The stat that blew my mind about zine distribution costs

I was reading a breakdown on some indie publisher's blog and they said the average cost to mail a single zine within the US is now over $4.00 with media mail rates. That's almost as much as the cover price for most of the zines I trade for. Has anyone else noticed this eating into their zine swap budgets?

2 comments

2 Comments

linda_mason824d ago

Totally feel you on this. I've been swapping zines for about five years now and the shipping costs have just gotten ridiculous. I had to stop trading with a couple folks on the west coast because the postage alone was more than the zine was worth. It really stings when you put all that work into making something and then have to spend almost as much just to get it to someone. Makes you appreciate the local trades and handoffs a lot more. Sucks that the actual distribution part is the biggest hurdle now.

reese_lane294d ago

Man, I know exactly what you mean about shipping costs eating you alive. I once mailed a tiny 10-page zine to a buddy in Oregon and it cost more than a fast food lunch. Now I just stick to trading at local shows and coffee shops, it's way simpler and cheaper than dealing with the postal service.