The Horse Back Street Mag.

[jjvass]

I called the advertising rep about 3 weeks ago. She told me that the next issue was in the works and should be out "soon", whatever that means. Having withdrawals, 3+ months without George, Arsen Englishman.....tough starting to get the sssshhhhhhaaakkksss.

[7and7is]

Well looks like their back in biz, saw the new issue in wally world, however hasn't hit my door step, fuckers!

[RickG61]

Well looks like their back in biz, saw the new issue in wally world, however hasn't hit my door step, fuckers!

That always pisses me off too. I pay for a subscription, and get a preview at the news stand since mine always arrives AFTER its been out for sale at Wally for a week.

[RickG61]

Ooooh, a new twist.

I just got my "final" issue in the mail with a letter telling me that they would no longer be mailing subscriptions out. I need to call the number on the letter to "discuss refund options" on the number of issues left on my sub. They show zero issues left. They're kinda overlooking the fact they cashed a renewal check back in May before my last sub expired, so I should have a whole years worth to discuss. Oh, and that phone number, no one answers it, it goes to a recorded message that says the mailbox is full, please hang up.

[Dougtheinternetannoyance123]

My understanding was they only made a little $$$ on newstand sales, and they preferred you subscribed (They keep most of the money)
So this is a weird twist,,,, Dont tell me they want to go to a digital subscription???? Thats totally lame.
My local newspaper (Among many) all try that, and it sucks balls. I hate the internet version, it loads up with advertising
popups, cookies and malware.. Just makes me angry.
I like the old school printed format. SIt there with my coffee and read the paper. Same with Biker mags... I want a hard copy and we all know there is a thriving market for old used magazines.
I dotn agree with all their opinions and stuff,, But I rather LIKE the Horse magazine. They tend to feature real world bikes built by regular people,, I have a collection of vintage Sleazy riders, and the original Horse mags,, Those are just cool stuff.
BUt the Horse also does a lot of tech articles and I really appreciate those,, even for bikes I dont have or work on. Gives me good ideas.
I hope they are not circling the drain, I was planning on ordering a Sub as my finances are turning around and you save $$$ over the newstand price as well as dont have to worry about out of stock.
Hope it turns around..............

[RickG61]

The letter they sent leads me to believe they've done a 180 on the news stand idea. Now, instead of subs, they want the news stand and they want YOU to order a single issue at a time from their website, which they'll then send to you via the mail?? Kinda like a sub, but probably way more expensive with single purchase price and shipping costs you'll likely have to pay.

Their voice mailbox is still full and not accepting new messages, and they are not answering e-mails it seems.

And yeah, I liked the mag because most of their featured bikes weren't some "themed" bullshit, were built using real available parts and ingenuity. The tech articles for the most part were pretty informative and could be applied to other fabrications or builds.

On a possible related note, I've noticed that Hammer sold his Indian, there's a magazine project bike up for sale, Englishman is talking about selling more bikes and now guitars because he's broke or something. (aren't we all). Doesn't sound like the magazine is a cash cow, or even a calf. LOL I may be out my last subscription money it seems.

[KevinN]

Ignoring customers and being vague about the status of the missing magazines is bad for business. The staff hasn't really given much information on their own board. Sounds like they are stalling.

[Dougtheinternetannoyance123]

It DOES sound like they are stalling, Havent hung out there much for a very long time but you would THINK people would be posting about this, Might troll on over tonight and have a look-see.

I used to have David-Englishmans personal email and phone and we used to talk many years ago... but dont know where it is or if valid anymore, But is it possible someone is in their area and stop by Horse HQ? My understanding is most of it is run out of Hammers shop where he sells guns. (An armed society is a polite society)

I hope the best for them, I dont worship the ground they walk on, but they worked hard to put out a quality product and most people dont
have a clue about how hard and time consuming running a business like that is. Everyone wants a cool scene but get annoyed when its hard to deliver consistently.

I read most of their issues and they waxed nostalgic at certain points about all the shit they have gone thru and BS to deal with, they openly said in years past how close they came to shutting the doors, I hope this is not terminal.

So, Hoping for the best for them.

[7and7is]

They have a responsibility to their (Paying) subscribers, plain and simple.

[Dougtheinternetannoyance123]

They have a responsibility to their (Paying) subscribers, plain and simple.

Yes, yes they do, no argument here.

But sometimes logistics and reality can come crashing down and you have to make some hard decisions and research your options before you announce to the world you are going out of business.
In this marketplace people value honesty and are loyal (Mostly) and my recommendation is get the word out there is some issues going on, but in the end everything will be okay, but please be patient.
THAT would get a lot of mileage with most people.

But I have documentation here for a failed MC company and they had to have meetings and discuss who would get paid, who would see 50 cents on the dollar and who would be told......."Sorry, we cant pay you and have zero money coming in!" as well as discussions with employees that "We cant pay you anymore but would you accept this amount and these parts and we are good?"

I have another friend who sold off his vacation property, cashed in his retirement, sold of his personal toys all to make payroll and pay his vendors. When he finally went out of business for good he said "At least I can walk away and say I dont owe anyone"

Stuff happens, nobody is perfect, the issue is how you handle it. I am still hopeful this is just a bump in the road,
But it would behoove the Horse to communicate with their customer base that there is some issues but they are working on it.

[RickG61]

Exactly Doug. (I'm not typing that whole name, too lazy, but at least I'm honest about it. LOL Of course, I just typed more than that in my explanation)

I think it was mentioned earlier that they were behind in issues due to some printing cost thingy. I was cool with that and would gladly wait a while to receive my product knowing the truth of what was going on. But now, seems its something more than that, and new answers are few and far between.

Your friend who sold all his shit to make payments sounds a lot like my current boss. Stand up guy. In slow periods of the past, he was the first to take a pay cut. Took out a loan on his own house to make payroll and pay vendors. When times got really tough, he sat us all down and explained the situation. He didn't want to lose anyone, ASKED us all to take a pay cut so EVERYONE could stay employed. We DID. He also insisted we take off one day a week since our pay was being cut. No one did. I think we all worked a little harder and put in more than 40 each week to make things happen. When business picked up, everyone was made good with back pay no one really expected, plus paid bonuses. But, through it all, we were kept posted. That's what help make the difference. Nothing held back, we new just where we stood at any given moment. Treat people right and they'll stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Deceive them, they may be standing toe to toe with you.

That letter said, "Call to discuss options for your refund" Options? Anyway, if you're gonna put that in a letter, be prepared to discuss things, not hide.

I hope they make it too. Not just so I can get my refund, but because I actually like the mag.

[KevinN]

Wasn't that long ago Hammer himself was bragging on back talk forum that the Horse was the best selling m/c magazine. I'm sure there is a lot of work to put out a publication like the Horse. Some folks have gotten the latest issue and many are still waiting. Perhaps they had a limited printing. Either way it won't be long before subscribers will know, they will survive or tank. Until then its crickets from the Horse staff.

[Hoghead]

Every month I couldn't wait to get my hands on the Horse. Then about the time Flynch came back it went back to the self righteous sniping it was full of in the 90's . Fuck that. I got fed up with the semi literate rantings , ugly 'alt' bikes and dodgy looking women. Now it's vanished off Uk newsstands in the last year. Don't get me wrong- I don't want it gone, but they struck me as being a bit too full of themselves to care what the customer thought.

[CISO1969]

I didn't get issue 171yet I've posted on Fb. Sent messages to them off Fb. Left a message when machine was not full. My renewal is still valid and I received no letter about refunds. Wtf?

[CISO1969]

Basket case is a great mag

[CISO1969]

Exactly Doug. (I'm not typing that whole name, too lazy, but at least I'm honest about it. LOL Of course, I just typed more than that in my explanation)

I think it was mentioned earlier that they were behind in issues due to some printing cost thingy. I was cool with that and would gladly wait a while to receive my product knowing the truth of what was going on. But now, seems its something more than that, and new answers are few and far between.

Your friend who sold all his shit to make payments sounds a lot like my current boss. Stand up guy. In slow periods of the past, he was the first to take a pay cut. Took out a loan on his own house to make payroll and pay vendors. When times got really tough, he sat us all down and explained the situation. He didn't want to lose anyone, ASKED us all to take a pay cut so EVERYONE could stay employed. We DID. He also insisted we take off one day a week since our pay was being cut. No one did. I think we all worked a little harder and put in more than 40 each week to make things happen. When business picked up, everyone was made good with back pay no one really expected, plus paid bonuses. But, through it all, we were kept posted. That's what help make the difference. Nothing held back, we new just where we stood at any given moment. Treat people right and they'll stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Deceive them, they may be standing toe to toe with you.

That letter said, "Call to discuss options for your refund" Options? Anyway, if you're gonna put that in a letter, be prepared to discuss things, not hide.

I hope they make it too. Not just so I can get my refund, but because I actually like the mag.

I never got that letter, I cant get through to them, so let me get this staright, I paid for a subscription, there is still life left on it, but now i need to buy each mag at newstand? I would like a prorated refund from these guys, the way they are handling this is really sad

[RickG61]

They finally replied to me, yesterday. Took a couple of e-mails. My last e-mail was pics of my canceled check showing they did receive my money. They've replied that they will issue a refund now. Lets hope that happens.

[CISO1969]

Finally replied to me too, saying they are sending out mags now to those due them. Sorry for delay, etc

[TravelingBone]

Finally replied to me too, saying they are sending out mags now to those due them. Sorry for delay, etc

I hope that means that they will still be honoring subscriptions, it looks like I sent in my renewal at the exact moment that the proverbial shit was hitting the proverbial fan.

[DustyDave]

Got this reply this afternoon.
"Issue #171 May/June/July is being sent out now. We took over sending out subscriptions because our fulfillment company was making too many mistakes. Now we have over 8000 magazines to send out, so it it taking some time. We apologize for all the delays.
On Sep 14, 2017, at 12:11 AM, The Horse BackStreet Choppers (Shopify)"
It at Least sounds hopeful.
Dusty