Owner's cars in Magazine Tests - do you get paid?
Discussion
EVO magazine would like to use my car in a magazine feature, just wondered if anybody can offer up any experiences:
1. Does the magazine pay you a nominal amount for use of your car?
2. Do they contribute to Fuel costs?
3. Do they allow you to ride along to ensure they're not "abusing" your car?
4. Do they reward you for your generosity in any way at all? (e.g., free years subscription etc)
1. Does the magazine pay you a nominal amount for use of your car?
2. Do they contribute to Fuel costs?
3. Do they allow you to ride along to ensure they're not "abusing" your car?
4. Do they reward you for your generosity in any way at all? (e.g., free years subscription etc)
A fairly niche VW mag did a six page feature on our family fleet of mk3 GTi 16v Golfs. At the time, me, my dad and my mum all had one.
Loads of effort from our part, loads of demands, deadlines, didn't get a bean in return.
A wee bit annoying.
On the other hand, I did a readers test of a BMW 750i for the Independent - car driven to me in Cornwall, got to drive it hard for two hours, quick write up, that was it.
Rather fun.
Loads of effort from our part, loads of demands, deadlines, didn't get a bean in return.
A wee bit annoying.
On the other hand, I did a readers test of a BMW 750i for the Independent - car driven to me in Cornwall, got to drive it hard for two hours, quick write up, that was it.
Rather fun.
My car was used in Autocar late last year. I didn't get paid anything but did get a few free copies of the magazine, copies of all the high res photos taken, a large printed photo of the car and to see what they do / have a play on the proving grounds. The experience was well worth it and seeing my car on the cover an added bonus!
In my case (both times) they paid for fuel on the day(s), put me up in the same hotel they were in, supplied packed lunch during the day (someone bought entire stocks of prepacked sarnies from nearby shops etc) and then paid for evening meals if applicable.
I also got a large print of one of the magazine shots, eventually.
So no, you don't get paid, its done on a good will basis with small perks. I was quite happy to help them out as it meant I got a few days seeing how these things are done. They do give the cars a good work out though, which is to be expected!
oh, PS:
On the first event I got a little goody bag (the subs give away items) and was allowed to test the press cars when they weren't needed, which was nice. On the second event I got a passenger ride in a few of the test cars (F40 et al) and an owner let me drive his NSX-R.. which was jolly nice of him!
I also got a large print of one of the magazine shots, eventually.
So no, you don't get paid, its done on a good will basis with small perks. I was quite happy to help them out as it meant I got a few days seeing how these things are done. They do give the cars a good work out though, which is to be expected!
oh, PS:
On the first event I got a little goody bag (the subs give away items) and was allowed to test the press cars when they weren't needed, which was nice. On the second event I got a passenger ride in a few of the test cars (F40 et al) and an owner let me drive his NSX-R.. which was jolly nice of him!
Edited by EvoBarry on Monday 6th February 12:57
daveknott5 said:
EVO magazine would like to use my car in a magazine feature, just wondered if anybody can offer up any experiences:
1. Does the magazine pay you a nominal amount for use of your car?
2. Do they contribute to Fuel costs?
3. Do they allow you to ride along to ensure they're not "abusing" your car?
4. Do they reward you for your generosity in any way at all? (e.g., free years subscription etc)
So Mike Duff was true to his comments then Dave?1. Does the magazine pay you a nominal amount for use of your car?
2. Do they contribute to Fuel costs?
3. Do they allow you to ride along to ensure they're not "abusing" your car?
4. Do they reward you for your generosity in any way at all? (e.g., free years subscription etc)
Are they getting a tuned one as well or no news yet?
I've had two of my cars featured in magazines. First mag came to me, I drove the car got copies of the pictures and bought lunch. I took the second car to Beaulieu museum because they have a photographic studio there. I had a day wandering around the museum for free with lunch a few copies of the magazine and my petrol money back. I wasn't really interested in money as it was a thrill to have my cars featured and it helped to sell them when I wanted to move onto something else.
s m said:
So Mike Duff was true to his comments then Dave?
Are they getting a tuned one as well or no news yet?
Yep, They want to test a 135i DCT and are reliant upon owners as BMW doesn't have any on their press fleet. I think they just want to test a stock DCT car, rather than one tuned by DMS/other.....Are they getting a tuned one as well or no news yet?
I was in an EVO shoot a few years back 
1. Does the magazine pay you a nominal amount for use of your car? - No money changed hands at all
2. Do they contribute to Fuel costs? - No
3. Do they allow you to ride along to ensure they're not "abusing" your car? No, but I was driving the Japanese import Impreza STi in some of the photos published and got to have a play with it for a while without any issue
4. Do they reward you for your generosity in any way at all? (e.g., free years subscription etc) No, but Jethro did come back with a load of sarnies, crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks that were appreciated.
The day was good fun and being able to talk to Jethro, John Barker and Gus Gregory was payment enough for me.
1. Does the magazine pay you a nominal amount for use of your car? - No money changed hands at all
2. Do they contribute to Fuel costs? - No
3. Do they allow you to ride along to ensure they're not "abusing" your car? No, but I was driving the Japanese import Impreza STi in some of the photos published and got to have a play with it for a while without any issue
4. Do they reward you for your generosity in any way at all? (e.g., free years subscription etc) No, but Jethro did come back with a load of sarnies, crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks that were appreciated.
The day was good fun and being able to talk to Jethro, John Barker and Gus Gregory was payment enough for me.
My Dad had his Rover SD1 Vitesse featured some time ago, there was talk of expenses and a set of the photographs promised before the day but he didn't get anything. Admittedly he didn't really chase it up because he had a good day out, but fulfilling of promises would have been good. John Barker did the test driving and respected the car, Dad drove it for some of the photos and also helped out driving the photographers car for some other on road shots (a Peugeot 206CC from memory).
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