Inked/Focus magazine

[David H. Bebbington]

On hearing of the Inked/Focus magazine project, I was initially highly interested and even defended the publisher against criticism from other APUGers. I paid a $24 subscription on 25th June to start with magazine #3 and a further $6.95 on 12th August for a single copy of #2. I have contacted the publisher repeatedly about this, the most recent reply I had was on 7th September stating that issue #2 would be sent that day, issue #3 the following day. To date, I have received nothing. My last e-mail (APUG PM) on 7th October has gone unanswered. Interestingly, during the period in question (the last 3 months), the publisher has found time in his busy schedule to make over 200 postings on APUG.

Other APUGers may feel this is a private matter, but if private communications are being ignored, I feel justified in going public in order
a) to eliminate all doubt that the publisher has got my message
b) to allow other APUGers to form their own opinions of the gentleman in question.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Having been promised several times that my magazines would be dispatched and receiving nothing, I availed myself in the above posting of the only means at my disposal of putting pressure on this person. In response, I received a private message containing not an apology but a threat:

mags

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

David, erase your message on the forum and let's talk about this privately. Either that or you won't receive anything.

As, however, simultaneously and in departure from the above message, I received a refund via PayPal of $24, I could conceivably conclude that being out the remaining $6.95 plus PayPal charges was too trivial a matter to pursue further. But someone somewhere has got an AWFUL lot to learn about running a business!

 

[laz]

Oh god here we go again! Anybody remember the golden rule? do unto others as you would have them do unto you please take this private guys!

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Oh god here we go again! Anybody remember the golden rule? do unto others as you would have them do unto you please take this private guys!

READ BEFORE YOU POST MY FRIEND! I resorted to a public posting only after repeated promises were broken and private messages were ignored. Under these circumstances, I use whatever means I have at my disposal to exert pressure. As you see, these means have been effective! If you don't like it, tough!

 

[Andy K]

I don't know why this person is still tolerated on APUG. All they do is use APUG's boards to promote their publication or post divisive topics in the soapbox and they contribute nothing to APUG's photographic content.

I can quite believe the unpleasant and threatening tone of their PM, they did this to me and others not so long ago too. He will then go on to say this was done as a last resort blah blah blah. He is a thoroughly unpleasant person. I would not recommend anyone have any dealings with him.

 

[laz]

READ BEFORE YOU POST MY FRIEND

I did read it. I will not get into a flame war with you.

My point was and remains: A public forum is not the place for dealing with this issue.

There is my polite but firm reply. Nothing to get nasty about, we shall agree to disagree about the appropiateness of your thread.

Best regards,
-Bob

 

[Jorge]

I don't know why this person is still tolerated on APUG. All they do is use APUG's boards to promote their publication or post divisive topics in the soapbox and they contribute nothing to APUG's photographic content.

I can quite believe the unpleasant and threatening tone of their PM, they did this to me and others not so long ago too. He will then go on to say this was done as a last resort blah blah blah. He is a thoroughly unpleasant person. I would not recommend anyone have any dealings with them.

On top of his behavior, has anybody seen his chosen format? It is listed as "digital negatives".....what the f&%k is that? I am wondering if it is done deliberately to mock this site. He has admitted that no publicity is bad publicity as far as he is concerned and that every time one of these posts is made he gets more subscribers, isn't time someone put a stop to this?

This guy is here to milk the APUG membership (something he has also admitted to) with no interest or desire to contribute to the preservation and advancement of analog photography.

Laz127, you might find this inappropriate but you have to admit where there is smoke there might be fire, this kind of posts and his behavior seem to pop up frequently.

Bottom line, I think it is only fair that if Simmons was roasted over the coals for advertising his magazine in this forum and asked that he desist, that this guy should be given the same treatment.

 

[laz]

David B. I came back to this thread because I want to apologize publicly for my part in our somewhat heated exchange. I read over my "here we go again" post and I think it was inappropiate. I should have made my feelings known in a PM to you.

I do sympathize with your situation and can understand your frustration.

No hard feelings I hope.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[Bob F.]

I had been giving this individual the benefit of the doubt up 'till now, despite finding many of his post objectionable, as his business was only just starting and it is of general interest to photographers. After that PM however, no doubt now remains. I agree with Jorge: time to call a halt.

Bob.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

David B. I came back to this thread because I want to apologize publicly for my part in our somewhat heated exchange. I read over my "here we go again" post and I think it was inappropiate. I should have made my feelings known in a PM to you.

I do sympathize with your situation and can understand your frustration.

No hard feelings I hope.

Best regards,
Bob

Thanks for your response, Bob, certainly no hard feelings towards you or (now, having said my piece) towards anyone else!

Regards,

David

 

[laz]

One of the really positive things about on-line communities is the opportunities we get to learn from others. Seeing the responses to this topic has made me reflect on my opinion.

I can now see that as a community this subject isone that goes beyond the realm of the personal. This magazine is by virture of it's subject, not to mention the active presence on APUG of it's publisher, one that interests APUG.

Just as I have asked about and discussed ebay sellers, Inked/Focus is a product that is being sold, information regarding both the product and the seller belong here.

Everybody was waiting for my permission to discuss this weren't you?

-Bob

 

[DavidS]

One of the really positive things about on-line communities is the opportunities we get to learn from others. Seeing the responses to this topic has made me reflect on my opinion.

I can now see that as a community this subject isone that goes beyond the realm of the personal. This magazine is by virture of it's subject, not to mention the active presence on APUG of it's publisher, one that interests APUG.

Just as I have asked about and discussed ebay sellers, Inked/Focus is a product that is being sold, information regarding both the product and the seller belong here.

Everybody was waiting for my permission to discuss this weren't you?

-Bob

I am not able to handle international subscriptions just yet as I'm seeing. A refund for $24 was given this morning. He is the only human being alive who has paid for our magazines and hasn't received them. As of this morning he now has his full $24 back with the publisher's apologies.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

I am not able to handle international subscriptions just yet as I'm seeing. A refund for $24 was given this morning. He is the only human being alive who has paid for our magazines and hasn't received them. As of this morning he now has his full $24 back with the publisher's apologies.

Can confirm receipt of $24 - send me the $6.95 as well and I'll give you a perfect score for customer service!

 

[Jorge]

As of this morning he now has his full $24 back with the publisher's apologies.

Call me foolish, but your PM to DB was less than apologetic IMO. This is just you again trying to con the APUG membership.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Call me foolish, but your PM to DB was less than apologetic IMO. This is just you again trying to con the APUG membership.

The PM wasn't apologetic, the posting was. I feel honor is satisfied!

 

[laz]

Kudos on the public apology, I believe in them myself and respect people who do so also.

(now are you sure there isn't any paid subscriber alive who hasn't received Focus? What'd ya do kill them all? )

-Bob

 

[gr82bart]

See what happens when reasonable people work it out, despite the jihadi trying to derail the peace with their meddling bombings...the internet mimicing life, 'cept this time sanity and tolerance prevails.

Art.

 

[Andy K]

Sanity and tolerance? Is that what you call a PM threatening to withhold a refund?

 

[DavidS]

Kudos on the public apology, I believe in them myself and respect people who do so also.

(now are you sure there isn't any paid subscriber alive who hasn't received Focus? What'd ya do kill them all? )

-Bob

I need to work on my English...

All paid subscribers have received all copies of all issues...all special orders have been fulfilled (with one minor exception that will be taken care of tomorrow) and special orders for our upcoming Collector's Edition are coming in rapidly as well. I guess people really want to see me succeed...it's really so incredible to be a part of this...

 

[DavidS]

Can confirm receipt of $24 - send me the $6.95 as well and I'll give you a perfect score for customer service!

Do I get a perfect score now? $6.95 refunded.

 

[Les McLean]

Surely it's time DavidS is told to find another organisation to provide his free adverts. This man has made no effort to use APUG in the way that it was intended, that is to share ideas and talk photography. His posts are generally limited to spouting irrational drivel about the political situation in the Middle East or America or answering queries about his magazine from a growing number of disenchanted subscribers.

Perhaps Focus is a good magazine and could be a true asset to analogue photography, but unless DavidS gets his priorities right by spending time sorting out the problems that any new business encounters it, and he, will not survive. I truly wish him well in is venture but I'm fed up with his non-contribution to the spirit of APUG.

 

[Jorge]

LOL.... In all the time APUG has been in existence I have "known" Les to be one of the most restraint, patient, gentlemanly and uncontroversial members of this forum. If even he is fed up I think is time moderators take notice of this.

 

[DavidS]

Surely it's time DavidS is told to find another organisation to provide his free adverts. This man has made no effort to use APUG in the way that it was intended, that is to share ideas and talk photography. His posts are generally limited to spouting irrational drivel about the political situation in the Middle East or America or answering queries about his magazine from a growing number of disenchanted subscribers.

Perhaps Focus is a good magazine and could be a true asset to analogue photography, but unless DavidS gets his priorities right by spending time sorting out the problems that any new business encounters it, and he, will not survive. I truly wish him well in is venture but I'm fed up with his non-contribution to the spirit of APUG.

What problems, Les? I sent something off to England via FedEx, it never got there. In the time David B. sent his last request to me via E-Mail for an update, I've been exhibiting at Photo NY so I haven't had time to really get down to the nitty gritty about what was going on with it. What growing numbers? I've had two complaints from people who want the magazine, paid for it, and didn't get it. I fulfilled one of those orders, and the other one I refunded. As far as my contributions, I talk all the time about black and white film, and I just posted a link about how digital was estimated to take over 50% of the art reproduction market. I spend more time reading and learning about photography in an off day than I have ever posted on here about my magazine. And I don't promote my magazine more than anyone else promotes their website. Through this website, I've become quite the ameture photographer...still have loads to learn, which is my primary purpose for being here.

And, yes, in the Soap Box, I will talk about what I wish. But that's why the Soap Box is there. Don't like it? Don't read it!

 

[Jorge]

Hmmm...funny, I bought one of Les's print and sent the money Fedex and got there easily.

I talk all the time about black and white film, and I just posted a link about how digital was estimated to take over 50% of the art reproduction market. I spend more time reading and learning about photography in an off day than I have ever posted on here about my magazine. And I don't promote my magazine more than anyone else promotes their website.

No this is flat out not true, with exception of the link tellings us about digital. Tell me, why post that here? Do you really think we are not aware of this. Even the dumbest member of this site knows that digital will be the dominant medium in the future and that includes photography, so, what was your point?

You sure as hell promote your magazine a hell of a lot more than anybody here promote their web sites, even so, one of APUG's reason for being is promoting the work of those working with traiditional processes, allowing to promote their web sites is nothing more than a community service. You on the other hand are advertising a for profit venture and do not even have the courtesy to support this site with a donation or sponsorship. Tell me, of all the subscriptions you have gotten out of this site, how much have you donated to APUG as a way to say thanks?

Many of us are tired of you, and BTW, good going telling Les that if he does not like he should not read it, he could have been an invaluable source for you, but I am sure he is not going to be too keen on this after your response.......

 

[Les McLean]

good going telling Les that if he does not like he should not read it, he could have been an invaluable source for you, but I am sure he is not going to be too keen on this after your response.......


Jorge I'd be happy to help DavidS in any way that I can, that's what APUG is all about. I'm not unhappy about his reply to my comments, it's what we've all come to expect from him.