We have adopted a new system for Forum memberships. This includes two (2) upgraded membership levels, Silver ($25/year) and Gold ($50/year). We put these in place so we could automate the donation system which all had to be done manually and was taking upwards of 30 man-hours per month.
We also wanted to provide additional benefits to members who contribute to the site.
Silver Members will have
unlimited Classifieds posting privileges for one (1) year (12 months starting the day of upgrade).
Gold Members will have a number of special benefits, including
unlimited Classifieds posting privileges for one (1) year, custom avatars, and enhanced support. In addition when we have gear give-away drawings, the winners will be selected from Gold members.
IMPORTANT: To Upgrade, please use the larger "Upgrade Membership" button, NOT the small "donate" button. This will ensure your member status will be upgraded immediately and automatically.
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Q: Do I Need to Upgrade?
Forum members who do NOT upgrade will still be able to use all the Forum areas, just as before. However, a basic member will be limited to three (3) FREE classifieds listings per 12-month period (that starts with your first listing). We chose this number as most users post less than three ads per year.
The "power sellers" who use the classifieds frequently can get unlimited classifieds with a Silver or Gold membership.
Q: Should I Upgrade my Account?
We encourage members to upgrade. A Silver upgrade costs just $25 per year or $2.08 per month, less than the price of a cup of coffee. By upgrading your account you can help the site continue to provide services to all our members. Consider this, if you were to sell a $3000.00 rifle on Gunbroker.com you would pay over $110 in sales fees for that one transaction*. We are giving you unlimited classifieds for $25 per year.
Gunbroker.com Fees for just ONE (1) single sold item, by value
$500 sale, fee = $23.75
$1000 sale, fee = $41.25
$2000 sale, fee = $76.25
$3000 sale, fee = $111.25
Note Gunbroker's sale fee for a single $500 item nearly equals our Silver Membership. And for mulitple Gunbroker sales, you pay those fees over and over, for every transaction! With our system you pay ONE SINGLE FEE for 12 months.
* See:
https://www.gunbroker.com/auction/calcfinalvaluefee.aspx