Magazine freebies, but not for subscribers...?

[Geoff]

If free seeds are going to be included I would prefer them to be more adventurous. Like Tony says, I don't want Nantes think-of-a-number Carrots, Gardeners Delight Tomatoes, Sweet Genovese Basil etc. I don't know what the seed companies think they are going to achieve by giving away these common varieties, I am certainly not going to change supplier based on the performance of simple to grow commodity items. Surely they can recognise that subscribers are more likely to be a little more skilled and perhaps they should use us as a test bed for new varieties or even tempt us to grow something a little unusual.
But then I've never worked in Marketing, they have different genes to the rest of us. I asked one of our Marketing people where I worked what was the first thing he did with a magazine or newspaper, he seemed surprised when I said I shake out all the inclusions and put them on my shredding pile!

[Baz]

Subscriber loyalty is a big subject.

To me - as an ex-circulation manager, and now running our on-line subscription systems & sites - it is well known that obtaining new customers is (on average) 2.5times more expensive then keeping existing ones.

One difficulty we encounter, is when negotiating with big retailers like T*sc*. Nowadays we need to be in such stores as many people no longer visit traditional outlets - such as Smiths or newsagents. (But please do support your local newsie!!). However, we are required to spend a certain amount in promotional pushes with these big companies - in order to appear at all, and often we have to run special deals (like extra bagged seeds).

Ah, thought it might be something like this. I've no problem with it really, I appreciate you being so honest.

But please do bear in mind that if you have subscribed, (and if you got an extra offer like the growing pack) - the cost is much less than the equivalent of buying 12 issues from a store - and it's posted to your door before it goes on sale in stores.

I don't really agree with the point about the price, T*s*o and so on must take 50% of the cover price anyway, subscribers contribute more per copy than a shop bought one.

Anyway, I love the magazine. No intention of stopping buying it.

[pdblak]

When can subscribers expect to get the magazine? I know we're supposed to get it before it hits the shops but the front page says the next issue is out on the 4th June, that's in four working days for the post office.

[Chantal]

Mine usually hits the mat on the last day of the month.

[Geoff]

Well mine did!

[pdblak]

Mine did too

[pdblak]

Just seen the latest issue in Tesco and the contents are exactly the same as I received through the post.

Thank you KG

[pdblak]

Sorry to bring this up again, but the last two issues seem to have had nothing in way of extras for subscribers. No seeds, not even a useful booklet. This month there is a discount on already overpriced arches from Harrod. Just where is the incentive to re-subscribe?

I'm getting pretty inclined to cancel altogether to be honest and just pick it up from Tesco when it catches my eye.

[Nature's Babe]

Admin, you have my sympathy dealing with the big supermarkets, I have seen them cut suppliers profits to the bone in the past, until it's barely profitable to be a supplier, the supermarkets continue to garner good profits though, at the expense of their suppliers. I prefer not to shop in them,they are very clever at persuading shoppers to buy stuff they don't always need.
I actuaslly find it cheaper to shop elsewhere. and stick to basics plus fresh stuff and as much as I can grow. As for suggestions why not seeds of the more unusual veg etc, as it's free perhaps folk would be more inclined to give those a whirl and might be pleasantly surprised, another suggestion is companion plant seeds that might benefit the basic seeds we choose. Sample size of other products to try, rootgrow, moisture gel crystals, gardeners hand cream, rooting powder or gel etc, Things that might encourage us to stretch our gardening wings ?

[oldherbaceous]

Gardeners hand cream, never.

[donedigging]

Gardeners hand cream, never.

Not for me either..

[Nature's Babe]

I used to use one that was a barrier cream, worked a treat even kept under nails clean if worked under nails first, but haven't seen it lately and can't remember the name. I don't always don gloves!

[Smurfy]

:lol: I used to use one that was a barrier cream, worked a treat even kept under nails clean if worked under nails first, but haven't seen it lately and can't remember the name. I don't always don gloves!

I seem to be following in my grandma's footsteps. She always wore what i (as a 4 year old) used to think was a very 'cool' colour of dark purple nail varnish on both her fingers and toes. I later discovered it was so that noone could see the mud tha accumulated under her nails.

I think i might have to start doing the same - well i am a sucker for family traditions

[Nature's Babe]

Hi Smurfy, gardening doesn't do nail polish any favours either, mine chips if I wear it while gardening, so maybe apply apres gardening ?

[Smurfy]

Hi Smurfy, gardening doesn't do nail polish any favours either, mine chips if I wear it while gardening, so maybe apply apres gardening ?

Or that could be my test and report back on the forum if i find any that doesn't

I'll let you know how i get on in my serach for unchippable nailpolish!