New Print House for TT (1 Viewer)

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65swb45

65swb45

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Art [packman73] brought this up in the WTOE forum, which is way too layed back for such serious things, but a point yet worth discussing again. I think this is worthy of a BODreps post, but since I do not speak for a chapter any more, I am posting here.

"When is the last time that the TLCA has sat down and taken bids for another printer etc? Heck, we changed conf call services and have saved over 2K this year on that alone..."

I have heard this sentiment from Dan Hull as well, who took a little time earlier this year to look into a printer here in CA, but had his efforts shot down in short order on BODreps.

I can see where the BOD's plate is just SO FULL right now, that investigating a new print house right now is just something there doesn't SEEM to be time or ENERGY for. By the same token, no one can argue that we are spending well over 30k a year with our current printer, and significant questions remain about handling of postage. And does anyone remember how much money we saved when Jeff did a little sleuthing on paper quality just a few months ago?

My point here is that I would suggest that since there seem to be one or two [maybe more] folks interested investigating this possibility, that they be given an official blessing by the BOD to do so. By blessing, I mean not just lip service followed by heaping helpings of criticism, but focused QUESTIONS for them to explore up front so that their results can be put to use by the BOD, rather than just buried in a pile of mass-deleted e-mails.

Sincerely

Mark Algazy
TLCA #1086
 
I'd like to try and see if there are any of my vendors that might be able to put in a bid or come up with some ideas on saving some money on the printing cost.

But there are a lot of variables that I don't know.

Internet, injet, or full color proofs
delivery time from proof sig
Is it run Web or sheet fed.
Paper type.
Binding? (PUR?)
I assuming it's all poly bagged.
Special inserts (last issue)
%color
48 or 64 page or do we do half sigs
% overruns?

Then there is the postage matrix.

Would need at least zip codes, quantities and postage class.
 
megolfer said:
Yup one of our members ever got on a call and was shot down in a not so nice way. BTW he specialized in small orders.
Click to expand...

I ain't looking to stir up issues about the past. Lets just move forward and see if there is a way to save some money.
 
I, as a member of TLCA, think that this is a great idea - especially given the financial situation that TLCA is in...

if the BOD doesn't think this is a good idea, maybe they need to reconsider who they are representing.

Brian Koerner
TLCA # 7909
 
I got a quote from a competitor this past summer (sorry forget the name of the company), which turned out to be nearly identical to what we were paying at that time. We have since shaved add'l cost by changing to a different paper (same quality paper as before, just non-recycled).
 
One factor we need to make sure that is factored in is the time it takes to switch over to a new printer and possible unforseen issues. I switched printers 4 times over the past 10 years and I can tell you that every one of them except this last one was very painful. I'm sure Todd has a good relationship with the current printer which makes it a lot easier to publish the mag. I think it might be wise to get his input on the matter as well.
 
How about getting the 3 quotes and if they are cheaper, going to the current guy to see if he will match then?
 
osagecruiser said:
low bid is not always BEST bid...just a thought

osagecruiser
Click to expand...

X2 there. while i do think we need to look into money saving options, i also think that we need to think hard if we find another printer. they need to be a reliable quality printer. amweb has been working well with us for years and i greatly appreciate that. i'm not opposed to getting other quotes, tho.

i'm also not opposed to going back to all bw, on manilla paper...i loved trails back then, just as much as now. i don't suggest going back to typewritten and xeroxed however;)
 
FWIW, Toyota Trails won't last long if it's run by a committee.

Henry Brimmer set the standard many years ago of one person in charge of the Trails and he had a whole staff (unpaid students) working for him. Todd Kaderabek has carried Toyota Trails to a higher level. This is not Todd's day job... it's his passion. Todd has always operated the magazine to the benefit of TLCA, not himself and not his subcontractors.

The questions I see on this thread are:
1) How many are printed? 5500.
2) What happens to the extras? Distributed to the web store first, then to officers and chapters to use for recruiting. Those not distributed are recycled by the printer. FYI, all extras sent to chapters have the postage paid by the chapter. No one is getting "free Trails" except prospective members.
3) Why don't we hardball negotiate a new printing contract? Because we don't have a printing contract and we don't want one either. Todd is given free reign to publish Toyota Trails to his best ability. The BOD approved his budget and has no reason to second guess him (except at contract renewal).

Finally, and this is for free: unless you're willing to step up and do the work yourself... your criticism has no value.

Flame away,
Happy Trails! N
 
my suggestion would be to leave mr kaderback and trails alone...go penny pinch somewhere else...or generate more income....just the TAC opinion....stop the micro-managing...let those we have put in charge do their job...unless like someone else pointed out you are qualified and have the time to handle the position...AND can do as nice a job as those currently handling it.

osagecruiser
 
megolfer said:
So if I understand this correectly, unused TT are given back to the printer for recycle. Why is this. Are we getting any money in return
Click to expand...

we used to store them in a members warehouse and quickly became pallets of extra issues. it would be far too hard for someone to store them all, plus, we'd have to pay to ship them to where they are stored
 
Of course not. TLCA has no transport system and no warehouse. We're fortunate that AmWeb works with us on this. TLCA tries to run Toyota Trails like a business, but we lack a busines infrastructure.

As Ige noted, we had use of a warehouse for awhile and the magazines just stacked up. When Tony was President we lost that warehouse and Jeff Zepp coordinated the distribution of those unused copies. Since then, AmWeb has worked with us and the Post Office to distribute what they print for us.

Unless TLCA wants to spend more money for transportation and storage (or has a member volunteer to provide these assets), our only option is to print and distribute.

Hope that helps,
Nick

megolfer said:
So if I understand this correectly, unused TT are given back to the printer for recycle. Why is this. Are we getting any money in return
Click to expand...
 
Or option M:

Take X percentage of the "extras" and find a national parts store that would sell them for us.
 
packman73 said:
Or option M:

Take X percentage of the "extras" and find a national parts store that would sell them for us.
Click to expand...

Not a good option. My wife worked for a retail magazine, so I've got a bit of knowledge on this, not just spouting random crap.

First you've got postage to get them distributed to the stores. Then you need to get a UPC printed on the individual magazines so they can be sold. Registering the UPC and that printing is another additional fee. Add in the accounting between the vendor, distributor, and yourself, that's another fee.

I get that printing mags that we're not using is wasteful, but the other options all bring additional expense with them.
 
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