Posted by Peter H on September 13, 2005 at 11:27:16 from 86.130.124.137 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: A king's ransom[e] posted by Jock on September 13, 2005 at 10:08:52:
Yes, I realise that £15 can convert into a sizeable sum in some countries, but I don't see what that has to do with my basic argument. If you order a TARS/Amazon book from Poland, you are still going to have to pay for the book and also the mailing costs. The total cost would again feed that family for a week. Where does this get us?
I think we have to be realistic here. Because Australia is on the other side of the globe from the UK, people there cannot expect to receive TARS mailings without standing the extra cost. It would be the same if I joined an Australian society. Whatever country you are in, you can either afford to join foreign literary societies or you can't. For that matter you can either afford to join lit socs at home or you can't. If you can't, tough luck. Life is not a bowl of cherries.
Having said which, TARS does try and make things easier. The subs for juniors and students is £5 and £10 whether in the UK or overseas. The current adult overseas rates are subsidised, believe it or not, because it actually costs more than the subs to send the mailings. Blame the capitalist profiteering postal system if you like, but as Joy said, please don't blame TARS.