but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Jerseygirl
Jedi Trainee
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Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Signed up about a half hour ago. :thumbsup:
Signed up about a half hour ago. :thumbsup:
-
Hey Guest!
British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
- Thread starter Brosky
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Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
As of now, I'm not seeing you listed in my list of subscribed members list. As a minimum, if all went as planned, you should have received a confirmation number from PayPal....you can check your paypal account for sent money and see if it shows up there - if so, tell me the confirmation number (in a email or PM)
Soup said:
As of now, I'm not seeing you listed in my list of subscribed members list. As a minimum, if all went as planned, you should have received a confirmation number from PayPal....you can check your paypal account for sent money and see if it shows up there - if so, tell me the confirmation number (in a email or PM)
StagByTriumph
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Operating one Triumph site myself, 10% donating participation from the membership is way WAY - EXCELLENT, and NEVER is achieved.
Typically, LESS than 1% or 2% actually end up supporting any site, which is very sad. I am typically out of pocket a few hundred bucks every year to keep the site licensed and running. Last year I actually got my costs covered, but that is NOTHING compared to the many hundreds of hours spent keeping the bugs, spammers, hackers and novice problems cleaned up. I figure the hours put into developing and testing the site, maintaining it on a regular basis costs me $25k when I factor in my hours against a competitive website programmer salary. When I compare it against my regular client billing rate, well I can say there is a completely fitted workshop in my dreams I will not see.
For Basil, I would bet it is at least times 3 or 4 on the hours hit to develop and maintain the site.
I will guess when the end of the year comes up, less than 100 out of 8750 members actually kick in any dough.
I would think that Basil would keep a link on the Forum Stats with the total number of "Subscribers" and the respective subscriber levels.
Here is another example:
Jag-Lovers has over 69 thousand registered members, yes, sixty nine thousand. ONLY 4628 are listed as supporters, 4628 out of 69 THOUSAND!!! That is 6.6%. and is considered very excellent support.
When I am logged on at Jag-Lovers forums, you will see my user name highlighted as a supporter for sure! It is cheaper than one Jaguar Dealer Oil change, and I get a lot more mileage out of that annual contribution.
So the first $100 bucks you saved every single year using this Forum should go right into Basil's contribution to keep this website up and running.
That is MY Not So Humble Opinion ...
alana said:
Operating one Triumph site myself, 10% donating participation from the membership is way WAY - EXCELLENT, and NEVER is achieved.
Typically, LESS than 1% or 2% actually end up supporting any site, which is very sad. I am typically out of pocket a few hundred bucks every year to keep the site licensed and running. Last year I actually got my costs covered, but that is NOTHING compared to the many hundreds of hours spent keeping the bugs, spammers, hackers and novice problems cleaned up. I figure the hours put into developing and testing the site, maintaining it on a regular basis costs me $25k when I factor in my hours against a competitive website programmer salary. When I compare it against my regular client billing rate, well I can say there is a completely fitted workshop in my dreams I will not see.
For Basil, I would bet it is at least times 3 or 4 on the hours hit to develop and maintain the site.
I will guess when the end of the year comes up, less than 100 out of 8750 members actually kick in any dough.
I would think that Basil would keep a link on the Forum Stats with the total number of "Subscribers" and the respective subscriber levels.
Here is another example:
Jag-Lovers has over 69 thousand registered members, yes, sixty nine thousand. ONLY 4628 are listed as supporters, 4628 out of 69 THOUSAND!!! That is 6.6%. and is considered very excellent support.
When I am logged on at Jag-Lovers forums, you will see my user name highlighted as a supporter for sure! It is cheaper than one Jaguar Dealer Oil change, and I get a lot more mileage out of that annual contribution.
So the first $100 bucks you saved every single year using this Forum should go right into Basil's contribution to keep this website up and running.
That is MY Not So Humble Opinion ...
T
Tinster
Guest
Guest
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Glen- so on the mark are you!!!
Remember, I live in Puerto Rico-
As a direct result of joining the BCF, fellow members donated
to my trashed out, 2 years dead, Pedro-ized 69TR6:
1. one rear trailing arm
2. one drive shaft
3. front suspension bushings
4. fuel pumps (2)
5. one complete sets of tail light lenses
6. one on-site professional clutch install
7. one on-site professional carb fine tune
8. one on-site professional ignition installation
9. one on-site professional brake system partial rebuild
10. odds and ends of various bits
11. Two custom crafted brass name plates for my new dashboard
12. Trunk lock key
12. priceless amounts of technical advice on the total
car rebuild. Almost 1,300 miles now driven without a breakdown.
13. priceless fellowship
Can I ever repay Basil with my small "gold" membership token?
Nope but I'm happy to help out.
dale
Glen- so on the mark are you!!!
Remember, I live in Puerto Rico-
As a direct result of joining the BCF, fellow members donated
to my trashed out, 2 years dead, Pedro-ized 69TR6:
1. one rear trailing arm
2. one drive shaft
3. front suspension bushings
4. fuel pumps (2)
5. one complete sets of tail light lenses
6. one on-site professional clutch install
7. one on-site professional carb fine tune
8. one on-site professional ignition installation
9. one on-site professional brake system partial rebuild
10. odds and ends of various bits
11. Two custom crafted brass name plates for my new dashboard
12. Trunk lock key
12. priceless amounts of technical advice on the total
car rebuild. Almost 1,300 miles now driven without a breakdown.
13. priceless fellowship
Can I ever repay Basil with my small "gold" membership token?
Nope but I'm happy to help out.
dale
Online
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
First,let me say that I'm all for the Forum,& one
of my first reactions was of frustration.Hear me out first,
before making a comment.
Part of it comes from being asked for money left & right.And I don't like the idea of using a rating system
for how much you've donated.Some of us can well afford it
better than others.
I will probably donate,but I don't feel that it's
anybody's business as to how much that you did.To me it's
just like donating to a charity,or anything else,for that
matter.I feel like it should be anomously done - not for
the recognition,but for your own sefishness.
Thank you for hearing my opinion.
- Doug
First,let me say that I'm all for the Forum,& one
of my first reactions was of frustration.Hear me out first,
before making a comment.
Part of it comes from being asked for money left & right.And I don't like the idea of using a rating system
for how much you've donated.Some of us can well afford it
better than others.
I will probably donate,but I don't feel that it's
anybody's business as to how much that you did.To me it's
just like donating to a charity,or anything else,for that
matter.I feel like it should be anomously done - not for
the recognition,but for your own sefishness.
Thank you for hearing my opinion.
- Doug
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Doug,
I can understand your position, but most charitable donations (except for church- parable of the widow's mite and all) have different levels of membership and sponsors. Frankly, just facing facts, lots of folks won't donate to something that is "free" unless there is some pressure or recognition. "Free" in this context means that somebody else is paying for it.
I just sent in my bronze membership and I don't mind others knowing I did only the bronze (because I'm a cheapskate). But at least I did something and although it was small ($10) I wanted to help contribute to this great site.
Perhaps we should suggest a contribution based on how much you use the site. I have maybe 24 posts. I see that you have around 2400. Let's do the math on that.....
Best to all, Jeff
AngliaGT said:
Doug,
I can understand your position, but most charitable donations (except for church- parable of the widow's mite and all) have different levels of membership and sponsors. Frankly, just facing facts, lots of folks won't donate to something that is "free" unless there is some pressure or recognition. "Free" in this context means that somebody else is paying for it.
I just sent in my bronze membership and I don't mind others knowing I did only the bronze (because I'm a cheapskate). But at least I did something and although it was small ($10) I wanted to help contribute to this great site.
Perhaps we should suggest a contribution based on how much you use the site. I have maybe 24 posts. I see that you have around 2400. Let's do the math on that.....
Best to all, Jeff
toysrrus
Yoda
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Hi There AngliaGT,
I
with yourself. I`m a member of "Speedsters.com" (356 Porsches). "IF" you are a donating member; Under your name spells out just that, "Donating Member": Nothing else! This too is a "Free" site.
I`m in the Bronze class: I don`t really know what "Blogs" are all about so I don`t need that. I don`t really need a ton of space for PMs as I don`t hardly rec. any! So, My needs equate to a Bronze Membership. I`m happy! I hope Basil is happy! The BCF continues forward! This is a "WIN, WIN, WIN" situation! :thumbsup:
I`m happy to donate whatever (Tee shirts, cards) to this great forum: I hope all will:
Hey Basil; Just out of curiosity (Not just mine I`m sure); How many folks have signed up out of 8000+ members so far?
Regards,
Russ :banana:
Hi There AngliaGT,
I
with yourself. I`m a member of "Speedsters.com" (356 Porsches). "IF" you are a donating member; Under your name spells out just that, "Donating Member": Nothing else! This too is a "Free" site.I`m in the Bronze class: I don`t really know what "Blogs" are all about so I don`t need that. I don`t really need a ton of space for PMs as I don`t hardly rec. any! So, My needs equate to a Bronze Membership. I`m happy! I hope Basil is happy! The BCF continues forward! This is a "WIN, WIN, WIN" situation! :thumbsup:
I`m happy to donate whatever (Tee shirts, cards) to this great forum: I hope all will:
Hey Basil; Just out of curiosity (Not just mine I`m sure); How many folks have signed up out of 8000+ members so far?
Regards,
Russ :banana:
PeterK
Yoda
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Jeff, Perhaps all 2400 of Doug's posts were to contribute information to help you out with your car problem and none were crys for help with his own car. So we need to add logic to the equation.
Whatever we contribute and how we contribute (donation, knowledge, comradery, or $ubscription, etc.) is our personal choice. Consider if all members subscribed thinking were promised free parts, a trip to islands, and help with their cars as the carrot, but no one was there to contribute the information to do so.
What do we do now, Spike?
Fairview said:
Jeff, Perhaps all 2400 of Doug's posts were to contribute information to help you out with your car problem and none were crys for help with his own car. So we need to add logic to the equation.
Whatever we contribute and how we contribute (donation, knowledge, comradery, or $ubscription, etc.) is our personal choice. Consider if all members subscribed thinking were promised free parts, a trip to islands, and help with their cars as the carrot, but no one was there to contribute the information to do so.
What do we do now, Spike?
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
<span style="color: #330033"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Doug (and others),
I appreciate your concern and believe it or not, I share it and struggled with whether or not to include the small recognition. My concern was that it would become an "us-vs-them" thing and that is really what I want to avoid. But the more I thought about it the more I realized there is another perspective on the issue that I hope you will consider. As you know, I have had a voluntary "donation" system which worked as you describe...people could donate if they wanted to but there was no public recognition from me for their generosity. What's wrong with that, you ask? Well, on the surface, nothing, but the simple fact is, that system did not generate enough cash flow to truly make BCF a viable operation. Yes, I would get occasional donations, and yes, they helped, but as a business model, it just wasn't working well....simple fact. I want to keep BCF continuing, and continuing to improve, even after I retire (not that far off) and am then on a fixed income (and much smaller income no doubt). I concluded that the only viable way for me to continue BCF, and stay involved in it's future development, was if I could implement a viable business model for BFC now - before I retire.
As I mentioned, the voluntary, non-recognition, model simply wasn't working well. I implemented the subscription system only after a rather lengthy discussion in the "Forum Happenings" forum about the future of BCF. In that thread, several members kept suggesting a subscription, which I initially resisted. However, after due consideration, I decided to try it, which brings me to the point I wanted to make.
At least so far, the current system seems to be much more effective than the previous system...in short it is working. Whether it will continue to work well, or this initial burst of support is just a flash in the pan, remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful. So far it is working better than before. I think the right way to look at the membership labels is not that it reflects selfishness on the part of the member, but look at it as my way of recognizing those members for their contribution. Those little tags serve another purpose also, which I think is really the key to its success - they remind members, especially new members, that an optional subscription system is available...it keeps it in people's minds. A new person, over time, will keep seeing those little tags and wonder what its all about, which will lead some of them to sign up who might otherwise not contribute. It is similar to the bricks at the front entrance of the National Corvette Museum.
The front entrance to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, is made up of bricks, many of which have people's names on them and a date. Those represent people who have made donations to the museum. Similar to my Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc., the bricks come in different sizes which represent different levels of support. Every day, people see those bricks and it reminds them of their ability to contribute to the museum. Would as many people donate to the NCM if there weren't thousands of people seeing those bricks every day? Probably not.
I view the subscription recognition the same way. The bottom line is, so far the system is working much better than the non-recognition, voluntary donation system I had before. So as a business model, if you were in my shoes, which model would you implement if your goal was to improve things and keep BCF on the air?
At the same time, I'd ask folks who are subscribers to not assume that because someone doesn't have that tag under their avatar that they don't contribute to the forum. Remember, there are lots of ways to contribute - both with dollars and with knowledge. Some people might buy a mug or a T-Shirt, some might make an anonymous donation, and others may contribute by simply providing expertise or knowledge that is helpful to others...it's all good.
I hope this puts a little different perspective on the whole issue of subscription labels.
</span></span></span>
AngliaGT said:
<span style="color: #330033"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Doug (and others),
I appreciate your concern and believe it or not, I share it and struggled with whether or not to include the small recognition. My concern was that it would become an "us-vs-them" thing and that is really what I want to avoid. But the more I thought about it the more I realized there is another perspective on the issue that I hope you will consider. As you know, I have had a voluntary "donation" system which worked as you describe...people could donate if they wanted to but there was no public recognition from me for their generosity. What's wrong with that, you ask? Well, on the surface, nothing, but the simple fact is, that system did not generate enough cash flow to truly make BCF a viable operation. Yes, I would get occasional donations, and yes, they helped, but as a business model, it just wasn't working well....simple fact. I want to keep BCF continuing, and continuing to improve, even after I retire (not that far off) and am then on a fixed income (and much smaller income no doubt). I concluded that the only viable way for me to continue BCF, and stay involved in it's future development, was if I could implement a viable business model for BFC now - before I retire.
As I mentioned, the voluntary, non-recognition, model simply wasn't working well. I implemented the subscription system only after a rather lengthy discussion in the "Forum Happenings" forum about the future of BCF. In that thread, several members kept suggesting a subscription, which I initially resisted. However, after due consideration, I decided to try it, which brings me to the point I wanted to make.
At least so far, the current system seems to be much more effective than the previous system...in short it is working. Whether it will continue to work well, or this initial burst of support is just a flash in the pan, remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful. So far it is working better than before. I think the right way to look at the membership labels is not that it reflects selfishness on the part of the member, but look at it as my way of recognizing those members for their contribution. Those little tags serve another purpose also, which I think is really the key to its success - they remind members, especially new members, that an optional subscription system is available...it keeps it in people's minds. A new person, over time, will keep seeing those little tags and wonder what its all about, which will lead some of them to sign up who might otherwise not contribute. It is similar to the bricks at the front entrance of the National Corvette Museum.
The front entrance to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, is made up of bricks, many of which have people's names on them and a date. Those represent people who have made donations to the museum. Similar to my Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc., the bricks come in different sizes which represent different levels of support. Every day, people see those bricks and it reminds them of their ability to contribute to the museum. Would as many people donate to the NCM if there weren't thousands of people seeing those bricks every day? Probably not.
I view the subscription recognition the same way. The bottom line is, so far the system is working much better than the non-recognition, voluntary donation system I had before. So as a business model, if you were in my shoes, which model would you implement if your goal was to improve things and keep BCF on the air?
At the same time, I'd ask folks who are subscribers to not assume that because someone doesn't have that tag under their avatar that they don't contribute to the forum. Remember, there are lots of ways to contribute - both with dollars and with knowledge. Some people might buy a mug or a T-Shirt, some might make an anonymous donation, and others may contribute by simply providing expertise or knowledge that is helpful to others...it's all good.
I hope this puts a little different perspective on the whole issue of subscription labels.
</span></span></span>
terriphill
Darth Vader
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
OK,
I took the leap and went for it. I only hope you guys don't mind that my web page is going to be about kids and cars and our planet! T
OK,
I took the leap and went for it. I only hope you guys don't mind that my web page is going to be about kids and cars and our planet! T
G
Guest
Guest
Guest
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Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
.
I am <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> a Harvard Business School graduate by any means. I am a mere self employed, blue collar, daily grind schmuck. However, doing the math here, it appears that if Basil were lucky enough that 400 or roughly 5% of the registered user's sign up for a Gold membership (and that is already not happening), this is only a temporary fix to the original "Discssion on Future of BCF" (not a typo, that is how it's labeled) post. Gold members are contributing about 15 cents a day or about $15.00 a day for every <span style="font-weight: bold">100 Gold members</span>. He's not going to retire on that. The work load will be even greater now as when people pay for a service, they will expect just a little bit more. He would have had to make this a quarterly membership amount to change anything.
Just my $0.02 tacked on to my $25.00 Paypal <span style="font-style: italic">donation</span> 6 months ago gives me what amounts to a silver membership until September 08? :crazy:
.
.
I am <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> a Harvard Business School graduate by any means. I am a mere self employed, blue collar, daily grind schmuck. However, doing the math here, it appears that if Basil were lucky enough that 400 or roughly 5% of the registered user's sign up for a Gold membership (and that is already not happening), this is only a temporary fix to the original "Discssion on Future of BCF" (not a typo, that is how it's labeled) post. Gold members are contributing about 15 cents a day or about $15.00 a day for every <span style="font-weight: bold">100 Gold members</span>. He's not going to retire on that. The work load will be even greater now as when people pay for a service, they will expect just a little bit more. He would have had to make this a quarterly membership amount to change anything.
Just my $0.02 tacked on to my $25.00 Paypal <span style="font-style: italic">donation</span> 6 months ago gives me what amounts to a silver membership until September 08? :crazy:
.
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Keep in mind, the subscriptions will not be the only source of cash flow - I will also have the BCF store where folks can buy a mug or T-shirt, and I intend to (hopefully) have a better paid supporting vendor presence and I may implement a better Classified section that people might be willing to pay a small fee to sell their British car, for example.
This is not intended to be my sole source of retirement - I will have a pension. I just want to get it to the point that it is self-sustaining and maybe provide a little extra $$ for myself. I have no grand illusions that I'm going to get rich and retire in the lap of luxury. As for the extra work - the additional features are for the most part automatic as soon as someone subscribes. The only exceptions will be the Blogs (Gold Members) and the Web Hosting (Platinum), which do require asome work to set up, but not an unreasonable amount.
Stirkle said:
Keep in mind, the subscriptions will not be the only source of cash flow - I will also have the BCF store where folks can buy a mug or T-shirt, and I intend to (hopefully) have a better paid supporting vendor presence and I may implement a better Classified section that people might be willing to pay a small fee to sell their British car, for example.
This is not intended to be my sole source of retirement - I will have a pension. I just want to get it to the point that it is self-sustaining and maybe provide a little extra $$ for myself. I have no grand illusions that I'm going to get rich and retire in the lap of luxury. As for the extra work - the additional features are for the most part automatic as soon as someone subscribes. The only exceptions will be the Blogs (Gold Members) and the Web Hosting (Platinum), which do require asome work to set up, but not an unreasonable amount.
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Peter,
I think Basil's post a couple before this one is an eloquent explanation and shows that he put a lot of thought into the present arrangement. And I'm sure Doug and others have shared lots of information with their posts. Sharing information is great- that is why we are here. Folks who post lots of times make this a fun and interesting site. The problem is that we can post all day, but it doesn't help Basil pay the bills.
Best to you, Jeff
PeterK said:
Peter,
I think Basil's post a couple before this one is an eloquent explanation and shows that he put a lot of thought into the present arrangement. And I'm sure Doug and others have shared lots of information with their posts. Sharing information is great- that is why we are here. Folks who post lots of times make this a fun and interesting site. The problem is that we can post all day, but it doesn't help Basil pay the bills.
Best to you, Jeff
GregW
Yoda
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
True, but I don’t think anyone is being forced to do anything. It was my personal choice to contribute to keep this forum around. Why? I enjoy most of the people here that I never would have come across, talking about a common interest. More practically, this week I needed a couple body measurements for reassembling my car. While at the body shop, I logged in and posted the question. Got an answer in a short while that allowed me to continue working. Without this forum, I’d have to stop work and wait ‘til I could get my hands on a car disassembled enough to get the needed dimensions. With these cars, that could be months depending on where you lived.
I don’t understand this comment. No one has been promised these things. There is no “You have to subscribe before you get to see what you paid for” button. People can signup for free and if they find value in the information here, then they can make a choice.
I had feared that also for a while (this is not a new topic). Why should the gurus pay to give out free information? Since subscriptions aren’t mandatory, these people can still do that. (I am seeing some of them subscribe however, which makes me respect them even more). The beauty of a large community though, is everyone has an area that they are strong in. Whether it’s rebuilding an engine, installing a radio, a computer question, etc. So even if the professional guys left, there is still a good chance someone will have experience with the problem you’re faced with.
PeterK said:
True, but I don’t think anyone is being forced to do anything. It was my personal choice to contribute to keep this forum around. Why? I enjoy most of the people here that I never would have come across, talking about a common interest. More practically, this week I needed a couple body measurements for reassembling my car. While at the body shop, I logged in and posted the question. Got an answer in a short while that allowed me to continue working. Without this forum, I’d have to stop work and wait ‘til I could get my hands on a car disassembled enough to get the needed dimensions. With these cars, that could be months depending on where you lived.
PeterK said:
I don’t understand this comment. No one has been promised these things. There is no “You have to subscribe before you get to see what you paid for” button. People can signup for free and if they find value in the information here, then they can make a choice.
PeterK said:
I had feared that also for a while (this is not a new topic). Why should the gurus pay to give out free information? Since subscriptions aren’t mandatory, these people can still do that. (I am seeing some of them subscribe however, which makes me respect them even more). The beauty of a large community though, is everyone has an area that they are strong in. Whether it’s rebuilding an engine, installing a radio, a computer question, etc. So even if the professional guys left, there is still a good chance someone will have experience with the problem you’re faced with.
Offline
Re: Are you signed up for a "subscription" yet??
Maybe there should just be a member and visitor status, whether you are bronze, silver whatever should be irrelevent except where it comes to the services you recieve.
I agree with encouraging people to sign up and support the BCF but it is true that some people while listed as members may rarely or never frequent the site. Maybe members should have the advantage of an express log on while visitors may have to go through a mini registration each time they enter the site. This way a 10 dollar Bronze membership would seem a bargain to ease navigation and use.
Just my 2 cents!
Paul
Maybe there should just be a member and visitor status, whether you are bronze, silver whatever should be irrelevent except where it comes to the services you recieve.
I agree with encouraging people to sign up and support the BCF but it is true that some people while listed as members may rarely or never frequent the site. Maybe members should have the advantage of an express log on while visitors may have to go through a mini registration each time they enter the site. This way a 10 dollar Bronze membership would seem a bargain to ease navigation and use.
Just my 2 cents!
Paul