Decor Magazine should be FREE

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Ron's dog's flea's brain on acid

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
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(dont ask me why)An employee took last month's Decor Magazine and counted pages - splitting the magazine into AD Content vs. Non-Ad content.

And the winner was...?

Pages of Advertisements = 105

Pages of Non-Advertisements = 47.

This magazine IMO is becoming much more of a glorified sales letter.
 
LOL Max. I think if you went through any magazine you would find a similar ratio; I read Cosmopolitan, and I have to flip through ten pages of ads just to get to the contents.

This holds even more true for trade mags; Shutterbug and other photography mags (I like photography) have so many ads that the entire back half has no actual text. I think that the magazine would argue that it is in the interest of photographers to keep abreast of the latest equipment/technology/products, etc.

Still sucks, though. LOL

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I don't care what color your sofa is.
 
True on that last post. Have you counted the actual minutes worth of news, comedy, documentary, etc. you get from commercial television? We are getting much less and being blasted with many more advertisements. What do you do? Got me: suffer the trade-offs of capitalism, or quit reading and watching, I guess.
 
If PFM does anymore tacky mat articles like the one on page 80 of the June issue, they will have a hard time giving their publication away. I thought PFM was a cut above gimmicky framing.
 
Gimmicky Framing?! What the heck is that?
I actually enjoyed that article and felt if anything it was too short. We are always trying new approaches to framing. It keeps us fresh, our customers coming back for new ideas.
The content of Decor is pretty good and seems to be getting better. Don't forget, its the ad space that pays for the magazine, if you are a member of PPFA it isn't the subscription fee.
 
Untill PFM came along, I can't recall exactly when, the 70s or 80s, Decor was about the only trade magazine we had. Like PFM, it was real handy if you where just starting in the industry.

As a framer becomes more sophisticated in the craft, the articals start losing their appeal. The advertising is about the only thing I look at now. I like to see what's new that might make things easier.

I don't think I've read anything other than Marc's column in the last few years. Usualy when it gets to my shop, I'll flip thrue it for a few minutes and put it down, that's the end of it untill the next one comes along.

I havn't subscribed to Decor in over 20 years. I've never subscribed to PFM, I just keep getting it.
I purchase a few things from it every year.

I find the scorces issue that comes out once a year very useful.

John
 
Just FYI-

On the Trade Mag forum, we have a responce from the New Editor from DECOR. John Taff has stated that he will be making some changes in the magazine. Lets hope that we can be of some help, and influence in these changes.



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Sue May :)
"I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous!"
 
Hi, all. As Susan said, I've posted two other messages about DECOR based on what I've read. And I've gotta say some things here. First, whomever above said the ad pages pay for the editorial is 100% correct. Few ad pages, few editorial pages. It's all a ratio thing. It's just that, as the ad pages become fewer and the magazine becomes slimmer because of this, the ratio becomes more apparent. Just like few commercials on TV mean bye-bye programs, few ads mean bye-bye editorial. And that's the way it is with all magazines and always has been--DECOR, PFM, ABN and AWN. So,we're no deliberately squeezing the editorial product to make room for ads. Quite the opposite. We're shoe-horning in all the editorial we can, based on the advertising.
And let me make one pointed response--if you haven't read DECOR in 20 years, you have no idea what you're missing! And I'm working to make changes and make it even better. So give it a try one more time. A lot can change in 20 years.
 
Greg,

I don't have a problem with creative matting, but please, lets focus on the art. I think trade magazines should be showing only the best designs. Framers need to learn from the best, not those who are still beginners.

One might understandably be proud of these if they just walked out of a five day training school.
 
Hi, JohnTaff, welcome to the Grumble.
The only reason I receive PFM is because It's sent to me at no charge. I believe they can afford to do this based on their advertising revenue, but I'm just guessing.

After 36 years in our industry I have trouble getting excited about the articles. I do enjoy the adds, keeps me up to date on what's new.
I wish there was a trade magazine in our industry that could evaluate and rank these new products.
I know you don't want to offend advertisers by suggesting their equipment or product is less than the absolute best available and this is the reason it is never done.
I also receive Fine Woodworking and American Woodworker. These publications have no problem giving honest evaluations without seeming to lose advertising from the manufacturers.

As things are now, when a framer decides he needs a new piece of equipment, his/her only scorce of information is from the manufacturer or distributor of the equipment, or from friends. The Grumble also is a huge help.

I want to wish you and your magazine well,

John
 
To those of you that don't subscribe to PFM, Decor or members of PPFA, or attend trade shows on a semi-regular basis. How do you possibly manage to satisfy customers that still walk through your doors? Is it possible to frame in a vaccuum? When I attend a seminar, show or pick up an article, if there is just one idea gleened from them, I consider myself positioned better than the competition, I am grateful.

Sorry in advance if I offend anyone, I have got to stop reading the grumble, I am becoming a cynic. I just keep shaking my head.
 
Greg, This is The Grumble, that's what it's all about, grumbling. This is one of the few places for us to grumble and complain that we have. Granted there is one or two members that get offended from time to time, we even have one member who goes totally ballistic to the point of sending foul mouthed e-mails when you don't agree with him or think like he does. These people are in the minority and shouldn't be considered when your grumbling. The rest of us understand that this is THE GRUMBLE and that's what it's for.
You don't have to worry about offending the bulk of the members.

As for operating in a vacuum, your right, it makes it harder. My shop is open seven days a week and I attend all of them. Years ago Len Aaron told me he was so busy working he didn't have the time to make any money.
I now know what he was talking about. My problem is I love it, I don't think I would change it.

John
 
I subscribed to Decor from 1985 to 2000 and gained some useful info from it. I decided to let my subscription lapse this year because of the cost. To have it sent down here to Australia, the subs were around US$80 which is around A$160.
Another thing that peeved me a bit was that it took so long to get here. It was always at least three months and sometimes up to five months behind the issue date.
I would consider subscribing again if these two issues were reduced.
A few years ago I subscribed to PFM but stopped after one year, because it seemed to only have information for beginners and tokk about 90 seconds to go through.

*** Be sincere, even if you don't mean it. ***
 
Osgoo
I took out a subscription to Decor the same for Ireland up to three months and more, they also have a slightly wrong address for me which sends the post to the other side of Ireland first and do you think I can get them to correct it.
So far all copies have turned up I think.
This is from a Journal that represents itself as international.

Dermot
ON THE EDGE Picture Framing
 
Back to the topic of gimmiky frame products: the 2 that comee to mind as a constant joke in our shop are the matte smacker(saves you from bruising the heel of your hand!?!), and the new glass cleaning rack (it elevates the glass so you don't pick up lint from your table).
Maybe someone really had a need for these products but it is hard to imagine why.
So some of the ads are also good for a laugh.
m
 
DECOR is a subscription-based publication because advertisers value paid subscribers over those who receive a magazine for free. Paying for a magazine tells the advertiser that the recipient really wants it, and, therefore, will be more attentive to what's inside--particularly the ads.

John, after 36 years in the industry, I can certainly understand why you'd be a little burned out on magazine articles. Because of the incredible turnover in this industry, DECOR is obliged to take a middle-of-the-road approach to education. There are a lot of people coming into this industry every year, and they need basic education. However, we do have plans in place to produce more editorial for more experienced framers.

You're right about product comparisons. That's very hard to do honestly and objectively and not loose advertisers right and left.

As for the two international subscribers, I apologize for your inconvenience. We've lowered our international rate to $40US, which should be of some interest. The mail problems, however, are out of our control.

DECOR is dropped into the mail systems of Canada and the US on the first business day of the month. Magazine going to other countries are handled by an international mail expediter that gets our magazines into the mail systems of these countries as quickly as possible. However, once in the mail systems of these individual countries, DECOR is at the mercy of their mail systems. It's a problem we're aware of, and yet there's little we can do. Other publishers here in the states charge airmail rates to get their books into readers' hands more quickly, and I guess we could do that, but the rates are rather exorbitant. So, that's my answer there!
 
Hi Decor!
Your comment about mailing the mags out on the first is fine but, for some reason it doesn't hit my shop until the 13th of the month consistently. Decor Magazine and PFM are usually within a day of each other. One of my little pet peeves is how late they arrive. On some occassions, an announcement is past by the time it hit my door. How is it Time, Newsweek, and every other publication can hit my door by the beginning of the first week?
I really feel for those international clients, are you considering an on-line magazine service.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by johntaff:
We've lowered our international rate to $40US, which should be of some interest.

Magazine going to other countries are handled by an international mail expediter that gets our magazines into the mail systems of these countries as quickly as possible<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thansks for the good news about the lower subscription......I would now like to resubscribe even though the delivery time problem still remains.

The international mail expediter might be doing his best, but the problem is not with the Australian postal system. They can only deliver the product when it arrives in the country. It would be interesting to know by what method the magazine travels across the Pacific Ocean. I assume it is by 'slow boat'.

*** Work is for people who don't know how to fish. ***
 
Dear Decor

I receive have received and do receive other Journals from the USA and the all arrive in a relative timely manner I think you really need to look at your own business model.
The post works very well in Ireland and I do receive your Journal despite your inability to get my address correct.
I suggest you look to your own business methods, as attempting to pass your problems to others is the work of armatures

Dermot
ON THE EDGE Picture Framing
 
I would suggest one of two things to you. First, some of the BIG mags have publishing/distribution centers in Europe and Asia from which they mail, which saves them time. We do not. Or they airmail (drop ship) large quantities into each country. Again, we're just a small publication. We don't do this. Our international expediter is KLM, which is a big, well-known, thoroughly modern company with jets, not slow boats.

I know you think it's easy for me to say, "It's the problem with the local/regional/national post offices, but there it is. It isn't a business model problem (?!) or anything else. I will put it to you that, whenever we have this problem, the person with the problem always says "The problem isn't with MY post office."

We have the same problems getting the magazine to the US coasts, and we KNOW that this is the postal system, as we've filed complaints about it. At any rate, the magazine goes into the mail RELIGIOUSLY on the first business day of each month. After that, it's up to the USPS or your local postal service. Nothing we can do. Sorry, wish we could!
 
Dear Decor

I suggest that you look at where the Irish post office stands on its efficiency when it comes to the world stage then you might like to retract your comments on "National Post Offices".

I do not receive BIG mags now or never received BIG mags they always have been small trade and scientific Journals.
Lets get it straight you guys can't even get my name or address right.
Once again you are trying to pass the problem rather than dealing with it.

Dermot Cox-Kearns
ON THE EDGE Picture Framing
 
John : please excuse my ignorance and lack of observation,but are you with Decor or what other PUBLICATION and I obviously missed your previous post.
At any rate I'm estatic to see all the LURKERS exposeing themselves to the direct conversation on The Framers Grumble( No harm meant we need more of this). We may just get to the real heart of our problems yet.
Buddy
 
Whooops! Clicked the wrong button--twice! (See, I told you, we here at DECOR do make mistakes!) My response is now outside this topic (twice) in the general Grumble. Sorry, folks! Butterfingers and a rapidly failing mind.

John
 
( bit off topic, but what else is new?)
JFrame,
Just got PFM today.

Saw the mats.

Okay, so it's not what I'd do in my shop, but I think it'll fly elsewhere (not sure exactly where, tho.).

I was talking to someone who was selling computerized mat-cutters. And I asked about ability to 8-ply. The answer was: This machine is engeniered (sp?) for up to 6 ply. Will cut 8-ply, but no guarantees.

I said that was silly with the amount of 8-ply mats that are used in current frame designs.

Reply: You are in LA. LA, NY, Chicago. Major metro cities use 8-ply. the rest of the country: By and large---No.

Maybe this will play where 8-ply does not.

Onanothernote: I think this was a reader submitted article. Do you want to send in something for next month? I already did. I think any grumbler can and does have some ideas or designs worth sharing (sure, here. but also in the trade mags). Send it in. Give it a shot. For example; I think a Bob on Bizness would be a perfect fit in PFM. Heck---framer, you could submit a Tales From The Grumble as a relacement of Nightmare on Framestreet. whadyathink? We are the solution to less advertisements. And articles that are written by framers and not paid spokespeople. It's our trade. Shouldn't at least some of it be written by framers? Send it in.

Just like it's out trade organization. Shouldn't we at least try and be a part of it?
 
John,
Has Decor considered and On-Line i.e., internet Magazine? Could be a subscriber service. May be just the ticket for our international bretheren. In time it may replace the printed page. And just think of all the money you could save with a paperless magazine. Plug that into a business model.
And that suggestion only cost me 2 years in an MBA program.
 
Greg,

Actually, if you go to our Web site at www.decormagazine.com, we put most of our content on line for readers. Some of the stuff is up there for anyone, but the bulk of it is reserved for subscribers, who have to input an ID number.

But I think it's a little too early to move all the way to an e-publication. There's been no successful publication that is solely distributed on the Internet yet. But we hope to be able to move readers back and forth between the magazine and our Web site.

John
 
John,

Because it appears you would want to know, my DECOR[ arrived yesterday, June 20. In fairness, I take delivery of mail only three days a week, so the magazine could be delayed by one day.
 
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