just postal time, thats including them processing the actual order.
The other order was with a US based retailer - they shipped on the 14th and it arrived today (having crossed the atlantic by normal airmail, no premium service)
TPFG (who I notice aren't posting here to explain or apologise for their failings, and who also havent replied to any e-mails) allegedly shipped Dungeon to all European/UK customers on the 14th - given numbers of us stil haven't got it I think you really need to do soemthing (beyond simply telling us to watch the postbox) in order to sort this shambles out.
Your alleged distributor, and your apparent failure to manage your business relationship with them really doesn't do your name as a company and publisher any good in these circumstances.
Cat, I tend to agree with you. They don't see to have their act together very well at all at TPfG. Even if some guys (like me, fortunately) are getting their's, it isn't much comfort if yours hasn't arrived, given the erratic service.
I also think that TPfG are missing a trick big-time in not posting on these boards. Communication is the key to good customer service - managing expectations. There is little Paizo can do from several time zones away. Where the hell is Carl Crook to explain himself? I get plenty of junk emails, so it's not like they don't have the technology.
Just a quick note to say that I have not yet received either Dragon or Dungeon this month. I'm starting to get a bit worried here.
Suprise suprise - once again no Dungeon 139 here (12 days after TPfG allegedly shipped it) and no response whatsoever to my various e-mails sent to TPfG asking for clarification of when I might actually expect delivery of the magazine that I've paid for.
I've checked my creditcard statement and the payments I've made for this magazine subscription are to Paizo, not to TPfG, so my question is what are Paizo doing currently and what are they going to do to resolve this issue?
I expect a replacement magazine ASAP, and I'd like some sort of assurance that you have some means in place of getting future copies of the magazine to me and of making sure your "distributor" actually fulfils what I assume is a contractual requirement.
Currently it seems to me that Paizo have been more than happy to take my money, but have totally washed their hands when it comes to fulfilling their half of the deal.
I've been a subscriber for over a year now, and TPfG have honestly always been pretty flaky, unpredictable and unreliable, but now this is just down right ridiculous and rude.