A set fee straight across the board would be exactly where I would go. If one does not want to pay then so be it. I bet most would be willing to pay with no issues.
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jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Yeah. And the min fee could be $10/year [maybe Bronze as someone else suggested].
Keep current Silver and Gold. Need to recognize that total membership will drop - probably significantly. I'm thinking that in the current 76K, many are close to or are inactive - most if not all of those would probably not pick up even the $10 level. But, if they are inactive or near inactive, it really doesn't make an actual difference. I would think we'd also lose a bunch for whom shooting really isn't that big a deal.
Tie the levels to access to 'premium' areas and to the classifieds.
There are many dormant accounts. Active users is all that matters, and that's a way lower number. If I were a guessing guy, it's probably [only a segment] of total accounts. And, it'll drop if it's subscription only model.
Forum Boss: rijndael is correct.
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mtncwru
Gold $$ Contributor
My $0.02:
1. FWIW, this is the only forum I regularly visit that gives any ad listings for free members. FredMiranda (a photography forum) ties a variety of features to paid memberships, including the ability to post anything for sale at all. Free members can buy all they like, but not sell.
2. Is there an option to auto-renew memberships? I'm happy to pay every year, but it does mean I have to pay attention to the reminder email, login to the site, go to the PayPal link, etc. I have enough squirrels running around my brain that I don't always get there right away. Wondering how many other members mean to upgrade and don't just because of that extra friction.
Forum Boss: until recently the Xenforo forum software did not have a reliable auto renew function. We may try to implement this but we are told that the auto renewals are somewhat buggy. In addition auto renewal involves a considerable amount of disclosures/permissions with members and changes with PayPal processing. But we are looking at the potential for auto renewal.
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SVT_Tactical
Gold $$ Contributor
Multiple times when I list something for sale if a non contributing member wants to buy I'll discount the item the cost of the upgrade pending they do upgrade.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
One thought. If every member had to pay a yearly membership fee, it would eliminate some of these scammers or at least I think it would. It’s an assumption but maybe worth thinking about, the time being spent dealing with scams and fraud grows.
If members had to pay the forum would lose some members but those that remained would be contributing to the success of the forum and not draining resources. Those active members would make things easier from a time and resources point of view.
If members had to pay the forum would lose some members but those that remained would be contributing to the success of the forum and not draining resources. Those active members would make things easier from a time and resources point of view.
Find a way to charge for the classifieds. Literally thousands of dollars changing hands as it is a business. Problem solved. Run it like a business as that is what it is!
Forum Boss: Good idea, but understand if you are talking about a commission that would involve an entire dedicated platform probably requiring a complete software re-design and new payment systems. But people should consider that Gunbroker charges $32 commission on a SINGLE $600 sale. For a $2500 rifle the commission would be $108!
See for yourself HERE: https://gunbroker.com/Item/CalculateFinalValueFee
Forum Boss: Good idea, but understand if you are talking about a commission that would involve an entire dedicated platform probably requiring a complete software re-design and new payment systems. But people should consider that Gunbroker charges $32 commission on a SINGLE $600 sale. For a $2500 rifle the commission would be $108!
See for yourself HERE: https://gunbroker.com/Item/CalculateFinalValueFee
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Simple.....Block "all viewable" access other then the forums title, If you are
not a donating member.......
I've been Silver, but I just paid my $60 for Gold.
And a low annual fee...say $12 per year...to register (and post messages) would generate plenty of revenue to buy some needed help and probably keep many neer-do-wells out.. An average of $15 per year for even 7000 members would generate $100K, and I expect you'd get triple that.
And a low annual fee...say $12 per year...to register (and post messages) would generate plenty of revenue to buy some needed help and probably keep many neer-do-wells out.. An average of $15 per year for even 7000 members would generate $100K, and I expect you'd get triple that.
I don't think that would do anything but cause the forum to dry up and become a thing of the past. If only 4% are paying members and that would be all that was left, There would be hardly any content or discussion left.
Like it or not, Non paying members also create interesting content that brings viewers from all over the World. I did not realize that the Gunsmithing section was a top category, That is where I have been hanging out for a long time. A lot of good content has been posted there by non paying members that gets views for the rest of the time the forum is alive.
Some great ideas have been posted on this thread, The Bronze and Platinum Tiers are a great idea. I think this would solve some of the problems posted by the Boss, It would just take some thought to set up the Tiers.
Thanks Boss! I appreciate the forum you have, Mark
You beat to it, I feel the same way about non payers and content.
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How about a lead(pb) contribution level, say...
$17.76
Or maybe $17.91, paying homage to the year the 2nd amendment was ratified.
I'll happily be the first to get off my wallet for it.
$17.76
Or maybe $17.91, paying homage to the year the 2nd amendment was ratified.
I'll happily be the first to get off my wallet for it.
ballisticdaddy
Silver $$ Contributor
That site also offers training, discounts from vendors and does not mandate how classified transactions are paid for included in that fee. For the record I have been a contributing member here for many more years than the "other site" but since I started selling a few small parts I do roughly 5 times the sales compared to this site.
Forum Boss
Administrator
Regarding the value of the classifieds, consider that a Silver member can sell an unlimited number of items over a 12-month period. By contrast, with Gunbroker, if you sell ONE SINGLE $2500 Rifle you must pay a $108.00 commission. Check it out below...
You can calculate other commissions with this page. Just a $600 sale is a $32 commission -- more than our Silver membership.
You can calculate other commissions with this page. Just a $600 sale is a $32 commission -- more than our Silver membership.
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