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Antique Pedaler · 09-08-2011, 01:13 PM

Yesterday' s mail delivered new issues of Blue Beret and Vintage Advantage. Vintage advantage is printed on quality paper and always makes it through the mail unscathed. The Blue Beret printed on cheesy pulp always has at least this much damage.

streamer23 · 09-08-2011, 02:17 PM

I received my Blue Beret today.Although I agree with you on the paper quality I have never had any issues arrive damaged. My issues are sent to me enclosed in a plastic covering which would reduce the chances of the publication getting damaged through the mail.

TWaugh · 09-08-2011, 02:21 PM

I agree.

This issue of the Vintage Advantage is another home run!
Alexandra's cover photo is great.

Fantastic job Kimber.
To you and all those who contributed, thanks!

You guys can never get enough praise for the time and effort you put into the VAC.

Coloradobus · 09-08-2011, 03:39 PM

Superb Vintage Advantage!! and Buttercup, you can stop in to our house and fix our Moho carb issue. Its spewing gas and overloading it, blowing clouds of black smoke like a diesel. Sure wish it was a diesel!!You gave us hints what to look at.

Buttercup · 09-08-2011, 04:12 PM

Thanks all for the compliments! Kimber's spirits are quite boosted to hear these things. The Vintage Advantage is designed with the size in mind and how it is processed through the mail. The last thing the VAC needs is to have to pay extra to polybag the issues to be sure they don't jam the processing machines.
In the case of the Blue Beret, my guess is that all of the international mailings are poly-bagged for processing. the cover is printed on a lighter paper than the VA is and of course the interior is printed on news print. It saves money but leaves a lot to be desired in so far as how it looks and feels in the hand. Kimber is very pick about paper and fortunately, we use a printer who has a house stock that meets her requirements. And that same printer has been a dream to work with so the finished product of course works quite well for the club.

Jim, I could have written a vastly more complete story on that carburetor piece. But the bottom line is that it was the best option for us to simply replace it with a flow tested rebuild. I didn't have to do anything other than swap them out and send the old one back. With a little idle adjustments, she purrs like a kitten and is quite responsive. No smoke - I actually see water vapor come out! no more backfires going downhill. It just works. If I were a little more ambitious, I might put together a Quadrajet thread just to discuss it.

Goin camping · 09-08-2011, 08:57 PM

Yep, The Blue Beret is printed on cheap paper all right. Then again it's main purpose is to notify the members about rallies and caravans. Any thing else in there is just page filler.

eubank · 09-08-2011, 09:20 PM

For the last (ah, er, um) four decades Maria and I have been a bit extreme about recycling and recyclability. And the newsprint of the Blue Beret is, from this perspective, a good example of highly recyclable stuff. Don't get me wrong, though! I enjoy the Vintage Advantage as much as anybody else! (Ultimately, however, I wish that both were available only as high-rez digital productions, kind of like the DenCo newsletter.)

Lynn

TBRich · 09-09-2011, 08:50 PM

I 2nd (or 3rd?) the good work Kimber does on the Vintage magazine. A quality piece. I'm also a graphic designer and I have always appreciated her fine work. Bravo, Kimber...keep it up! Actually, Tim and Kimber, you BOTH do a terrific job!

WineStream · 09-10-2011, 06:08 AM

Yet another reason I wish that I could join the VAC without having to join the WBCCI. Just reading comment about the magazine makes me want to read it. I recall though that the vintage advantage is not available for download without being a member, yes?

wkerfoot · 09-10-2011, 10:36 AM

As a non WBCCI member you can join the VAC as a subscriber to the Vintage Advantage only.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineStream

Yet another reason I wish that I could join the VAC without having to join the WBCCI. Just reading comment about the magazine makes me want to read it. I recall though that the vintage advantage is not available for download without being a member, yes?

WineStream · 09-10-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

As a non WBCCI member you can join the VAC as a subscriber to the Vintage Advantage only.

Bill

I was not aware of this until just now. Does the VAC publicize this feature (non-WBCCI member membership)?

I just went and signed up, paid my $20 by PayPal. That has got to be one of the most seamless sign-up processes that I have ever seen. Fill out the form, pay by PayPal, and you get immediate access. Beautiful.

wkerfoot · 09-10-2011, 11:34 AM

Winestream,

As you found out, the information is readily available on the VAC web site. We would rather have you as a member of the WBCCI as then you will be able to participate in VAC events.

The VAC is trying to be member friendly and make all the processes as painless as possible.

Tim K. (Buttercup), the VAC webmaster and current 2VP, is responsible for the new web site.

Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineStream

I was not aware of this until just now. Does the VAC publicize this feature (non-WBCCI member membership)?

I just went and signed up, paid my $20 by PayPal. That has got to be one of the most seamless sign-up processes that I have ever seen. Fill out the form, pay by PayPal, and you get immediate access. Beautiful.

WineStream · 09-10-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Winestream,
We would rather have you as a member of the WBCCI as then you will be able to participate in VAC events.

Bill

I was at one point...but we don't need to beat that dead horse in this thread.

Silverwanabe · 09-14-2011, 03:26 PM

I like both publications.

The VAC magazine is a high quality product also is Airstream Life.
The Blue Beret magazine has been in the same form for over 20 years.
I keep all three publications.

nvestysly · 09-17-2011, 11:55 AM

It's not unusual for ours to arrive with damage. This issue was fine but many issues are torn and dog-eared as in the OP's picture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by streamer23

I received my Blue Beret today... My issues are sent to me enclosed in a plastic covering which would reduce the chances of the publication getting damaged through the mail.

Why is yours sent in a plastic covering? I didn't realize that was available. Maybe I never thought to ask. Did you request special mailing - maybe 1st class? I think mine is sent regular (a.k.a junk mail) status so I get what I (don't) pay for. Inquiring minds want to know...

streamer23 · 09-17-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvestysly

It's not unusual for ours to arrive with damage. This issue was fine but many issues are torn and dog-eared as in the OP's picture.

Why is yours sent in a plastic covering? I didn't realize that was available. Maybe I never thought to ask. Did you request special mailing - maybe 1st class? I think mine is sent regular (a.k.a junk mail) status so I get what I (don't) pay for. Inquiring minds want to know...

I believe the reason I receive it in a plastic covering is because I live outside the U.S. I did not make any special requests.

Buttercup · 09-17-2011, 01:42 PM

Not sure how the BB is mailed out as there is no indicia (that little postal square printed on it) but the VA is sent out presorted, first class and it has the proper permitted indicia indicating that. I believe that polybagging may be a requirement for "International" addresses. I am not sure because the mailing house who mails our stuff just takes care of that for us.

dwightdi · 09-19-2011, 06:43 AM

Blue Beret is not sent first class in the US, unless specially requested and a fee paid to Jackson Center. "Magazine class" is not forwarded by USPS and can be a problem for people going to the South for the winter. If VAC is paying first class, that is a higher cost for that Interclub.

If we want to reduce WBCCI's cost of operation, we should consider offering a discounted membership dues fee for those who are willing receive over the net delivery via "Constant Contact" and avoid the hard copy costs of production and mailing.

We could still offer the "Blue Beret on line" as an advertisement to attract new members to the club.

Skater · 09-19-2011, 06:55 AM

You're blaming WBCCI for trying to save money and print a less expensive magazine? And it's WBCCI's fault that the Post Office destroys it? Wow.

FWIW, mine almost always arrives in perfect condition.

dwightdi · 09-19-2011, 07:43 AM

I am not blaming WBCCI for keeping cost under control by using less that first class mail. It is the most logical thing to do. What I am saying is " If we want to increase the number of members, we might consider reducing the cost of membership by offering a discount to those members that are willing to accept delivery of the Blue Beret over the net, rather than demanding that they receive a hard copy. Mine also is frequently received in good condition. but occasionally, it is mangled by the USPS.

I think leadership should make the club and its operations more flexible to meet the common member's needs and desires.