mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,394
Club RR Member Number: 84
|
Membership fees?mylittletony
@mylittletony
Club Retro Rides Member 84
|
Dec 15, 2011 10:40:27 GMT
|
Bear with me... I've noticed recently a lot of complaints concerning the "retroness" of the cars featured, the enormous scale of the forum, apathy and more importantly the number of numpties who've joined... Personally I've noticed this with the troll-ish person annoying everyone and in the for sale section where people's first or second post is a terribly written advert, or blatant disregard of the rules. While I personally don't mind the variety and age/youth of some of the cars, I can see why people think parts of the forum have become a free-for-all. So, how about a membership fee? Something in the order of £10 a year? positives: - reduced number of numpties - fewer people writing stoooopid adverts - no/fewer trolls - more focused membership All this should make life easier for the mods and the fees could be used towards the gathering/charity/admin costs? negatives: - some people will not like it - these are hard times... I guess the suggestion is more that it might make people think a bit before registering rather than just doing it. The people that enjoy/benefit from the forum shouldn't mind contributing a small amount?? I appreciate the gesture of having such a place being free, but it does seem to be suffering from its own success?? Am I missing the point? is this a rant? I'm sure the good people on here will let me know!! *awaits onslaught* p.s. my current car is arguably retro ('98 volvo 940), but I'm just waiting until I have a big enough garage to get a hot-rod in, making do with 2-wheeled customising for the time being.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 15, 2011 17:32:54 GMT
|
The non-retros featured are usually of a very high quality, showing techniques and ideas that are just waiting to be tried out on a retro. Plus, there's the never ending conundrum of "What is retro?". By definition, there will be stuff next year that's retro but that isn't at the moment. Without a progressive attitude, this place will become a low budget snobfest.
Are the trolls and numpties that much of a problem? I think the current member led policing of things (via the report button) is working well. If you spot a numptie or a troll, shop him.
The tenner wouldn't be enough of a barrier to entry to put off people who become numpties after being in for a while and also carries an undesireable administrative challenge. Someone would need to get a bank account, maybe form an LLC or something. Boring paperwork...
If this sort of suggestion came from one (or all) of the mods then I'd be inclined to think that there might be some merit but if they're happy to continue policing the forum for free then the I'd say it's best left as it is.
|
|
|
|
mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,394
Club RR Member Number: 84
|
Membership fees?mylittletony
@mylittletony
Club Retro Rides Member 84
|
Dec 15, 2011 21:13:14 GMT
|
All valid points, I was tabling it for discussion more than anything but it seems to have slipped unnoticed! Or people chose to ignore my ramblings! Thanks for replying at least!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 15, 2011 21:26:01 GMT
|
Bear with me... I've noticed recently a lot of complaints concerning the "retroness" of the cars featured, the enormous scale of the forum, apathy and more importantly the number of numpties who've joined... Personally I've noticed this with the troll-ish person annoying everyone and in the for sale section where people's first or second post is a terribly written advert, or blatant disregard of the rules. While I personally don't mind the variety and age/youth of some of the cars, I can see why people think parts of the forum have become a free-for-all. So, how about a membership fee? Something in the order of £10 a year? positives: - reduced number of numpties - fewer people writing stoooopid adverts - no/fewer trolls - more focused membership All this should make life easier for the mods and the fees could be used towards the gathering/charity/admin costs? negatives: - some people will not like it - these are hard times... I guess the suggestion is more that it might make people think a bit before registering rather than just doing it. The people that enjoy/benefit from the forum shouldn't mind contributing a small amount?? I appreciate the gesture of having such a place being free, but it does seem to be suffering from its own success?? Am I missing the point? is this a rant? I'm sure the good people on here will let me know!! *awaits onslaught* p.s. my current car is arguably retro ('98 volvo 940), but I'm just waiting until I have a big enough garage to get a hot-rod in, making do with 2-wheeled customising for the time being. I really think paying £10 a year is a good idea
|
|
Last Edit: Dec 15, 2011 21:26:35 GMT by ra28celica
|
|
bl1300
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,678
|
|
Dec 15, 2011 21:45:15 GMT
|
Hmm I think id focus it a bit more than that.
Have so that people can read the whole forum free of charge. But if your going to charge a membership fee which I'm not that sure on id only do it for posting new topics in the for sale section.
Although the mods on here really do have enough to do without having more administration to do..
|
|
Current fleet.
1967 DAF 44 1974 VW Beetle 1303s 1975 Triumph Spitfire MkIV 1988 VW LT45 Beavertail 1998 Volvo V70 2.5 1959 Fordson Dexta
|
|
|
|
Dec 15, 2011 21:48:32 GMT
|
Just because one troll puts up some stupid comments, the rest of us have to pay : Best just to carry on as usual and wait until the troll gets bored and moves onto another forum.
|
|
1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
|
|
|
|
|
It's not just to do with a troll making us pay...I actually think membership is a good idea. £10 a year....that's nothing. Just think of the amount of effort it takes to keep this forum going....all for free.. Some people are so tight and want everything for nothing. I'd happily pay..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very few people will pay from the word go so the stream of new people would slowly dewindle away living the forum slow and possibly stale at times.
I was on a forum that did this, they gave you 100/250 posts free then after that if you wanted to use/be part of it there was a price to pay
|
|
Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
|
|
Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
|
Membership fees?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
|
|
donations are voluntary on a lot of the forums i use. seems to work well. although the admin here arent asking for money, so i don't think they're hard up enough to need it?
id happily dontate if it meant the forum could be moved to somewhere that isnt f-king proboards though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hello, I'm a new member and I don't have a particularly retro-ride.
*(Skip to next asterix to avoid moan)
Unfortunately, with mortgages as hard to come by as they are, saving for a deposit means I can only afford one car, and it needs to be reliable. I recently bought an MX5 as it fell somewhere between retro and reliable. No, I haven't uploaded any pics or started a thread, because I didn't think it was particularly 'retro'. But anyway, buying cars leads me to my next point...
* Other forums I've used have a free membership with voluntary subscription. When it comes to selling though, you need to subscribe (tenner a year).
I think it is great that this forum can offer free advertising, but the scale and high concentration of interesting cars in the forum's for sale section will attract a lot of people. It is how I found this place. I saw a cool old chevette down the road from me and joined just to get in contact with the seller. Unfortunately I'd just missed out.
I then realised what a lovely place this is and decided to stay. When I finish my part time uni course I will have a bit of time to tinker with a little retro project of my own, but for now I'm content in following other people's retro restos.
I'm happy to pay a small voluntary subscription if one comes about, I'm surprised a forum this size doesn't have one.
|
|
I've got Rovers.
|
|
|
p1RATE
Part of things
Posts: 355
|
|
Dec 17, 2011 13:23:14 GMT
|
I have to agree with the above post. i think the for sale section was the first draw to this site. its a fantastic sticky element with lots of new and interesting cars up for sale.
I quite like the forums as is, as far as trolls go i really don't think this place is that bad? and as far as the retro'ness of the place goes, i cant say I'm all that bothered. I love my old cars but i do enjoy reading up on some of the earlier cars that pop up on here, some of the posts are fantastic!
tbh there are lots of other forums and clubs you could use, many of which require a membership fee, but few are as nice as this place.
|
|
• 13 BMW 320d
• 92 Pink/Purple Mercedes 190e (Project)
• 97 Rover VI 1.8 (track car)
|
|
|
|
|
as far as trolls go I really don't think this place is that bad? Could be worse, as i started an italian car forum, and had trolls showing pics of german women who liked male horses far too much
|
|
1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
|
|
AB car pix
Posted a lot
Car mag' snapper
Posts: 1,337
|
|
|
In my experience forums that charge for usage in any way tend to be quite insular and cliquey. I think the whole point of a forum is that you get to see the good the bad and the ugly.... It's like how free classifieds always have the best bargains. Add hurdles and the people who want an easy sale go elsewhere.
If I'm paying for entertainment or information I'd expect it to be done by professionals (like when buying a mag'). I don't think getting people to pay a tenner to post online is any guarantee of quality control. And if there's no guarantee of quality why would you pay?!
|
|
1979 Chrysler Horizon 1.3 GL 1980 Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia 1985 Ford Sierra 3dr 1985 Ford Escort Mk3 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 1989 Ford Escort 1.3 Popular 1995 Volvo 960 1996 BMW 525i 1998 BMW 323i 1999 BMW 530d 2003 BMW 530i . www.facebook.com/ABCARPIX
|
|
|
|
Dec 18, 2011 22:39:58 GMT
|
I don't think it would work. I'm assuming the Gathering and odd bits that get sold with RR on fund this place, with some put in from Hotwires pocket.
Volkszone has a member sponsor system, where you put anything from £5 upwards in if you want to, you get a bigger PM box and can trade in the F/S section (people can still use the F/S section, but only for the odd part)
The big problem is it has bred a very cliquey place ( I hate that word) if you are a member sponsor it almost seems to be your mission to harass anyone that isn't in to paying up. Its one of the reasons I don't frequent the place that often and just read with out posting,
If it ain't broke and all that.
Saying that if David and the mods decided they needed financial assistance to run the place I'd happily donate a bit towards the up keep.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEND ME ALL YOUR MONEY!!!!!
Actually don't .. come to The January Jumble and The Gathering,.. buy a tshirt or hoodie or sticker or calender. More than anything though, post up some interesting content, or keep your mouth shut if you don't have anything interesting to say. Also buy old cars and modify them. Ignore trolls, disregard rubbish threads, acquire cool ones. Nominate for awards at end of year. Don't be cliquey, do be inclusive, do buy OLD cars and modify them. Have monthly local meets, go to them, support magazines and shows and retro scene, do buy OLD cars and MODIFY them.
Also send me all your money. I need to buy an Aston Martin.
|
|
Last Edit: Dec 19, 2011 8:48:03 GMT by HoTWire
|
|
Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
|
|
Dec 19, 2011 11:11:15 GMT
|
|
|
Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
|
|
mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,394
Club RR Member Number: 84
|
Membership fees?mylittletony
@mylittletony
Club Retro Rides Member 84
|
Dec 19, 2011 12:27:25 GMT
|
I guess that clears that up! Thanks for the interesting comments anyways... I know I'm a lurker, but the content on here amazes on a daily basis and long may it keep doing so As for interesting content, well... erm... that's probably why I don't post all that often. Happy Christmas everyone!!
|
|
|
|
woodenspatulas
Part of things
Retro in ways you can't imagine
Posts: 448
|
|
Dec 19, 2011 12:36:21 GMT
|
I see your point, I don't own a retro (although my cars are both over a decade old) But I love comign here for the cars and the general atmosphere from the regular posters.
I think every good forum will get bigger, and gettign bigger means more chaff. the site I mod on is the same. years ago when I joined it wasnt as big, it was more friendly. Now some days I spend more time deleting posts, dealing with trouble makers and trying to moderate trade disputes than actually enjoying the site.
Thing is charging wont get rid of them, it just cuts back on mew members who want to join in before paying out.
Nice idea but I think the only way to rid them is to identify the trolls and gag them.
|
|
1999 Vectra Estate + 1995 Saab Engine = Good Times
|
|
dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
|
|
Dec 21, 2011 14:47:12 GMT
|
I think (well I'd like to think) that if there was a financial 'need' then a sticky would be put up asking for a donation as most RR'ers who enjoy the site would contribute something towrds the upkeep of the forum. On a personal level I'm quite anti membership, been in and seen too many clubs and so on over the years and seen the cliques between people. This rarely make's for a friendly or encouraging environment to any new people, RR is pretty open in this respect in my opinion and I think keeping it that way is a must. I was a sponsor on Vzi for a year as I was clearing some parts/tat from the house when we moved & did notice other sponsors having a go at people posting for sale ad's more than once in a few weeks at a time. Just seemd like a lynch mob at times which sours the whole thing, I haven't been on Vzi since early summer of this year. This forum is the most chilled and open minded I've found on the tinterweb, sure there's always some pilook who want's to upset the flow but thankfully the overall majority of RR'ers are descent well rounded individuals and report the offending posts/members and waste no time over them. Not saying your idea isn't valid Tony, far from it. Just the mention that some financial support could potentially be on offer is a nice gesture in itself. If the mods are happy for the board to remain free, with the support being directed at the Gathering, merchandise etc I think it's something very unique. Some folk would be happy to simply cash in on the boards popularity if they thought they could do , thankfully this isn't the case here. ****Sends a 'man hug' to the mods.**** ;D
|
|
Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
|
|
|
|
|
donations are voluntary on a lot of the forums I use. seems to work well. I was using a (free) motorbike forum that was very lively with a good core of regulars, ofen meeting up or arranging events. Eventually the site went to pay-monthly with a one-off offer for existing members to get life membership (very cheap) 2 years later, it was quieter with some of the regulars gone and new members not staying long as it got expensive. 4 years after introducing the fees the site closed due to lack of members. Donations work well but times are hard - if it becomes "pay up or leave" I think we will loose a lot of very talented and vauable contributors. Another idea that I see sometimes is a "basic & free" membership, with a "gold - paying" option. Pay up and you get more / better options (able to post for-sale adverts, able to view top secret/private/technical forums, etc.) Just my 2p worth
|
|
|
|
|