Featured Art & Inspiration TRJ #87

Unpleasant speculation with no factual basis. We just don't know why everyone hasn't received a copy. I, perhaps naively, prefer to believe there is nothing nefarious lurking about. Have you received your copy of issue 87?

 

You mean other than the fact that Hodrodprimer said it was a separate copy that The Rodders Journal sent him thanks to Ron.

 

None the less: We just don't really know why everyone hasn't received a copy.

. Have you received your copy of issue 87?

 

Only those that want to keep their heads in the sand don't know why issues haven't been shipped.

I'm an international customer so obviously not seeing as they finally had to admit they haven't shipped any of those yet even though they tried to keep it quiet for as long as they could.

 

I'm pleased that HRP finally got his copy of #87.

If the resolution was due to the intervention of someone ***ociated with TRJ being on this board and being able to pull some strings in the background then so be it.

Still no updates for those overseas...

 

This is a total joke that we need to spend so much time to receive one magazine. Especially since we paid for four issues. I think more people should become an ALLIANCE Member for supporting the HAMB, but that is just my opinion....

 

If it wasn't so great,we'd have jumped ship long ago,but when it comes ,it's really good.

 

If only you could manage to take on board the fact that it doesn't actually come to everyone.....

 

Well, that why it says "when". unless you subscribed and never got one. International shipping is fraught with pitfalls. Honestly, just consider how many things have to go right. Including, of course, that it actually gets shipped. The only thing I ever regularly got shipped and delivered was PG Tips out of England.

 

I’m glad you got your issue finally Danny.
I’m positive that despite being a lifetime member up here in Canada it seems like I won’t ever see another issue hit my mailbox.
It’s been almost 2 years since the last issue arrived.

At this point I really believe that TRJ has no intention of shipping issues to everyone of their subscribers.

I think they’re barely keeping their heads above water and just can’t afford to print enough issues for everyone.

I’d like to be wrong but I don’t think I am.

 

International shipping ISN'T fraught with pitfalls! I have ordered and received DOZENS of things large and small from the United States for many years and the ONLY things that haven't arrived has been - brace yourselves for this - THE RODDER'S JOURNAL.

 

I have to say I am with Bob on this one. Heck sometimes I can get things out from the USA to Western Australia quicker than if I ordered them from the East coast of Australia.

 

There's a reason why you have not received a TRJ......

 

And that reason would be what?

 

Over the years I have shipped internationally to Europe and Australia and have never had an issue. Through contacts here I’ve sold hard cover books to our Australian friends and using eBay I’ve had buyers in Europe that I’ve sent railroad memorabilia to that always arrived in a timely manner.

 

You're a lucky man. And, while this is all silly, here you go
International shipping is fraught with
logistical, regulatory, and financial hurdles that can delay or even halt the movement of goods.

1. Customs and Regulatory Barriers
The most frequent and complex issues occur at borders where local laws must be satisfied.

• Do***entation Errors: Missing or incorrect paperwork—such as commercial invoices, bills of lading, or certificates of origin—is a leading cause of seizure or delays.
• Tariffs and Duties: Unforeseen costs like import taxes and duties can eat into profit margins. Changes in tariff exemptions (e.g., removal of the de minimis threshold) have recently caused m***ive backlogs.
• Prohibited Items: Each country has unique import restrictions; shipping restricted goods can lead to immediate confi****ion.

2. Logistical Delays and Transit Risks
The physical journey across borders introduces multiple points of failure.

• Port Congestion: Major global ports often operate at full capacity, creating bottlenecks that result in shipments being "stuck" for weeks.
• Carrier Capacity: Demand for space on vessels or planes frequently exceeds supply, especially during peak seasons like the holidays.
• Damage or Loss: Goods are handled many more times than in domestic shipping, increasing the risk of theft or damage from shocks, vibrations, and weather conditions.

3. Financial and Operational Challenges

• Price Volatility: Shipping rates fluctuate rapidly based on fuel prices, geopolitical events, and demand.
• Currency Fluctuations: Changes in exchange rates make it difficult to predict final shipping costs.
• Tracking Gaps: End-to-end visibility is often lost once a package is handed off to a foreign postal service that may not support real-time tracking.

4. External Disruptions (2025–2026 Context)

• Geopolitical Issues: Conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war and Red Sea crisis force rerouting, driving up costs.
• Service Suspensions: As of early 2026, the USPS has suspended mail acceptance for several countries including Russia, Belarus, and Haiti due to service disruptions.

Still doesn't explain TRJ's perpetual issues with getting it sent overseas,admittedly

 

Because the TRJ that you paid for hasn't been sent or the dog ate it or, as we say, SOL.

 

There's lots of copies printed. It sounds like subscribers in the U.S. are getting theirs as well as sufficient copies for newsstands & book stores. In Canada I used to get mine at grocery giant Save-on foods, and what was then Chapters, (now Indigo). Both of these sources now state the magazine is no longer available to them.(or any other mag/ bookstore) The bookstore in Burbank where I get mine, can't be the only place that sells it. With shipping my last one cost me $36.99 US , just north of $50 canuck bucks. I suspect the cost of shipping outside the continental U.S. is the main reason. Is this also a problem for those in Alaska & Hawaii ?

 

Judging by Facebook lots in the continental US haven't got them either.

Hortons Hot Rods sells them for $23.95 CDN. https://hortonhotrodparts.com/products/Rodders-Journal-87-p804702124

 

First place north of the 49th I've seen that has it, Many thanks!

 

Man the goal posts must be on wheels based on the number of times you move them.

 

I know the Old Car Center in Langley and KMS C.A.R.S Parts in Coquitlam used to carry them so they might still as well but you would have to call them to confirm.

 

With respect, I've already paid (and paid the overseas premium price) so I'm damned if I'll pay again to get a magazine from a re-seller.

 

Wasn't for you it was for the guy I quoted who was looking for a place to buy in Canada.

 

Im also overseas, in the UK, and waiting. Ordered direct via their website, paid for the overseas shipping. Ive not even had a confirmation email that the received my order. I'll remain optimistic though.

 

Every time a subscription customer buys a copy from a reseller, TRJ is maybe being paid twice for supplying only one actual magazine. Wish I could do that in my business...... Then again, no. My conscience wouldn't allow it.

 

Well yeah but you do recall that East Coast Australia is convict stock.

To be fair, I did order some pushrods from Crow Cams in Melbourne at 3pm (New Zealand time so 1pm there) and they were on my doorstep in New Zealand at 7am the next morning. Stunningly good for a 1600 mile international trip.

 

So as I see it Rodders Journal is unable to or incapable (for whatever reason) to currently send the Journal to international subscribers.

This is a longstanding issue which has not been able to be solved. Surely the ethical thing to do would be to STOP ACCEPTING INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Most international subscribers can buy from a reseller either locally or via USA or Canada. For some mysterious reason all the resellers appear to be able to actually send the product which Rodders Journal can not or has not achieved for direct subscribers.

For all of us who supported the Journal via direct subscription well I guess we are out of luck until the Journal gets its act together and ships direct to us.

The suspension of new international subscribers would at least stop the issue growing and blowing out even further. If the Journal can't deliver to international subscribers then stop taking our money.

And please stop looking for scapegoats. I am pretty sure that my copy of the Journal has not been held by customs in my country as a prohibited import, or being held for clearance import taxes or for any other reason. It obviously simply has not been sent and no real reason provided as to why that is so.

I and other international subscribers will no doubt continue to call out the Journal for poor communication and failed deliveries until they get their act together.

To me if they won't or can not ship to people who have paid for it then may as well not be published.

Personally I have already paid a premium price to direct subscribe, I will not be purchasing replacement copies from resellers to replace what should have already been shipped.

Show me anyone who is currently considering an direct international subscription to the Journal and I will show you a fool or someone with money to throw away.

 

As far as I’m concerned all of this is irrelevant. As a lifetime member I was promised copies coming to my address and they aren’t coming.
Everything else is just an excuse for not meeting their obligations.