Should a membership fee be implemented?

Not that I'm not greatful for the nice site. But no way would I be for a fee. I think if you were looking to drop the number of users to about 25% of the current list, it would accomplish that if ti were mandatory. Sure a star by teh supporters names woudl be something, but it would create a disgruntledness for the ones without stars, we don't need that. If its getting hard to manage, try cutting back on the managing, we can post things to eachother without much management I would think. I like the mechandise Idea, though things would have to be cheap, maybe I'm just to cheap!

 

I could be wrong, but I believe the "managing" is volunteered.

As far as merchandise prices, things like mugs, T-shirts, etc., could all be sold at prices similar to what you'd pay at a store.

 

The only way to get people to pay to look at a website is to include nudity. Or celebrity autopsy photos. The most successful website would probably feature nude celebrity autopsy photos. And I don't think we want to go there. Although, now that I think about it, didn't Jayne Mansfield die in a Buick? Hmmmm...

 

I've bought and sold my share of parts on this board, as well as asked numerous questions. I always, like many others, had taken this resource for granted. I was getting ready to build my 439 and went to JW's website and printed out the oil modifacation upgrades, and gave them to Rick Gable to do the machining. Then it dawned on me, JW sat down and wrote it up, took the pictures, and put it out there for the good of the Buick Community, no charge. I then sent a $200.00 contribution to the Board, and I'm sending JW a $100.00 for all his unselfish help over the phone the past five years. I ran 11.73 ET @ 115 mph at Norwalk, with alot of help from this board, and talking to board members. TA Mike & Dave, JW, John Zerucha, and others will help you solve a problem, or steer you right if asked. We cannot afford to lose this valuable asset, nor do we want it screwed with. Pony up fellas, time to send in some money to keep the board the way it is. No free lunches, that's my $0.02.
Michael Dyer

 

Thanks Michael, that's very generous of you.

JW

 

Hi,

At first glance i voted for the $5, after reading some of the draw backs maybe voluntary should be the way to go. I know the site has helped me and if a fee were to kill the site ... where would I go? I actually had jim do some work on my engine, which if it wasnt for the site i never would have found him.

Ill get a paypal ready this weekend jimbo!!!!


:dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar: :dollar:

 

Thanks Jerry, I hope your still doing well.

JW

 

I think a $5.00 fee is more than reasonable. He!!, I've paid $25 on a 67-69camaro and 67-72 truck sites
If you can't afford to sacrifice lunch for 1 day ($5.00), for a year of this encyclopedia of information, you dont deserve to be here. JMO

Im going to paypal right now to send a $25.00 donation

 

I average more than 5$/year since I join the board in 2003 on a volountary basis and very please to do so , but I don't know if I would have joined the board if it was mandatory back then ...

 

A month free, $5.00 thereafter is more than fair

 

I've always felt like a cheapskate because I haven't ponied up some money to contribute to the site. The information here is priceless and the members seem only too happy to shre their information.

So, I'll pay the $5, but wouldn't balk if it was more and you threw in a Buick specifc T shirt or coozie or something like that.

Maybe make it free for read only?

 

A month? They are talking about $5 per year.

 

I voted for the very small nominal fee. Likewise I've always sent in some support $$ every year I've participated here.

 

Im just suggesting free membership for a month, and $5 a year thereafter

That would give an individual enough time to figure whether it was of value to him/her

 

Well said Michael! :gp:

I was just feeling all warm and fuzzy today about all the help I've received from this forum and others in the Buick community such as Jim Weise (I copped his oil mods too), Jeff (Yardley) Holthenrichs (offered me his stock exhaust manifolds in my first post on this forum as a newbie and has a website that's a great resource for Riviera Owners) and Greg Gessler (Had a question about DIY porting/polishing that I wasn't getting any bites on though this forum - Greg answered me in about three hours though e-mail... I wasn't expecting that).

I wondered how I could pay back for all this. Mr. Gessler was easy - I gave him some work putting exhaust seat inserts in my heads.

Jim Weise and this goldmine of a site - DUMB-ARSE that I am... I've never checked out anything above "The Bench" that's listed on the homepage! ou: I finally contributed today!

Yardley - haven't figured how to help him out yet. Maybe he needs a hand turning wrenches... maybe a new coat of asphalt sealer on his driveway to hide all the burnout marks?

Most of what I wanted to say about V8Buick.com and the Buick community in general can be found in the posts in the "Board Supporters" section by people that have contributed already.

Posting these testimonials and asking for help (quarterly?) in "The Bench" might lead horses (asses - in my case) to water with regard to contributions. IE. - a little self promotion may be all that's needed to keep solvent(?)

Is "the ruckus caused by the classifieds" the main reason that this year is the first time that the board is fully self-supporting? http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=119196&page=3 (4th post down) We gotta have a ruckus every year then!!!:TU: :beers2:

 

Just PayPal'd for five years! What club can you join for five bucks a year that is actually worth it? This one for sure!

 

TOTALLY SLIPPED MY TINY MIND!!!!

It has been processed!!! Thanks Jim

 

Free with option to donate and perks for those that donate at a given level, i.e., credits in classifieds. Great site, job well done.:TU:

 

No fee.. I probably would have kept moving if I had come upon a fee when I joined a couple of months ago. I just sent a paypal. I think more people would donate a few dollars if there was a good way solicit a donation.. I just assumed most places ran quite well off of advertising..

I hope I haven't been blackballed by my religious discuusion:beer. Nevermind if you don't know what I mean.

 

Heck $5.00? I only feel gulity for not contributing earlier! I honestly didn't know!

Tom

How about posting extra items you have and the proceeds go to the site?