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Old 08-26-2004 | 10:35 AM
  #14  
Dave Mathewson
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From: Baldwinsville, NY
Default RE: Question: "Model Aviation" /Dues

ORIGINAL: desertpig

I would love to see MA subscription being an option or best yet - get rid of it altogether (I never read it, just too boring and out ot touch for me - plus I don't really have time to read magazines). Getting something I don't want is frustrating - making me pay for it is even more frustrating. Since is represents 31% of my dues I think I have a right to object to it. I would rather pay $40 and not have MA or pay $45 and get an email newsletter. By forgoing the payment and then having access to all news on the website or via email would be a far greater asset to me than any magazine. I actually might read the news if it came in my email or was on the web

I think its time to get up to today's standard. MA is a money losing proposition, paper and distribution costs on mass media is skyrocketing so that will only mean higher costs in the future. Cut the cord now and you will save the AMA (and its members) a lot of $$. Going to a once a year newsletter and putting everything else on the web just makes good business sense.

If State Farm, Progressive, and Aetna can go paperless, so can the AMA. We deserve it.

Like someone else said - its not a matter of the $$, but of business principle. I don't care too much if the insurance costs me $58. I do care if I have to throw out $31% of the premium to get the other 69%.

DP

DP
Hi Crash and DP,
There was a time, back in the seventies I think, when MA was an option. The non-subscribers were sent instead "AMA News". I'll try to research the number tonight but my recollection is that the reduction in dues only amounted to a few dollars. It would be interesting to see, in those member organizations like AMA that make their publication optional to their members, exactly what the difference in dues amounts to. I, admittingly, only belong or have belonged to a few like EAA, AOPA, NSSA. In each of those organizations their publication is part of the total membership package and is not an option. If any of you know of one, post the link and I'll go take a look.
Thanks,
Dave