Should a membership fee be implemented? [Archive]

View Full Version : Should a membership fee be implemented?

GS-XNR

04-05-2007, 08:25 PM

Hi Everyone,
We have gone through an interesting time this week with the implementation and then discontinuation of "paid classifieds". There have been many suggestions to cover operating costs. The one I like best is to have a small annual fee charged when you log on for the first time each year. By being a paid up member certain privileges could be afforded such as for sale ads. So the poll is:
Are you in favor of an annual membership fee? Yes or No

Would you pay $5.00 per year to be a member? Yes or No

What privileges would you like to see afforded to only paid up members? Write in response.

pooods

04-05-2007, 08:35 PM

I pay much more than $5 so of course I am fine with the fee. I would much rather see a fee than ads streaming all over the place. I hate ads on websites!

dsherw00d

04-05-2007, 08:39 PM

GS-XNR

04-05-2007, 08:55 PM

Sorry about question #2 in the poll. I've never posted a poll before so I didn't know how the results would look. If you have any suggestions for "member only" services just reply with your suggestions.
Thanks and sorry! :Dou:
Harvey

Truzi

04-05-2007, 09:13 PM

GlenL

04-05-2007, 09:14 PM

Similar sites get funding from "site sponsors."

Besides Buick specialists companies like Summit, Jegs, PartsAmerica.com, TireRack and so on would each pony up for a clickable ad.

I've got about 130 car related vendors in the my bookmarks. Granted some have no interest in Buicks, but for those that do this site has a lot of guys that work on their cars and spend good $$$ doing it.

bladerunner

04-05-2007, 10:00 PM

I think we all might have $5.00 of change in our cars, couches and jars in our houses. Hell you can't even buy a value meal for $5 anymore. I say charge the fee and keep the site the same, anyone who pays the fee can access the extra stuff, everyone else is read only. The days of sites like this on internet being free are long gone, five bucks is not unreasonable. Question would the access thing cause a major administrative nightmare, or could this be automated?

I am not rich, but this is one of the site I visit daily and can not live without, so I have no problem paying. We also can still ask others to pay more, I know there are a lot of generous buick guys out there who just want to see the hobby live on.

If I had to give up for example my Hemmings subscription, or this site, Hemmings would loose (Sorry Guys). Enough:Comp:

cjp69

04-05-2007, 10:52 PM

One thing you could do, which plays along Jim's idea of charging for ads, is charge a membership fee of $5 per year for access to the "How much is the doggy in the window" section of the board. So it would be free to surf for information and post threads anywhere else on the board, and the "how much....." section would be hidden, only could be seen by "members" who paid their $5. If you didn't want to sell or buy cars or parts, you wouldn't need access to that section anyway. But if you did, $5 per year (or more) is nothing to pay for that.

68 Skylark cust

04-05-2007, 11:21 PM

The key is the numbers , fee has to remains low to get at least 1100 peoples(at 5$) . If the fees goes more than that , people gonna get tired of paying here and there where you usually not have to . If every board start collecting money the smaller ones will disappears sooner than later . I allready gave more than that but I'm not sure if I'd pay 5+5+5+5+5+...... for other boards/website . I like Chris' idea :TU:

70aqua_custom

04-05-2007, 11:30 PM

I don't know and its clearly none of my business but a small fee seems reasonable. I spend a lot of time here and have learned and located things in seconds that would have taken years if ever. Obviously, the internet itself is what enables this but web hosting is not free and I'd rather pay a few bucks than see ads on a site I go to every day.

MikeM

04-06-2007, 12:02 AM

No. But a lot more people should donate.

skylarkroost

04-06-2007, 06:33 AM

No. But a lot more people should donate.

I agree with Mike. Out of the multitudes of members shown to be registered you would think at least 2000 of us would buck up and keep her afloat. Where else can you get the amount of info available here?? :Do No:

Sturmgewehr

04-06-2007, 07:57 AM

No. But a lot more people should donate.

I agree with Mike on this---FREE encourages more participation and a better
exchange of info,which is where the board really gets the job done!! That
being said a contribution is nice to ensure the board can remain open. I finally
got around to a donation:o after being here well OVER a year:o again. I
would NOT have a 4spd car IF THIS BOARD WAS NOT AVAILABLE! Pete Gross
(Sturmgewehr)

abodybill

04-06-2007, 07:59 AM

I'd like to donate, but I don't know how. I have a Pay-Pal account and would donate that way if I could get some help. Anyone?
PONCH Just click on the donate at the top of the page it's easy.

ssw

04-06-2007, 08:04 AM

I am fine with paying a small fee for access to this board. I try to remember to send a donation every year. It is not a $ issue, it is mostly forgetting.

A thought; maybe the moderators can tell who are the top 1,000 or so users who log on and send them a yearly request for a donation.

ss4825

04-06-2007, 08:58 AM

I like the fee over the ads and paid classifieds.

GS-XNR

04-06-2007, 09:16 AM

Interesting info Jim posted in another thread:

60 Contributors now (April 3/07)

$2956.82 In total contributions

60 people supporting 15,000 members.

alec296

04-06-2007, 12:34 PM

i think that out of 15000 only 60 or so donate? thats some poor percentages
although i dont donate every year i donate more than 5 bucks
i have learned much here and would like to see it continue without being
a fee but if thats what need to be then

it could be worse , full of ads and pop ups for mortgage rates!!:spank:
:idea2: ??

bellaero

04-06-2007, 01:36 PM

I think a memebership fee is long overdue. For all the help and tips that I've recieved since becoming a member, sign me up. I don't know if paid up members should recieve anything addtional. Just having this resource at our disposal is payment enough. Thanks................

Dale

04-06-2007, 02:54 PM

I voted for the fee. I'm ok with contributing to help support the board.
I have contributed in years past, but have been remiss in doing so lately. :spank:
I'll fix that shortly. :dollar:

But, If I remember correctly wasn't the inception of this board the result of the GSCA starting to charge a fee to use their board?
I'm sure there was much more to it than just that, and since I was not, and am not a member of the GSCA I don't know all the details.

I just remember reading people's posts back in Feb.'02 on how upset they were that the GSCA had the audacity to charge a fee to use the board.
Especially after they had paid dues to be a member.

Of course, times do change and costs go up.
(just ask my customers. :shock: )
I would hate to see this board go away because of lack of funds. :ball:

justalark

04-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Before membership fees are established, I think we need a greater marketing effort to our existing members.
One suggestion would be, that all contributors should be listed in BOLD at the very top of the home page during the month they contribute. And with their names, list the # of years they have contributed and the level (silver, gold, platinum). Their contribution status as silver, gold member, would appear next to their ID on every post they make.
That way you do two things, you recognize those who do help and do it consistently, and secondly you highlight to EVERYONE who uses the site that contributions are needed and gratefully accepted. The fact that some do/ some don't contribute, is out in the open for everyone to see.
This system has been used VERY successfully on another car site. After a while, new perks were added for the contributors such as posting pics, free ads, a separate forum, etc.
That's my .02.
Gene

SweBuick

04-06-2007, 03:47 PM

I agree with Gene on this one. Another board I am a member of has a "Supporter" sign under thier user-name beside the avatar.

derek244

04-06-2007, 03:50 PM

Sure. But it's not that easy. Who will manage the thousands of dollars? Sounds like another meltdown to me CIRCA 2005.:Do No:

That reminds me. I need to contribute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, it's done now. Paypal is so easy.

stage01

04-06-2007, 03:50 PM

I'm with Gene. Someone please tell me the $$$$ that need to come into the coffers in a year? $100.00 contribution gets you PLATINUM.

You tell me we don't have 300 members on this board that can give $100.00/annually?

300 x $100.00= $30k>>> Does that help the annual budget?

Thanks All, Mike

That's 38 gallons of gas by the way, not even two fill ups on my 72. That's 38 gallons of 87 octane! Not even the good stuff.

I think it's time we all stepped up to the plate for this wonderful website!

evil16v

04-06-2007, 04:18 PM

If you don't want to kill the site... then it should be free.

This site got big because it came at the time that the GSCA was trying to be member only a there site. Something to think about. if the GSCA hadn't been a bunch of tight wads they could have had this large of base instead of v-8. they missed the boat.

justalark

04-06-2007, 04:56 PM

" Who will manage the thousands of dollars?"
The same people that now manage the site's deficit.

When I contribute $$$, I do so voluntarily. As long as the site continues to perform for me, as it has in the past, I don't care what happens to the $$$, makes a profit, keeps the books, or doles it out to their favorite charity.:beer
Gene

cstanley-gs

04-06-2007, 06:14 PM

Paypal was easy, took less than 2 minutes.

Look at it like a paid magazine subscription but this is so much better!!

Make a donation! Its well worth it...

gstoy1

04-06-2007, 06:59 PM

$5 bucks at a minimum shouldn't kill anyone on this site. I know we all like free, but everything in this world costs something. Think of this as the "pay it forward" part of the site. Their is so much great info on this board, plus it helped me locate the car of my dreams.

Paypal'd a $25 donation to a great site....:dollar: keep it up :pp

Steve
Soon to have a 72 skylark vert with a 455 :bglasses:

64BuickCat

04-06-2007, 07:42 PM

I agree that a few bucks won't kill us. I sent $10 for the cause. :dollar: :bglasses:

GlenL

04-06-2007, 09:48 PM

I STILL think it'd be better to get vendors to pay the bill.

Truzi

04-06-2007, 09:57 PM

How 'bout doing a raffle? Though I don't know how many people would participate.

Of all the members we have, how many are "active?"

76century

04-07-2007, 12:43 AM

I say we keep it a "free" membership, with no fees involved. I don't have much of a saying due to lack of funding/and donation, but I will say this; There come many problems with having a board supported by nothing but paid memberships, because it will run off potential new members, there are other boards that are free that we can join, and some of us members don't have good paying jobs, or no jobs at all currently. Just some things to think about.:idea2:

65gs76limited

04-07-2007, 09:14 AM

I believe the word has gotten out and the donations will be comming in. The ones not bitching about the fee will be the ones donating.We need to be reminded at least once a year and i'll bet this site never has anymore operating cost problems. Tom

monkeyy337

04-07-2007, 10:56 AM

I lose $5.00 every Wednesday and Saturday on Kentucky lotto and they don't provide any information to me. They don't even say there sorry. Five bucks a year is chump change for all the info this site provides. Five dollars sounds great to me. NOTE: How come my name wasn't added to the contributors list for 2007? :Do No:

Jim Weise

04-07-2007, 11:56 AM

pick62

04-07-2007, 03:49 PM

I don't think anyone has said you have to donate! If you can you can and if you can't you can't. Simple as that. The reason I donate is because of all the things I learn from all the smart people on here that know what they are talking about. It's a valuable tool for me. Thanks to all that helped over the couple of years I,ve been on this site, and thanks to Jim and Mike for providing it to us!:TU:
Tim

69sky

04-07-2007, 04:48 PM

a small fee sounds great, I never donated before but i can

ricknmel67

04-07-2007, 07:58 PM

I'd definately pay a $5 (or more) fee to use this site every year.
However, I think the fee should just be paid if you want to access the buy/sell areas. (even viewing it should be locked out if you're not paid up)

The general Buick chat and info should remain free to keep bringing new members. I would be very leary of signing up to a new board that I had to pay something before even getting to check it out, and I assume many others feel the same way.

Anyways... I'm all for a fee if it's attached to enabling the buy/sell areas.
:TU:

A side note..... several posts mention the "thousands" of members we have here....
Have you ever looked through them?
Of the 15,000 "members", about 10,500 of them have 5 or less posts. (thousands have 0 posts)
Only about 2,000 have over 25 posts.
Only about 750 have 200+ posts
Not that post count is important... but lets be realistic about how many actual "members" we have here. There's quite a difference between "member" and "current active member".

I don't know what this site costs yearly, but realisticly, JW and MB can probably only count on fees coming from 100 or 200 people max.
At that rate, I don't think a $5 fee would cover it.... but I don't have a clue what this place costs to keep up.
$5K ? :Do No:

dsags

04-07-2007, 08:31 PM

I have no problem paying a fee but would like it to be voluntary. If not voluntary then it should only be to access the classifieds and let the general info be free as it is now. That said, it does amaze me that a great site like this would have difficulty coming up with $5 - 6,000 a year. There ought to be 1,000 active members that are willing to pay $5.

pooods

04-07-2007, 09:40 PM

76century

04-07-2007, 10:12 PM

I don't understand what the big deal is. People stating they don't have good jobs and that they are short on funds. We are talking about $5 per year! What's $5? If people can't afford $5 per year they have some major issues. As for the fee causing membership to fall, who cares? Most of our membership is not active. Anyone remotely serious about Buicks will fork out $5 per year and continue contributing to the site. All of course is IMO.

PFFT, heh im not even going to waste my time explaining this to ya. Why would I want the hassle of sending a measley little check of 5 dollars through the mail? I have a life you know, I don't have time to make a donation to any bulletin board, if it was truly that important to me then yes I would take the time to do so, but why do that when I can just go to other boards for free?:Do No: Just GIT R DONE. Have a good life sir, i be seeins you alls no mores.:gp:

tom65special

04-08-2007, 12:34 AM

I would be willing to pay a $5.00 membership fee. There have been some good points made about active members and guys like me that are just getting into this site that have not posted regularly. I like the idea of T-shirts. If they were made in bulk you could mark them up 5-10-15 dollars each. If you make a decent donation you get a shirt. Or you could make a run on t-shirts or sweatshirts and sell them a couple times per year on a pre paid basis. I belonged to a site call thesabregroup when I had a bike and they seemed to operate on donations and selling a few items on a pre paid basis. I am on this site at least once a day and do not want to see it go away or lose a bunch of members. I will be making a donation following this post. I know it's easy to donate, I gusee I've just been to frickin lazy. Keep up the good work on the site guys.

geno

04-08-2007, 07:43 AM

I will gladley pay a 5.00 FEE FOR THIS SITE ALL THE ENFO I GOT FROM THIS SITE FOR MY GS HAS NO PRICE TAG THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE ON THIS SITE GENO:3gears:

mangiesbuick71

04-08-2007, 08:26 AM

i pay 25.00 to a club website a year so 5.00 dollars is really nothing. I know I dont say much on this site but I love to look. So I dont think I have a lot of room to talk but It might help out. But I have found some great parts for my skylark. I would be willing to pay to keep it going. I think wow clubs cost ya money to join to hang out and show your car. I dont think 5.00 is such a killer a year.

Jim Weise

04-08-2007, 11:46 AM

Guys,

This has been an interesting topic, let me throw my nickel’s worth in here from an administration standpoint.

First off, as to how many users do we really have. Yes, we have 15,462 registered members, probably about 20% of those visited just a couple times or are duplicate registrations. But usage and member logins are far from as few as some may think.

Just a few quick stats for you.

We had 1052 members login in, in the last 24 hours.

Historically, Saturday is one of our slowest days, as lots of folks are doing something besides sitting in front of their computer. I personally hardly spend any time on the site on Saturday.

Many of those members have no posts. They read and look at pictures, maybe send a PM or two, but don't really want to be involved in the discussions, and that's fine.

In the period from March 11- today, there have been 993,652 individual pages loaded, off this website.

Yes, that's almost a million. At around 30,000-35,000 page views per day, it will be over a million page views a month. This counts total activity, users and guests.

It's not at all uncommon to have 3-400 users on the site, at any one time.

That's why we had to go to thumbnail or outside hosted pictures.. bandwidth use and server space has exploded in the last couple years. It's been difficult (and expensive) to keep the page load times to the quick rate we are all accustom to.

My admin log doesn't show how many individual members log in per month, but I would venture to guess we are talking 3-4000 per month, based on other user activity, such as PM's.. there are over 13,000 users that have at least 1 private message in their PM folders.

Secondly,

As to the subject of charging a user fee, for viewing any section of the board, I am opposed to this. Any forum of this size, is the result of a phenomenon in the internet community. Especially when your talking about such a narrow subject as cars with V8 Buick engines in them. It's not like we have millions of enthusiasts out there anymore.

The phenomenon that created our board here was the result of the previous gathering place on the net going to a paid member only situation, and us coming along at just the right time.

Careful administration and moderation has certainly been a factor in our growth over the years. While some bristle at "censorship" the reality is that what we have done from an admin/moderation standpoint is exactly what folks really want. While some of us like to sit and look at Jerry Springerish internet squabbles, the reality is that they detract tremendously from the board as a whole.

I strongly believe that allowing post bashing of anyone in the community, does no good for the purpose your trying to further with the creation of a board in the first place, whether that be a club, a vendor, or a community.

We saw this with our predecessor, which was the original GSCA board. Abrupt/rude moderation and somebody always bitching about something or someone, really turned a lot of folks off to the experience.

When I originally wrote the posts in the mod forum, way back when, the topic was "moderation light, but no allowing bashing and badmouthing". This has proven to be an effective and successful strategy.

But I am rambling.. sorry..

While I have always thought that those of us who use this board for commerce should help pick up the tab, be that a user selling in the classifieds or a vendor hawking his wares, I have always been adamant that no on will ever have to pay to exchange information on V8 Buick .com. Or to just hang out and chat with their buddies.

Recently, we changed to a new classified system, and imposed a miniscule fee for using it to sell.. that system didn't go over well, but we see now that since the system is now free, and still has little use, it really was not about the money, but about the change, and the hassle of having to go thru the deal to pay. I fear the change and hassle issues, and the resulting loss of users, would outweigh any revenue gained by charging a user fee.

Furthermore, anything I do to impose fees, and require payments will really hurt the board here. As we have seen in this thread, many folks would not be adverse to paying a fee, but the actual administration, and collection of such fees, would require yet another complete revamp of the system. More change for us and more hassle for you, the user.

There is no immediate danger of financial trouble here at V8 Buick, what I am more concerned about, is the ability to maintain an operating budget, and be able to keep up with the growth rate and required service upgrades that are in our future. With 6-10 new registrations a day, we are adding thousands of new members a year, and this growth rate has escalated rapidly in the last two years. I am looking down the road here, 3-5 years, when it's going to cost 7-10K to run this website, and provide the level of service we all expect.

Thru nothing more than simple complacency, our donation rate and amount from our core users has declined steadily, since the very first year the board was introduced.

When something new comes along, the average guy says, hey, this is great, here let me kick a few bucks at it.. but when you click on V8Buick every day, and it's always there, that feeling tends to go away. You expect it to be there, and it's easy to forget that someone is paying for it.

Considering the outpouring of support that we have received in the last week, there is no doubt that we have a great core of members here who will help insure the future of V-8 Buick. As we grow, it's my job to make sure we have a viable strategy in place, to meet the needs that will arise.

We have a couple of different things going now, to insure the healthy financial future of the board here. User donations continues to be the number one revenue source, and we have made it as easy as possible for those of us who use and enjoy this resource, to give back a little.

I thank the thread starter, as well as all of you who have posted and offered your opinion in this thread, but I don't see ever imposing a viewing fee for the board. Not for any section, even the classifieds. Doing so will greatly reduce the traffic in the affected section, and render it useless eventually.

I have, and continue to believe that this community both deserves, and will support a board of this quality and size. V8 Buick has helped further the hobby of thousands and thousands of us here, and will continue to do so, long into the future.

Thanks again everyone, and we wish you all a Happy Easter, and hope you spend it enjoying the day with friends and family, both in person, and on our website here.

JW

Annie Oakley

04-08-2007, 12:04 PM

Jim,

Have you ever considered doing merchandising (tshirts, hat, etc) through a place like CafePress.com? I know that handling orders and shipping on stuff like that is a PITA - we had the same problem with our horse org. We set up a store at CafePress, uploaded our logo, chose the products and profit - and CafePress does all the leg work and sends us a check. Basically, it's handsfree after set up.

A basic store there with 1 image is FREE, or for more product choices and multiple images, it's like $6.95/month.

Anyway, it's an easy way to make logo stuff available. Ours is pretty successful, and it doesn't require someone to 'man' it all the time.

Jim Weise

04-08-2007, 12:12 PM

That's interesting Annie.. I had not seen that option for merchandising, we will definately look into it.

We are also going to be doing an online store, incorporated into the board, selling Restoration, NOS, used and Performance parts.

JW

pooods

04-08-2007, 03:41 PM

Make some shirts, hats and decals. I will step up and get a couple.

Michael Evans

04-08-2007, 03:50 PM

Poppaluv

04-08-2007, 04:16 PM

$ on the way. This is too great a site to lose. I've learned more here than I thought I could (still have decades to learn), AND have met and made friends and friendships through this site.:TU:

Sergeant Major

04-08-2007, 06:32 PM

Merchandising??? Go for it... Mebbe some W.O.T. Shirts..Hats..oh an Buick ones as well.. just kidding:laugh: ..good idea. Where do I send the Buick :dollar:Bucks? I'll support it totally.

"This has been an interesting topic, let me throw my nickel’s worth in here from an administration standpoint."

Jim it makes sense (no pun intended). I've learned a heck of a lot here and I'm still learning. I'll gladly pay $5 to keep this going. Thanks for everything you're doing to make this a success. - SGM

stage01

04-09-2007, 12:46 PM

Jim W, just sent my $100.00 by paypal. Please include me on the Premier List. Thanks to everybody for a wonderful board.

Mike

Jim Weise

04-09-2007, 12:52 PM

Will do

Thanks

JW

moleary

04-09-2007, 07:07 PM

$ on the way. This is too great a site to lose. I've learned more here than I thought I could (still have decades to learn), AND have met and made friends and friendships through this site.:TU:

There is strength in numbers, man.

GS-XNR

04-11-2007, 12:00 AM

Thank you to everyone who responded. Interesting that as of this moment there have been 1460 views of this thread with only 55 replies and 131 "votes". My intention for this thread was to see if we can stabilize the income for the site. The operators of this site (Jim and Mike and ?) shouldn't have to be responsible for all of the operating expenses. Luckily there are enough of us who donate to keep it going. I agree that the information sharing should be free. However, I really like Chris' (cjp69) suggestion that if you want to advertise something for sale you need to be a paid up member. There are many members of this site who use it for commercial purposes. They should have to pay for that service. It was quite a shock to some when the paid ads program was implemented. However, if "membership has its privileges" then one of those privileges may be free ads. If the yearly dues are 5, 10 or 20 dollars per year I will pay it regardless. However for a lot of people they will only pay the dues if they want to advertise something for sale. That's okay too. I just want the site to be funded by a broader base of those who use it or benefit from it. Not the less than 100 who keep it going year after year. I'm a supporter of the board and the owners and will continute to make my donation whether the fee structure changes or not.
I think we can end this thread now. Thank you for your input. Hopefully Jim and Mike will have some input to consider in the future.
Harvey

rob70

04-12-2007, 08:43 AM

This is a great site, due to active and open participation.
I voted no to add fees and/or any new rules. That being said I think the good work of the board should be supported. If you ask the members will respond. My donation is in today.

tommieboy

04-12-2007, 12:40 PM

Should be free.....

6 Bangr

04-24-2007, 05:32 PM

No, I think a lot of people who don't use the computer very much will suffer. Some people just check boards from time to time.

staged70

04-24-2007, 10:34 PM

I have to get in on this . I just sent a payment for credits and was using the classifieds . I really think thats a good way to go Jim . Those of us that buy and sell on here should support this board period! The FREE and open discussion should be allowed to continue . If after merchandising the site can be self sufficent then go back to free .
Oh well I guess I am just another donation now that the old system is back or am I still using my credits ? Either way 5$ is easy enough .

Stubbe

04-25-2007, 12:53 PM

I think it should be free, although 5 bucks isn't bad. Maybe you could add a little donation panel to remind me to donate and an easy way to do so. Like where it says " Stubbe you haven't posted in a few weeks maybe you should offer some help or ask a question" except it would say "GIVE ME MONEY (if you have extra)

Freakazoid

04-26-2007, 07:37 PM

yea, I agree, A donation reminder post would be great. But If reasonable dues were required it could work, Altho I have seen some post where a member is on a tight budget. I would hate the board to loose members if dues were not paid on time.

vireena

05-01-2007, 08:24 AM

:3gears: :3gears:

MASH4551

05-04-2007, 10:40 PM

I say keep it free for chat but if you are selling stuff 5 bucks if its over 150.00 its 10 bucks or which ever works Good for the board in percent, now I know I shouldn't say this but its gonna Kill some of you cheap skates that think the depression is still on, and I have seen it here for many years :Do No: So make your Buick club and site strong build not only your car right but your club too if you know what I mean. :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :

1967 Big Buick

05-07-2007, 11:59 AM

1967 Big Buick

05-07-2007, 12:10 PM

Just think if everyone did spend $5 right now,with the current amount of members we have, that would give the board around $78,485.00

I say everyone should look through junk cars for the extra change if they can't afford it. I use to do that when I was younger.

gui_tarzan

05-07-2007, 12:21 PM

Gotta throw my .02 in. I sent in a donation this year because I believe this site is an amazing resource. It's much better than any other car related forum I've been to and I've been going to them for almost 12 years now.

I would like to see it stay free for six months, then if a person chooses to stick around it would be a $5-10 fee. I see nothing wrong with that and it would raise plenty of money even if only a tenth of the members stuck around.

MASH4551

05-08-2007, 09:46 PM

Hay Jarrod I still look for loose change when I am at the Bone Yard I have a small wood Treasure Chest in the Garage that says Buick Treasure on the front its all old money but its still Good, and one 10K Gold wedding band all wore out :grin: :TU:

Stage1 Jeff

05-08-2007, 09:55 PM

keep it fee free :)
cost of ga$ is hard enough to swalllow

Leviathan

05-09-2007, 09:23 AM

I've been around BBS systems for over 20 years and without exception:

Paid membership = no membership. Every. Single. Time. As has been pointed out, the GSCA tried this in 2002 and lost out big time. The best boards vote on ideas, have fair and even handed moderator policies, live by donations, and have a great team keeping things going.

Here's a simple idea that has worked for various BBS's int he past: a donation drive. Post up a couple stickies up in the Bench with the operating budget for the year and ASK folks to donate.

...it's a safe bet that you'd polish off the budget with donations in less than a month.

Don't mess with a winning formula...

gstewart

05-09-2007, 10:32 AM

i too also believe that a paid membership = no member .

budynabuick

05-09-2007, 12:33 PM

i just recieved my light bill and had to use my spare change to pay that. I love this site and it is worth much more than 5$ a year but being on a fixed income I find it difficult. When I make some spare money i will send 5$ for myself, and 5$ for someone else that can't afford it. Thanks for a GREAT site!!!

Keith

Stage1 Jeff

05-09-2007, 10:12 PM

$5 is just over a gallon and a half gas
with gas so high, and other things I have to keep what $$ I have for now

gui_tarzan

05-10-2007, 08:55 AM

It really does come down to priorities. With all due respect to Leviathan there are many BBSs that are paid and thriving. Different market I know, but it's a fact.

Having said that, I have my own spending issues so I don't want to sound condescending by any means but if you want to pay for something you'll find a way. For example, a pack of cigarettes is around $5. As a former cigarette smoker I can tell you I've saved thousands of dollars over the years since I quit. Not to mention the health factors. Another area for me is a 12 pack of pop is around $4. Four of those a month (roughly) and I'm looking at $16 I could send the board. Even worse, the cigar I had just the day before yesterday was a $5 cigar. There's another five bucks that could have gone to the board. To make things worse, I spent almost $150 on saddlebags for my new bike a week ago on top of almost $200 on a used windshield and new brackets. The money I spent on Murphy in shipping on parts alone would have given the board a boost!

C'mon guys, if we're going to be serious about it there are MANY places we can get five or ten bucks to send in and we wouldn't miss it. Even those on limited incomes. I've been there too, I know how rough it is. Priorities are a tough thing to deal with but it's all about our needs vs. wants. I won't make any friends by saying this but if one truly wants to support something they'll sacrifice elsewhere to do it.

MASH4551

05-10-2007, 09:49 PM

Jim gui_tarzan Thanks I can't believe someone thinks like me :gp:

Leviathan

06-08-2007, 11:57 AM

The fact don't agree I'm afraid. There are lots of paid clubs like the BPG, but where are the paid discussion forums for those types of cars? Here's what some quick searching turns up...

www.corvetteforum.com - 155,953 members, 1554815 articles
www.ferrarichat.com - 44,053 members, 2,759,928 articles
www.benzworld.org - 102,715 members, 1508973 articles
www.mustangforums.com - 69271 members, 3333953 articles
www.mercedesforum.com - 22903 members, 76408 articles
www.z28.com - 20223 members, 250000+ articles
www.turbobuick.com - 18286 members, 80000+ articles
www.mx-6.com - 18837 members, 90000+ articles
www.camaroforums.com - 8237 members, 86012 articles
www.germanautoforums.com - 4067 members, 11560 articles
www.maliburacing.com - 4063 members, 114613 articles
www.amx-perience.com - 1495 members, 2,522 articles

All for free... I can't find any thriving sites with paid membership. Nothing even matches 25% of the membership numbers and postings for the free sites. The closest one I found is on Ferrarichat.com which has a paid area in addition to the free zones - and that has not been used is 75+ days and has less than 5% of their postings! All the above sites live off of donations, or banner ads. The *facts* show that the majority of forum sites on the web survive better as free knowledge bases.

Another fact that is far more important: in 2002, the top Buick board (The GSCA one) went pay and membership dried up. A couple months later when the free v8Buick.com was born and grew overnight with a lot of former GSCA members as the first sign ons. I really do not want to see the same mistake made at v8buick.com

Seriously, go pay and you'll hurt, cripple, or kill the site. Don't get me wrong here I agree with Jim that it is EASY to find the $5, but a membership fee has been proven to be a bad way to get it. There is a better way:

Put up a sticky in the bench, - a donation drive and watch the $$$ roll in. Remind folks and they are happy to find the $5 Jim is talking about, but if you force them to pay for it the cash and the membership suddenly dries up. Been there, seen that, joined v8buick.com after it happened...

Nothingface5384

06-08-2007, 05:09 PM

didnt read through all the replys but i vote against the member fee, but rather have a 5 dollor option to get rid of the ads for x amount of months? and ofcource the regular donation..but make it more like a donation drive every month and maybe compare the cost of bandwidth that mont to the amount donated that month?

Truzi

06-10-2007, 09:34 PM

I'll say it again...
Merchandise.

garyd

06-17-2007, 12:40 PM

could ask for donations of items to auction off for the needed money

buicks

06-18-2007, 11:18 AM

Not that I'm not greatful for the nice site. But no way would I be for a fee. I think if you were looking to drop the number of users to about 25% of the current list, it would accomplish that if ti were mandatory. Sure a star by teh supporters names woudl be something, but it would create a disgruntledness for the ones without stars, we don't need that. If its getting hard to manage, try cutting back on the managing, we can post things to eachother without much management I would think. I like the mechandise Idea, though things would have to be cheap, maybe I'm just to cheap!

Truzi

06-18-2007, 10:16 PM

I could be wrong, but I believe the "managing" is volunteered.

As far as merchandise prices, things like mugs, T-shirts, etc., could all be sold at prices similar to what you'd pay at a store.

Camilla

06-26-2007, 10:51 AM

The only way to get people to pay to look at a website is to include nudity. Or celebrity autopsy photos. The most successful website would probably feature nude celebrity autopsy photos. And I don't think we want to go there. Although, now that I think about it, didn't Jayne Mansfield die in a Buick? Hmmmm...:)

banburi

07-05-2007, 10:21 PM

I've bought and sold my share of parts on this board, as well as asked numerous questions. I always, like many others, had taken this resource for granted. I was getting ready to build my 439 and went to JW's website and printed out the oil modifacation upgrades, and gave them to Rick Gable to do the machining. Then it dawned on me, JW sat down and wrote it up, took the pictures, and put it out there for the good of the Buick Community, no charge. I then sent a $200.00 contribution to the Board, and I'm sending JW a $100.00 for all his unselfish help over the phone the past five years. I ran 11.73 ET @ 115 mph at Norwalk, with alot of help from this board, and talking to board members. TA Mike & Dave, JW, John Zerucha, and others will help you solve a problem, or steer you right if asked. We cannot afford to lose this valuable asset, nor do we want it screwed with. Pony up fellas, time to send in some money to keep the board the way it is. No free lunches, that's my $0.02.
Michael Dyer

Jim Weise

07-06-2007, 01:57 PM

Thanks Michael, that's very generous of you.

JW

white72gs455

07-06-2007, 01:58 PM

Hi,

At first glance i voted for the $5, after reading some of the draw backs maybe voluntary should be the way to go. I know the site has helped me and if a fee were to kill the site ... where would I go? I actually had jim do some work on my engine, which if it wasnt for the site i never would have found him.

Ill get a paypal ready this weekend jimbo!!!!

:dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar:

Jim Weise

07-06-2007, 02:02 PM

Thanks Jerry, I hope your still doing well.

JW

BOnoP

07-09-2007, 11:41 AM

I think a $5.00 fee is more than reasonable. He!!, I've paid $25 on a 67-69camaro and 67-72 truck sites
If you can't afford to sacrifice lunch for 1 day ($5.00), for a year of this encyclopedia of information, you dont deserve to be here. JMO

Im going to paypal right now to send a $25.00 donation

68 Skylark cust

07-09-2007, 01:14 PM

I average more than 5$/year since I join the board in 2003 on a volountary basis and very please to do so , but I don't know if I would have joined the board if it was mandatory back then ...

BOnoP

07-11-2007, 02:47 PM

A month free, $5.00 thereafter is more than fair

Gulfgears

07-12-2007, 07:53 AM

I've always felt like a cheapskate because I haven't ponied up some money to contribute to the site. The information here is priceless and the members seem only too happy to shre their information.

So, I'll pay the $5, but wouldn't balk if it was more and you threw in a Buick specifc T shirt or coozie or something like that.

Maybe make it free for read only?

buicks

07-12-2007, 01:48 PM

A month? They are talking about $5 per year.

Steve Craig

07-12-2007, 01:59 PM

I voted for the very small nominal fee. Likewise I've always sent in some support $$ every year I've participated here.

BOnoP

07-12-2007, 06:55 PM

A month? They are talking about $5 per year.

Im just suggesting free membership for a month, and $5 a year thereafter:)

That would give an individual enough time to figure whether it was of value to him/her

Free Riviera

09-06-2007, 09:52 PM

I always, like many others, had taken this resource for granted. I was getting ready to build my 439 and went to JW's website and printed out the oil modifacation upgrades, and gave them to Rick Gable to do the machining. Then it dawned on me, JW sat down and wrote it up, took the pictures, and put it out there for the good of the Buick Community, no charge. ...I ran 11.73 ET @ 115 mph at Norwalk, with alot of help from this board, and talking to board members. TA Mike & Dave, JW, John Zerucha, and others will help you solve a problem, or steer you right if asked. We cannot afford to lose this valuable asset, nor do we want it screwed with. Pony up fellas, time to send in some money to keep the board the way it is. No free lunches, that's my $0.02.
Michael Dyer

Well said Michael! :gp:

I was just feeling all warm and fuzzy today about all the help I've received from this forum and others in the Buick community such as Jim Weise (I copped his oil mods too), Jeff (Yardley) Holthenrichs (offered me his stock exhaust manifolds in my first post on this forum as a newbie and has a website that's a great resource for Riviera Owners) and Greg Gessler (Had a question about DIY porting/polishing that I wasn't getting any bites on though this forum - Greg answered me in about three hours though e-mail... I wasn't expecting that).

I wondered how I could pay back for all this. Mr. Gessler was easy - I gave him some work putting exhaust seat inserts in my heads.

Jim Weise and this goldmine of a site - DUMB-ARSE that I am... I've never checked out anything above "The Bench" that's listed on the homepage! :Dou: I finally contributed today!

Yardley - haven't figured how to help him out yet. Maybe he needs a hand turning wrenches... maybe a new coat of asphalt sealer on his driveway to hide all the burnout marks?

Most of what I wanted to say about V8Buick.com and the Buick community in general can be found in the posts in the "Board Supporters" section by people that have contributed already.

Posting these testimonials and asking for help (quarterly?) in "The Bench" might lead horses (asses - in my case) to water with regard to contributions. IE. - a little self promotion may be all that's needed to keep solvent(?)

Is "the ruckus caused by the classifieds" the main reason that this year is the first time that the board is fully self-supporting? http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=119196&page=3 (4th post down) We gotta have a ruckus every year then!!!:TU: :beers2:

ubushaus

09-06-2007, 10:56 PM

Just PayPal'd for five years! What club can you join for five bucks a year that is actually worth it? This one for sure!

white72gs455

09-11-2007, 10:15 AM

ZibeSmith

09-27-2007, 09:41 AM

Free with option to donate and perks for those that donate at a given level, i.e., credits in classifieds. Great site, job well done.:TU:

jay3000

10-03-2007, 05:08 PM

No fee.. I probably would have kept moving if I had come upon a fee when I joined a couple of months ago. I just sent a paypal. I think more people would donate a few dollars if there was a good way solicit a donation.. I just assumed most places ran quite well off of advertising..

I hope I haven't been blackballed by my religious discuusion:beer. Nevermind if you don't know what I mean.

elliet

10-05-2007, 07:24 PM

Heck $5.00? I only feel gulity for not contributing earlier! I honestly didn't know!

Tom

How about posting extra items you have and the proceeds go to the site?

geno

12-16-2007, 09:28 AM

mmiked75

12-16-2007, 02:15 PM

Sure charge the fee if its going to keep the site ad free, also a nominal fee shows a little support, and dedication. I like the T-Shirt idea too, maybe hats?

Joe B

12-16-2007, 11:00 PM

I must admit that I have not read through all of the comments on this topic, but in regard to the original question, let me give you my experience on a similar forum. Prior to buying my GS I owned an '84 Mercedes Benz 500 SL that was purchased at a song as a project. I came across a website, www.sl107.com, that was similar in many ways to this one. The site was very informative and the members were very knowledgable and helpful and, as on this site, sometimes tended to wander from the original topic. They were, on the whole, not as friendly as this site, with some being very arrogant, many were know-it-alls that could not be told anything, and it was pretty clear that there was a small group that made up a hierarchy that was not questioned. I grew tired of the car (you think parts for '70s Buicks are expensive? Ha!), the on-line feuding and the snobbery, and sold the car. At some point the administrator of the site implemented a policy that gave the members a choice between becoming a fee paying member who had complete access to the site, or remain a "free" member and have limited access to the site. As I recall, only the paying members could use the classified sections, view the tech areas, and post and view pictures of their and other members rides. Participation in the site literally stopped cold. Member input ceased almost completely and after a few weeks the administrator backtracked and recanted the charges on one or two of the areas. For all practical purposes it killed the site. You can go to it now and the most recent posts in some areas are months or years old. Bottom line, I think it's okay to ask for donations for the website, but when you start requiring people to pay to participate, even partially, you run the risk of taking the pleasure out of it for them. This is, after all, just a bunch of folks talking about their cars, trading stories, and offering tech tips. Paying to do that would be like paying to spend time with your friends.

flynbuick

12-17-2007, 07:10 AM

can some one email me name address etc i would like to send money order for support on this board this site saved me money finding parts for my project last year im starting a 67 skylark shortly thanks from geno geno@greenbaynet.com

There is a "Donate" icon at the top of the page for Paypal users. For non Pay pal users click on the "Trishield Performance" icon at the bottom of the page as it passes by. Jim Weise owns this V8Buick Board site and Trishield Performance.

As the Board has gotten so big the the cost of the server time has grown. I believe JW said this line item alone costs 4-5K a year.

71customConv

12-17-2007, 09:08 AM

Here are my two cents.

In a perfect world the donations would work. Those of us that can and want to donate $50 can and those that have the passion and no money are not required to.

Think of this a Church for the Buick Faithful. Everyone knows what they can give. The problem is that we sometimes forgot to give. I did and it wasn't until last week that i made my donation. If we want to keep the site the way it is we need to remember to make our donations.

If we can not do that than another method must be used. I would start first by asking OPGI, Year One, TA Performance, Poston and the other Buick Supportors. This is their target market. $1000 for an ad for 12 months with this type of target would be very inexpensive. Allow them a link to put their catalogs in PDF format here.

If that can not be done the membership fee would be necessary. I agree with Joe B that it might just kill the site because the message we will be sending is that if you can not pay up we don't want you in the Buick Club. I am 36 and really just now starting to get into this. I read a fair amount of posts from younger people that will help grow the interest in Buicks. I don't think we should tell anyone that you may have to choose between a part for your car and getting information about your car.

IF YOU CAN DONATE AND HAVE NOT PLEASE DO. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DONATE BUT ONLY GAVE $5 PLEASE GIVE $5 FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO. The part that make this site so great is that people are nice and seem to care. Lets keep it that way. Please care enough to donate for yourself and for someone that can not at the moment. In the future those of us that can not donate will be able to. They will remember that someone paid there way before and will donate for themselves and one other then.

Thanks,

AZBUICK

12-18-2007, 07:42 PM

J-(Chicago)

12-22-2007, 03:28 AM

I came to this site looking for info and leads on some Buick motor mounts, and the people have been nothing but helpful to me. I have donated, for myself and one other person. Thank you guys.

Still need mounts though :laugh: :dollar:

buicks

12-26-2007, 12:18 PM

Well, this poll pretty much started the heirarchy (spelling?) by showing everyone who is and isn't for it.

photobugz

12-26-2007, 02:22 PM

The thought of otherwise getting paid sponsorship from OPGI, Y1, etc is enough to motivate me to donate (which I have done). I'd rather not see ads and/or pop-ups.

:beers2:

Turbo455

12-26-2007, 02:55 PM

I'm fairly new to the site and love it. I would not have joined if it cost 1$. But now that I know what it's all about it's worth 100$ to me. Having said that I will go donate. maybe you could give the first year free to get people hooked, and then ask for a donation through email every year. I believe that the people who really use the site would be willing to donate much more than 5$. I think that blocking part of the site would take away from the experience and people will not be able to see what they are missing. maybe every new year you could have a goal ticker and when the goal/operating cost are reached then the goal ticker goes away. I don't have a problem with being charged, but i do think you will turn away potential new members.

buicks

12-27-2007, 08:25 AM

I think Turbo455 has excellent ideas!

Tripper

12-30-2007, 10:01 PM

Absolutely!!! I'm a newbie & am workin' on a 425 Nailhead. Within 5 minutes I found several tips that were well worth the $5 I just donated by PayPal! This is a HUGE site & someone is paying to host it & keep it running (no small task!). I can't *even* imagine how long it takes to back this big sucker up!?!? Kudos & thanks to whoever is doin' it! Awesome resource & glad to be here!!!

BoB

Prophet

12-31-2007, 07:53 AM

For the ammount of information on this site and the fact that you can buy or sell just about anything Buick related I think 5 dollars a year is nothing.

tom65special

12-31-2007, 01:10 PM

We went through this last year around the same time and there was good points on both side of the membership discussion. What happened was this discussion prompted people to donate and I think Jim got plenty to run the site last year, 2007, from donations. Correct me if I'm wrong Jim. It might be time to start a thread for 2008 contributors. I don't think the membership fee is necessary if last years donations are any indication of the support people give to this site. I will be donating for 2008 as I did in 2007. Some people just don't have the extra cash for the fee and I would hate to lose any of the good people we have around here.

Jim,
Kudos to another great year on this site. Thank you for all your hard work.

Tom

GBodyShop

03-03-2008, 12:49 AM

I know a lot of members bring up a good reasons for fees and no fees. All I can say. If paying fees keeps this forum open. So be it. If it can stay free EVEN BETTER ;).

I like what some talk about before about paying $25 and he got a shirt. This sound like maybe if someone is willing to pay $5 for fees or have the option to pay a little extra for a shirt with it. Options are always great and it allows the members to see more things happen. Like forum member calenders, shirts, mouse pads, Window stickers etc... Just a thought.

roboteq-1@hotma

04-11-2008, 02:52 AM

I've been a Buick nut for years - hit the "donate" button at the top yesterday and POOF! I feel $20.00 better. :dollar:
Hit it guys- more info and good folks here than you'll ever find...:beer
Robert

bladerunner

04-19-2008, 08:14 PM

I donated last year and will this, when is the donation drive starting? I love T-Shirts but would dontate without one. This is a great group here, would be unhappy without access to the site.

PlumCrazy

04-19-2008, 10:24 PM

Done and Done...Thanks for keeping the site up for all of us.

Wayne S

Sergeant Major

04-19-2008, 11:31 PM

I was reading about BCA increasing their dues, and I about came unglued, and had posted it here on this forum. Well, I've got absolutely no problem donating money to this site, as I've learned tons from all the good people here. I've donated before and will again, but I just can't see paying more in dues for something that I'm not really getting anything out of (IN MY OPINION), so I'll just take that "increase" and dues and apply it here. Only makes sense to me. Now I've got to let 3 (I think) years of dues run out. But I'll still donate annually. When's the next donation drive?

Rowdy65

06-01-2008, 03:39 PM

Sergeant Major

06-01-2008, 05:43 PM

:gp: I am a brand new member here - since yesterday in fact. I don't mind $5.00 even though both my wife and I have found ourselves unemployed recently.:pray:
Rowdy65

Rowdy, don't worry about it. Get you and your family on their feet, and the homestead in running order. This forum should be the last thing on your mind. Currently it's just donations. Take that $5.00 and tuck it away to where you can use it for the family. There's enough nuts on this forum like me that will contribute to keep this board running. :Brow:

Oh... Welcome to the Board...

-SGM

Rowdy65

06-01-2008, 11:57 PM

Rowdy, don't worry about it. Get you and your family on their feet, and the homestead in running order. This forum should be the last thing on your mind. Currently it's just donations. Take that $5.00 and tuck it away to where you can use it for the family. There's enough nuts on this forum like me that will contribute to keep this board running. :Brow:

Oh... Welcome to the Board...

-SGM
Thanks SGM, for the kind words, but we already have put $20 in the pool for this. We want to be able to place some ads.
Rowdy65

gstewart

06-02-2008, 06:26 AM

i would much prefer voluntary donations & i will gladly make a donation to this site. i would guess that every member using this site has certainly saved many, many $$$ from the gained knowledge of its members. i certainly have!

fishboy003

06-08-2008, 09:24 PM

I found my new ride here, made some new "keyboard" friends and have had a lot of fun in addition to gaining a lot of knowledge.......well worth a donation......but keep it free for those that are feeling the pinch and not so fortunate...........Tom

Evil_Regal

06-09-2008, 02:37 PM

You could restrict avatars and signatures and reserve them for dues paying members, as well as the classifieds postings. I don't think that anyone should be locked out of a site for not paying, especially being a new guy. You give to sites that you find useful and the only way to know is if you can read and participate. Add a dues paying member sign on the profile and the other things I list above and I think it is good. If everyone is paying then everyone needs to be getting something in return as well. I look forward to posting more on here and if it will cost me 5 bucks a year that is no real big deal but I also run websites and the costs can be negligible, or depending on bandwidth costs can be extraordinary so do what you have to do, but don't make it prohibitive. 2c

Jim Weise

06-10-2008, 07:52 AM

Yes, our bandwith use is costly, along with the leased server that runs this whole deal..

But as always, I have no plans of implementing any user fees, as long as you guys keep being so generous.

As always.. Thanks

JW

faster

06-23-2008, 05:53 PM

I have no problem with a fee if it keeps adds from appearing.

Mikey

BUICKRAT

06-23-2008, 06:25 PM

I voted that the site should be free.

I fully understand that there are costs involved. There is also alot of hard work and time on JW's, MB's and others part to make this site what it is. Without Jims information (and many others who I do not know by name), this site would be worthless. They work hard to keep it up and running, and supplying us with the latest dyno results, new builds, and valuable info to keep us Buick guys going. Without their support, we would be lost in a world of experimentation, and we all know what THAT costs.

I think a fund drive would be great. If Jim kept us informed of the costs associated with running v8buick, and the time he and others spend to keep it going, I think more users would donate. Heck, we ALL benefit from this site, otherwise we wouldn't be here, eh?

If we implement a membership fee, I think we will severely limit the # of potential donators, decrease traffic, and limit the amount of info available here.

It took 2 years to get a donation out of me, but I tried to make it worthwhile. I would not have started using this site if it required a membership fee. No amount of flash would have made me give my c.c.# over the net to use a site I have never used before .

I also think we all need to band together and make a donation if you haven't already. If you are a daily visitor, is 20 bucks a year too much for what you get?

The other thing that could be done is after 100 posts within one year would have to make a minimal donation to keep using the site.

If we make a membership fee mandatory, we will be cutting off alot of people/information/parts. Lets face it...people today don't have extra cash to throw around.

My long-winded .02!

Free Riviera

06-23-2008, 10:36 PM

As a member of the Riviera Owner's Association, I'm not too pleased that their site is mostly un-usable unless you have a password you get from the membership fee... and I usually can't seem to get the one that supposed to work... to work!

I don't think this site is helping anyone get involved... much less doing a good job of keeping ME involved.

Talk about a waste of money, sheesh...

I dropped the membership at one point, but rejoined only to gain access to the classified section of their magazine.

Sorry to vent...

Buick Kid

07-07-2008, 10:09 AM

I like free. Free is good. :TU:

jeryst

07-29-2008, 03:02 PM

There should be a way to get more funds from sponsors and advertisers.
I belong to a lot of sites, and all are free. Unfortunately, because of life, family, and health issues, I dont get on any of them very much. I dont think Ive been on this one since August of 2007, so I would not want to pay a fee. I realize that there is a ton of information here, and a whole lot of members, but its the same on the other sites too, and they exist solely on advertisements tastefully located at the bottom of the page. I usually click on them every time I'm on, just to help out. Perhaps that could be tried for a while, and members could do their part by clicking on at least one ad per visit, just to help keep the site free. Ads dont have to be annoying, glaring, intrusive, etc, and pop-ups should not be allowed.

regal-nut

07-29-2008, 03:51 PM

IDOXLR8

08-08-2008, 10:48 AM

Dangerous area. This why this thread was started, to test the waters to see how many would bail and that could affect the supporters like T/A Performance and the rest of the big names that support this board. Is this board losing money? Or just not generating to your expectations? I have a feeling these question may remain unanswered, AL.

chuck56

01-03-2009, 11:40 AM

I think the site should be free to peruse for information, help, and insights. However, a $5.00 fee for extended user privileges, such as posting parts or cars for sale, is reasonable if needed to maintain the site and sponsorship $$ is not available.

Howrad

01-04-2009, 02:38 PM

instead of $5, how about $4.55? :beers2:

batcar

01-04-2009, 03:25 PM

instead of $5, how about $4.55? :beers2:

Sounds good until the 4.30, 4.25 and the 3.8 guys get involved:confused:

jay3000

01-06-2009, 05:14 PM

I pitched in $20 that I'll never miss..

Without this site I would not have a perfect running, looking, and driving 72 GS..

I don't know how people fixed up these old cars before the internet and websites like this. The information and the networking of people here is priceless..

GS-XNR

01-06-2009, 10:21 PM

Time to pony up everyone....

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=168898

buicks

03-03-2009, 08:48 AM

With the number fo users we have, there may even be a guy who owns a T shirt graphic business, or a print shop that can print posters. Whole sale or even donated to be incentives to give to donating members of certain amounts. Stuff to put on the garage wall is always nice! ;)

BUICKRAT

03-03-2009, 07:00 PM

I am new to this board so i cant say much. What i do see at other boards is that thy have advertising pay. The advertising must be auto related witch is a good thing. At this time in my life i had to let lots of magizines go like hot rod for one that hirts to let them go. but what should be told to members is that THIS IS WHAT IT WILL CAUST TO RUN THIS BOARD for the year. From that we as members should pitch in and help. Kind of like a gole. That way it is still free but it might just help get more members to help out with out the preshure. Just my .02 :idea2:

No ads, no pop ups, Thats how its always been. Clean site, no bull, just Buicks. Lets keep it that way! Everybody donate! even if its just 10 bucks, it all helps. That way we can keep it free for new members/parts for sale/info/advice...just give what you take, is all.

64LeSabre455

03-03-2009, 07:18 PM

FREE!!
BUT, I think there should be a perk for members that donate a certain annual amount.

$25 More mailbox space + sticker

$50 More Mail space Buick t-shirt and sticker

$100 More mail space Buick t-shirt, sticker, license plate frame.

My 2 cents!!

flynbuick

03-04-2009, 06:04 AM

mritter

06-07-2009, 08:16 PM

Sure I would pay. Although only a member for a month, this site is by far the best. I think it is the members and there passion that make it that way. BUICKRAT brought up a good point about scaring away new visitors with a fee. How about a 30 day or so free trial and then pay after that if you like it.

Tristan

06-07-2009, 10:46 PM

No! i think it should be free! especally since im only 13

cray1801

06-07-2009, 11:05 PM

I did not read this thread, just wanted to share some thoughs, hope it's not all a repeat....

Click-able adds are fine if this helps with costs, but pop ups and distracting ads are a pain in the butt. I like the fact that this is a free site for anyone, but understand nothing is free. I think it's time for a contribution, since it's been a while (for me)....:idea2:

In addition, I appreciate the many people here that help with the site, offer their experience and helpful advice, they should be commended....you know who you are :TU:

mritter

06-25-2009, 10:18 AM

Only been on the board a few months, but made a small donation today. I haven't even found my car yet, but this site has been very helpfull and the guys are cool

Andy Tantes

06-25-2009, 11:52 AM

each transaction on this board should require an automatic donation,at least yearly.:TU:

sell a part,you donate

sell a car,you donate

money is flying all over the place on this board.

this board deserves a piece of it.

68TriShield

06-25-2009, 12:11 PM

Being one of the owners of a online cigar forum,I will be glad to donate.We don't take donations mainly because we split the between 11 of us.

Can someone tell me if there is a way to donate w/o using PayPal?
After what I've seen PP do with other peoples money,there is no fookin way I will use that service.

Can I get a PM from a mod or admin with a address to send a check?

Jim Weise

06-26-2009, 08:56 AM

Here is that info your looking for Dave..

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=169023

JW

rflegel

06-26-2009, 10:04 AM

As necessary as sustainable financing really is, I wonder if there would be any possibility of strongly suggesting a donation of $XX.xx during the registration process with an annual email request for the same.

Some folks are just plain turned off by membership fees and many hit tough financial streaks. I would hate to see anyone put out to the curb for lack of membership fees. There is a lot of great input we might loose in the process.

That said, I can support membership fees with a provision that no one would be excluded. I do kind of like the idea of some special privilege or designation for paid members. Heck, a V8 Buick Key-ring would be cool too!

This all needs to be financed somehow, so do what is needed to keep the boat afloat!

68TriShield

06-26-2009, 10:21 AM

Here is that info your looking for Dave..

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=169023

JW
Got it Jim,thanks for hosting a great site!

68TriShield

06-26-2009, 10:51 AM

My thought is if you enjoy and benefit from the site,donate.

Andy Tantes

06-29-2009, 08:55 AM

T

I can't find any thriving sites with paid membership.

www.yenko.net

this board is HUGE,,and very successful..

this is a Yenko Camaro site,and has sections for other makes to be featured.

this site has a $25 yearly donation required to post a for sale ad for car or part.

i sold my w-31 on this board.:beers2:

gatkins2004

06-30-2009, 12:07 AM

I'm going to donate right now. All it took was this little reminder!

Thank you for all the help guys.

Gary

Jim Weise

07-01-2009, 09:55 PM

www.yenko.net

this board is HUGE,,and very successful..

???

From the yenko BB Specs

Show favorite forums.
6744 Registered User(s).
There are 24 registered and 41 anonymous users online.
Max users online was 1036 @ 04/12/09 10:10 PM
Current adjusted date is: 07/01/09 11:29 PM

From the V8.com admin panel..

Data Usage 1.24 GB
Index Usage 90.29 MB
Attachment Usage 6.85 GB
Avatar Usage 25.89 MB
Unique Members Today 1,022
New Threads Today 60
New Users Today 10
New Posts Today 620

... and the day is not over yet..

From the homepage..

Members: 19,241 | Threads: 141,575 | Posts: 1,190,390\

You may want to reconsider your definition of a "huge" BBS

I point this out, not to boast, or make you look bad, but for this simple reason.

V8Buick.com has never charged a private user to list parts, or for any other reason, and never will. At least not while Mike and I own it..

Just this year, we started selling forum space to vendors in legitimate business, for a fraction of the cost of other BBS sites. And we provide them a much better package than other BBS's offer. At the same time, we kept the "little guy" area for selling parts that you may make in your garage, or in your business during your "spare time".

I strongly beleive that this is the only way to run a BBS. While charging guys to sell their own personal parts might do a better job of lining my pockets with cash, it will severly limit the number of sellers, and make the BBS experience that much less productive tool for our GS community.

Thanks to everyone who supports the board, for making it possible for us to do this! :TU:

JW

PS.. V8buick.com was over 22,000 registered users, before we trimmed back the unused registrations here about a year ago.

bob k. mando

07-01-2009, 09:59 PM

New Users Today 10

~3500 new accounts every year ain't too shabby.

Andy Tantes

07-06-2009, 11:02 AM

While charging guys to sell their own personal parts might do a better job of lining my pockets with cash, it will severly limit the number of sellers, and make the BBS experience that much less productive tool for our GS community.

as for yenko.net,what i meant by huge wasnt membership,but potential buyer base.

jim,just have a $20 yearly seller's fee.

pay the $20 when you sell a part and you're good for a year.:beers2:

Billhillytim

09-08-2009, 10:18 PM

No. But a lot more people should donate.

I agree 100%, and thought that was the general consensus when I joined. I don't mind ponying up more than 5 bucks if it helps keep it free for the less established members to get a start on their car on what little budget they have. I've been there a couple times and found free sites helped more than any local wanted to. :beer

69BUICKSTAGE1

09-09-2009, 02:21 PM

I Just Got Off Paypal .i Sent $5 For Me And $5 For Someone Who Cant Afford It. It Was Painless.thanks For A Great Site. Randy

CJB72Skylark

09-16-2009, 04:40 PM

How about this for an option: If you are not a paying member over $25/year, certain threads are locked, like the parts for sale, wanted etc...

JimJames

09-17-2009, 09:42 PM

How about this for an option: If you are not a paying member over $25/year, certain threads are locked, like the parts for sale, wanted etc...

I'm sure there would be quite a few sad goodbyes coming if this plan was ever implemented. BUT, whatever the upper echelon decides, if anything, will dictate what, how, & when members decide about their future here. Just one man's thoughts. Jim :(

CJB72Skylark

09-18-2009, 10:15 AM

True but their are quite a few people who use the site as their own personal classified section- and make alot of money doing so. Why is it okay for them to profit and not give anything back?

I don't like the idea of charging for a regular membership- 4 years ago when I got my car and found this website I would have never signed up if it had cost money to do so and I would have missed out on more technical information than my brain can handle because of it. There isn't a day that goes by that I log in here and don't learn something new.

Should the guy who sells a couple old gauges and an intake he has laying around be charged to post his parts for sale compared to someone who does part outs as a source of secondary income, I don't think so but the kicker is there is no way to seperate the two categories of posters.

I don't have any ill feelings toward part outs, I'm extremely gratefull they do so because most time that is the only way to find those little knick knack parts and the majority of the people that do them contribute more than their fair share to the financial fund.

I guess more than anything it's just frustrating knowing their are people around who don't pull their weight to help keep the site running and frankly don't care. I've met so many cool people because of this place I couldn't imagine it not being here.

EDIT: In lieu of this thread I just sent in another $30 to help out, thanks for everything you do Jim and Mike

Jim Weise

09-18-2009, 12:06 PM

Guys,

As I have stated in the past on this thread, we have no plans of instituting a membership fee.

We will continue to rely on the generousity of the membership and I will continue to pick up any remaining tab, should that be required.

This thread/poll was created a couple years ago, by a concerned member.

JW

jay3000

10-30-2009, 01:07 PM

Thanks Jim.. If there were a membership fee I would have to pay up no matter the cost. I gotta finish this damn car. (turbo car) And the fact of the matter is that without this board I couldn't. I'd probably still be trying to figure out how to fix my GS which has been issue free for almost 2 years. (except for the ditch:Do No: )

This place has saved me a friggin ton of money and made some great friends along the way. I'll donate every year.

Jay

pabstman

11-03-2009, 08:54 AM

I am a new member, small contributor. I thought I had to pay something to sign on. That wasn't the case but it was well worth it. The amount of help and information that I have received so far is amazing and sure saved me a lot of headaches. I don't think a small fee is asking too much. It would be nice to let someone click on the site but not post a certain amount of times first though to see if they like it and maybe the quality of the board will suck them in to sign on
Terry

ibmoses

11-03-2009, 12:07 PM

.

Guys,

As I have stated in the past on this thread, we have no plans of instituting a membership fee.

We will continue to rely on the generousity of the membership and I will continue to pick up any remaining tab, should that be required.

This thread/poll was created a couple years ago, by a concerned member.

JW

.

X-Rated

11-03-2009, 07:43 PM

I think the site should remain free, but I did just donate my $5.00. In my opinion, money well spent.

Thanks for the great site!

Michael Evans

11-11-2009, 08:17 AM

Have reminder put out (in e-mail or thead) that this site continues with donations either monthly or yearly.

neonova75

11-26-2009, 05:45 PM

I donated 5

There goes my lunch money...

JK lol:bla:

Love this site, as my project entails putting a 350 SBB in a Nova, I need as much quality info as I can get!!

macrylinda

08-08-2010, 04:32 AM

I'm new to this site, but I pay yearly memberships at other similiar sites. I pay $25/year at one site and they send you a t-shirt with selected members rides - kind of cool and gets the word out.

I'm in for whatever keeps the site up, active, and maintains the quality.

-Dan
Sorry about question #2 in the poll. I've never posted a poll before so I didn't know how the results would look. If you have any suggestions for "member only" services just reply with your suggestions.

Briz

08-08-2010, 07:38 AM

I'm still fairly new here but see the benefit of the site and all thats available to the users. I made a 100.00 donation to the site and would NOT be opposed to a 5.00 per yr membership fee. man, Whats 5 bucks anymore? If it keeps it ad free and open I'm in.

Andy Tantes

08-09-2010, 07:03 AM

carbs selling on here for for $1500..valve covers for $500..heads for $2000..

give me a break:Dou:

it should be mandatory a fee paid on every sale:beers2:

01j

08-09-2010, 07:43 AM

Free is the only hope for long term survival of this site. If you start charging a fee, any fee, then this site will become a "club" because only those who have the urge to belong to a club will pay. People who shy away from clubs will go somewhere else. That somewhere else will be a new site started by a non-club type. This one will fade away.

speedtigger

08-09-2010, 07:56 AM

I say it should be free. However, I think there should be a pop up screen occasionally or something similar that reminds people to donate. "the squeeky wheel gets the grease" etc.

I say this because some people do not always see the value right away. And, the majority of forums are free. So, when people see it is pay for play, they may just look elsewhere and never learn to appreciate the value of the site.

I just donated $25 and would be glad to do that annually and/or if I am informed of an additional need or expense.

I do think reminders would be great though.

lenco12

09-19-2010, 08:16 AM

speedtigger

09-19-2010, 02:53 PM

I would like some kind or annual or semi annual reminder that it is time to contribute. Is that type of mechanism possible?

johnwwjr

09-20-2010, 02:32 PM

If it is necessary to keep the site running and prevent having to deal with streaming ads, then definitely yes. I am new to this forum and have gleaned a great deal of information from filtering through the existing threads and asking some detailed questions. There are very knowledgeable members here and this site needs to be around for a while longer.

NeverL8

09-20-2010, 07:35 PM

I spent more than $5 in the Timmies lineup this morning! :spank:

For you southerners....Timmies = High Octane Java!

$5 is well worth it (for the site too)!

bostonbuick

09-23-2010, 04:08 PM

I would rather take over the site and fulfill all hosting and administration duties myself with my server and fibre line than watch everyone pay or see ads.

bostonbuick

09-23-2010, 04:20 PM

side note: over the years i have moderated a board with over 80,000 members and currently one with 125,000 members and administer fully one of about 8,000 members. i am aware of the maintenance and costs for these to run. i know how hosting gets out of control with disk space (so many pictures these days!) and bandwidth. this is why i brought hosting in-house. www.thetemplehost.com . unlimited bandwidth and disk space is dictated by the server.

that being said, paid sites die. if you make it a requirement to post or continue with donation only, the board will wane to the just those that do, which will be a much smaller number than you think, always is, and then it will just be a tiny community of the same old folks talking about the same ol things, instead of a constantly expanding center for help and everything else, for everyone.

i hate ads. everyone does. also why i brought hosting in house, so it's not necessary. but if it is, throw some discrete google ads somewhere, or get sponsors to have banner ads at a monthly cost to them. but then it probably still won't be enough, after all, that's more bandwidth per page, and you're getting charged by the hosting company.

only real solution, bring it in house, host it yourself. or i'd be happy to, caus this place is great and i don't want to see it go the way of the dinosaur with paid subscriptions or tons of ads :)

jay3000

09-26-2010, 08:50 PM

I would like some kind or annual or semi annual reminder that it is time to contribute. Is that type of mechanism possible?

Yes.. Push the donate button now......

tysongross

09-29-2010, 05:18 PM

I'm sorry but I think a fee is a bad idea. Why did I come to this board? because its free and it has a lot of great info and sources here.

I think it would prevent future members with good info and sources for parts etc. from coming here if they had to pay. The internet is so big and there are a lot of great free info out there. I think it would just push traffic to other boards that are free.

Board sponser's are where you should get paid. They get our money anyway right?

Tricolor72

10-17-2010, 04:42 PM

Fees to make transactions in the Classified section is a nice idea but some members here (Jay) have also had good ideas such as asking a donation to the site be made in the pay it forward section as free parts change hands. That way free parts are still passed on much below their retail value and the site benifits as well. I would say any donation over $5 is acceptable as some money is better than no money.

Hector

11-07-2010, 12:51 AM

If everybody who looked at this thread as of today had donated $1.00 to the board,I believe that we would be ok for almost 3yrs at today costs.JW has stated on here his intentions and a fee is not one of them,I wonder why still beating on the same old horse?:beer

eagleguy

11-07-2010, 06:39 AM

Find a vendor who can create some v8 Buick shirts with various Buick vehicles this site addresses. I'm sure if purchased a the right price with a nominal profit margin people would buy. Nowadays everybody wants something for their $. This way everyone gets something!!

Fragzem

11-09-2010, 12:51 PM

Tough question, but I think it should remain free and more people should donate. I don't want to get into a "tax the rich" idea.. but this forum has some big differences in demographics.

Some people have 32 show-cars and others on here have a junker they're just trying to get to start after buying it for $300.

Side note: all other car forums I've been on have been free, from Nissan Z31's to Ford P71's, to hotrodders.com, etc.

The other problem with a paid site is, there's some old-fashioned folks on here whom I'm sure still deal only in cash with everything. Getting some of our members who are not computer savvy to pay via paypal or something similar to that would be a challenge.

GNandGS

11-22-2010, 02:52 PM

I agree with comments from Boston except that I cannot offer hosting. As mentioned paid sites are different in personality and often die.

Speaking just for me: I enjoy stopping by once in a while but I no longer own a Buick or live in the US so if required to pay I'm much less likely to visit. I also like to look in classifieds and dream. Not sure how many others fit that description

jay3000

11-22-2010, 06:24 PM

Speaking just for me: I enjoy stopping by once in a while but I no longer own a Buick or live in the US so if required to pay I'm much less likely to visit. I also like to look in classifieds and dream. Not sure how many others fit that description

Currently there are 186 members and 446 guests viewing. That's a skewed number because some are members that are not logged on..

Smartin

11-22-2010, 06:29 PM

This discussion has been going on for 4 years:laugh:

jay3000

11-22-2010, 07:16 PM

This discussion has been going on for 4 years:laugh:

It's really a non-discussion..

GNandGS

11-22-2010, 09:35 PM

At least there are no NEW threads. Also others that have or want to have a forum can learn (maybe).

I any case thats how conversations are in real life too... same old war stories told over and over. :)

Doug Ray

11-23-2010, 05:51 PM

A yearly membership fee would be ok with me. You would pay a membership fee in a club, this site is way better than any club!
Hell, $20 bucks a year would be a great deal considering all the info that's available.

I'm for it :TU:

jay3000

11-23-2010, 06:33 PM

Dylan

11-23-2010, 06:42 PM

I would gladly pay a membership fee but I don't think it's a good idea.

What if we had raffles for fund raising. Offer some aluminum valve covers from TA for your choice engine. Sell tickets for a designated period of time and charge $1.00 per ticket. Any registered member can buy all the tickets they want. A board administrator can accept payment through Paypal then log the ticket numbers for that member.
We could hold a poll to see what you would buy raffle tickets for, to see what people need or want. The most popular items would be offerd for raffle.
I was in a 4x4 club in CA years ago and even with membership fees we ran short sometimes. The raffels always brought up our resources, and it was fun.

dosko

12-02-2010, 06:03 PM

I would be in favor of a small fee such as $5 a year so that still most folks can use our site. Hey, lets face it times are tough. I could also see a small non membership fee to advertise here. I can see some down sides, but I would be glad to pay $5 a year for access to this wealth of information.
Thanks
Wil

jay3000

12-02-2010, 06:22 PM

At the top of the page right under the V8 is a button that says DONATE. There are other ways to donate as well..

Riviera_Rob

01-22-2011, 08:28 PM

Over the last 12 years I've ran a few websites myself. There are alot of expenses such as web hosting, programming and what not. On top of that, it requires daily (24/7) attention! and people dont come cheap!

I found this site 2 weeks ago (only bought my first Buick 3 weeks ago), and the knowledge I've gotten from here is incredible (amazing how different a Buick is to a Chevy!) Anyway I'll be sending a few $ their way to help support the site.

-Rob

mrolds69

02-05-2011, 05:44 AM

There is great info here on the site, I have no prob paying $5.00 to keep it going. Ads suck, we don't want them on every page. I'm going to PP $ right now!

DavidC77

02-07-2011, 12:31 AM

A few of the Forum's I'm on have a "member's only section".

The rest of the forum is free, if you want to get into the members area you have to be a paying member.

I'm doing something right now on NES: http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/forum.php

It's a tour of the Smith & Wesson Plant and then we go over to the Shooting Center. We also do shoot's and other things that are only open to the members. If I remember right it's $21 a year to be green.

One of the 4 Wheeling Club's that I was in is the same way, if you are not a member of the club you can not view the members area (you can view everything else), if you are a member you can view the members area.

That's just a thought. If we didn't want to do a members only area and leave everything open I would still send $ 5 or $10 into a site I visited alot to help pay for the overhead.

Just my thoughts, hope it helped.

David

Keith2k455

03-29-2011, 10:15 AM

If there were a fee, I would not pay it. Sorry, info and communities should be free.

bluestang67

04-03-2011, 12:01 AM

But the costs to run and operate a site would be great with a donation for the equipment to handle the volume for the info we so much seek .

65wildcater

04-03-2011, 12:24 AM

5 bucks is peanuts. I would have no problem with that.

68ConvGS

04-03-2011, 06:54 PM

my donation has been made.

i believe the site should remain free.

skylark52738

04-03-2011, 08:50 PM

I also just made a small donation. I found this site just after I pulled my Skylark home. It has been a GREAT help to me and I would hate to loose such a valuable resource. Well worth a few bucks a year to help with keeping the site up a running.

gabe

04-27-2011, 09:48 AM

I'm all for a yearly membership fee! Some t-shirts/polo shirts would be cool too!

pooods

05-28-2011, 12:45 PM

One ideal that may help is to do like another board I am a member of. They take donations just like V8. However, once you donate they underline your name when you post with what type supporter you are. $100+ makes you a "Platinum Member", $50-$100 makes you a "Gold Member", up to $50 makes you a "Silver Member". You also get access to the "Members Only" section of the forum. Not much to the members only section IMO. However, many people donate and want others to known how much or even the fact that they are supporting. Another ideal they are kicking around is to send cheap decals and thank you letters to the $50+ donators. Might cost a buck but in the long run it may help out.
I personally wish we could get enough members to donate $$$ and drop the vendor's section. That section was created only because Jim could not generate enough funds to support this site. Maybe making donations more attractive would help.

GNandGS

05-28-2011, 06:48 PM

Can't say what intent was but the benefit to a vendor section is you prevent mega bumPing of post or reg ads competing with them in same space

DavidC77

05-28-2011, 08:51 PM

A shooting sight I belong to has a paying system ($21 a year).

NES.com http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/forum.php

Once you become a member you are concidered a "green member" and you are able to get better deals on things that are being sold, you can go to green member only shoots, ext.

I also plan the yearly trip that we do to the S&W Factory and Shooting Center. Again you have to be a green member to go to the tour.

There is also a very active "members only section" of the forum.

Something like that maybe a good idea.

Food for thought if this is still an issuie here (I see that this thread was 1st started in 2007 ).

bdschuch

10-06-2011, 08:56 PM

I like free (b/c I'm broke), and I like the concept of a "free" exchange of information.

But I also like the t-shirt idea. Actually, many free programs on the web do this to raise money. For Christmas I was given a Firefox T-shirt.

It raises money, and people feel they are getting an object in return... plus there is the advertising aspect.
You have to remember that some one some where is putting a load of work, time and money to keep this site up and managed... $5 won't hurt any of us.

bino_5150

10-07-2011, 10:41 AM

I'm all for donations, and I'm all for extra perks for paying members, but as far as a fee?... no. Maybe raffles or fundraisers, but not the old tax collector going door to door.

I'm sure like a lot of people, there are many other forums than this one that we belong to, as these forums are just the norm now days... $5 here, $20 there, $25 over there... before you know it, you're shelling out hundreds of $$$ to look at information that should be free, and to just to talk to people with similar interests.

I once paid $40 for a 6 months membership to a forum, but that was because there was specific... information and vendors there that you wouldn't otherwise have access too. I like this site, I come look here often to read up when I have a question. But I don't come here enough to warrant paying for it. IMO, this site would lose a lot of members if they were forced to pay. If people are active members here all the time, then donate if you're able. That's the right thing to do.

Think how many people sites like this help... and how many it will miss because there just got an old buick out of a barn, looked for a site, and turned away because they were asked for a fee.

I'd rather see an ad here and there than be told I have to pay a cover charge. Just my .02 cents...

GNandGS

10-07-2011, 06:56 PM

Agreed. Actual forums by nature are free. You have sometimes areas that guests do not see an possibly exclusive features for paid but if fee based participation will drop

Ditto on shirt/sticker/pin/badge/hat sales being an option. Unless going retail tho this is too much work and would probably be small scale or seasonal.

Nothing wrong with a donate link either

bino_5150

10-12-2011, 01:54 AM

Shirts and hats and stuff as a bonus for your paid membership is kinda defeating the purpose though... That all takes money to produce. Money that could be spent supporting the site lol.

GNandGS

10-12-2011, 02:22 AM

Bonus? Anyway, I agree. Unless planning some retail operation its energy wasted.

TheSilverBuick

10-12-2011, 01:24 PM

Shirts and hats and stuff as a bonus for your paid membership is kinda defeating the purpose though... That all takes money to produce. Money that could be spent supporting the site lol.

Bingo. I did because I could, not for any perk. Forum management, on and off the board, particularly of one this size, isn't cheap and easy. If you can, donate, if you can't, don't. Pretty simple. If you are having a moral hang up, donate a few bucks and easy your concience.

I didn't even know there was a doner list until after I paypal'd mine in. I just figured I liked the site and would put some money towards it. It just turned out to be a fair amount, lol :beers2:

bino_5150

10-13-2011, 02:53 AM

I understand what you're saying, and I agree. However, the question at hand isn't if one should donate or not; the question is if a mandatory fee should be imposed in order to be a member of this forum. I say no. But I'm all for donations.

WV-MADMAN

11-06-2011, 11:42 AM

Anything but a fee.

Sure there are lots of members that would be more than happy to pay-to-play, but many more wont.

It could also discourage new membership.

With a fee V8Buick would take one more step away from being a Buick community and move toward being a Buick club....

And I for one wouldnt join any club that would have me as a member:bla:

Waterboxguy03

11-10-2011, 02:14 AM

Ummm if it was a club does that mean we get cool jackets and stickers!? :)

Id pay a fee...and 10 other folks fees.

azsigns

11-19-2011, 10:53 PM

How about this...Seeing that some have mentioned they would like to have T-shirts, hats, & stickers, and I own a screenprinting and Sign Company, I would be interested in helping the site out with some clothing that they could sell to cover operational expenses if they are open to some type of advertising of my company for doing so. I think it could be a win-win for everyone involved.

Buickstaged

11-20-2011, 08:49 AM

I donated - I have communicated with JW and some of his folks about issues I had with my motor (not to mention the many detailed instructions he has provided) - it has become part of my daily diet...I have had many enjoyable conversations with the folks on the forum. Thanks to all. Buickstaged

benausbuick

12-07-2011, 08:30 PM

Hi,
I first accessed this site as I am currently looking to buy a Buick, as far as that goes there is no way that I would ever have paid $5 to a website that I had never seen before and although the information provided here is very useful as a new member I would still be reluctant to pay.

As it turns out the car I was looking at was a hunk of crap even though I had originally thought it was a bargain. :(

benausbuick

12-08-2011, 08:09 PM

However that being said I would gladly donate in the future if I eventually find the right car as I'll definitively need help at some stage haha

elagache

12-12-2011, 03:13 PM

Dear V-8 Buick members,

As soon as I got to know the site, it was clear to me that it was going to be of very great value to me. So I put my money where my interests were and made a donation.

Christmas is a traditional time to made donations for worthy causes of all sorts. Since it has been about a year since I have donated, I went ahead and made a donation in thanks for the help this past year and the expectation for more help in the coming year.

If everyone who looked at this thread opened their wallets a little - no compulsory membership fee would be necessary. Could each of us in our own way find the generosity to make a mandatory fee unnecessary?

Cheers, Edouard

Birdawg68

02-10-2012, 11:40 PM

I have an idea that may be far out, or already available. You know the magnets we put on our cars at car shows? The one that says look but don't touch or this car is driven so please forgive the imperfections? How about one that says this car is owner is (sponored?) or a member of V8 buick.com given to members that give 50 bucks or more and maybe a t-shirt to wear at car shows for 100 bucks or more? would advertise and support the website.

garybuick

02-12-2012, 10:12 PM

The entire value and content of the site is in the posts of the members. That is their contribution. Without their contribution the site would be worthless. The value of the site is the members. The product itself is the members so no I dont think there should be a fee. Its a fair exchange all the time we spend here reading and posting the content.

The income from the sponsors should be sufficient to cover web hosting and the vbulletin software. What does that amount to maybe $50/month for hosting and one time fee of 2 or 3 hundred for the software + periodic upgrades?

I love this board and if I have to pay I will but it shouldn't be required.

If there are expenses, simply post a transparent statement of the cost of the site and ask for donations to cover it. I would be happy to donate this way maybe put a special badge next to the name of the members that donate and be sure to show how much total is donated for the year, how much ad revenue there is and how much the actual expenses are.

If the site is for profit, simply state it openly. There is no shame in that but let the sponsors pay to reach us with their ads its only fair after all we supply ALL of the content and value for the site.