I found a wayback machine

[ezdays]

Maybe we're talking about different magazines, but I haven't seen a model railroading mag for under $5.99 for years.

Yes we are talking about the same magazine, you just have to go back in time. These are the prices that are on the covers of the magazines we have in hand. The oldest one I just pulled out was 2007 and it was $5.50 then and $5.95 (not a huge difference) between 2010 and 2012. And I believe in 2002 it was $4.99, but I'd have to look in the storage box in the garage to verify that. Let's face it, MRR magazine has a very long history and things change over the years, including cover prices.