USVI-On-Line

That's great news! Can't wait to see it.

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that the St. John Magazine subscription cost has been addressed on the St. John Tradewinds web site forum, www.stjohnnews.com/forum
Thanks!

I got an email back from MaLinda today:


Dear Readers,

I know there's been some buzz about the cost of a subscription to St. John Magazine — $40 per year, during which we publish two issues — and I want to address the reason for raising the price from the original cost of $20, which is published in the inaugural issue of the magazine.

I determined a subscription cost of $20 per year before the magazine was actually printed, when we did not know how much the magazine would weigh or how much postage would cost. Now that the magazine has been printed, I have learned that due to its weight — over one pound — the only way it can be mailed is Priority. Here's a breakdown of the subscription cost:
– one issue of St. John Magazine: $7
– postage per magazine: $7
– envelope: $1
– labeling: 50 cents
– additional cost for handling (time and effort)

I would also like to note that while I don't yet know how much the next issue of the magazine will weigh, it will likely weigh more than this issue, so the subscription cost has to compensate for that as well.

I am investigating forging a relationship with a mailing house, which would reduce the subscription cost, and until then, I would like to apologize to my subscribers for the confusion regarding the subscription cost. Unforeseen events led to the increase in price, and I hope we can bring the price down sometime in the future. I will not, however, compromise the quality of the paper stock simply to reduce the subscription cost.

It is my belief that the cost is well worth what you get with St. John Magazine — a beautiful, glossy, high-end publication featuring the best of what our beloved island has to offer. You'll want to read it again and again, and it's the perfect adornment for your coffee table.

On another note, I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful support I've received. I am so grateful for everyone's kind words. We look forward to bringing you another beautiful issue of St. John Magazine this spring.

I welcome your questions and comments at (340) 776-6496 or mnelson@stjohnmagazine.com.

MaLinda Nelson,
Publisher, St. John Magazine

MaLinda Nelson, Publisher
St. John Magazine
5000 Estate Enighed PMB 55
St. John, VI 00830

340.776.6496 tel
340.693.8885 fax
mnelson@stjohnmagazine.com

Wow, I was hoping when you could get it on island for $7 that the $40 cost would be a typo.

Maybe I'll grab a copy next time I'm down there. Otherwise, I'll have to take a pass.

I hope they are able to get the subscriptions mailed from the states in the future, one way or another. That might help them get the cost down. Unless you deal with the cost of shipping heavy stuff in and out of the V.I. on a daily basis, it's pretty shocking. After a while you get kind of used to it, but it's huge factor in the price of things.
-Ruth

That would be a great idea to have them available from bookstores that sell magazines like Barnes & Noble or places like that. Maybe that would get the cost down for us who are stateside. Otherwise it's way too expensive a subscription for just 2 issues, no matter the quality. I'll have to decline also.

Too bad, but this venture looks like it's shaping up to be a disaster. Must be a nightmare to suddenly realize that you've underestimated your costs by 100%. And I'm not sure how well the concept of "coffee table magazine" is going to play.

I’d actually rather not see the magazine in stateside stores because it would mean that more people would find out about STJ and it would get even more crowded.

That said, I’ll definitely plan to pick up a copy of the magazine once I’m on island, but the subscription cost is too pricey for me.

Who would have ever thought that something would be cheapest on STJ?

I wouldn't have a problem with the 15.50 if that is the true cost to get it out. but the extra 4.50 puts it over the top if you are doing all your mail orders at the same time that is one heck of a salary.

I technically am in marketing for a living & my suggestion is jack up the advertising rates. It is a beautiful magazine but people don't want to pay top $$ and still see lots of ads. If you are getting it in the right hands, then advertisers will pay up gladly. What a total niche market. Hell, give free subs away for a year trial, get your readership numbers high & reel in the advertising dollars. That's where the real money is.

I agree, increase advertising rates not what people had thought they were paying.
I figure they will put out another issue in 6 months. But if the advertisers signed a contract for 2 issues at a fixed price they can not change that.
I know MaLinda and she is always fair to her advertisers.
My Q is if Ruth is carrying it and it costs 7.00 and we buy from her how much would it cost to ship stateside? Would it cost 13.00 just to ship that would make it a 20.00 purchase.
I guess this is a Ruth Q............

$20 is not that bad for a high quality mag. Over a pound? Geez, it isn't a cheap tabloid mag, it's a soft cover photo book. Of course I say that now, we will be on island in less than a month and will pick up our $7 copy. I can't wait. Might order the one in the Spring though. I too love the irony of getting it cheaper on STJ!

Teresa