Motoring magazine theft

[silverthorn2151]

I visited WHSmith in Liverpool St station today.

I wanted a couple of magazine for a day off tomorrow doing as little as possible. I was greeted by a scrum of odious people standing there reading there way through everything from tractor monthly to top gear. It was packed like a little huddle of doggers around Mr and Mrs Blogs in their Mondeo.

I wanted to choose something. That meant being able to see them. Being a polite chap I said excuse me and apart from a few audible tuts feck all happened. Sod this I thought and pushed through, not removing my bag and using the walking stick I have at the moment as something of an épée until I could see the dirty and dog eared display of magazines. Those around me obviously thought I was trying to cramp their style and regarded me like I had just shat in their wives handbag.

I found something, Octane and Classic Porsche as it happens and went off to pay the best part of £10 for my reading pleasure.

These tts were still there jostling for position and casting furtive glances around. Obviously this is not the first time I have seen this but the level of effectively stealing was outrageous. These are not tramps but besleeved city workers from Broadgate and the environs. This is no different from illegal downloading music or films. WHSmiths have a bunch of drool sodden mags they can't sell and who pays for that?

Why don't the shop stop the? Who will confess to be one of these magazine doggers eh? Hangings too good for 'em I say! Bugger off and buy one!

[David87]

That's why I have an Evo subscription. I get the magazine without having to go anywhere or interact with any real people. Just how I like it.

[Wacky Racer]

WH Smiths have only themselves to blame.

All the mags should be behind glass screens or the counter.

But then nobody would go in...

People like the OP are so inconsiderate going in to buy stuff, jostling customers that are enjoying having a free read.

[castex]

Oh nooees, it's the magazine reading police!

[MotorcyclesFish]

With the variable quality of magazines, why not have a flick through before buying? It's a time-honoured tradition.

[iva cosworth]

I find this mildly irritating too.

It's not a library

[Burrito]

David87 said:

That's why I have an Evo subscription. I get the magazine without having to go anywhere or interact with any real people. Just how I like it.

Same here. Also means I get a "present" in the post every month!

[saaby93]

WH Smiths is well known for it's public library service.
All they need is enough people to buy to make it worthwhile

[MrBrightSi]

I buy practical performance car and Retrorides. Sometimes i'll add to the pile with classic car mart or practical classics.

With all those mags i will buy without looking normally. Apart from Retrocars, i will browse quickly through that because they've started to become obsessed with eurotrash stance bull. However, i do get the OP as i hate when people are just stood there reading the entire thing from to back, scan read take in the car porn and buy it if it tickles your fancy.

[hedgefinder]

MotorcyclesFish said:

With the variable quality of magazines, why not have a flick through before buying? It's a time-honoured tradition.

THIS^^
I am sick and tired of buying a rather pricey car mag only to find its 99% adverts.

[sjg]

silverthorn2151 said:

WHSmiths have a bunch of drool sodden mags they can't sell and who pays for that?

The publishers. Or, as one of the people who actually buys magazines that have the massive wastage of the publishing industry built in to their cover price, you.

[Brigand]

I get a little annoyed with it too when I'm in Smiths. I have a quick flick through a magazine to see if I want to buy it, yet you see people stood there reading each page in detail who get annoyed at me when I ask them to move.

But, what can you do eh?

[Paul O]

I do this but not to that extent. If a mag cover interests me I pick it up. Have a quick skim of an article and if there is a second article that looks interesting it goes on the counter as its likely there is more in there to interest me.

Octane and Top Gear have been the winners recently along with occasional fast ford. If I buy the same mag for 3 or 4 months, I'll buy a subscription.

I ain't paying five quid for a gamble though. Hence anything in cellophane never gets bought as they are just saying "you cant browse this cos you won't buy as its ste".

[silverthorn2151]

Burrito said:

David87 said:

That's why I have an Evo subscription. I get the magazine without having to go anywhere or interact with any real people. Just how I like it.

Same here. Also means I get a "present" in the post every month!

Well you see I do too.

Every month, Evo, Classic & Sportscar and Essex Life drop through the door at seemingly ever increasing frequency. But I like a change as well. That's why I like to pop in from time to time. Sometimes Practical Classics, sometimes Motor Sport and occasionally FiestaTop Gear. Today Classic Porsche caught me by having an article on a 935. How was I to know that without a gentle browse. I never played in the forwards in my yoof, I was always a scrum half. I like to hang around the fringes, not get all sweaty with an investment banker from Bonusville Plc.

In the great scheme of life it's not that big a deal. Mildly irritating it was referred to above but today there was almost a queue. Tight-fisted bds!



Edit: spilling

Edited by silverthorn2151 on Wednesday 20th March 21:58

[EventHorizon]

I agree silvertho smiths should have some common sense & chuck out the loafers who browse magazines for over 30mins without even buying a *****ing pencil.
They put there mucky paws all over em, effectively devaluing their stock & the staff just stand there & let it happen.
How the hell are they still in business?.

To much political correctness in this country. Stand up for yourselves.

[renmure]

Used to be better at Borders. You could take the mags upstairs to the coffee shop and read in the comfort of a nice leather chair. The classy folk put the mags back on the shelf after coffee. The plebs just left them. None of this standing and jostling lark. Ho hum.

[ging84]

worst i just bought a new magazine thread ever

[AJordan]

I work in WH Smith, and even I refer to it as 'Smiths public magazine library'

You get enough people buying the magazines, but there's always the same old faces who read every word of everything on the shelf, yet never buy!

That said, there's one wierd old boy that comes in and buys a copy of neat as dammit every magazine we sell.

[jamoor]

If it was a problem for smiths, they would have sorted it out a long time ago. It clearly isn't.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

You're lucky you only have to put up with city types where you shop. Round our way it's mostly stinkers, alco's, care in the community patients & blokes who would be typecast as pedo#1 should an agency be looking for a fat bespectacled, lank haired kiddy-fiddler for the next episode of the bill.

I wouldn't mind so much but it fks me off that they put our mags next to the dubious titles that attracts these weirdos. There should be a corner where all the steam train, model maker, tractor & truck enthusiasts can gather to get there jollies off together (for free). Far away from us paying customers who have the decency to wash on a regular basis.