"Thanks for your submission. We are currently overwhelmed with articles at the moment but will consider your editorial for future use.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
PFC"
Took thirty seconds and didn't cost me a penny...
It's fair enough saying "support your mag" but if they don't respect their readers then what do you expect?
I am sure shakey_hand_man, N0ddie and RalphyBMW spent a few hours on their submissions and really put some great thought and care into what they wrote.
To not reply is just ungrateful and disrespectful IMO.
No doubt they're all avid readers, much like myself - so to expect a reply is the very least and good manners cost nothing.
Without people like the above - the mag would not exist. I am sure that in the beginning PFC were begging for people like the above to write articles - they should not forget what made them big and rest on their laurels.
I have worked with over 50 businesses in the last few years and helped established almost all of them into successful businesses which are still growing today. And I can tell you for a fact, whether its B2B or B2C - replying to your customers in a timely and appropriate manner can save a lot of frustration and can often be the thing that builds your brand to be one that exudes quality and is well known for customer satisfaction.
Let me put it like this...
If I said to you "I'll be there in ten minutes" and was actually 20, you would be pissed off. If I called you after 9 minutes and said "look mate, I'm going to be 10 minutes late, I am really sorry" you're going to feel a whole lot better about it.
I have had several press releases published and rarely do I find that even the biggest of businesses ignore my submissions - whether they accept them or not.
It is just common sense and basic etiquette - something every established business should know plenty about.