Site Donation

[madmixerman]

Maybe restrict the classifieds to contributing members use only. Just a thought.

 

[joshb]

Maybe restrict the classifieds to contributing members use only. Just a thought.

That would work. If you want to sell, you have to contribute.

 

[FNSafari]

The double edged sword here, imo, is the fact that the site has commercial paid subscribers. These folks need max exposure(as in site visits) to make it possible for them to pay the cost of listing here and to make a profit. Put too many restrictions on non-paying members and the number of site visits goes down.

I do agree though, that if someone is going to frequent the site and use the buy/sell board they should contribute or be a gold/silver member. Not doing so is a window into the soul.

 

[rijndael]

These folks need max exposure(as in site visits) to make it possible for them to pay the cost of listing here and to make a profit. Put too many restrictions on non-paying members and the number of site visits goes down.

Broad exposure is good for the classified sellers. I'm not subscribing/paying for a site to BUY something from a member of that site, the deals just aren't that good. More often than not, it'd be a better deal for me to buy it online, get free shipping, get active junky credits, get my 2% cash back, and have zero risk of getting screwed over. I also don't have to worry about all of the annoying 2nd tier payment methods people want.

Forgetting about exposure issues, you also need an open forum to not create echo chambers.

 

[6.5 forever]

Looks like you managed to sell 17 items on this site. Good for you.

 

[rijndael]

Looks like you managed to sell 17 items on this site. Good for you.

Yep, I was a silver member for multiple years. It recently lapsed.

 

[joshb]

Right now, this site is “free to sell”. I don’t think charging $30 or $50 a year for unlimited sales is going to scare that many people off.

Forum Boss: And keep in mind that Gunbroker is charging $30 for a SINGLE $600 item sale, and some other Forums are charging $20 per MONTH to sell.

 

[Rick300]

I just made a small donation. If more members would make that small donation it would become a large donation to the site and help Forum Boss keep this going

 

[Forum Boss]

We appreciate those who donate -- their support is essential.

Most folks think the site generates way, way more revenue than it really does. I won't burden you with details -- but member upgrade revenue remains very vital.

We have experienced increased costs through heightened security measures, and significantly increased labor demands. I personally have background checked all new signups for the last 3 years. That represents 200+ hours per year of labor with zero compensation -- all done to protect our members.

 

[joshb]

We appreciate those who donate -- their support is essential.

Most folks think the site generates way, way more revenue than it really does. I won't burden you with details -- but member upgrade revenue remains very vital.

We have experienced increased costs through heightened security measures, and significantly increased labor demands. I personally have background checked all new signups for the last 3 years. That represents 200+ hours per year of labor with zero compensation -- all done to protect our members.

Everything costs more, these days. All the information a person can learn on this site is FREE to any and everyone. It would remain that way, even if you require “Contributing Membership” to sell on the sale board. I don’t know why you don’t make the change.

Forum Boss: I am reducing the number of free listings from 3 to 2, and potentially to one. The upgrade actually represents an important security function because upgrading members must present a real name and a verifiable financial resource.

 

[markT]

saved 20% and upgraded even tho money is very tight. I enjoy this site and most all who are here.. Happy 2024

 

[nakneker]

If you’re an infrequent visitor I get not buying a membership. If you here all the time, buy and sell and benefit from this forum I really don’t get it. Membership increasing in price makes sense, they’ve stayed the same for years and aren’t keeping pace with site growth and what it requires to keep it going day to day. I doubt many people would be willing to put up with the hassles of background checks, resolving issues whether it be tech problems, member issues, classified disputes, bulletin updates etc, what a headache! To be able to come here and benefit from the abundance of information and helpful members for 60 bucks a year is a tremendous value. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if the site offered a platinum membership for 100.00 a year I’d be willing to bet you’d see numerous upgrades to platinum. Some of us value this forum that much and even then I’d consider it a tremendous value.

I‘ve sold and bought here a lot, many forum members I consider friends and many more have helped me out with a variety of questions. To each their own but if you do see the benefit of the forum, know your membership is valued and helps keep the place running.

Lastly, I think most of us know the challenges the forum boss has faced this past year. Even dealing with that he has managed to keep this place running, he and the team he relies on I should add. That’s impressive.

 

[jds holler]

I think my gold membership is good for awhile yet. Don't know if Imma be able to do it again or not -- just bought a pound of fresh asparagus.

 

[Dean Slater]

if you can afford to shoot you can afford to contribute.