Damage to October NSS NEWS, anyone?

[Ernie Coffman]

I've contacted the editor, Dave Bunnell, and he wrote that the NEWS is mailed out of Texas. I've, also, contacted Stephanie at the NSS Office, so...was wondering if there are others out there that are getting their beautiful NSS NEWS damaged by the post office? I've contacted our post office and they indicate that the damage is coming from someplace outside of where we are located; thus, to get almost every other copy damaged--some are much more so than even a little scratch. Thus, I thought I'd see if others are getting this damage to their NSS NEWS copies. It's something new in the past couple or three years, so...anybody want to add their two or three cents on to this?

Thanks for responding.

[MUD]

My news arrives perfectly every month.

[wyandottecaver]

I get damaged copies every so often, mostly minor.

[Mike Cato]

Yep. About every other one is damaged in some fashion. I've gone by the NSS office twice this year for replacements due to major damage.

[icave]

Mine was pretty ripped up this time. It usually arrives in great condition.

[KENTO]

My news has arrived torn slightly on maybe 2 or 3 occasions in last 2 years but the norm for me is glossy crisp and beautiful. My bulleting arrived in a plastic bag even recently.

[mgmills]

Most of mine arrive in good condition. I get an occassional torn cover or bent corner. No big deal.

I also sometimes I get bills in torn envelopes. The postal service is going to have some accidents.

[Lost]

It has come in good shape every time for 3 or 4 years. I might have gotten one ripped one but that happens with every mag. I get every so often.

[cave rat]

I got mine on Tuesday. Not a tear in it.

[Larry E. Matthews]

Almost every issue I receive has some minor damage. Occasionally, I have to order a replacement from the NSS Office.

Not good for someone who treasures every issue and saves them forever.

I've still got every issue I every received since I joined in the early 60's. They are a wonderful source of information.

I'd like to see them come in a protective plastic bag, like some of the other publications I receive.

Larry E. Matthews
NSS #6792-f

[Mike Warshauer]

No problems here; when I re-upped, I paid extra to have my NEWS mailed to my Mexican Post Office box. They come in a Manila envelope, in good condition. Every issue is welcome and then devoured cover to cover.

Mike

[adleedy]

no problems here either, mine arrives perfectly every month.

[Teresa]

Perhaps someone could investigate what it costs to add clear closure tabs to the long side of the magazine?

Most 2nd class (mags and newspapers) are machine processed and handled until the last step of sorting at the carrier's pigeonholes. The ripping is caused by the machinery, if the piece is not fed properly. The tabs would cause the mag to be handled as one piece, just as a plastic bag is. I'm not not sure of the cost differential, but I bet with the price of oil (parent of most plastics) that tabbing the mags would be cheaper, if the printer is set up to do it in the binding process.

[Ernie Coffman]

Hi Teresa! Good thoughts on what you suggested. I don't have a thought on this process that you're suggesting, as I've never heard of it. There are some problems with a number of NSS members getting their magazines in decent condition, though, it seems. And, when the office mails out a single edition, it costs big time with first class mail. There is a lower price if they'd put on the front, "Library Materials," but guess they want to get it out to us as quickly as possible. Time isn't the problem, it's the condition of the NEWS that I'm interested in, as some others on this Forum are stating.

[Mike Cato]

Good points Teresa.

The damage to my issues appear to have been done during the automated portion of the process.