July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

aztimm — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:45:48 GMT

Tim, I was the one who mailed you a magazine. I thought I put my name under the return address on the envelope, but maybe not. I was kind of in a hurry to get on a plane to Puerto Rico... I also sent you an email message on August 6th. I sent it to two different email addresses for you. Did you receive it? It said in part: I also included some information about routes and delivery points that may help your postmaster. If you did not receive my email let me know and I'll resend it. Anna Lea Thanks Anna Lea! There may have been something on the envelope, I don't remember. And yes, I do think you sent an email last week, but I was leaving for a few days of vacation and went on an email purge. I've been a member of USMS since around 1998, and I don't recall any issues getting the magazine until the last 1-2 years. Didn't the publisher switch around that time? I've lived in the same house since 2001, so that shouldn't be an issue.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

swimshark — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 07:15:41 GMT

I like the hard copy. In a time where we have to get on line to view majority of things, I find it nice to have a magazine that I can hold and flip through the pages to read, pictures to study and be able to take with me much easier than a computer that is needed to view things online. I agree. I like getting it in my mail box each issue. I like that I can read it when I want, take it with me to my son's tennis lessons (extra advertising for USMS), etc. As for those who don't want to join USMS because they don't want to pay a coach. Fine they can join USMS and be unattached and continue to swim on their own. No one is forced to swim under a coach with USMS. The fee for USMS is so affordable. Like Geek said USAT is so much more for joining and for participating.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Former Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:53:30 GMT

True, my own wish-list would include a members-only online access to the magazine. (But NOT using the Swimming World subscription model, which is an incredibly annoying way to do it.) I like the hard copy. In a time where we have to get on line to view majority of things, I find it nice to have a magazine that I can hold and flip through the pages to read, pictures to study and be able to take with me much easier than a computer that is needed to view things online.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Former Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:49:28 GMT

I finally received my magazine yesterday. It appears that someone saw my posts on here and personally found an extra magazine, dropped it in an envelope, and mailed it to me. :applaud: Tim, I was the one who mailed you a magazine. I thought I put my name under the return address on the envelope, but maybe not. I was kind of in a hurry to get on a plane to Puerto Rico... I also sent you an email message on August 6th. I sent it to two different email addresses for you. Did you receive it? It said in part: I sent an email yesterday to 20 other USMS members whose mailing addresses are all in Chandler, Arizona. I asked them whether they received their magazines and, if they could tell me approximately when they were delivered. Six people have replied. All six have received their magazines. All those who provided a timeframe indicated that their magazines were delivered about two weeks ago. I suggest you talk to your USPS postmaster about this. Clearly the magazines are making it to Chandler. One of the recipients who replied lives in your same zip code. So the problem appears to lie somewhere between your post office and your house. I also included some information about routes and delivery points that may help your postmaster. If you did not receive my email let me know and I'll resend it. Anna Lea

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Former Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:43:33 GMT

The last time I looked at the price breakdown of where are dues are paid, well over 1/2 of them went to the magazine. If you have a more recent version of how our dues are paid, please post it here. The next major portion of our dues seems to go towards insurance. I don't recall visiting teams being a major portion of our dues. You are always complaining about the cost of the USMS membership. The magazine does not come cheap. Laura and the people that help her work very hard to bring us a magazine full of color and in-depth articles that are aimed at helping us improve our lives,swimming and letting us know about accomplishments of others in our sport. Insurance to protect us at practices and meets isn't cheap either. Then part of our dues goes to help pay for our usms staffers, like Rob, Mark, Jim, Anna Lea, and Laura. Another part goes to help marketing usms, help in putting on events like nationals(because our entry fees don't cover the meet expenses alone) swimfest, etc. If you have a better solution as to what to do with our membership dues, then put it forth for usms to consider. If you don't, then quit whinning about the cost, which isn't much a year. A better idea for you, join lifetime or someplace with a pool. That way you can swim on your own and won't need your usms membership to cover you butt.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Chris Stevenson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:24:01 GMT

Why in this day with a robust USMS website do we even need a hard copy magazine? True, my own wish-list would include a members-only online access to the magazine. (But NOT using the Swimming World subscription model, which is an incredibly annoying way to do it.)

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

aquageek — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:48:35 GMT

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Chris Stevenson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:40:53 GMT

The next major portion of our dues seems to go towards insurance. I don't recall visiting teams being a major portion of our dues. The insurance allows you to visit other teams, since they will usually require USMS membership. (A team or facility may charge an additional fee, of course.)

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

aztimm — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:24:55 GMT

I finally received my magazine yesterday. It appears that someone saw my posts on here and personally found an extra magazine, dropped it in an envelope, and mailed it to me. :applaud:

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Former Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:24:22 GMT

You come to this forum, which is free, and then turn around and gripe constantly about the tiny cost of USMS. I've about had it with the whining. If it is that much of a problem, cancel your membership, it's that simple. You state the other sports you participate in there is no fixed cost to participate. You bike and run so you can walk outside your front door and workout. If you joined a biking team or running team it is entirely possible they would have dues. Do you expect swimming to be free? Further, fees for road races, both bike and run, are very expensive compared to swim and USMS membership. USAT dues are double USMS and the events are, at minimum, double as well. My wife does half-marathons and they are very expensive, much more than the cost of a USMS membership AND a single meet fee. I can swim an entire weekend for $40. You can't sniff a triathlon or serious running race for under $75. I swam in Atlanta for 4 days for $130 and that included two t-shirts and a parking pass, which doubled my cost. An Ironman is about $450 for a single one day event. Every January when my wife and I renew our USAT membership and sign up in the mad rush for our yearly triathlons we always remark at just how affordable USMS is. The magazine, let it go. It comes with the membership. All sports organizations do this. If you don't like it, don't read it. The USAT magazine is nothing more than a hundred pages of adds. I find value in the Swimmer mag I receive. If you are suggesting you have the option to be USMS member and get the magazine on line for a reduced USMS cost, that might be an idea. I'm sorry you hang out with cheapskates. Here's the bottom line - pools are expensive to run, coaches aren't free and lane competition is significant. Do you have kids in USAS programs? If you did you'd realize what an incredible bargain USMS is. I suspect I pay 4-5X more per year for the kids' programs. I don't complain about that either, btw, because I know the value of what they receive. Most pool programs struggle to break even. I suspect if you really were charged a fee to stay even, it would be much more. You also fail to recognize many other valuable aspects of this organization. A centralized authority for meet management, standards for regulations, facility information, coaching guides, workouts, etc. We all benefit from this. You have to decide if the value of USMS is worth it to you. For me it's a total no-brainer. You also train with two of the best coaches around so it is shocking that you would complain about a relatively tiny amount of money to do your sport in a beautiful facility with awesome coaches. I think you are at Mesa, if not, then I'm wrong. But, you swim somewhere. You obviously feel swimming should be free. Well, for all we get from USMS, it is about as close to free as you can get. :applaud:

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Former Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:22:09 GMT

I don't think they should get rid of the hardcopy, though maybe they can give people the option of opting out of it if they are okay with reading it online. But at least with an online copy, maybe there wouldn't be as many complaints about late/missing issues. :) The going paperless route is an option. It wouldn't be that simple to take to the throne room to read though. I must disagree about the "not getting the mag" comment. Tim would start complaining that he hasn't been able to login to the magazine for two weeks. He would say that that usms hadn't posted it in his server.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Chris Stevenson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:28:35 GMT

The going paperless route is an option. It wouldn't be that simple to take to the throne room to read though. Well, the next step would be to make a version for the Kindle!:)

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Former Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 05:03:14 GMT

When I chat with swimmers at my gym pool who seem like they are faster than I am, and mention joining a USMS team, their primary concern is cost. Not only the ~$40/year to USMS, but also the monthly dues that teams charge. If USMS really wants to expand, cost/dues are factors that are limiting this expansion. When I was in grad school, I didn't join for that very reason. If they don't want to join a team, then they don't have too. People can't coaches teams for free. Coaches can't pay for pool costs out of their own pocket either. Biking and running teams can train just about anywhere they want, with little or no cost. Swimmers don't have that luxury. Pools cost money to operate. A good part of teams dues go to pool costs. If those swimmers don't want to join a team, they don't have to too. They can join usms, train on their own and go to meets. $40/yr for usms is only expensive to whinners that want everything for free.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Chris Stevenson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 03:57:25 GMT

I like the hard copy. In a time where we have to get on line to view majority of things, I find it nice to have a magazine that I can hold and flip through the pages to read, pictures to study and be able to take with me much easier than a computer that is needed to view things online. I don't think they should get rid of the hardcopy, though maybe they can give people the option of opting out of it if they are okay with reading it online. But at least with an online copy, maybe there wouldn't be as many complaints about late/missing issues. :)

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

mjtyson — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 03:23:59 GMT

Am I the only person who still hasn't received their magazine? No, you're not. Anyone else out there in APO/FPO/DPO-land who has not yet received the magazine?

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

aquageek — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:13:09 GMT

USMS is the only sports membership I pay for so I have nothing to compare against. For other activities I do, there is no fixed cost simply to participate, other than equipment needed to perform the activity. I do choose to subscribe to some sports-related magazines, such as Runner's World, but the cost is lower than the USMS magazine, and I always have a choice if I want to renew. When I chat with swimmers at my gym pool who seem like they are faster than I am, and mention joining a USMS team, their primary concern is cost. Not only the ~$40/year to USMS, but also the monthly dues that teams charge. If USMS really wants to expand, cost/dues are factors that are limiting this expansion. When I was in grad school, I didn't join for that very reason. You come to this forum, which is free, and then turn around and gripe constantly about the tiny cost of USMS. I've about had it with the whining. If it is that much of a problem, cancel your membership, it's that simple. You state the other sports you participate in there is no fixed cost to participate. You bike and run so you can walk outside your front door and workout. If you joined a biking team or running team it is entirely possible they would have dues. Do you expect swimming to be free? Further, fees for road races, both bike and run, are very expensive compared to swim and USMS membership. USAT dues are double USMS and the events are, at minimum, double as well. My wife does half-marathons and they are very expensive, much more than the cost of a USMS membership AND a single meet fee. I can swim an entire weekend for $40. You can't sniff a triathlon or serious running race for under $75. I swam in Atlanta for 4 days for $130 and that included two t-shirts and a parking pass, which doubled my cost. An Ironman is about $450 for a single one day event. Every January when my wife and I renew our USAT membership and sign up in the mad rush for our yearly triathlons we always remark at just how affordable USMS is. The magazine, let it go. It comes with the membership. All sports organizations do this. If you don't like it, don't read it. The USAT magazine is nothing more than a hundred pages of adds. I find value in the Swimmer mag I receive. If you are suggesting you have the option to be USMS member and get the magazine on line for a reduced USMS cost, that might be an idea. I'm sorry you hang out with cheapskates. Here's the bottom line - pools are expensive to run, coaches aren't free and lane competition is significant. Do you have kids in USAS programs? If you did you'd realize what an incredible bargain USMS is. I suspect I pay 4-5X more per year for the kids' programs. I don't complain about that either, btw, because I know the value of what they receive. Most pool programs struggle to break even. I suspect if you really were charged a fee to stay even, it would be much more. You also fail to recognize many other valuable aspects of this organization. A centralized authority for meet management, standards for regulations, facility information, coaching guides, workouts, etc. We all benefit from this. You have to decide if the value of USMS is worth it to you. For me it's a total no-brainer. You also train with two of the best coaches around so it is shocking that you would complain about a relatively tiny amount of money to do your sport in a beautiful facility with awesome coaches. I think you are at Mesa, if not, then I'm wrong. But, you swim somewhere. You obviously feel swimming should be free. Well, for all we get from USMS, it is about as close to free as you can get.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Elaine Krugman — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:23:14 GMT

I'm with Wookiee and 'Geek on this. Really, the value USMS members get from their membership is fantastic. THANK YOU, USMS!!! :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: Keep up the good work! :cheerleader:

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:27:09 GMT

If the sole value of USMS to you is some magazine, I suspect you are missing about 99% of the value of the organization. Sure, the magazine is nice and I enjoy reading it. Mine always arrives on time and in good condition. I like the point/counterpoint feature along with product reviews. But, the value of USMS is much more than the magazine. It's the website, access to teams nationwide, a bazillion swim events, etc. USMS pulls all of this together for us. I think $40 or so is probably a pretty cheap price for all I get out of the organization. Hey, Geek, we agreed on something- again! :applaud: :D Seriously, I love the magazine and read it cover-to-cover as soon as it arrives, but USMS is so much more. Since I joined in February, life has been :bliss:!

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

aquageek — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:42:47 GMT

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

aztimm — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:07:44 GMT

Am I the only person who still hasn't received their magazine?

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Former Member — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:01:18 GMT

My copy arrived in great condition last week. I like how much better the magazine has gotten over the years. Just a quick rant. If a person doesn't like the magazine or find value in their membership, then drop it. Go swim on your own and quit complaining about the value of usms. They provide a great magazine. They have a great group leading from the top and some really good events for members to attend. If you don't like it, leave.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

orca1946 — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:27:26 GMT

Good tips for swimming better are in almost every issue. Thanx to all that put it in our hands :applaud:- late or not, I look forward to it !

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Elaine Krugman — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:52:23 GMT

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

Muppet — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:53:50 GMT

Someone wanted a monthly magazine. No thanks! We don't need to double the amount of threads with daily updates from people not getting their magazine on time!! ;) :bliss: For the record, I have no idea if I have or have not received mine. I hardly have a chance to read them anyways.

RE: July/August USMS Swimmer magazine?

swimshark — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:46:12 GMT

:applaud::applaud::applaud: You tell 'em, Wookiee! (Hey, have you checked out Swimshark's new location??? ;) ) LOL! I don't think he has noticed it yet.:bolt: