Do you still get Beckett Magazine? (please take the poll)

[Mudcatsfan]

Actually yes, there are great little nuggets in there every other issue or so. But enough to get a subscription? no.

I'm actually planning on compiling my thoughts on some old articles and looking back at 'where we were' in the hobby at various points in time. (from a prospecting perspective of course).

I might try to submit it to Beckett, but honestly the opins of people i like the most are here.

Basically, i'm gonna go back and rip Ben Ecklar a new one.

I emailed Beckett a couple days ago to get a feel for where they are. You may remember a while back I had made an agreement with them to pen a few articles. I sent in the first right around the time they switched the format, and they never did print it. I've had a ton of thoughts of things I'd love to see in a magazine, as well as a thought on a more useful pricing structure. Almost makes me want to put out my own magazine...

Top, you and I and a few others around here COULD put out better content with our good typing hand behind our backs.

At one point in time I contacted CGilmo seeing what he thought. He felt that print media was a dying field, though I'm not convinced. Any idea what sort of work would go into getting something in print? (Print just seems way "realer" that online, and is the way I would want to go if it was an option.)

I know nothing of the print world, and don't see it as a profitable enterprise, but i don't see why you / we couldn't print something on penny saver kinda paper and distribute amongst say, card show networks.

But like i said, i'm not out to lose money, and the whole problem with printed material is it's dated by the time you've printed it.

A nice online magazine would be nifty though.

 

[Therion]

Go for it guys. I'd love actual content. That said, I can see how a magazine would be out of date by the time it was done printing. However if the content is rock solid and wasn't about pricing, it would still be a great idea.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Actually yes, there are great little nuggets in there every other issue or so. But enough to get a subscription? no.

I'm actually planning on compiling my thoughts on some old articles and looking back at 'where we were' in the hobby at various points in time. (from a prospecting perspective of course).

I might try to submit it to Beckett, but honestly the opins of people i like the most are here.

Basically, i'm gonna go back and rip Ben Ecklar a new one.

I emailed Beckett a couple days ago to get a feel for where they are. You may remember a while back I had made an agreement with them to pen a few articles. I sent in the first right around the time they switched the format, and they never did print it. I've had a ton of thoughts of things I'd love to see in a magazine, as well as a thought on a more useful pricing structure. Almost makes me want to put out my own magazine...

Top, you and I and a few others around here COULD put out better content with our good typing hand behind our backs.

At one point in time I contacted CGilmo seeing what he thought. He felt that print media was a dying field, though I'm not convinced. Any idea what sort of work would go into getting something in print? (Print just seems way "realer" that online, and is the way I would want to go if it was an option.)

I know nothing of the print world, and don't see it as a profitable enterprise, but i don't see why you / we couldn't print something on penny saver kinda paper and distribute amongst say, card show networks.

But like i said, i'm not out to lose money, and the whole problem with printed material is it's dated by the time you've printed it.

A nice online magazine would be nifty though.

My incredible investing advice is timeless (in truth I have numerous ideas for articles relating to various aspects of prospecting ("Prospecting in a recession," "Prospecting Major Leaguers" "You found the player, now which cards" "Can it be, Investing in Cards That Aren't Rookies" etc. which all would have information that need not be completely timely.

A print price guide would be tough, but if it was done as guideline, 95% of cards (non-prospect stuff) could be priced fairly easily, and the rest would have to be done in a way that made it clear that prices are subject to change and hard to identify at times.)

As for a print magazine, it's a dream of mine, but one I know is highly unlikely, unless Beckett is interested in printing some stuff.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Anyone else out there? Let's see if we can get the voting to 200 people (if you have any friends on the basketball/football etc. boards, tell them to stop by and vote.

 

[rico08]

Anyone else out there? Let's see if we can get the voting to 200 people (if you have any friends on the basketball/football etc. boards, tell them to stop by and vote.

Is this a scientific poll? I don't think another 40 or so votes is going to change what is already evident.

Print media is and has been dying for a while, arguably since news was broadcast on the television. My journalism profs told their classes all print is trending towards online dissemination. I could do a series of lectures on the subject.

Here's where the death comes: Companies pay newspapers/magazines to print their ads and are charged based on circulation. Large papers--USA Today, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, NY Times, etc.--are considered prime real estate for advertisers. Advertisers help keep the costs of running a newspaper lower. However, circulation for virtually every newspaper is falling across the board. People are getting their news elsewhere, namely TV and the internet, because those sources are immediate and constantly updating. There is very little incentive to subscribe to a newspaper that will be delivered to your doorstep with yesterday's news.

So, when circulation is down, companies have less incentive to pay top dollar for ad space, the cost of printing the paper goes up, people lose their jobs, and on and on. Print media will be obsolete.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Of note, when I was a freshman in college, I published a music magazine/fanzine and it lasted for roughly 6 years.

The first issue was just for fun, and I printed under 50 16pg saddle-stitched 5.5" X 8.5" Xerox copies at Kinkos. To put it into perspective, the final issue was glossy magazine cover with 80pg 8.5" X 11" newsprint interior with a print run of 10,000 and international distribution (UK and Europe). It started as just a "hobby" for some local punk bands and ballooned into a full-blown music, film, and art rag with editiorials.

I did everything, from writing articles, reviewing records, interviewing bands, layout, advertising, etc...and it was the most fun I've had in years and helped spawn a couple careers. Why did it end? It took way too much of my time. Also of note, each issue was profitable with the exception of the first 3.

My take on this is...print that is done correctly will never be dead. Beckett is a whole different story.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Anyone else out there? Let's see if we can get the voting to 200 people (if you have any friends on the basketball/football etc. boards, tell them to stop by and vote.

Is this a scientific poll? I don't think another 40 or so votes is going to change what is already evident.

Print media is and has been dying for a while, arguably since news was broadcast on the television. My journalism profs told their classes all print is trending towards online dissemination. I could do a series of lectures on the subject.

Here's where the death comes: Companies pay newspapers/magazines to print their ads and are charged based on circulation. Large papers--USA Today, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, NY Times, etc.--are considered prime real estate for advertisers. Advertisers help keep the costs of running a newspaper lower. However, circulation for virtually every newspaper is falling across the board. People are getting their news elsewhere, namely TV and the internet, because those sources are immediate and constantly updating. There is very little incentive to subscribe to a newspaper that will be delivered to your doorstep with yesterday's news.

So, when circulation is down, companies have less incentive to pay top dollar for ad space, the cost of printing the paper goes up, people lose their jobs, and on and on. Print media will be obsolete.

Poll is far from scientific. The number 200 is completely arbitrary, just a push to possibly get a couple more people to vote. If it hits 200, I'd be hoping for 250 etc.

I understand the reason why people think print media is dying, I just don't believe that this is the case. I think that while people are moving to the internet, there are some things that a print magazine can offer than something online really doesn't. In my mind people are more selective about what they'll buy in print, but will continue to buy (albeit at a lesser level than pre-internet days.) Big time books have broken records for print sales, and I feel pretty confident there won't be a time soon when I'd prefer to be in the john or in bed reading off a computer, than from a magazine or book.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Of note, when I was a freshman in college, I published a music magazine/fanzine and it lasted for roughly 6 years.

The first issue was just for fun, and I printed under 50 16pg saddle-stitched 5.5" X 8.5" Xerox copies at Kinkos. To put it into perspective, the final issue was glossy magazine cover with 80pg 8.5" X 11" newsprint interior with a print run of 10,000 and international distribution (UK and Europe). It started as just a "hobby" for some local punk bands and ballooned into a full-blown music, film, and art rag with editiorials.

I did everything, from writing articles, reviewing records, interviewing bands, layout, advertising, etc...and it was the most fun I've had in years and helped spawn a couple careers. Why did it end? It took way too much of my time. Also of note, each issue was profitable with the exception of the first 3.

My take on this is...print that is done correctly will never be dead. Beckett is a whole different story.

That's awesome!! Would you be able to pm me with some of the details (cost, time etc.) I'd love to get a picture of what it would take.

 

[ru4scuba]

I understand the reason why people think print media is dying, I just don't believe that this is the case. I think that while people are moving to the internet, there are some things that a print magazine can offer than something online really doesn't. In my mind people are more selective about what they'll buy in print, but will continue to buy (albeit at a lesser level than pre-internet days.) Big time books have broken records for print sales, and I feel pretty confident there won't be a time soon when I'd prefer to be in the john or in bed reading off a computer, than from a magazine or book.

The magazine/newspaper industry is in a huge decline. Ad revenues are down, newspapers are consolidating or folding at an alarming rate. You may not see it, but the truth is all over the place. Obviously, the industry won't die out completely, but it is in a huge contraction phase right now.

Magazine Death Pool is keeping track of all the major magazines folding.

 

[imac220]

I don't buy becketts on a regular basis. I might get one every 4 months

 

[Tom Oates]

I have been a subscriber since about 1987 and I let my subscription expire. I hated the new "Tuff Stuff" immitation multi sport garbage. I don't like the new childish looking and difficult to use web site. I don't like the new "My Collections" format either. Other than maybe the grading service, Beckett is now garbage. Give them time and I'm sure they will screw that up too. Maybe we should start a pool to pick what date they will "F" up their grading service too.

 

[rico08]

I understand the reason why people think print media is dying, I just don't believe that this is the case. I think that while people are moving to the internet, there are some things that a print magazine can offer than something online really doesn't. In my mind people are more selective about what they'll buy in print, but will continue to buy (albeit at a lesser level than pre-internet days.) Big time books have broken records for print sales, and I feel pretty confident there won't be a time soon when I'd prefer to be in the john or in bed reading off a computer, than from a magazine or book.

People don't think print media is dying...it IS dying. Besides something concrete to hold, what does a print mag or paper have that the web version doesn't? Portability is one of the few, and shrinking, advantages of print. Phones have internet connection and have you ever heard of Oprah? She loves this thing http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wi ... c_m_rpli_t and sometimes that's all it takes.

It has been a slow and painful death but is only a matter of time.

 

[Topnotchsy]

I understand the reason why people think print media is dying, I just don't believe that this is the case. I think that while people are moving to the internet, there are some things that a print magazine can offer than something online really doesn't. In my mind people are more selective about what they'll buy in print, but will continue to buy (albeit at a lesser level than pre-internet days.) Big time books have broken records for print sales, and I feel pretty confident there won't be a time soon when I'd prefer to be in the john or in bed reading off a computer, than from a magazine or book.

People don't think print media is dying...it IS dying. Besides something concrete to hold, what does a print mag or paper have that the web version doesn't? Portability is one of the few, and shrinking, advantages of print. Phones have internet connection and have you ever heard of Oprah? She loves this thing http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wi ... c_m_rpli_t and sometimes that's all it takes.

It has been a slow and painful death but is only a matter of time.

I don't disagree. I was using the word dying literally, to imply that there would be no market fr the printed word, something I do not believe. Is there a huge contraction of the market, clearly. The portability, of print media, the ability to underline, cut out, bend, fold etc. are advantages. I still can't ever see reading a book on a Kindle in the way I read books today. I very well might be in the minority though.

Is the printed word a lucrative industry? It's certainly shrinking tremendously. Can someone create a printed magazine and find a market? I believe so.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Anyone out there who hasn't voted?

 

[matfanofold]

As far as print media dying, thats just not as clear cut as many think. Is it slowing down? Perhaps, but consider this. It's intergrained in the human brain to put value in to what they can hold, touch and own. This is why print media will never completly die off. At least not for a long, long time... People simply like to touch and hold what they spend money on. Obviously there are exceptions, but they are not the rule.


If the Becket magazine could once again start to produce and publish accurate pricing, it would still sell well enough to warrent publication. Even considering the volitile nature of prospect cards, it could be dealt with in a way accurate pricing could be obtained, even in a month to month magazine. But I'll just keep thoes ideas to myself...

 

[Topnotchsy]

As far as print media dying, thats just not as clear cut as many think. Is it slowing down? Perhaps, but consider this. It's intergrained in the human brain to put value in to what they can hold, touch and own. This is why print media will never completly die off. At least not for a long, long time... People simply like to touch and hold what they spend money on. Obviously there are exceptions, but they are not the rule.


If the Becket magazine could once again start to produce and publish accurate pricing, it would still sell well enough to warrent publication. Even considering the volitile nature of prospect cards, it could be dealt with in a way accurate pricing could be obtained, even in a month to month magazine. But I'll just keep thoes ideas to myself...

Agree 100%. I wish they would make the changes that are needed. It would be great for fans, and I honestly think it's the only way the magazine survives over the next few years.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Going to bump this up for people who have not seen it yet. I've heard little about Beckett in the last year and because I do not subscribe anymore I do not know if they have improved anything. Feel free to vote.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

I no longer see it at Borders books or Barnes and Nobles...

 

[Viking4Alpha]

Holy thread resurrection. :shock:

 

[G $MONEY$]

Going to bump this up for people who have not seen it yet. I've heard little about Beckett in the last year and because I do not subscribe anymore I do not know if they have improved anything. Feel free to vote.

I just voted "no". Back when we where all on the BMB i had a subscription to all 4 sports and the graded card investor, since BMB changed last August i let my subscriptions run out last fall and have only bought the Beckett Hockey twice and the multi sport magazine once at the hobby shop. Becketts are showing up less and less in the stores here in Canada. I used to be able to pick up the Beckett Hockey at most every corner store up here a couple year ago, not anymore though. Outta site, outta mind kinda for me.

I have been reading another new hobby magazine since then though, its called "The Insiders Edge", just articles about the hobby, hot players, collectors and collections, NO price guides. Its a pretty good mag.