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[mr45man]

Up graded to Gold today.
In part to Hog Patrol's generous pay it forward posts.
Thanks Hog.

 

[Boyd L.]

Sorry to be a trogladite, but how do I up grade?
D

Log in, click on your name and you should get the menu page below. I’ve circled in red the option for upgrading.

 

[bobinpa]

@Forum Boss I have a few suggestions.....
1. Silver and Gold members both get unlimited classified posts.... Why not limit the silver memberships to 20 or 30? It would give people incentive to upgrade.
2. Why not limit access to the classifieds to paying members?
3. Make more layers. Since you started the Gold memberships, there has been talk of a "Century club" for $100.00. Others have suggested Platinum and Diamond. Get some AMERICAN MADE shirts and hats printed. Platinum gets a shirt with there membership and Diamond gets a shirt AND a hat.
In my experience, most people want something for their money other than just satisfaction. Give them some incentive to upgrade and reward them with a shirt or hat or something when they do. Heck, take it one step further and make a titanium membership and give out a small knife or something....
I think most of the people on this board want to give, some just need some incentive.
Just my .02
Thanks for all you do!!!!!!

 

[Forum Boss]

Responding to BobinPA's comments

1. Limit on Silver to 20 or 30 classifieds.
This is not currently permitted by the software, which had to be custom written, from scratch for this Forum. I have talked at length to the developer -- the software creator. I cannot convince him to make the change. It makes sense, but if I can't get it coded, I can't do it. IT is NOT as easy as admin setting a different value for a different level -- there is no control panel to do that -- no option that I can select to set a number other than unlimited. If we could do that, we would.

It would be great if more Silver Guys would "Go Gold". But the real issue is the 97% of members who contribute nothing.

2. Limit on Classifieds to Paying Members ONLY
We are considering this, but one reasons the classifieds are effective is that a large audience views them. We want to retain that readership. Non-paying members now get 5 free ads. It is suggested that this be reduced to one or two.

 

[Tommie]

But the real issue is the 97% of members who contribute nothing.

Pathetic.
Any time now we can expect millennials and other freeloaders to chime in with the usual accusations of elitism. “But I contribute by participating!” Here’s your participation trophy...

 

[JRS]

I know of an archery site that went to the pay to play in the classifieds. They lost quite a bit of traffic after going that route.

 

[Mudcat]

I know of an archery site that went to the pay to play in the classifieds. They lost quite a bit of traffic after going that route.

I could see that happening...but does anyone, even the advertisers here, really care about those folks? Do they really pay attention to anything here other than their for sale ads? If they are not contributing in any other way, are they not just hogging up resources?

Bumped up to gold, again....was due anyhow, just needed to get it done...and this was good timing.

 

[dbduff]

Log in, click on your name and you should get the menu page below. I’ve circled in red the option for upgrading.

Thanks, when IT director gets home I'll/we'll get to it.
D

 

[muleman69]

Please make new members pay.

This place is worth the money. That would certainly cut down on those who aren't here with the intent of learning and furthering the sport. And to be honest, they can learn A LOT on this site without logging in, just searching the archives.

Thanks for all you do, this place is great.

I would think if everyone had to pay it would stop most scammers, even if it were an entry level like a Bronze. Just $.02

 

[bobinpa]

Responding to BobinPA's comments

1. Limit on Silver to 20 or 30 classifieds.
This is not currently permitted by the software, which had to be custom written, from scratch for this Forum. I have talked at length to the developer -- the software creator. I cannot convince him to make the change. It makes sense, but if I can't get it coded, I can't do it. IT is NOT as easy as admin setting a different value for a different level -- there is no control panel to do that -- no option that I can select to set a number other than unlimited. If we could do that, we would.

It would be great if more Silver Guys would "Go Gold". But the real issue is the 97% of members who contribute nothing.

2. Limit on Classifieds to Paying Members ONLY
We are considering this, but one reasons the classifieds are effective is that a large audience views them. We want to retain that readership. Non-paying members now get 5 free ads. It is suggested that this be reduced to one or two.

Wow! Who would of thought that making silver and gold membership classified posts different would be such a pain. From the outside looking in, it seems easy, but what doesn't? I guess that means that limiting non paying members would fall under the same problem. I understand that limiting the classifieds to paying only would greatly reduce the audience but how many in that audience are just tire kickers anyway.? I guess in retrospect cutting the non paying folks out of the classifieds would be bad, but it seems that limiting them may work. Let them post enough to get a taste then charge them.... Truly a shame that it is nearly impossible. You already have too much to do. The really sad part is that only 3% contribute. It's the same everywhere....Have a work day at a club and the same 10 guys show up. Go to a little league game and 8 or 9 parents are helping and the rest use it as a day care. We are surrounded by free loaders everywhere!

 

[pirate ammo]

Responding to BobinPA's comments

1. Limit on Silver to 20 or 30 classifieds.
This is not currently permitted by the software, which had to be custom written, from scratch for this Forum. I have talked at length to the developer -- the software creator. I cannot convince him to make the change. It makes sense, but if I can't get it coded, I can't do it. IT is NOT as easy as admin setting a different value for a different level -- there is no control panel to do that -- no option that I can select to set a number other than unlimited. If we could do that, we would.

It would be great if more Silver Guys would "Go Gold". But the real issue is the 97% of members who contribute nothing.

2. Limit on Classifieds to Paying Members ONLY
We are considering this, but one reasons the classifieds are effective is that a large audience views them. We want to retain that readership. Non-paying members now get 5 free ads. It is suggested that this be reduced to one or two.

I still say put this thread on every page and rattle the cages

 

[Forum Boss]

I would think if everyone had to pay it would stop most scammers, even if it were an entry level like a Bronze. Just $.02

We have already blocked the vast majority of scammers who actually post adverts. In any case non-supporting members are limited to five (5) classified threads. The bigger issue now is the scammers sending emails and private messages offering stuff for sale. This is much more challenging to control, because we can't limit Private Messaging privileges without affecting virtually everyone on the site.

In this respect, I can only preach Buyer Beware. If somebody sends you a PM saying he has a new NF scope for $799, DON'T BUY!! Get the person's name and Forum handle, and get his email address and residential address if you can and pass that on to me.

 

[dcali]

3% is actually a pretty typical number for forums like this. We can do better, I think. Have you considered a bulk email to the membership including this post? A lot of guys might miss it. I also like the idea of higher membership levels. Not everyone can afford them, but why not recognize those who go above and beyond? You might also consider a service like Patreon that manages monthly subscriptions at multiple levels.

 

[Westhunder]

Like how the guy group all millennial together, I’m 31, and considered a millennial, yes it a generational thing, raised that way I might add, I have given to this site since I have joined essentially. Because I believe in paying for a service. I would expect the same treatment. It’s also a choice of how to live, sounds like someone has some regrets of their own. Any how that is off topic...

What about site sponsors or advertising? Bump Up that cost. Member would buy more of their products, which would offset their increased marketing cost. Im good for another level of giving, however the people who give will remain the same. (They probably give in donations without recognition) This info being free is what makes it so popular. Great group of like minded people. Sure there is the occasional scammer, but it’s as much of the members job to point out the issue to the forum boss. Advertising works! Especially for the amount of traffic this site produces. Granted it doesn’t need to be countless pop up ads and such, but email blast, large banners, sponsored articles and info etc.,....

I’m all for the T-shirt idea, but sounds like forum boss needs some real cash without all the headache and time loss.

That is just something we should donate time and energy to creating and if there is a some additional cash, donate it to the site.

Wes

 

[243Lapua]

Just donated my part. Thanks to everyone who supports this website.

 

[Forum Boss]

Here's a tip that will help you get your status upgraded faster...

We appreciate ALL donations -- in any amount.

However, it will be easier for us, and better for the Member, if you use our Upgrade Function. This give you the option of Silver ($20/year) or Gold ($50/year) and handles the upgrade automatically and sets up your account.

UPGRADE LINK: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/account/upgrades

With a manual donation we have to chase down your email, check with PayPal, manually change your status and set the length of your Silver/Gold Status.

That is all done automatically when you click the upgrade link: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/account/upgrades

 

[dickn52]

We have already blocked the vast majority of scammers who actually post adverts. In any case non-supporting members are limited to five (5) classified threads. The bigger issue now is the scammers sending emails and private messages offering stuff for sale. This is much more challenging to control, because we can't limit Private Messaging privileges without affecting virtually everyone on the site.

In this respect, I can only preach Buyer Beware. If somebody sends you a PM saying he has a new NF scope for $799, DON'T BUY!! Get the person's name and Forum handle, and get his email address and residential address if you can and pass that on to me.

I understand the issue, but in all honesty, if I did not enter into a conversation with someone, and unsolicited email goes in the round can. So that makes it my responsibility to 'clean' up those PM's and notes.

 

[dickn52]

Here's a tip that will help you get your status upgraded faster...

We appreciate ALL donations -- in any amount.

However, it will be easier for us, and better for the Member, if you use our Upgrade Function. This give you the option of Silver ($20/year) or Gold ($50/year) and handles the upgrade automatically and sets up your account.

UPGRADE LINK: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/account/upgrades

With a manual donation we have to chase down your email, check with PayPal, manually change your status and set the length of your Silver/Gold Status.

That is all done automatically when you click the upgrade link: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/account/upgrades

YES, I went to this location, upgraded through Paypal and when I got back my banner was gold. About 5 minutes of click time maybe.

 

[Evlshnngns]

5$ sign up/background gets you in the door with the Kool kids. Brown level

 

[muleman69]

We have already blocked the vast majority of scammers who actually post adverts. In any case non-supporting members are limited to five (5) classified threads. The bigger issue now is the scammers sending emails and private messages offering stuff for sale. This is much more challenging to control, because we can't limit Private Messaging privileges without affecting virtually everyone on the site.

In this respect, I can only preach Buyer Beware. If somebody sends you a PM saying he has a new NF scope for $799, DON'T BUY!! Get the person's name and Forum handle, and get his email address and residential address if you can and pass that on to me.

I hear ya, can't even imagine what you are going through. I will beware, thanks ,Just upgraded