^ That's a key point. I'd make those pay to play also...or move them to a price check forum? But this is Chuck's sandbox, and we're all guests. He clearly knows how to keep it going over time!Originally Posted by Frank Beck
^ That's a key point. I'd make those pay to play also...or move them to a price check forum? But this is Chuck's sandbox, and we're all guests. He clearly knows how to keep it going over time!
It's a fine line to walk if you're going to have an on-line community. If you have to pay to post, you will lose people. That what's happened on the 356 Registry Site. Now some can argue "good riddance" and the like, but you do have to ask how dynamic and large a community you want to participate.
I agree it can be annoying when someone who doesn't pay gets the same privilege's as you, but it's also important to keep in mind you didn't join a country club with a $100,000 buy in and are mad because everyone can play on the golf course. You joined a car club that is pennies a day and yes people who aren't paying those pennies can do what you do, but is it really worth getting mad about? For me it's enough to know I'm doing to right thing supporting a club I like and want to be part of the community, but with all the problems in the world someone getting to sell some tail lights without being a paying member really isn't a big deal if you think about it, especially if you need the tail lights, just be happy they sold them here.
---Adam
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It IS a fine line, and the arguments above are well laid.
Not sure, are you agreeing with me here, or not?
---Adam
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Ha, I'm not sure.
The point you make is a good one—especially when a site is as narrowly focused as this one. You don't want to chase away users. 356 site is a marker, though I wonder if it's apples to apples in terms of users as well as club politics, etc? Luckily, the latter aren't part of this site. We have...Chuck, and it's ultimately his call.
Flip side: Price check threads do get old (and really do function as classified ads that happen to "qualify" for the main forum) here and elsewhere, but maybe those go to their own forum...a sort of "classified previews" for those so inclined? And requiring people to be members to post stuff does seem to move the needle over on Rennlist. But talk about watermelons to apples....
………………… what the heck ??????????
Adam,
Please take this offline...
Thanks,
cm
Last edited by Chuck Miller; 08-16-2018 at 07:02 PM.
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I have no problem paying the membership fee here - this site is one of the few that I visit everyday for a variety of reasons. I don't even mind donating if the site needs more funds to keep it going (especially if we can avoid another photo bucket type disaster by storing images on this site so they will be around forever) - and I agree that charging to list an item is reasonable. Maybe even allow one free listing a year to ensure that the one time listers with some unique part will still list it here over somewhere else. When I hit the donate button I also searched for an easy way to advertise on the site and wasn't able to quickly find anything. Why not make it easy to donate/buy an ad so we can add the expense to our business marketing expenses!
Thought the obnoxious ad bar above was suppose to take care of this, at least that was how it was pitched. Are we charging enough for this service? Not too many inexpensive parts being sold here. What about requiring a non-paying member who lists an item for sale to pony up for a membership before they can list and if his item does not sell you can refund it. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, chances are they will not ask for the refund and will continue to offer more parts for sale here. When their membership is up for renewal same process occurs, they will see the benefit of selling items here. People who lurk and don't sell parts I have no problem with. It really irks me that some non-paying members sell numerous parts here and contribute nothing else to this site. We also need to keep in mind that people here need the parts so it is a tough situation to balance. I buy a lot of parts/radios on Ebay but never sell anything there because it is too expensive 10% of the selling price, the membership fee here is a bargain if you want to move some parts. Just my .02!
Mike Fitton # 2071
2018 911S Carrera White
2012 991 Platinum Silver ( Gone)
1971 911T Targa Bahia Red (Gone to France)
1995 911 Carrera Polar Silver (Gone)
No Affiliation with City of Chicago!
It seems to me if you're not a paying member and not wanting to get the "Esses" ( which is a great club magazine )how much of an enthusiast are you? Or are they just wanting to make money off the site with no real interest in the cars....
John
1959 356 Coupe, 1600 Super, sold
1960 356 Roaster, race car, SCCA, sold
1960 356 Roadster, show car, sold.
1962 356 Cab, show car, sold.
1965 911 #301111, Red Book Vol 1 "Cover Car," owned 54 years.
1967 911 #307347, bare-bones, some road wear, a little surface rust, and a few dents..., owned 14 years.
1970 914/6GT, (Sold - ran the last three Rennsports)owned 30 years.
Photography Site: JohnStraubImageWorks.com
Registry #983
R Gruppe #741
John,
Generally speaking throughout "hobby" type communities I think you might be surprised by how many true enthusiasts are very generous with their wallets (ultimately all that matters in this conversation, right?) but who are not crazy about being formal "members". They're simply not the type of individuals who formally join clubs, communities, churches, etc.
Make sense?
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