You have to read this positive story about STAT AUTHENTIC...OMG

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

I don't think the timing mattered, Jeff. Every newspaper and every magazine in the country is in some serious financial trouble right now. Electronic media had eaten away at their circulations and, more importantly, at their advertising revenue.

Niche media, catering to small groups, such as SCD have fared worse than even the mainstream guys. Over the next couple of years, we're going to see almost every big city newspaper file Chapter 11.

I wish SCD well, but their long range prognosis isn't good, and it's probably not their fault.

I'm not excusing their relationship with CC, just stating that it probably helped keep them alive for a few extra years.

Jim,
You may very well be right. I guess I am old school as I still take delivery of two newspapers daily. Nothing quite like the 5:30 AM cup of coffee and the editorials before the brood storms the Bastille.

Jeff

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Jim,
You may very well be right. I guess I am old school as I still take delivery of two newspapers daily. Nothing quite like the 5:30 AM cup of coffee and the editorials before the brood storms the Bastille.

Jeff

I get two papers delivered also, but looking up and down my block at 6:00 AM, the rest of my neighbors seem to get zero or one (about a 50/50 split.)

If not for the comics, I couldn't get either of my kids (16 and 20) to touch a paper. This is not to say either is not informed about what's going on in the world. Compared to most kids they keep up with everything. They just get their info from differents sources.

The one thing I have tried to point out to them is that the internet provides instant info but it's immediate nature removes much of the nuance of after-the-fact media (newspapers, magazines, even nightly news.)


They think "news" comes from The Daily Show. I'm not sure they are wrong.

[barrysloate]

I still love reading my New York Times every morning, but it's bare bones and has a daily cover price of $2 (obscene). But it does have the boxscores (if the game didn't start too late) and a great crossword puzzle, so I'm still in. One of these days I think I will pull the plug on my subscription; it won't be easy.

Regarding SCD, I think the real value in its heydey was there was no better way to find good stuff. It was a cornucopia back when it topped off at nearly 400 pages. When all the dealers left, the paper was useless. Say all you want about the negative influence of Coaches Corner, but if the magazine still had good cards for sale subscribers would turn a blind eye to it. Don't forget that in this hobby stuff trumps everything.

[Jay Wolt]

It was a cornucopia back when it topped off at nearly 400 pages

This weeks edition.....is 34 pages!

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I still love reading my New York Times every morning, but it's bare bones and has a daily cover price of $2 (obscene). But it does have the boxscores (if the game didn't start too late) and a great crossword puzzle, so I'm still in. One of these days I think I will pull the plug on my subscription; it won't be easy.

Regarding SCD, I think the real value in its heydey was there was no better way to find good stuff. It was a cornucopia back when it topped off at nearly 400 pages. When all the dealers left, the paper was useless. Say all you want about the negative influence of Coaches Corner, but if the magazine still had good cards for sale subscribers would turn a blind eye to it. Don't forget that in this hobby stuff trumps everything.

Absolutely right Barry. I used to pay extra for the Priority Mail delivery (2 days) and still would feel too late when I saw something I wanted, called the dealer and found it had already sold. (Some guys paid for the Overnight delivery!)

Ebay did a huge part in killing that, because their system is instantaneous.

[Vintagedegu]

-

[barrysloate]

Jay- 34 pages? What's the point?

Jim- for a while I got my SCD sent fed ex. It was expensive but I reasoned if I was able to get first crack at one great thing, it would pay for the whole subscription. But I just remember the excitement of getting it and going through the pages to find some little treasure. Of course those days are long over. I guess there is a corporate reason the publication still exists, but from a hobby perspective there really is none.