Anuual Fee for Membership
- Thread starter Thai
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TheBlueWave
New member
Thai said:
Isn't it pretty much up to you guys? I would bet that as long as its reasonable, most, if not all longer term members would pay and hang around.
Since I joined, this forum has saved me hundreds from advice and being able to tackle DIY projects with confidence. And I've also purchased seat covers and floor mats from members.
I'm not sure that an annual fee for all members is going to work. I'll bet forum use will drop significantly if you decide to impose a mandatory fee.
On the other hand, gixxer.com (motorcycle forum for those not in the know) accepts donations which grant access to special segments of the forum and gives a red R to those who donate (GSXR). I'm not sure what percentage of the gixxer.com population does pay for it.
Over the years I have been a member of a number of forums depending on my hobbies at the time (Acura forum, Infinity Ward gaming forum, GSXR motorcycle forum, HIDplant lighting forum, 4Runner forum, Mr Excel.com forum, etc). Aside from gixxer.com, I there hasn't been any other forum which requires a fee to be a member.
It's nice to quickly get an answer to questions about most anything from any/ all of the forums I've used and hear/ share stories both good and bad, but frankly, if I searched the internet for 5 minutes I'd be able to find pretty much anything.
All that said, I'd be willing to pay a fee is it was reasonable. Gixxer.com donations start at $5 I believe and are not capped. I'd imagine a lot of people will feel like the need to get something special in return for their money, not just access to a forum...
On the other hand, gixxer.com (motorcycle forum for those not in the know) accepts donations which grant access to special segments of the forum and gives a red R to those who donate (GSXR). I'm not sure what percentage of the gixxer.com population does pay for it.
Over the years I have been a member of a number of forums depending on my hobbies at the time (Acura forum, Infinity Ward gaming forum, GSXR motorcycle forum, HIDplant lighting forum, 4Runner forum, Mr Excel.com forum, etc). Aside from gixxer.com, I there hasn't been any other forum which requires a fee to be a member.
It's nice to quickly get an answer to questions about most anything from any/ all of the forums I've used and hear/ share stories both good and bad, but frankly, if I searched the internet for 5 minutes I'd be able to find pretty much anything.
All that said, I'd be willing to pay a fee is it was reasonable. Gixxer.com donations start at $5 I believe and are not capped. I'd imagine a lot of people will feel like the need to get something special in return for their money, not just access to a forum...
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Is it April Fools day already?
If this is not a joke, then my honest opinion is that I'm not sure it would work. Most forums are free on the net, and I think many users would instantly flock to other similar forums that are out there.
But coming from a person that has built many websites, I totally understand the operating costs of a forum as it grows and gets traffic heavy.
I would suggest building a cleaner forum template that allows for more advertising space, and then contacting potential advertisers and put together a beautiful PDF that looks professional and states all the options for the advertiser, along with basic information they would want to know. Information such as number of hits per day/week/month, number of individual users, etc. and send this PDF out in an email package.
That's a great way to build interest with potential advertisers and bring in cash flow for the operating costs. Eventually you could pass the break-even mark and start earning money easily, if you structure the ad costs right.
If this is not a joke, then my honest opinion is that I'm not sure it would work. Most forums are free on the net, and I think many users would instantly flock to other similar forums that are out there.
But coming from a person that has built many websites, I totally understand the operating costs of a forum as it grows and gets traffic heavy.
I would suggest building a cleaner forum template that allows for more advertising space, and then contacting potential advertisers and put together a beautiful PDF that looks professional and states all the options for the advertiser, along with basic information they would want to know. Information such as number of hits per day/week/month, number of individual users, etc. and send this PDF out in an email package.
That's a great way to build interest with potential advertisers and bring in cash flow for the operating costs. Eventually you could pass the break-even mark and start earning money easily, if you structure the ad costs right.
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sharp4runr
New member
I posted this on another thread, but maybe it should be here too:
Since I posted twice, that's actually my $.01
Since I posted twice, that's actually my $.01
Hayn4R
New member
Fees suck. Is there a reason why we need to pay? I mean with our current economy, the recession, and high gas prices, this was my creative outlet to get away from that all. Free help, assistance & information that is priceless as a 4R owner. I can only hope that I dont have to pay for something that I enjoy being a part of.
Life is so expensive, must we add on another cost....
I am afraid I will not be able to participate in these great discussions because of budgetary mandates (the wifey) if a fee is imposed.
Please, please, please....no fee.
If you must, charge the newbies to the forum so they dont know that only they are paying....
Please, please, please...no fee
Hayn4R
Life is so expensive, must we add on another cost....
I am afraid I will not be able to participate in these great discussions because of budgetary mandates (the wifey) if a fee is imposed.
Please, please, please....no fee.
If you must, charge the newbies to the forum so they dont know that only they are paying....
Please, please, please...no fee
Hayn4R
Thai
Elite Member
For those who are not sure why there is a fee, please see this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36571
I don't think this would work. Internet transactions typically take place via credit card and usually work through 1 or 2 side companies that handle the actual transaction via HTTPS. Given the fact that the owner of the site has to pay fees per credit card transaction and that there are typically minimal amounts to these transactions...not to mention creating a nightmare for keeping track of the accounting.
Flat annual fees are definitely the best way to do something like this. Minimal transactions.
I still don't believe this, but if for some reason this is true then I will have to rethink my membership to this site. I am on MANY car related forums because of my unhealthy vehicle addiction of 12+ years, and ALL of them suppliment the fees by advertising on the site and in other ways besides charging members. Prime examples would be Honda-Tech.com and Importatlanta.com. Both are HUGE sites and don't require anything from their members. Import Atlanta encourages more posting and using more bandwidth, actually.
I do applaud the Super Moderators on this forum for their services though. Being a Super Mod on Import Atlanta myself, I know how hard it is to deal with the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" *****ing that members put you through. You are never going to make everyone happy all the time, and the mods on this forum are A LOT better than mods on other forums I'm on.
I do applaud the Super Moderators on this forum for their services though. Being a Super Mod on Import Atlanta myself, I know how hard it is to deal with the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" *****ing that members put you through. You are never going to make everyone happy all the time, and the mods on this forum are A LOT better than mods on other forums I'm on.
antidentite
Member
Most forums I participate in work well because of the "network effect" that provides value for both contributors (in this case, t4r.ord) as well as participants ("members").
These sites are ad-funded, so they try to provide valuable content and information that increases the number of posts and visitors to their sites. Higher traffic also benefits the site owners since they can sell more ads to a qualified group of people interested in a particular subject (Toyota parts, Car Sales, Trails, etc). This not only covers their costs, but for some it can also provide a profit.
Even if just 25% of your visitors went to another Toyota forum due to the cost of this one, your remaining visitors would be the one's who suffer because there would be less contributing members providing information for the site. This would also increase the popularity of the other sites since they'd benefit from the increase in members and their contributions - most of which will be coming from this site.
As for the poll, I havent voted because there's no option for no annual fee. However, I would be interested in contributing through supplemental contributions and add-ons as I start using the site more and getting more value from it.
These sites are ad-funded, so they try to provide valuable content and information that increases the number of posts and visitors to their sites. Higher traffic also benefits the site owners since they can sell more ads to a qualified group of people interested in a particular subject (Toyota parts, Car Sales, Trails, etc). This not only covers their costs, but for some it can also provide a profit.
Even if just 25% of your visitors went to another Toyota forum due to the cost of this one, your remaining visitors would be the one's who suffer because there would be less contributing members providing information for the site. This would also increase the popularity of the other sites since they'd benefit from the increase in members and their contributions - most of which will be coming from this site.
As for the poll, I havent voted because there's no option for no annual fee. However, I would be interested in contributing through supplemental contributions and add-ons as I start using the site more and getting more value from it.
Black Majik
New member
antidentite said:
LOL
"Please take this poll. This is no wrong answer."
Ruffian
New member
I selected $5.
I'd be willing to go just a bit more, but I'd have to really think on it. (One suggestion: Spell Check option in Post Reply zone.) I am very thankful for this site. I logged on here about a month before I started getting irritated with all the little things that started going wrong with my '97 t4r. Just to see what other owners were experiencing, and for tips on how to fix them. It was about that time that I decided it was worth the money to upgrage and get a 4th gen. But which year? So anyway, I'm very thankful for this site. I don't post very often, but this is my chance to say THANK YOU to Greg, Thai, et al. who are the back bone of this site. Yeah it's caused me to spend more money, but at least now I know what TO or what NOT TO buy!!
I lost my T4R sticker thanks to an over zealous cleaning, and they were replaced...and as I said in an email...I'm willing to be a billboard as thanks for the education I've recieved here. I'd pay to play, esp. if the Mod's were willing to treat it as a membership, and toss out those stickers along with the mulah they are getting from their supporters. Hey, I'm having to pay $25 to join a local 4wheel drive club to be a member with them...but it has it's privileges!! And I get a sticker AND a patch! lmao Oh and more reasons and ideas for modifications on Ruffian with MORE ways to spend that hard earned money. So to each their own...where do you draw the line at a hobby and a necessity?:biggrin2: :biggrin2:
I'd be willing to go just a bit more, but I'd have to really think on it. (One suggestion: Spell Check option in Post Reply zone.) I am very thankful for this site. I logged on here about a month before I started getting irritated with all the little things that started going wrong with my '97 t4r. Just to see what other owners were experiencing, and for tips on how to fix them. It was about that time that I decided it was worth the money to upgrage and get a 4th gen. But which year? So anyway, I'm very thankful for this site. I don't post very often, but this is my chance to say THANK YOU to Greg, Thai, et al. who are the back bone of this site. Yeah it's caused me to spend more money, but at least now I know what TO or what NOT TO buy!!
I lost my T4R sticker thanks to an over zealous cleaning, and they were replaced...and as I said in an email...I'm willing to be a billboard as thanks for the education I've recieved here. I'd pay to play, esp. if the Mod's were willing to treat it as a membership, and toss out those stickers along with the mulah they are getting from their supporters. Hey, I'm having to pay $25 to join a local 4wheel drive club to be a member with them...but it has it's privileges!! And I get a sticker AND a patch! lmao Oh and more reasons and ideas for modifications on Ruffian with MORE ways to spend that hard earned money. So to each their own...where do you draw the line at a hobby and a necessity?:biggrin2: :biggrin2:
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
I'd pay $5 or $10 with a lifetime membership option coming in at $29.95 IF and only if there were less ads, as in only site sponsors/Toyota specific retailers.
Another important thing would be to allow non-member viewing and searches as a way to show people how cool the site is...
I don't have any problem with a public forum making enough money to build reserves for new technology and site maint. In fact there was a great Isuzu site called ITOG that lost a wealth of knowledge because it was broke. No back-ups/security etc. I do NOT want to pay anyones Harvard education unless that's fully disclosed and I agree to it.
Final wish, grandfather anyone who's posted more than 5 posts in the last 45 days. (Isn't that always the way, we're all NIMBY's [Not In My Back Yard] in one way or another.... Guilty as charged:bash: )
:cheers:
Another important thing would be to allow non-member viewing and searches as a way to show people how cool the site is...
I don't have any problem with a public forum making enough money to build reserves for new technology and site maint. In fact there was a great Isuzu site called ITOG that lost a wealth of knowledge because it was broke. No back-ups/security etc. I do NOT want to pay anyones Harvard education unless that's fully disclosed and I agree to it.
Final wish, grandfather anyone who's posted more than 5 posts in the last 45 days. (Isn't that always the way, we're all NIMBY's [Not In My Back Yard] in one way or another.... Guilty as charged:bash: )
:cheers:
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