I don't understand magazines......

[MetalMat]

I was visiting a local book store yesterday and picked up a guitar magazine and notived it said November 2004 on it. Why do companies do this? It is a stupid practice :|

 

[dullard]

I always figured that they sold a significant percentage of their product at magazine stands and other similar retail stores. And if any of that product "expires" it is dead weight that no store can get rid of. Thus by simply post dating the product, they can sell it all.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: dullard
I always figured that they sold a significant percentage of their product at magazine stands and other similar retail stores. And if any of that product "expires" it is dead weight that no store can get rid of. Thus by simply post dating the product, they can sell it all.

Stores don't pay for magazines they don't sell. I've read somewhere why magazines do this, but I don't remember the answer.

Edit: You were right Text

 

[Lonyo]

Well, if they get something before its retail release, say something in September that's got a release date for November, it means they are working right

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: mugs
Stores don't pay for magazines they don't sell. I've read somewhere why magazines do this, but I don't remember the answer.

All the more reason for the magazine publisher (who eats the loss) to post-print the date. The stores don't print the date.

Same logic goes with excess prints that the publisher makes. Instead of tossing them, they just ship them out to their new subscribers - effectively starting their subscription 1 to 2 months earlier and thereby getting their next years subscription money 1 to 2 months earlier.

I just think all around it makes less waste to post date them. Heck I could be missing a bigger reason, but this has to be at least a minor reason.

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: dullard
I always figured that they sold a significant percentage of their product at magazine stands and other similar retail stores. And if any of that product "expires" it is dead weight that no store can get rid of. Thus by simply post dating the product, they can sell it all.

Stores don't pay for magazines they don't sell. I've read somewhere why magazines do this, but I don't remember the answer.

Alot of stores just send back the cover page and toss the rest of the magazine as proof they didn't sell them.

 

[backinsac]

You can buy it now, but you're not suppossed to read it until November.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: mugs
Stores don't pay for magazines they don't sell. I've read somewhere why magazines do this, but I don't remember the answer.

All the more reason for the magazine publisher (who eats the loss) to post-print the date. The stores don't print the date.

Same logic goes with excess prints that the publisher makes. Instead of tossing them, they just ship them out to their new subscribers - effectively starting their subscription 1 to 2 months earlier and thereby getting their next years subscription money 1 to 2 months earlier.

I just think all around it makes less waste to post date them. Heck I could be missing a bigger reason, but this has to be at least a minor reason.

See my edit, you were right.