Sales of Revision 4 to R.G. & J.S.

[Dave in MD]

Be advised that both MAFCA and MARC have said the only way one can purchase revision 4 to the Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards is through the two club national offices. At least for the time being they are not allowing the parts vendors to sell this latest update, which is a change in their policy. I like to support local businesses.
Dave

[30ccpickup]

I too like to support local businesses, but in this case I would rather see the clubs make the cash! It is their baby.

[wrndln]

I think both MAFCA and MARC make money both selling the JS's as well as model A vendors, until now it appears. I believe that suppliers to model A vendors buy wholesale from their suppliers, in this case MAFCA and MARC for Rev 4, and mark them item up to make a profit. It appears this is not happening with Rev 4. It seems that the two model A clubs are trying to make all the money they can, at least for a while. Like the posts above, like to support model A vendors, which also supports the national clubs, but at a slightly lesser degree. I guess MAFCA and MARC can do that, but I think I will wait until vendors carry them to buy Rev 4.
Rusty Nelson

[daveymc29]

Isn't this a bit short-sighted? Surely not all the venders customers belong to either Marc or MAFCA. Maybe they would gain some membership by selling through the venders, or is that not a concern? Maybe the money is more important than new members? I would think it would be the other way around, more members, more money for club and venders, but then what do I know? The only thing I have ever sold was me and even that didn't bring in much.

[updraught]

I would say they are trying to cover their printing costs ASAP.

I was considering ordering a complete one with parts in a flat rate box from a vendor.
Does anyone have the dimensions and weight so those of us in the sticks can have a guess at postage?

[JohninKuranda]

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Originally Posted by updraught

I would say they are trying to cover their printing costs ASAP.

I was considering ordering a complete one with parts in a flat rate box from a vendor.
Does anyone have the dimensions and weight so those of us in the sticks can have a guess at postage?

Hope this helps
I purchased from MAFCA the US$55 package - plus US$17 freight to the Australia Post agency in Portland - Shopmate. The freight from there was AUD$52.65 to Kuranda. The weight of ther package was 2.6 kilograms.

Cheers
John

[updraught]

Thanks.

The last flat rate box I got from a vendor was twice as high as it should be. Not sure whether it is only weight that gets checked.

[Steve Wastler]

You do not have to be a member of either national's club to order from their web sites and the membership forms are right there as well. So they have more of a chance of new members buying directly thru them as opposed to a third party seller. For those who chose not to buy for any given reason are only doing the disservice to themselves as this accumulation of information can't be found anywhere else.

[daveymc29]

Not trying to sustain an opinion, but if you are not a member of MARC or MAFCA how would you become aware that they have a web site?

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

Not trying to sustain an opinion, but if you are not a member of MARC or MAFCA how would you become aware that they have a web site?

Really? You can't read much on FordBarn before you stumble across mention of MAFCA/MARC. Then it's a no-brainer!

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

Not trying to sustain an opinion, but if you are not a member of MARC or MAFCA how would you become aware that they have a web site?

I don't know. Google, maybe.

.

[WTSHNN]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

Isn't this a bit short-sighted? Surely not all the venders customers belong to either Marc or MAFCA. Maybe they would gain some membership by selling through the venders, or is that not a concern? Maybe the money is more important than new members?

A quick check of a few of the model a vendors' websites show they are still selling the 2011 standards.

Perhaps the vendors are the ones wanting to clear out their inventory...or perhaps in the past the national clubs supplied the vendors and people bought from the vendors and the clubs were forced to hold on to a large inventory which means they ended up losing money and since the club is a non-profit and funds some portion of the research and production of the standards it's in the better interest to support the club versus the vendor.

Or perhaps...I don't know.

-Tim

[30ccpickup]

Link to buy

http://model-a-ford.org/products-pag...s-and-indexes/

[Jim/GA]

Can also be bought here:

https://mafca.com/cart/index.php?show_price=yes

.

[Vic in E-TN]

I ordered Rev 4 from MAFCA after looking on the MARC site without much luck on finding the material. I ordered on Thursday and it was delivered in a USPS Priority 2-day box on Tuesday with a $10.77 mailing sticker. MAFCA charged me $17 for shipping. I thought that this was way too high considering that this was probably not the first of these packages that they sent. $12 would have been a more appropriate charge for this package.

Vic

[abachman3]

All owners of Model A's are not necessarily members of both clubs, let alone either club. MARC local clubs generally require membership in MARC, MAFCA local clubs generally do not have that same requirement. Also, not everyone that has a Model A Ford is a member of either club.

[wrndln]

I don't know why MARC and MAFCA can't mail the JS's Media Mail, which is very cheap for printed material. I suspect shipping Media Mail would be about $4 to $5 for most addresses. I guess they want to make some money on shipping as well as the JG's.
Rusty Nelson

[mhsprecher]

Originally Posted by wrndln

I don't know why MARC and MAFCA can't mail the JS's Media Mail, which is very cheap for printed material. I suspect shipping Media Mail would be about $4 to $5 for most addresses. I guess they want to make some money on shipping as well as the JG's.
Rusty Nelson

Media Mail is slow. Maybe they could give buyers a choice, but many commenters here were anxious to get theirs and happy for the quick shipping. A choice of shipping options is probably a good idea. Many vendors give you a choice, but many don't.

Shipping is more than just the cost of postage, too. You have to package and label. I doubt either of the clubs have an automated process like many publishers do, so there is a lot of hand labor involved. The post office may pick up items, but if you are shipping hundreds, maybe they have to be delivered. After the initial rush, they may ship one or two a week.

If you think the clubs are making too much money, take a look at their financial statements and see what is really going on

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Vic in E-TN

I ordered Rev 4 from MAFCA after looking on the MARC site without much luck on finding the material. I ordered on Thursday and it was delivered in a USPS Priority 2-day box on Tuesday with a $10.77 mailing sticker. MAFCA charged me $17 for shipping. I thought that this was way too high considering that this was probably not the first of these packages that they sent. $12 would have been a more appropriate charge for this package.

Vic

Seems funny there is no backlash on their shipping charges but Macs are severely criticized. Hypocritical is it not ? Wayne

[SteveB31]

We bought quite a few sets, and were surprised when we got the bill and they were charged at the $30 price. I sent them a note and they have not yet replied (MAFCA). We sell a LOT of their books, and they give us a wholesale price on them ( we buy 20 of each at a time), and we make a couple bucks on them, but for now I guess we pay retail ($30) for the revisions, and are selling them for $30 (no profit). We generally have been sending them with other parts, so the shipping is kind of free, since they are included with other parts orders. I personally feel that if we (a vendor) buy them in quanities , we should get a little price break. We use the sales of these books to help gain new members, as most Model A owners do not belong , and in many cases, don't want or need to belong to the national club. Often, when they see what they do, in the form of their publications, these folks WILL join a national club, as they see that those clubs are providing good information that is helpful in restoring the cars.

Steve @ Bert's

[Doug Clayton]

Just a quick update. The contract between MARC and MAFCA states sales to the various vendors would not take place for a year after the publication of Revision 4 and the policy would be reviewed after 6 months. The sale to Bert's was an error, however, the two clubs are now reconsidering that part of the contract. We will work this out in a couple of days and are dedicated to an even playing field for the sales of Revision 4.

As a second note, I never imagined we could print a Guideline of this size without making an error or an omission. It would be nice to be perfect, but that is certainly not a reasonable expectation. So, for those of you that find something you think is incorrect or missing, I invite you to contact the Judging Standards Committee for either club and let them know your findings.

[C26Pinelake]

It likely won't be that long before you will be able to buy a pirate version. I published a legal book and two months later it was being sold on a disc from the United Kingdom without my consent. Wayne

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

Media Mail is slow.

It is the slowest of all methods. Only if it will not take the place of another higher class package does it ship. Just ask anyone that has had to wait for a magazine.

[daveymc29]

I have been sending my book out as media mail and have had most receive it the day after I mail it, in the lower 48. That is if I get it to the post office before 11:00 am. It cost $3.09 everywhere I have sent it within the US. Considerably more to foreign recipients. It is in a 9 X 6 format and I make my own shipping boxes from cardboard separators I get from Costco's toilet paper pallets. I have received a few 8.5 X 11 books lately that cost about 50 cents more to mail than mine. Still less than $4.00.

[CarlG]

I ordered mine today from MAFCA on-line. Shipping charges came up as TBD. We shall see!

[clo2jim]

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My Revision 4 was ordered in September 2016 when I renewed my membership for 2017.

It was shipped on December 27, 2016 from MAFCA Office. My copy was being sent to my home address in Northern Ontario. US Priority Mail charges were $22.50 US. It showed up on Friday. January 6 - not so bad from California, USA to Northern Ontario Canada (then Xpresspost in Canada - no additional charges). Postage and Handling from MAFCA was $25.75 US. Then with the exchange from the US Dollar to the Canadian Dollar, charges were 36% higher. Expensive shipping charges.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by CarlG

I ordered mine today from MAFCA on-line. Shipping charges came up as TBD. We shall see!

Received my "update" today. Spent about an hour or two updating my book. It was lacking a tab for the new Cabby section, as well as a tab for the index.

This was somewhat of an easier task than when I bought the 2011 "complete book" where I had to install 3 versions in sequence.

Impressed especially with the "Heavy Commercial" section. A whopping 116 pages, all new.

The book is large enough now that it really needs a "heavy duty" D-ring binder. This cheap plastic binder just won't cut it any more.

As to postage, they charged me $14.50. The Priority Mail package cost them $6.10 to send, with the Post Office furnishing the packaging.

My hats off to the committee from both clubs that produced the book as well as this new updated version.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by CarlG

As to postage, they charged me $14.50. The Priority Mail package cost them $6.10 to send, with the Post Office furnishing the packaging.

Here is my guess, the club(s) do not use in house staff to pack and ship the manuals. The company that does would charge the "extra".

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by CarlG

As to postage, they charged me $14.50. The Priority Mail package cost them $6.10 to send, with the Post Office furnishing the packaging.

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Here is my guess, the club(s) do not use in house staff to pack and ship the manuals. The company that does would charge the "extra".

I have no complaints, just stating a fact.

[al's28/33]

Good for MAFCA and MARC and all those folks responsible for coming up with Revision #4. Tons of research went into it so why should they not get the proceeds right off the bat ?

[Fordors]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

It is the slowest of all methods. Only if it will not take the place of another higher class package does it ship. Just ask anyone that has had to wait for a magazine.

If you check the USPS standards you will see that magazines, or for that matter anything that has advertising content cannot legally be sent Media Mail. Magazines are sent at a favorable rate by publishers because they are sorted by Zip Code and go via a form of bulk mail. It is true that some areas will get their magazines sooner than others and I imagine that is because they initially go to a regional bulk distribution area, then a general Zip area and lastly the individual zip code. Lots of steps involved, it does not come direct to you from the publisher.
I sell on eBay and do ship books Media Mail with excellent results as daveymc29 has said, never had a complaint or damaged item as long as things are well packed. I never send magazines by MM, even though they might be 40 year old back issues. The regs say no advertising, no mention of whether or not it is old so I abide by the rules, I don't need a hassle. MM regs also state openly that it is subject to opening for inspection.