Disqus - Latest Comments for MadameDotty

Re: Press Gazette magazine: November edition preview

MadameDotty — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:01:20 -0000

To Norman Giller: I wouldn't recommend subscription of the Press Gazette to your friends, if you don't want to put up with them complaining bitterly like me. I subscribed on October 1st and had my money taken, but, more than a month on, they still haven't sent a receipt email and the first issue (Nov) apparently will not arrive until end of the month because their computer system for setting up subscriptions isn't up yet. They didn't offer any apologies, nor alternatives (such as a digital edition), blaming it all on technical faults.

I also tried to buy the October issue as a back issue but was told I couldn't do that, as they didn't have any copies in stock. To add to my frustration, I couldn't find the magazine at any bookshop nor at a large library so I ended up having to give up.

In these hard economic times, when magazines are struggling to keep their circulation numbers up, it is shocking that the Press Gazette can offer no better than this type of treatment of their subscribers. I have now emailed Dominic Ponsford and have asked for a cancellation of my subscription as this matter has already caused me considerable stress and aggravation. I do not wish to receive the Nov. issue at the end of the month either, which would only give me a week to read it.

I haven't even received a confirmation email as proof of payment etc. I've had my money taken and was not given any service in return. In my part of the world, that's called fraud, or theft.

I cannot even beging to describe how disappointed I am with the Press Gazette. I was so looking forward to receiving my first copy. Now all I look forward to is to having my money back so I can go spend it on a new pair of shoes.

Re: Twitter is my Newspaper: explaining twitter to newbies

MadameDotty — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:02:40 -0000

This is a great post. I couldn't agree with you more. I too felt awkward when I first started using Twitter and it took me a couple of months for me to "get" it. But once that "enlightenment" came (lol) it became addictive. I have noticed as of late I am always aware of the latest breaking news, even trade gossip, hours before it is printed on newspapers or broadcast on TV because...I heard it on Twitter first.

Also, whereas I only read the Guardian for national news, Twitter allows me to pick up juicy or controversial articles done by the other nationals without me having to buy or skim through all of them. Yes, I hear some people saying: "But you could find these things out on the Internet anyway. Or, just google the topic you're interested in." But Twitter communication is faster than you looking up on the Internet (the information is only one click away as the link is on the tweet) and, as you say, it's already been "vetted" by people in the know, so it saves you skimming time.

Twitter is my newspaper too. Those who think it's a "chat room" for vacuous conversation about what they had for breakfast are missing out on the sweet "dessert" aspect of it. :)

Re: Press Gazette October issue preview: Sub now £40 for students

MadameDotty — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:09:58 -0000

Subscribed - thank you. :) Sadly the first issue I will get is the November one, and I believe PG is not sold at news agents/bookstores? I will see if I can find the October issue at some big library.

Re: Press Gazette October issue preview: Sub now £40 for students

MadameDotty — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:37:37 -0000

That's great, thank you. I just called the number in the article to ask for a subscription and was told the student rate across the board is £69/year, which, he tells me, is 40% off the normal price. To get any special rates below that, I need to have a quote code. The JU09 code didn't work... There must be some kind of internal mis-communication with your subscription department?

Re: Press Gazette October issue preview: Sub now £40 for students

MadameDotty — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:01:46 -0000

Is there a fee for desperately unemployed journos (ie ex-student; not a working journalist yet) please? Thank you.

Re: ‘G20 leaders’ wives’: Yes, this is 2009, and the Guardian is asking what are they wearing

MadameDotty — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:10:06 -0000

Anything to sell newspapers, I guess. Celebrities' frocks always give people something to talk about. ;)

Re: Press Gazette saved after Progressive Media buyout - Press Gazette

MadameDotty — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:50:06 -0000

Absolutely delighted to hear of the return of the PG.
I'd actually love to subscribe to the magazine but as an out-of-work journo I can't afford the premium rate of £10/month. Please can you take this opportunity to re-launch it at a far more accessible price and, as Wordsmoth_for_Hire says above, different options for subscription lengths to suit all budgets? After all, your target audience ARE journalists, most of whom are barely surviving on meagre incomes or none at all.