UNDERPAID POSTAGE ON YOUR MAGAZINE

I've had a few people mention this again, so I thought I'd run through it.

ALL of the FAS magazines leave here with the correct postage on them. The usual 56 page issue (#163, #164, #165 etc) is under .5cm (5mm), A5 (within letter size) and under 100g (usually between 90g and 95g [max] in the envelope). This is covered by a single '1st' or '2nd' class stamp. In fact if it's exactly 100g on the button and is under .5cm (5mm), it's still okay. The proper rate has been paid.

The large magazines that I occasionally do (over 56 pages + etc) require £1.65 (currently) UK postage (over 100g, but under 250g, and over 5cm thick, still A5). These are 'Large Letter', under 250g.

If you get a card through your door saying you owe money on a 'letter or packet', you may have to go and collect it. At that point they'll ask you to pay around £2.50. Before you pay, if it's from me, ask why it's being charged and ask them to PROVE the charge is due. They can weigh the package in front of you with digital scales, and they have a guide they can slip the package through to make sure it's the right depth. It's exactly the same as the one I have.

If it's under 100g and fits through the .5cm (5mm) slot on the guide, and yes it only has to go through without being forced, then you owe NOTHING, and you can ask why the charge has been applied and refuse to pay it. Be polite at all times, don't get angry. The fee may have been applied before it reached your sorting office, but they should be able to resolve the issue for you. If they don't (and sadly, sometimes they refuse to help), tell them to send it 'home' to me. This is what I would do, and have done in the past. You may recall I've mentioned it in the magazine introductions more than once.

If your envelope is bent or bowed please point out that this was done IN the mail via their 'handling', and not at the point of posting, when I guarantee it was completely flat and all criteria for the mail was met in full. That doesn't include if you sent folded SAE's to get them to me, but that fold doesn't stop them going through the .5cm (5mm slot) as I check they fit okay and change the envelopes if there is a problem. So the one pictured was actually fine. No charge was due.

 ...Or, if you wish for an easy life, you can pay the charge and let me know you have done so, if that's your preferred option just to get the magazine. Send a photograph of the envelope and sticker with your address visible please. I WILL complain.

I am very careful. I've been doing this a long time, and I'm very proud of the magazine I run. Magazines are flat when they go into the mail. I weigh them, every one of them. I know they are fine to post.

I have actually had this postal charge 'scam' happen myself. Sometimes it's because someone has put a regular second class stamp on a large letter. That doesn't work, and then the charge IS due and legitimate. I have mentioned this previously to subscribers. But I have had items like this where there is NO REASON for the charge. If they don't give them to me and there is a return address I let them go back (at least that is what is supposed to happen). I am happy to refuse to pay. I am happy for you to do that too, and please tell them to return it.

The FAS magazines have a return address on the envelopes, and should be returned if not delivered, so let me know if you have refused to pay and at which office. If you can take a photo of the item at the time, all the better, and tell the office you WILL be reporting it as a fraudulent charge - as that's exactly what it is. I get tired of hearing it's an isolated 'error', because it clearly isn't! Also, this way if the item doesn't come back (as, like I say, all FAS magazines have a 'return address' on them), I can ask why it wasn't returned by that office, and take it from there. I have to say I never get any returned magazines. I once had one, many years ago, from abroad, but that's it. I do have to wonder where these undelivered items end up... And blimey, I even SAY THAT in the introduction of issue #164!! Fancy that!

The service you get from the post office is a little bit down to you. If you think it's bad TELL THEM. I have had terrible trouble here with ripped mail, open mail, damaged mail, things rammed through the letter box, things so wet they looked like they'd been left underwater, and even things like 8x10 photographs folded in half to go through the door. THAT is NOT acceptable, so COMPLAIN, and if you need to make a claim, do so. It's in your own interest to say something.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas.

David

'Jingle Bells' To All

FAS #165 'Addendums'

Free Appreciation Society

Issue #165 (December 2022)

Audio and video addendums

As promised here are the audio/video extra 'bits' of content that apply to the current issue of the Free Appreciation Society magazine. For further details refer to the relevant pages there.

Addendum #1 (Page #20). Toby - 'Travelling Man' ('Travellin' Man')

Addendum #2 (Page #51). Alexis Korner & Andy Fraser

Free Appreciation Society Magazine - Issue #165

Free Appreciation Society

Magazine Issue #165

December 2022

Following hot on the heels of #164 is Issue #165. This has just gone out into the UK mail for all FAS subscribers today. Overseas magazines went out on Friday and Monday. It's an attempt to beat the postal strikes as best I can. So, these should be with you all very shortly.

We move forward now through the activities of KKTR, Peace & Toby. This includes a comprehensive look at all the recording that was done by each of the splinter groups, and any gigs that were done. Plenty of new material here as we deal with the Peace BBC session, Kossoff going out to Mussel Shoals in Alabama to play with Jim Capaldi, and Alexis Korner going to Germany with Andy Fraser in his band. We wrap up in December 1971, as the solo projects all close for business, and Free reforming becomes more and more "a likelihood" according to 'Disc & Music Echo' magazine.

Lots of press, photo's, posters, gig ads, promo material, tape boxes and memorabilia. This issue checks in at 56 pages and includes quite a bit of material never included before.

There are two addendums in this new issue, and they will be coming to the FAS 'blogspot' at the weekend. So be sure to come back and check them out when you reach them in the text. I'm hoping that by then, all the UK issues will have landed on their respective doormats. Fingers crossed on that one!

A hugely comprehensive issue. Enjoy!

56 pages absolutely packed with FREE

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Mailed out now to all FAS subscribers.

It is cheaper to buy directly here (from the FAS itself) than it will be on Ebay, where there are other fees involved for both UK and overseas buyers. ALL payments are via Paypal, so it's all very easy and secure.

Casual buyer? Want the magazine cheaper? Get a subscription!

A subscription is the cheapest way to get the FAS magazine.

For subscription information email: fasarticle@aol.com

You can buy this individual issue from the email address above.

Drop me a mail giving your location and a Paypal money request will be sent to you. It's cheaper than buying them on Ebay where they are £6.50 (UK)

UK price including postage from here directly is £5.80 for this issue.

This includes postage and Paypal fees.

A subscription for three issues (UK) is £14.85.

Elsewhere, please ask.

Nothing Stops The FAS!!

It's one thing having your head stuck in 1971 with the music and the press to work on the FAS, because you are writing about it, but it really is quite freaky to relive it in 2022 as a reality!

I know what, let's all go on strike for 20% wage rises, have threats of power cuts, rising inflation, national unrest. Oh, we have that now... Seriously, does what goes around truly come around? It seems it does! History really does repeat itself and teaches us NOTHING! Wasn't that a song by Sting in like, 1987 or something? 

Due to the nature of the current postal worker strikes in the UK, and the random nature of the announcements of them, I'll start the posting out of issue #165 next week. This will hopefully bring some small modicum of cheer to the pre-Christmas mash-up of forced merriment and shopping, shopping and shopping. Along with Slade, Wizzard, Cliff Richard, crap supermarket adverts, DREADFUL REPETITIVE Christmas songs in the shops and, of course, the horror at the expense of it all! Bah, Humbug!

This FAS 'care package' will start with the mailing out to America, Japan and Australian on Monday (5th), then Europe straight after that, and finally the UK around the 10th. Once everything has been mailed I'll put the usual magazine overview up here so you'll know the issue is on it's way.

Regards the 'Festivities'... Treat yourselves well, and look after the ones you care about. Spare a thought for those who may be on their own, especially those who have lost loved ones, and be patient with all the idiots (yes I know, there are a lot of them). Be nice to each other. Tell your friends how much they mean to you, and raise a glass to those no longer with us. Sometimes it just seems like everything is shite, but it really isn't. Good people will continue to do good things. Strive to be one of those good people.

You'll be getting another FAS after the New Year has faded from focus a little, to help with hangovers, and the brutal truth of how much you owe on your credit card. In the meantime the diary for the next section dealing with 'Free At Last' is almost complete, and I'll be sitting trying to make some sense of it all over this whole period. The FAS NEVER sleeps!