Did Anyone Get Fantasy Sports Magazine Yet?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:52 am

Okay, did anyone get their early issue of Fantasy Sports Magazine yet? The one with handsome Lindy Hinkelman gracing the cover holding up a check for $241,300?

Not only do we feature Lindy in this issue, but we have nine color pages devoted to the NFBC, with breakout boxes for the top money winners in the NFBC and CDM Fantasy Sports. We also have a Top 50 Money Leaders list covering the last three years of both contests. I like that feature and it showcases a lot of big-time money winners from our contest. Congrats all.

Give us some feedback on this issue good or bad because it's the first time we've done an issue this early and it's also the first time we've dedicated an entire issue to the high-stakes format. In fact it's called "The Official Magazine For the High-Stakes Fantasy Player."

The dollar values are projected values that our staff believes each player will earn in 2010. We'll follow up with our projected dollar values in an upcoming issue. Same with the rankings; they are based on what the staff felt they would earn in value by season's end. Good stuff.

Enjoy the early rankings, projections, mock drafts and more in this issue. And if you haven't ordered it yet, it's not too late to jump online and get one by Christmas. There's no time like the present to start working on your baseball Cheat Sheets. Enjoy all and get ready for three more issues coming from us over the next two months.

Bob Enzyte · Post by **Bob Enzyte** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:49 am

Gonna buy 5 copies for my mother.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:04 pm

Nothing from Pony Express......yet

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:24 pm

Nothing yet but hoping any day now. I did get the 2010 Forecaster already.

MIAMI CANES · Post by **MIAMI CANES** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:13 am

I never receive any of the magazines, it 's quite annoying actually because i play so many leagues both football and baseball

Schwks · Post by **Schwks** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:26 am

I got it and it had some nice features. No question that the section on past winners and money leaders was extensive. I guess that there were some things that left me wanting more, but possibly you are saving those things for later. Overall, a good read for someone who is involved in NFBC.

A bit short on content as to the baseball info, I guess would be main complaint: for example you have 3 or 4 mock drafts/auctions, but it would be nice to have commentary from the drafters as to what they were thinking... I feel like we are all bombarded with a ton of "expert" mocks...so without feedback on the individuals making the picks, they become blurs.

This is one example.

I thought Childs' article was very insightful. He is one of the few experts who a) have the results that open eyes and b)who really shares exactly what he is thinking (eg I think L Hinkelman credits Childs for his 75-75 strategy, which has almost become gospel by now)

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:56 pm

still waiting

Thunder · Post by **Thunder** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:39 am

not today

, hopefully tomorrow

[ December 18, 2009, 10:41 AM: Message edited by: Kentucky Reign ]

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:07 am

Originally posted by Kentucky Reign:

not today

, hopefully tomorrow These were sent right from the printer in Minnesota, so I'm surprised that this is taking so long. That does it, I'll get Charlie Wiegert to investigate right away. Damn, we want you folks to have this. Sorry for the delay.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:28 am

I'm still waiting too, but my mail, especially periodicals is notoriously late. Maybe next week.

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:35 pm

Greg,

My co-manager, who pre-ordered the magazine, actually bought the magazine at a newsstand today. (although I thought it didn't go on sale until 12/22).

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:48 pm

Bad time of the season for anything less than first class from the post office.

I have a friend who got it at the news stand as well.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:18 pm

Are you saying there is a cheaper...who-gives-a-**** -when-they-get-it...type of mail preference?

...and Fanball used it?

billywaz · Post by **billywaz** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:46 am

I asked Ryan what would be the difference if I just picked it up at Barnes & Noble (especially since there isn't a discount?)

He mentioned something to the effect that Fanball makes more $$$ when it is directly ordered from them, people would waste gas to actually go and drive to get it, etc. While I would prefer to help Fanball instead of B&N, getting it in a timely manner is a BIG part of the equation. Not to mention BEFORE it hits newsstands (as was "pitched" to everyone).

Bottom line is this is why I hate ordering ANYTHING by mail (not to mention my postman sucks!)

If there isn't a SIGNIFICANT deal on future magazines, I will waste the 5 miles of gas and head to B&N.

[ December 19, 2009, 06:51 AM: Message edited by: billywaz ]

Thunder · Post by **Thunder** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:07 am

i understand your point BWaz, but personally, i don't have a B&N within 50 miles. i have the "Forecaster" and the Bill James handbook to get me started. i'm sure it'll be worth the wait for me.

billywaz · Post by **billywaz** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:08 am

Originally posted by Kentucky Reign:

i understand your point BWaz, but personally, i don't have a B&N within 50 miles. i have the "Forecaster" and the Bill James handbook to get me started. i'm sure it'll be worth the wait for me. In your boat Bill, I would order it too.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:28 am

Originally posted by billywaz:

I asked Ryan what would be the difference if I just picked it up at Barnes & Noble (especially since there isn't a discount?)

He mentioned something to the effect that Fanball makes more $$$ when it is directly ordered from them, people would waste gas to actually go and drive to get it, etc. While I would prefer to help Fanball instead of B&N, getting it in a timely manner is a BIG part of the equation. Not to mention BEFORE it hits newsstands (as was "pitched" to everyone).

Bottom line is this is why I hate ordering ANYTHING by mail (not to mention my postman sucks!)

If there isn't a SIGNIFICANT deal on future magazines, I will waste the 5 miles of gas and head to B&N. I read that post and was stunned.

Every magazine offers discounts.

Its the American way to have those annoying little white postage paid cards falling out of magazines. :rolleyes:

Timcards · Post by **Timcards** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:44 am

Any word on when the magazine should arrive? I think next time I'll stick with the bookstore.

billywaz · Post by **billywaz** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:24 am

Originally posted by Timcards:

Any word on when the magazine should arrive? I think next time I'll stick with the bookstore. Not sure if this was a GUARANTEE or not???

http://nfbcboards.fanball.com/cgi-bin/u ... 1;t=004630

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:54 pm

Well I went to Walmart, the one place I try to avoid during Christmas time because the rest of America is there. No magazine. Maybe Monday.

freddiezee · Post by **freddiezee** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:28 pm

I picked up one today at a store today. Good magazine but the font on the player pages is VERY small. I have good eyesight but I swear that the font is smaller than in any other magazine I have read in the past - tires out the eyes. Overall though, a good magazine considering the time of year.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:54 pm

I find the developing trend of over-promising and under-delivering a bit interesting.

The "Hype"/"Sales-Pitch" thread was started on NOVEMBER 25th (a full calendar month before Christmas).

Barnes & Noble takes 58% of the "newsstand" price...yet you don't offer anything other than "free" (lowest possible postal shipping rate) shipping.

It's not like we are always home...often times we are out and about doing what we do...and also happen to be near a Barnes and Noble.

If both magazines sell for the same cover price...AND!!!...the magazine arrives at newsstands BEFORE ariving at the homes of those who "pre-paid"...you have the worst sales pitch ever...and once again you look like a pathetic salesman.

If WE are paying the same cover price...why should WE care if YOU are making more money by selling it to us online, getting OUR money a month early, and delivering your product later than you deliver it to the newsstands?

WOW...you have business 101 ass-backwards.

[ December 20, 2009, 01:00 AM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:13 am

Okay Lance and Billy, YOU WIN. We f-ed up getting these magazines shipped directly to you. Next time we won't ship straight from the printers. I have no idea why it's taking longer to get these magazines shipped directly to you than to the newsstands, but obviously something went afoul. We'll take the blame and ship directly from St. Louis in the future. The idea was to get these to you by Dec. 14th or so and I'm not sure why that didn't happen. But we get your points.

We've always tried to make the delivery of our magazines a positive for our members. Tom and I used to hand-stuff each magazine to each person who ordered them, but relying on a third party obviously didn't work this time. We still think this first magazine is a great kickoff to the baseball season. Sorry our full price and home delivery didn't work out.

We have three more Fanball magazines coming out over the next two months. We'll see if we can do better on price and delivery. Stay tuned.

We understand Business 101. Give us an F for this delivery and we'll move on. Enjoy the magazines when they get there, which if it isn't before Christmas I'll be very disappointed.

billywaz · Post by **billywaz** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:44 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

We've always tried to make the delivery of our magazines a positive for our members. Tom and I used to hand-stuff each magazine to each person who ordered themGreg,

This isn't about "who wins", as we all lose when things aren't done as promised (no matter whose fault it is).

And yes, you guys used to do that and when you said, "we are getting it out today", I had it literally in no more than two days!.....THANK YOU!

I feel (I don't want to speak for everyone) that the "personal touch" given by you and Tom and attention to the details is what made you (NFFC/NFBC) so successful.

I don't know Mr. Ryan Houston (I just go by what I have heard and what he writes), and I know he works to make this a great contest as well, but it seems like the "personal touch" isn't his top priority.

I'm not trying to disprespect anyone's hard work around here (the plans you have for the live events in the NFBC this year look AWESOME!), and we all make mistakes, but I hope that the NFFC/NFBC never lose sight of what made them into what I consider to be the best high stakes contest out there.

[ December 20, 2009, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: billywaz ]

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:05 am

Originally posted by billywaz:

I feel (I don't want to speak for everyone) that the "personal touch" given by you and Tom and attention to the details is what made you (NFFC/NFBC) so successful. Well said Billy.

I'll concur from the point of view of someone who's tried about every contest out there this year, each for the first time.

I've often said to those I've discussed this with (in fact Billy was one just recently), that the NFBC/NFFC is the best contest. For more than any other reason, this is due to the personal touch and attention to the customer that seems commonplace here. There's a local league feel to this contest (with high stakes rewards), that starts with its customer service approach, but resonates throughout its message board, the commaradie seen at live drafts, etc.

Greg, even though I like the flash, perks, and options being added since the Fanball merger (a lot), don't ever lose the most important ingredient to your success....that personal touch.

Combine the best of both worlds and no other contest will ever be able to touch your product.

Please also don't take these criticisms personally....everyone makes their feelings known because they obviously care about this contest....you should be proud that the feelings are so strong.

Keep up the good work,

Glenn