Platinum Level Memberships...

[Ranger188]

Could it be tied into how many posts or times logged on?
If you just want to see how a forum works, you shouldn't be
penalized for looking to possibly joining.
But once you get passed a certain number of posts, like 50, 100 or 200 then you will
be limited or locked out till you contribute and so on.
I think limiting the Silver members for sales and unlimited for Gold
is a good idea and NO sales for non-members.
You can't penalize the people that are paying members.
Once you start making everyone pay a high flat fee for joining or using
you will really drive down the membership and defeat the idea.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I say get rid of the banners altogether and do it for altruistic purposes so not to engage in class warfare. That’s just my opinion.

I might contribute money, but there’s some “non-contributor” who provides tons of technical data and help. Who’s more of an asset to the forum? Me or him?

Problem with getting rid of the banners is that they pay most of the bills associated with this site. Altruism is a wonderful thing if you are a charity and have a large trust fund to pay for it. But Altruism is based upon your willingness to donate your time and money to a good cause. Simply put, it takes money to be Altruistic.

We are not talking about class warfare, it's simply a matter of paying your fair share for services rendered. How can a person who thinks nothing of spending thousands of dollars on a firearm and ancillary equipment as well as cost of producing ammunition, say he can't afford to pay for a membership here.

The Boss works over 3,000 hours a year to keep this site operating. Sooner or later, he will not be able to continue doing this. Most folks are retired at his age. At 83 years old, I will probably not be around to see that happen but I can see a lot of crying and teeth gnashing if this site is closed down because he can't go on.

Some of these folks, have over the years, bought and sold more guns than I have in my safe and there are many there. So don't tell me about class warfare. That's absurd.

The bottom line here is that this is not a charity and in the end cannot be sustained in it's present for forever.

Edited

I edited out the number of non-paying members posting the classified section, as it was brought to my attention I was mistake. Sorry if this caused any confusion.

 

[300_whisper]

So don't tell me about class warfare. That's absurd.

The bottom line here is that this is not a charity and in the end cannot be sustained in it's present for forever.

It is a charity. No one is forcing you to pay. Every time these dumb posts come up (nothing against OP, he’s a good guy, with good intentions) it’s the same thing; gold guys saying silver should pay more, silver guys saying at least they aren’t “non contributors,” and then both levels figuring out ways to get “non contributors” to pay.

“Non contributors,” are bums or freeloaders or greedy for taking advantage of the forum. How is that not a class differentiation? There are guys in this thread talking about limiting silver members...come on...get out of here with this non-sense. I was a gold contributor but don’t feel the need now that me and other members are being bullied into it. Not a very welcoming atmosphere, and you wonder why we feel the shooting industry is “dying.”

The only person who can and has the right to make people pay to play is the forum boss. If he doesn’t want to do that, then that’s his business. Just leave it alone already.

 

[SSL]

I guess I don't understand the large number of non-contributors who brag about their $1,400 scopes, $3,000 rifles, custom barrels, custom dies, top of the line scales and etc., but can't seem to be able to spare a few bucks to help keep this site running. Or maybe it's like the man who sports the Porsche key fob and hat, but drives a '77 Plymouth Omni.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I am in .
There goes that Cigar Guys Stock Money

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I would like to see ONE non-contributor respond here and tell me why he cannot afford to support the forum, but logs on every day to look for the services offered. Let alone buy or sell here.

Simple answer, be a contributor to access the classifieds.

 

[AckleymanII]

Silver ought to be able to buy 5 times and not sell at all

I like this with modification. In addition, many posters never buy or sell, and as the number increases, so does band width needed.

A Silver level contribution to buy or sell....simple.

Some Sellers never post, use the site for sales only......humm.........

The people that have a giving heart will HAVE to make up for the cheap bastards, that will not change. Thus, create a Platinum level and perhaps a Diamond level. While two more levels may create some discord, the budget has to be met.

Pass the plate......people will give...be BOLD!

 

[STOMP442]

Here's my idea and it may be dumb but I don't want to see this site go anywhere. I say make accurate shooter like a club and it costs $5/ year to be a member. No access, no classifieds, nothing until you pay to get in the door. That way if you want to just come here and read at least you paid to get here. Then have your Bronze, Silver and Gold classes for your classifieds access. Maybe even make it to where if you are a gold contributor you get a really nice Accurate Shooter decal to slap on the truck window or a cool patch to put on your hat.

 

[SEGARE]

The thing is, with any limitation you place on access, you are driving down the number of clicks. Banner ad revenue is directly tied to clicks...limiting clicks defeats the purpose.

 

[gambleone]

Agree but I would suggest a different approach.

I'm a big believer in the 80/20 relationship. Holds true in many aspects of business and personal life.

80% of your sales go to 20% of your customers

You get 80% of the benefit with 20% of the effort (meaning it takes a lot of effort to get that last 20% benefit)

And for the forum, I think you will find 80% of the contribution comes from 20% of the members.

[Forum Boss: See my comment below. Only 3.3% of members upgrade.]

The bigger bang for the buck would be to get more members contributing than 20%. So if we can increase the number of members contributing, it would have a more significant $$ impact. Since we already have a contributing membership program with 2 levels, how do we get a large increase in contributing member?

I would suggest a 3 level program, like the Olympics. Bronze, silver, and gold.

Bronze $10 per year with 6 Marketplace listings
Silver $25 per year with unlimited Marketplace listings
Gold $50 per year with unlimited Marketplace listings

No contribution, 1 Marketplace listing per year.

Who can't contribute at least $10 per year? Less than a buck a month. Less than the cost of a magazine subscription. Let the non-contributors read all they want, but if they want to sell, "encourage" them to at least buy a bronze membership.

Like this idea. Think it would almost guarantee more income via the bronze level. I'm sure not going to drop from silver to bronze. Good marketing strategy, more clients joining bronze, increased volume. Don't see a down side to this. my 2 cents.

 

[Ranger188]

Non paying members, can't sell anything. If you want to gain from the site, then
you have to pay to play.
But let them buy, if you don't, you are only hurting and limiting the paying member selling the item.

 

[Dub]

Non paying members, can't sell anything. If you want to gain from the site, then
you have to pay to play.
But let them buy, if you don't, you are only hurting and limiting the paying member selling the item.

this!

 

[STOMP442]

The thing is, with any limitation you place on access, you are driving down the number of clicks. Banner ad revenue is directly tied to clicks...limiting clicks defeats the purpose.

What if you made it where you only get so many clicks before you get a pop up asking you to join the club. That way new visitors get to preview the site and what is offered before paying. Joe schmoe on google looking for an answer can find it and go about his business without having to fork out some coin. As far as add clicks go, what would make more money? The thousands of members paying $5/ per year or the clicks on the add? I visit quite a few forums and I bet I can count on one hand how many banner adds I have clicked on.

 

[jepp2]

What if you made it where you only get so many clicks before you get a pop up asking you to join the club.

I like this. Many of the electronic versions of the newspapers do this. 5 free per month, then you subscribe to access.

The Marketplace section of this forum is already Platinum level compared with any other forum. The trader feedback provides confidence is who you are dealing with, and the breadth of offering is beyond anything I have ever seen.

 

[Snuggie]

I’m all in for Platinum! Go for it Boss!

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

It is a charity. No one is forcing you to pay. Every time these dumb posts come up (nothing against OP, he’s a good guy, with good intentions) it’s the same thing; gold guys saying silver should pay more, silver guys saying at least they aren’t “non contributors,” and then both levels figuring out ways to get “non contributors” to pay.

“Non contributors,” are bums or freeloaders or greedy for taking advantage of the forum. How is that not a class differentiation? There are guys in this thread talking about limiting silver members...come on...get out of here with this non-sense. I was a gold contributor but don’t feel the need now that me and other members are being bullied into it. Not a very welcoming atmosphere, and you wonder why we feel the shooting industry is “dying.”

The only person who can and has the right to make people pay to play is the forum boss. If he doesn’t want to do that, then that’s his business. Just leave it alone already.

What is the true meaning of charity?

The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need, as a humanitarian act. There are a number of philosophies about charity, often associated with religion. Effective altruism is the use of evidence and reasoning to determine the most effective ways to benefit others.

I have not run across anyone here who is in need of a humanitarian act of charity. Shooting is a costly endeavor. Especially for the folks who read, post, buy and sell here. Money does not seem to be a problem when you want to buy from the for sale pages.

I have been shooting and reloading most of my life, and really thought I knew what I was doing, until I joined this forum. It has helped me immensely to improve both my shooting habits and fine tune my reloading skills.

Part of being an adult is accepting everyday responsibility. If I use something, I expect to pay my way. It's the right thing to do.

 

[Dave in WI]

I renewed at Silver Level a month ago. If I wanted to upgrade to Gold right now, do I have to pay full the full $50?

 

[300_whisper]

I renewed at Silver Level a month ago. If I wanted to upgrade to Gold right now, do I have to pay full the full $50?

pay another $50...it’s for the good of the cause.

 

[Dave in WI]

pay another $50...it’s for the good of the cause.

LOL, I knew that was going to be the response as soon as I hit "enter"

 

[300_whisper]

I have been shooting and reloading most of my life, and really thought I knew what I was doing, until I joined this forum. It has helped me immensely to improve both my shooting habits and fine tune my reloading skills.

Part of being an adult is accepting everyday responsibility. If I use something, I expect to pay my way. It's the right thing to do.

What about the guys who contribute all their knowledge? Should they get paid for that? It was their time and effort that they then took a step further to post on this forum for you. I agree with what you’re saying that’s why I pay, but that doesn’t put me in any position to tell others to pay. It all goes back to this being a paying site. It’s not, so forum members should be able to not contribute without getting harassed or looked at as lesser.

I’m sure I’ve received way more help and info from non contributing members than I ever have from a silver or gold. I had a non paying member build me a custom stock and only charged me the cost of materials...has he not contributed? He brought me to the site and I thought it was worth it to pay then.