Left out as a European

theaustrian | Posted in General Discussion on December 23, 2019 04:48am

We have seen various posts here concerning FWW problems (or inability) to provide plans from the plan-store for European subscribers. However, not being able to get plans is a relatively minor issue compared to not getting the magazine anymore. I have a valid subscription, but my FWW issues don’t make it across the Atlantic anymore. I approached Ben Strano about this half a year ago, and he seemingly fixed the delivery issue. Not for long, though. Now I am missing the last two issues. Contacting customer service through an e-mail is useless, as no one ever bothers to reply.
It is beyond me how FWW can neglect these problems. I cannot thank the people at the magazine enough for what they have contributed to my woodworking knowledge over the years, but now the frustration as a subscriber is mounting, and leaves me wondering whether it is worth waiting for it all to go back to normal.

Replies

user-4049783 | Dec 23, 2019 11:58am | #1
As a European subscriber, I too am frustrated that I can no longer buy plans for projects from FWW. I was going to subscribe to the new unlimited membership until I learned that I would not be able to purchase plans. I have raised the issue with FWW but nothing seems to have been done to rectify the situation.
Neville Vine UK.
waterhead | Dec 24, 2019 10:44am | #2
I get the magazine but it frustrates me that plans and books cannot be ordered from the UK. 99.999% of other US sites somehow manage this process successfully and I cannot see why FWW can't do the same.
_mj_ | Dec 24, 2019 10:49am | #3
This may be a simplistic take on the issue, but it seems unlikely that FWW would have taken active measures to exclude subscribers in Europe from sending them money. It seems more likely that a Euro-centric ecommerce protocol or treaty has changed.

If you folks could investigate what local conditions have recently been altered FWW might be able to more easily adapt. I would think that as publishers they are not capable of keeping up with such things worldwide.

Help them to help you?
_snl_ | Dec 24, 2019 02:18pm | #4
I live in Switzerland and have a FWW subscription. I am still able to buy plans (am waiting for delivery on one currently although it is taking too long). I am not sure if this may be related but when shopping on Amazon there are quite a number of woodworking tools/products that they cannot deliver to here. (This includes items that would originate in the UK). So, it may be as MJ has suggested.
beany246 | Dec 24, 2019 02:44pm | #5
As an Australian visiting France over Christmas, I appreciate your pain. I am normally able to view books and order items if I want, but cannot due to my current location.
You might not want to get into the nerdy side of things, but I have installed a Virtual Private Network program on my phone and when I use that it “relocates” me back to Australia.
There may be some free VPN service or an app Available for you to use. I cannot say if Taunton and co will accept orders to your location but at least you will be able to see the site and try. I imagine you will also have full access to whatever your membership allows.
As for me, I have bought a set of Sorby chisels with rosewood handles while here in France, so I hope I can get them back home with the recent change to CITES for rosewood.
Have a good Christmas.
theaustrian | Dec 26, 2019 06:39am | #6
European privacy laws have changed, yes, but how come FWW to this day has not been able to adapt to the new situation ? Others have.
While the problem with the plan-store is one I can deal with, the fact that no issues are delivered to me anymore and customer-service at FWW has seemingly gone on a lengthy holiday, does annoy me greatly. If there were ratings, they wouldn't even deserve one star. No one seems to browse through these posts, otherwise someone should have picked up on it and contacted me by now.
thanks for all your suggestions and have a peaceful Christmas