Any Autocar subscribers?
Discussion
I know, it's not what it used to be, but I've been buying the magazine every week since I was a teenager and I'm set in my ways.
Anyway, has anyone else had problems with late arrival over the last couple of years? Before the pandemic, most weeks it would arrive on the Wednesday, and if not, it would arrive the day after. These days, I'm lucky if it arrives by the weekend and it's getting a bit annoying. All of my other post arrives pretty much on time, and even a friend who subscribes to the other car weekly (Auto Express - eurgh) get his copy on the Wednesday.
Seems a bit pointless subscribing these days as by the time it arrives, most of the articles have been published on their website, and it's now 'old news'.
Anyway, has anyone else had problems with late arrival over the last couple of years? Before the pandemic, most weeks it would arrive on the Wednesday, and if not, it would arrive the day after. These days, I'm lucky if it arrives by the weekend and it's getting a bit annoying. All of my other post arrives pretty much on time, and even a friend who subscribes to the other car weekly (Auto Express - eurgh) get his copy on the Wednesday.
Seems a bit pointless subscribing these days as by the time it arrives, most of the articles have been published on their website, and it's now 'old news'.
I'm a subscriber and delivery is pretty inconsistent.
I haven't had this week's yet, last week's turned up on the Thursday but the four or five previous editions all turned up on the Wednesday.
Prior to that it would vary week to week, though generally it would be here by the Friday. During the lockdown and post strikes though it was understandably usually four or five days late.
Having said that, I've had two issues in the last three or four months that didn't turn up at all. Reordered via the website and one took a further two weeks to turn up and the other only a couple of days.
I have mate who is also a subscriber and also lives in the same city but the other side. We generally get our copies the same day so I don't think it's a local delivery office or postie issue.
I haven't had this week's yet, last week's turned up on the Thursday but the four or five previous editions all turned up on the Wednesday.
Prior to that it would vary week to week, though generally it would be here by the Friday. During the lockdown and post strikes though it was understandably usually four or five days late.
Having said that, I've had two issues in the last three or four months that didn't turn up at all. Reordered via the website and one took a further two weeks to turn up and the other only a couple of days.
I have mate who is also a subscriber and also lives in the same city but the other side. We generally get our copies the same day so I don't think it's a local delivery office or postie issue.
I've got to agree with what others have said, it's a lottery which day of the week it arrives. Wednesday is a rarity, Thursday/Friday the most likely, Saturday is not unusual and sometimes even Monday. It's a lot more erratic than it was pre-pandemic.
I used to read it from cover to cover, now I just dip into it. I'll be honest, if it wasn't for the fact that I've got a massive collection of it in the loft I'd probably stop reading it.
I used to read it from cover to cover, now I just dip into it. I'll be honest, if it wasn't for the fact that I've got a massive collection of it in the loft I'd probably stop reading it.
mabosh, thanks for the reply; looks like it's not just me then.
To be honest, not sure why I'm too bothered as there seems less interesting stuff each week (too much eulogising over EV's, but I suppose they've got to think about the future). Just seems strange to me that they should be spoiling their subscribers in these days of how printed media is struggling, but that doesn't look to be the case. I should really cancel and just buy the magazine if there looks to be anything interesting in each weeks issue. Also means that I can get it on the Wednesday if I can be bothered.
To be honest, not sure why I'm too bothered as there seems less interesting stuff each week (too much eulogising over EV's, but I suppose they've got to think about the future). Just seems strange to me that they should be spoiling their subscribers in these days of how printed media is struggling, but that doesn't look to be the case. I should really cancel and just buy the magazine if there looks to be anything interesting in each weeks issue. Also means that I can get it on the Wednesday if I can be bothered.
Kiernan said:
mabosh, thanks for the reply; looks like it's not just me then.
To be honest, not sure why I'm too bothered as there seems less interesting stuff each week (too much eulogising over EV's, but I suppose they've got to think about the future). Just seems strange to me that they should be spoiling their subscribers in these days of how printed media is struggling, but that doesn't look to be the case. I should really cancel and just buy the magazine if there looks to be anything interesting in each weeks issue. Also means that I can get it on the Wednesday if I can be bothered.
No worries. I know what you mean, some issues are more engaging than others and some of the full road tests are a bit random - the TX black cab test a couple of weeks ago (although I quite enjoyed it!).To be honest, not sure why I'm too bothered as there seems less interesting stuff each week (too much eulogising over EV's, but I suppose they've got to think about the future). Just seems strange to me that they should be spoiling their subscribers in these days of how printed media is struggling, but that doesn't look to be the case. I should really cancel and just buy the magazine if there looks to be anything interesting in each weeks issue. Also means that I can get it on the Wednesday if I can be bothered.
I'll likely persevere with it as at the subscription prices it's only £2.45 an issue. I've got a few other subscriptions, the rest are all monthly, and it's rare for any of them to turn up on publication date, most are a day or two after.
Another subscriber here, still no sign of this week’s copy. Used to always arrive on the Wednesday, now lucky if I get it by the weekend.
I’ve reordered a couple of issues when they haven’t arrived by he following Tuesday, only for them to turn up later that week (over a week late!) and sometimes after the reordered copy!
A few times I’ve read all I’m interested in in the mag in Sainsbury’s whilst the Mrs has been shopping before it’s arrived at home, rendering the subscription pointless!
I’ve reordered a couple of issues when they haven’t arrived by he following Tuesday, only for them to turn up later that week (over a week late!) and sometimes after the reordered copy!
A few times I’ve read all I’m interested in in the mag in Sainsbury’s whilst the Mrs has been shopping before it’s arrived at home, rendering the subscription pointless!
Kiernan said:
I know, it's not what it used to be, but I've been buying the magazine every week since I was a teenager and I'm set in my ways.
Anyway, has anyone else had problems with late arrival over the last couple of years? Before the pandemic, most weeks it would arrive on the Wednesday, and if not, it would arrive the day after. These days, I'm lucky if it arrives by the weekend and it's getting a bit annoying. All of my other post arrives pretty much on time, and even a friend who subscribes to the other car weekly (Auto Express - eurgh) get his copy on the Wednesday.
Seems a bit pointless subscribing these days as by the time it arrives, most of the articles have been published on their website, and it's now 'old news'.
Just cancel the sub and get yourself a subscription to Readily. Honestly the best £10 a month or whatever it is these days I have invested. I still love a car magazine and get to read Autocar, Autoexpress, Car, EVO, What Car and all the classic car mags every month, saving myself an absolute fortune.Anyway, has anyone else had problems with late arrival over the last couple of years? Before the pandemic, most weeks it would arrive on the Wednesday, and if not, it would arrive the day after. These days, I'm lucky if it arrives by the weekend and it's getting a bit annoying. All of my other post arrives pretty much on time, and even a friend who subscribes to the other car weekly (Auto Express - eurgh) get his copy on the Wednesday.
Seems a bit pointless subscribing these days as by the time it arrives, most of the articles have been published on their website, and it's now 'old news'.
Autocar is a sad magazine these days it has to be said. I feel nostalgic for it like you do, as I used to go into shops and buy it when I wasn't tall enough to reach the shelves it was on. Its basically EVs all the way unless its a Porsche. They are more than happy to test every single variant of Porsche. But still waiting for them to test the latest Civic Type R, Lotus Emira, BMW M3 Touring, M2, etc, etc.
Somebody said:
Just join your local library, then access publications digitally for free using your library membership number on the PressReader app. Autocar, Whatcar, TopGear, AutoExpress, Car, Evo, Classic Car - all available to download and read for free.
I've done that myself to read MCN articles. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff