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The Future of BCF

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I guess the question I have is...is it the time or the money?
If money is the problem then of course you see we are all willing to pay a moderate fee to keep in touch with the friends we have made here. Subscription fees, advertising income etc.
If time is the issue...then there is a problem. Without Basil its just not the BCF. It can say BCF, but its like skim milk or near beer.
In the end you have to do what is best for you. I only hope (in the most selfish way) you live forever and never change the way things are today!!!
 
:bow:
Basil: You resist the urge to charge the membership to help offset the costs of running this forum.
I, for one, think paying for the friendship, comraderie, and knowledge here would be a privilege not a burden. And, anyone who has a poor attitude about fees, probably wouldn't feel comfortable here anyway.
As for your getting rich from this. Why Not? you've made all of us far richer with the people we've met and the knowledge we've gained. If we can gain, SO CAN YOU!!!!!!!!!

I think membership fees and advertising would help tremendously, so go for it.

As for assistance you only have to look to your moderators to find like minded people to do necessary tasks. And forum members, (that's us the pagan posters) whom, I'm sure would volunteer their services on an as needed basis.

In all, the resources are here, it's just a matter of getting them off the couch.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Dave
 
I would be the LAST person to offer suggestions concerning the superstructure and day to day operations of a site. All of that stuff is WAY over my head, but since you asked I think that I will toss these observations into the stew.

Once one reaches a certain age the thrill of the chase subsides and comfort becomes more of an issue, not unlike the stock market or women. The visions of "bigger and faster and more noble" are not quite what they use to be.

EDIT: I just deleted a long suggestive that could be boiled down to this:

Reduce the hassle factor by decreasing the content and responsibilities.

Raise capital by selling off unwanted parts of the site with appropriate non-compete legal protection.

Increase the perceived value of what is left through imagination and skill.

Charge real dollars for the privilege of participating.
 
i've only just joined this group. i don't own any british cars, but i had two and was involved a bit in racing in my earlier years and still love them as much as then. this group allows me the joy of all those memories that i now can foresee having time for again as i approach retirement age. it would be a shame to see the site and all the information herein dissapear....
FWW, i have no problem with more advertisement and if a subscription is required, it's a small price to pay for the enjoyment!
 
i've only just joined this group. i don't own any british cars, but i had two and was involved a bit in racing in my earlier years and still love them as much as then. this group allows me the joy of all those memories that i now can foresee having time for again as i approach retirement age. it would be a shame to see the site and all the information herein dissapear....
FWW, i have no problem with more advertisement and if a subscription is required, it's a small price to pay for the enjoyment!
 
Whew - that was a lot to read!

Thanks Basil - for creating a great site here. And you should have no reservations at all about profiting from what you've created and given freely to everyone for the taking.

I think some sort of fee is a great idea. And, I think you should also make the site as automated as you can for yourself. Not either/or, but both. After all, the survival of the site is dependent on your comfort and satisfaction (and sanity).

For details, I think an upfront fee to read and post will slow the growth momentum - thus making the site available to less people. So I think the idea of charging for classifieds (and other special services) and allowing and charging for tasteful unobtrusive advertising is a good thing.

Another idea, and this could be additional, not an alternative to the above - maybe make the site free to try for a year and then charge a small fee after that. Sure, there will be some deadbeats that will re-register under another name. But the site would keep growing and those that had a conscience (and wanted to keep their personal relationship here) would simply pay the fee and continue to be happy.

Also, I think there are plenty here (myself included, I'm an IT Administrator for a small town) that would be willing to chip in on the work load a little. You could offer free services/memberships to those that were moderators, or helped keep the place tidy in some other way. Someone could approve picture posts, others could watch for inappropriate posts, maybe some could also share technical duties.

That's about all I can add to what's already been said. Hope you'll feel comfortable rewarding yourself for what you've given to everyone and hope you'll find a way to keep it from driving ya' nuts!
 
Basil, I belong to 2 forums that I visit with any regularity. This one and a Spitfire focused site. The other is a subscription site if you want to reach "member specific" areas and archived posts.

For the privilage of accessing these areas I pay $20 a year.
These "special" areas are devoid of anything of recent vintage; i.e. all posts are at least 2 years old. I continue to pay for access because there is some value lurking there.

The archived posts offer some useful information but nothing I couldn't find here with a simple post. I continue to subscribe because I feel a sense of community there. That said; I visit there at most once a week and often go a month at a time without accessing the site. And for that I pay a fee.


I come here several times a day when I am not away from a computer. I spend countless hours at time harrassing and being harrassed by fellow members and fond friends in the chat room. I have often asked for help with an issue I encountered in my rebuild of my spitfire. Each time I have received prompt, valuable, and helpful answers from the fellow members her.

I have spent countless hours in the wee hours of the morning when I couldn't sleep due to pain, reading posts and finding wisdom and joy in the replies and banterings of my fellow members and they interact.

The interpersonal responses I see here go beyond car buffs helping car buffs. There is a far more personal feel to the posts here. As if we are indeed a family and not just a bunch of strangers.

You have provided this to all of us for free. Knowing just enough about computers to be really dangerous I know the sacrifices you have made to keep this site up and running. Not to mention the clean, safe, friendy site that it is.

Your selflessness and generosity speaks volumes to the type of person you are. As does your insistence that this remain a free site. However, there is a time when it is time to put that selflessness aside and ask for help.

This site has grown by leaps and bounds ocer the last couple of years and the expense must be mounting as well. I don't think there are any members here who use this site regularly who would baulk as paying a yearly fee for posting privilages. Access could remain free to lurkers allowing them to see what a great thing we have but joining would allow interactions.

I, for one, would not baulk at a fee. I have on several occation intended to donate but have failed to do so for a variety of reasons. A subscription fee would be like another bill to pay and I would simple "write the check" instead of allowing myself to waste the money on something else.

Keep up your good work on this site. Do not be afraid to take whatever steps you need to in order to keep it open. I am sure the core members of the BCF will support you in what ever methods you deem needed.

WHEW!!! I must care. I haven't typed anything that long since my college days.
 
[Good forums elicit better responses...thus, we need places like the BCF not only for the technical side but also for the camaradrie and emotional support.]

I can sure agree with that statement. I'm not a large poster here but do so enjoy reading the postings and occasionally helping someone solve a problem. I even think I know some of you guys personally. Not a lot of LBC lovers around here in North Eastern Ohio and I get a lot of flack about why I even full around with these cars. The closest LBC club is some 60 miles away but for the last four years now I got one every night right here on my computer. That's why I enjoy the Form so much. A place to go and do that comradery thing.

I just finished up a TR250 two years ago and I frequently comment about how much "more" fun it was restoring this car then my first one (a Tr3 in 1982) mainly due to the Internet and BCF. I would surly miss the form if it went away. Plus my 69 TR6 is counting on it being hear.

Your pride, professionalism and the quality of the form dose come through in your product. There must a lot of passion in your work and that we thank you for! I can't offer any computer or any great business advice excipt I once heard a statement that always stuck with me that says that to find a job in your passion and you won't even know your working. Only in America do we have these types of opportunities to become entrepreneurs. So go make some money, have some fun and I sure the form will even improve.


Thanks
Larry
 
I was once part of an equally passionate forum where people helped each other, bonded and became true friends. The owner decided to close it down and frankly, things got a little ugly. People were willing to accept the kind of control terms you have laid down until that level of control turned against them and pulled the entire rug out from under them. In other words, their contributions did more than just make the forum work, they were committed to the others in a longer term way. They felt betrayed when the forum did not reciprocate that level of commitment.

Maybe the above story is relevant, maybe not. But I can't help wondering if burnout and non-commercialism are related. Of course you should make some money from this place. Just because you started it because you wanted to and you continue because you are committed does not mean you should be a charity about it. Some parts of my day job I will always want to do and I am glad to be paid to put up with the other parts. If you can find something you want to do and can make it pay, well DUH.

I am not sure I understand the "kill it if it cannot pay" approach either. I have an obligation that I committed to years ago, has cost me money and lots of time and someday I will walk away. But killing the whole thing is the last outcome I'd want to see. Give it away to someone whose approach you respect if you do not wish to sell. Surely there are other options along those lines. But you have birthed something that is now bigger than one person and has a meaningful existence of its own. I would not sell my child into slavery, but I would not kill her either.

I apologize for my negative tone. I agree with the positive upbeat tone of all the other comments, but you tapped into resentment of a past experience. Benevolent dictators have obligations to their people.

Make it pay, delegate some tasks, eliminate some others if you want, but I think a place this special has to go on and should not be killed by anyone.
 
Before finding the BCF I was a member of a few sites and never felt like I belonged. Rarely posting, and when I did, rarely got a decent response. The car owned by me at the time was A Midget. A MIDGET! ONE - and now I have 7 cars and 4 of them actually work thanks to the BCF. Being here gave me the sense that people cared about what I was doing and wanted to see me succeed. A great deal of gratitude is owed to the BCF, and the people who are here that take the time to give straightforward opinions and advice. Learning what it's like to share my advice and opinions with others has been a great experience for me. Watching new members come with here with that same feeling I had when I joined and seeing them come into their own with their cars has also been a great joy. I even remember posting about it one night when I was reflecting on where I started and where I've come in such a short time. We all had a good time looking back at our first posts. I'm young and plan on being here for a very long time with these LBC's and without the BCF, things would be tougher. I've been here for about an hour reading and re-reading this and you have the support of members, me included.

I personnally have sent a dozen members here speaking of how nice and community like it is around here. The make of the members are more "real" and approachable. The other forums are very "clicky" and once you get on someonese bad side or neem partially inept, you are outcast like some kind of oddball. I've also seen the stab at you and I too laugh outloud.

The first thing I do in the morning is check here, the BCF. The last thing I do before I go to sleep is check here the BCF. Looking forward to a new post or an opinoin on a particular subject that could help me with my cars is what keeps me going. I've got more cars to work on and this place will be what gets it done.

Ads would not bother me at all and if this is something that you are interested in doing, I'm all for it. If a membership fee is something that you are contemplating, I'm all for it. I spend $35 a year to be a member of NAMGBR and as much as I like the magazine, it comes every two months and I am done with it in a day or so. I'd spend that to be here in a heartbeat.
 
I think most of the posts here say mostly the same thing...this is YOUR forum which you have gracciously and effectively allowed us to participate...and it is GOOD! I think whatever you decide to do with it, we will go along with. Sure, you will loose some of us, but I think most people here are in for the long haul. The simple fact that this tread is here shows your geniuine concern for your child and all of us.

There are many cases of a hobby becoming a way of supporting itself and the hobbyist. I don't know anything about your personal financial situation, but certainly relying on this forum to support your retirement is certainly a huge risk. If you wish to maintain control and stay in charge of it, you must assume that risk. We all hope you can afford to do that!

As far a this Forum becoming a risk in of itself, I think all the members have a reponsibility to assist in that risk. I think all of us would contribute to a manditory fee to some degree. I don't know anything about what it takes to run a site like this, so I can't help there, but I will contribute to those who do know how to do it.

I am a financial consultant...advisory only, selling no product. I own my company now and hope that it will support me in my semi retirement a few years from now. But in order to do so, I will eventually have to give up some control of the operations of it, something which in not easy to do because I feel a responsibility to my clients for our service. You are in the same boat in a way...this IS a business for you. Only you can decide what is acceptable to you to continue serving us. I think it should take care of itself and you!
 
Bruce74B said:
I think most of the posts here say mostly the same thing...this is YOUR forum which you have gracciously and effectively allowed us to participate...and it is GOOD! I think whatever you decide to do with it, we will go along with. Sure, you will loose some of us, but I think most people here are in for the long haul. The simple fact that this tread is here shows your geniuine concern for your child and all of us.

There are many cases of a hobby becoming a way of supporting itself and the hobbyist. I don't know anything about your personal financial situation, but certainly relying on this forum to support your retirement is certainly a huge risk. If you wish to maintain control and stay in charge of it, you must assume that risk. We all hope you can afford to do that!

As far a this Forum becoming a risk in of itself, I think all the members have a reponsibility to assist in that risk. I think all of us would contribute to a manditory fee to some degree. I don't know anything about what it takes to run a site like this, so I can't help there, but I will contribute to those who do know how to do it.

I am a financial consultant...advisory only, selling no product. I own my company now and hope that it will support me in my semi retirement a few years from now. But in order to do so, I will eventually have to give up some control of the operations of it, something which in not easy to do because I feel a responsibility to my clients for our service. You are in the same boat in a way...this IS a business for you. Only you can decide what is acceptable to you to continue serving us. I think it should take care of itself and you!
Click to expand...

iagree.gif
Very well said!
 
There have been a lot of great ideas and suggestions here (and some I've had via PM) that have given me much to ponder.

Bruce: When I retire, I would not be depending on this forum for my survival, but since I would be on a fixed income (relatively) I would hope to just supplement my income. That way, I could continue to grow and improve the forum, while at the same time maybe providing the extra little something so that, who knows, maybe I could get some of my own cars finally finished.

:crazyeyes:
 
I think I can echo some other thoughts about the board. I belong to several others, and this is probably the only board where people are not attacked for posting this or that, and I really like the civilized attitude here.

I hope that there is a way for the board to continue. Basil, I know you are reluctant to make it a pay bbs, but just to put in my $.02, I would be willing to pay to keep things alive. I know the old MG-ABC bbs shut down due to time and cost constraints, and I would be willing to do my part to keep this one going. I have donated in the past when I sold parts here, and of course, would do the same next time something goes.

Thanks for all the hard work, and providing us a civilized place to discuss our cars.
 
As simply a lowely member here, this is the best site out there for LBC owners. I find it amazing that you do not charge anything for it. Anyone who is honest with themselves realizes this is a smokin deal. Some will disagree but I would gladly pay to belong to this site and would feel good about paying it. You may want to consider a 2 tier membership.
1. Free for either ( 2-3 months ) or (free browsing with no access to classifieds and searches)
2. Fee based membership say $25 per year? $10 per year? You will lose some people, but those of us who use the forum benifit greatly from it and it is a no brainer that you save that much fixing one thing, or educating yourself before a repair is done by a shop that it is worth it.
That plus, allowing more advertising are OK by me.
 
Basil,
Owning four Triumphs and a Morris Traveller, I am a member of three different clubs. The cost of membership is close to £100 ($200). There are no local meetings and most of the activity in these clubs is in southern England. So the only benefit of membership is the pile of magazines that arrive through the door that I don't have time to read.
The BCF offers a lot more comradeship, interest and advice than the three clubs put together.
For someone like me, therefore, the BCF is worth more than the clubs and people like me would be prepared to pay an annual subscription.
I have also noticed a number of requests in the past for suppliers of parts in both the USA and UK. If you were able to charge advertisers a small fee to list them somewhere on the forum, I am sure that would be a very useful resource for members.
Nick
 
Basil: At a subscription rate of just $5 a year times 8723 members that is $43,615 a year. If you can get advertisers as a friend of mine does for his website 50 vendors at $1000 a year is $50,000. You have over 400,000 posts with 41 forums, should be able to sell to Roadster Factory, Moss, Victoria British, XKS Unlimited, Welch Ent., Atlantic British, MiniMania, etc. and give them an add site that they can post specials for users to see and immediate links for users to view and buy from. Most of those type of vendors would be in the league of what we want. Maybe if we each gave you a list of prefered buying sites and you used them for your prospective business, you might find it will use less time and still make you able to retire and have something profitable for personal gain which as owner of site you are entitled. Granted you cannot get the full 8700 members to pay but an alternative to closing down a very hot and intellectual British Car site. I, too plan on retiring in a few years and am getting a business started for that time. I would use you for a base ad as I am going to invest in the diagnostics for the newer Jags, and Land Rovers, and will be restoring and maintaining Vintage British Cars as part-time business of which I have 40+ years experience.
 
It's time for you (business owner) to set a goal (dollar value) for a yearly drive and it's up to us (business customers) to help reach that goal (by contributing FAIRLY) for all of the free knowledge received here.
 
:iagree: !

And I'd sure be happy to add to the funds I'm already contributing. This place is a life saver in so many ways.

Tom
 
LarryK said:
Basil: At a subscription rate of just $5 a year times 8723 members that is $43,615 a year. If you can get advertisers as a friend of mine does for his website 50 vendors at $1000 a year is $50,000. You have over 400,000 posts with 41 forums, should be able to sell to Roadster Factory, Moss, Victoria British, XKS Unlimited, Welch Ent., Atlantic British, MiniMania, etc. and give them an add site that they can post specials for users to see and immediate links for users to view and buy from. Most of those type of vendors would be in the league of what we want. Maybe if we each gave you a list of prefered buying sites and you used them for your prospective business, you might find it will use less time and still make you able to retire and have something profitable for personal gain which as owner of site you are entitled. Granted you cannot get the full 8700 members to pay but an alternative to closing down a very hot and intellectual British Car site. I, too plan on retiring in a few years and am getting a business started for that time. I would use you for a base ad as I am going to invest in the diagnostics for the newer Jags, and Land Rovers, and will be restoring and maintaining Vintage British Cars as part-time business of which I have 40+ years experience.
Click to expand...

Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but I can assure you that 8700 members are not going to pay for membership...heck only a fraction of that number are regulars here and some only lurk and never even log in. I'm thinking that vendor advertising would be the main source of revenue, if they would be willing to pay something close to fair-market for their ads (right now I'm practically giving away the ads). I'm pretty sure that most smart vendors would recognize the value of advertising here. One of our vendors recently told me that their business has exploded since they started their ad here - so much so that they just had to hire additional help.

Also thinking that maybe a small fee for selling a car on the forum classifieds might not be a bad idea. I had a member email me just today that he had sold his Austin Healey through an ad here (an ad which cost him zip).

As for paid membership - as you all know that is something I've always resisted; but based on some of the comments here I'm re-thinking that. Maybe it would work if the current forum features were still available for free, but a paid membership could maybe result in additional privileges. I don't know, just something to think about.

I appreciate all the good ideas here - sorry I'm not replying to every post, but I am taking it all in.
 
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