February is M.I.A. - Page 2

**Mal H** · March 8, 2006, 02:53 PM

I wasn't going to mention this because I saw no reason for Rich to go to any additional trouble. I also didn't receive the March issue, like several others had mentioned. The issues usually come in the first week of the previous month. Yesterday, right on schedule, I received the April issue. Funny thing is that today in the mailbox was the March issue! It didn't look as if it had been thumbed through by the postal workers or any thing of that sort. It did have an additional bar code sticker on it which none of the other issues has ever had. Curious.

The only reason I mention it is to let Rich know that there might be a trend or there might be a small distributer problem. Hard to say with only one or two month's worth of problems.

Eghad · March 8, 2006, 05:47 PM

my march issue had an additonal bar code sticker as well.

. April issue arrived today

**Rich Lucibella** · March 8, 2006, 07:08 PM

Mal and Eghad-
Thanks much for the point in the right direction. I am not happy about this.

Please email me with the second label info, if possible. I'll match it to the SCORES OF FIRST CLASS REPLACEMENTS I'VE SENT OUT TO THE SMALL PERCENT OF UNTOLD NUMBERS OF SCREWED SUBSCRIBERS WHO BOTHER TO SPEAK UP. THE REST SIMPLY WON'T RENEW.

Peggy and John-
Are you lurking? I hope so. I really do!
Rich

**Mal H** · March 8, 2006, 07:35 PM

Rich,
The second label was a bar code only; no human readable address info. It is pealable so I can send it to you intact if you think it will help.

Eghad · March 8, 2006, 07:41 PM

how about a .pdf scan of the cover

check your mail......

**Rich Lucibella** · March 9, 2006, 08:59 AM

Mal-
No need.

Eghad-
I'll take it with thanks.
Rich

Harley Quinn · March 14, 2006, 11:25 PM

Hi Rich,
I just received my march issue, with that extra barcode others are mentioning.
Just thought I would let you know, the barcode was different than what was on my original address.

Take care,

HQ

Capt. Charlie · March 15, 2006, 12:23 AM

Here's a long shot, Rich. When I got the April issue, the address label was barely affixed. When I pulled it just a tiny bit, it came off.

Could it possibly be something as simple as defective address labels, falling off before delivery?

Just a thought.

**Mal H** · March 15, 2006, 01:28 AM

I don't see how that could be the solution, Charlie. If a label comes off a magazine, the PO usually just trashes it if they have no clue as to who it goes to. If it made it to a small town, the postal carriers sometimes depend on their memories of who gets what, but not in the large areas.

Even if the PO did the research to find out where to send it and did send the magazines back to the distribution point, how would the distributor know which individual in an entire zipcode is missing a mag and send out a replacement? Further, how do they even know which zipcode to tell the distributor, the label could have come off anywhere enroute and long before it reached the final destination zipcode.

Seems like only feedback from the non-recipient would start the replacement process.

Harley Quinn · March 15, 2006, 08:24 AM

The printers and distributors are running behind in their ability to produce on the west coast anyway?

Just a simple thought. It could be that simple, or not.

HQ

**Rich Lucibella** · March 15, 2006, 08:54 AM

Much has been learned as a result of your comments, guys.
1) The extra bar code label is affixed by USPS on some books. Part of their internal procedure.
2) The glue process on the SWAT labels is unacceptable and will be changed.
3) In the past two issues, the Print Order did not match what USPS billed us for....in each case, they sent out 46 less issues than labels created. Printer is looking into this, as their count to USPS matched ours.
4) Periodicals slow-downs are being reported to our Subscription House now from a number of their clients....finding the answer in the USPS bureaucracy should be an adventure. Three and four week delays are becoming commonplace.
5) Certain zips in the Gulf Region appear to have failed to lift the Periodicals Holds placed during Katrina. Unknown at this time if that is only for deliveries to their zips or for all periodicals traversing their offices.

Rich

March 8, 2006, 05:47 PM	#27
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	my march issue had an additonal bar code sticker as well. . April issue arrived today __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

March 8, 2006, 07:08 PM	#28
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	Mal and Eghad- Thanks much for the point in the right direction. I am not happy about this. Please email me with the second label info, if possible. I'll match it to the *SCORES OF FIRST CLASS REPLACEMENTS I'VE SENT OUT TO THE SMALL PERCENT OF UNTOLD NUMBERS OF SCREWED SUBSCRIBERS WHO BOTHER TO SPEAK UP. THE REST SIMPLY WON'T RENEW. Peggy and John- Are you lurking? I hope so. I really do! Rich __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine* Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

March 8, 2006, 07:41 PM	#30
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	how about a .pdf scan of the cover check your mail...... __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

March 9, 2006, 08:59 AM	#31
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	Mal- No need. Eghad- I'll take it with thanks. Rich __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

March 14, 2006, 11:25 PM	#32
Harley Quinn Junior member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: State of KALI Posts: 1,531	Me also Hi Rich, I just received my march issue, with that extra barcode others are mentioning. Just thought I would let you know, the barcode was different than what was on my original address. Take care, HQ

March 8, 2006, 02:53 PM	#26
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	I wasn't going to mention this because I saw no reason for Rich to go to any additional trouble. I also didn't receive the March issue, like several others had mentioned. The issues usually come in the first week of the previous month. Yesterday, right on schedule, I received the April issue. Funny thing is that today in the mailbox was the March issue! It didn't look as if it had been thumbed through by the postal workers or any thing of that sort. It did have an additional bar code sticker on it which none of the other issues has ever had. Curious. The only reason I mention it is to let Rich know that there might be a trend or there might be a small distributer problem. Hard to say with only one or two month's worth of problems.

March 8, 2006, 07:35 PM	#29
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	Rich, The second label was a bar code only; no human readable address info. It is pealable so I can send it to you intact if you think it will help.

March 15, 2006, 12:23 AM	#33
Capt. Charlie Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 24, 2005 Location: Steubenville, OH Posts: 4,446	Here's a long shot, Rich. When I got the April issue, the address label was barely affixed. When I pulled it just a tiny bit, it came off. Could it possibly be something as simple as defective address labels, falling off before delivery? Just a thought. __________________ TFL Members are ambassadors to the world for firearm owners. What kind of ambassador does *your* post make *you?* I train in earnest, to do the things that I pray in earnest, I'll never have to do. --Capt. Charlie

March 15, 2006, 01:28 AM	#34
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	I don't see how that could be the solution, Charlie. If a label comes off a magazine, the PO usually just trashes it if they have no clue as to who it goes to. If it made it to a small town, the postal carriers sometimes depend on their memories of who gets what, but not in the large areas. Even if the PO did the research to find out where to send it and did send the magazines back to the distribution point, how would the distributor know which individual in an entire zipcode is missing a mag and send out a replacement? Further, how do they even know which zipcode to tell the distributor, the label could have come off anywhere enroute and long before it reached the final destination zipcode. Seems like only feedback from the non-recipient would start the replacement process.

March 15, 2006, 08:24 AM	#35
Harley Quinn Junior member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: State of KALI Posts: 1,531	Maybe since you went to 12 issues The printers and distributors are running behind in their ability to produce on the west coast anyway? Just a simple thought. It could be that simple, or not. HQ

March 15, 2006, 08:54 AM	#36
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	Much has been learned as a result of your comments, guys. 1) The extra bar code label is affixed by USPS on some books. Part of their internal procedure. 2) The glue process on the SWAT labels is unacceptable and will be changed. 3) In the past two issues, the Print Order did not match what USPS billed us for....in each case, they sent out 46 less issues than labels created. Printer is looking into this, as their count to USPS matched ours. 4) Periodicals slow-downs are being reported to our Subscription House now from a number of their clients....finding the answer in the USPS bureaucracy should be an adventure. Three and four week delays are becoming commonplace. 5) Certain zips in the Gulf Region *appear* to have failed to lift the Periodicals Holds placed during Katrina. Unknown at this time if that is only for deliveries to their zips or for all periodicals traversing their offices. Rich __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook