Mistakes, Customer Service and a Great Ride…

A copy editor may be in order for the magazine. I have one in mind, but didn’t run issue one past her. It was created in a creative whirlwind, deadlines suddenly appeared and wouldn’t you know it, I forgot to run spellcheck in Photoshop. I used PS for many years before it had spellcheck and I still forget to use it. No big deal, unless it happens to be the file used on the front cover. Then it’s a big deal. That said, the first 50 issues (that I already paid for and received) have a typo on the front cover. You know what that means right? In 10 to 20 years, when Adventure Monkey Magazine is a worldwide sensation, these first 50 copies of issue one will be worth big bucks. And the really good news is all the contributors get a free copy and I will also sell them at a discounted rate AND include stickers. Might want to put those in plastic wrap. They’re as good as gold.

You know how people are right? When we get bad customer service we tell everyone. Sometimes we spread the news about good customer service but only when it’s very, very good. Let me spread some news. I have had a great experience with Magcloud.com. I received my stack of magazines YESTERDAY (Monday) and I was worried about getting them by Friday! Their customer service reps let me know what was going on the entire time. I contacted them about my crazy deadline up front and they came through with no problems. On top of that, the magazines (besides the typo) look incredible. I hope it’s not just me.

Topping off this experience, I sent the cover to get printed and mounted for the release party at my photography lab in Kansas City. The person running the printer (Dee Dee) noticed the typo and I was contacted! What? Yes that’s right. She had every right to go ahead and print that image as is, but saw the typo and saved me a huge amount of grief and money. The embarassment didn’t go away, but I need humbling every so often. If you are a professional photographer and want great looking prints and great customer service check out portraitcity.net. Tell them Eric Benjamin sent you. I am looking for some brownie points.

Party is still on people, and we have RSVPs from some out of towners too! I am pumped and very unprepared. Good thing Jennifer has me covered. You will meet her at the party, she’s my lovely wife. If you need more details or directions to the party please contact me. You don’t want to miss it. Ladies, I am buying Bobby, the cover model new pens to sign autographs and I have my fingers crossed for an appearance of the man that only needs one name, Seagato. I believe Matt and Stephanie will take a break from the new bike shop to join us too. This Saturday at 7:00 p.m. HERE’s more details. And there will be some sort of Flint Hills ride on Sunday morning. We will pace ourselves with whoever shows up. Don’t worry about being too slow or anything like that. It will be anywhere from 30 to 70 miles depending on who shows up. It won’t be a race. If Seagato and others show up, they will race, but I will hang back to make sure no one gets lost and eaten by coyotes or stampeded by cattle. Just kidding, I can’t stop cattle, but seriously.

Ok, as usual, I have talked (typed) too much. Let’s see some pictures. Last Sunday I may have had the best ride of the year so far. I was by myself and decided to ride at a comfortable but challenging pace with no destination in mind. I ended up taking a lot of pictures and getting a great workout, but more importantly I got that feeling again. There’s a feeling I reach, a high if you will, when I ride just to ride and begin to enjoy the bike, the road, the surroundings and even start talking to the animals. I got there and it was great. There’s a great story, but I will just let you see some of the pictures and say, my Adventure Monkey was fed - well.

Feed Your Monkey!
-Eric

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