Concerns over Premier Membership
#1
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Concerns over Premier Membership
I saw that this is the current list of benefits for Premier Membership subscribers ($29.95):
Most of these seem reasonable (even if things like the avatar pic is a bummer). However, the three that I made bold worry me.
First of all, I can't see how the vendor/sponsors will be happy about the group buy rule which will cut down on customers. Also, the vendor fees to my350z are already embedded in the cost of their goods. So it's like customers are being taxed twice to participate in a group buy.
The attachments rule could hurt Premier Members if the attachment size limitation becomes unreasonably strict. If non-payers have trouble figuring out how to compress an image small enough to attach, they won't bother. That means less new info for those paying for the subscription.
And the third one concerns me because people come to the website for info about 350zs. What if someone creates their own "how-to" thread that covers the same topic as an exclusive website how-to article? Will the thread be deleted because it reduces the value of the article?
--
Jeff
* Premier Plaque below User Title
* User name Highlighted in BOLD
* Access to the Premier Members Forums
* Ability to add Avatar
* Ability to add Profile Picture
* Ability to post and reply in the GroupBuy Section
* Ability to change User Title
* Unlimited Space for Message Attachments
* Private Messaging (Maximum Stored Messages limit raised to 250)
* Photo Gallery (20megs of space)
* Optional inclusion in monthly Raffles/Giveaways (Your Choice)
* Exclusive Website Articles How To's, Featured Rides, Event Coverage and more..
* Possible Selection as Car of the Month
* Special Discounts from website Sponsors
* User name Highlighted in BOLD
* Access to the Premier Members Forums
* Ability to add Avatar
* Ability to add Profile Picture
* Ability to post and reply in the GroupBuy Section
* Ability to change User Title
* Unlimited Space for Message Attachments
* Private Messaging (Maximum Stored Messages limit raised to 250)
* Photo Gallery (20megs of space)
* Optional inclusion in monthly Raffles/Giveaways (Your Choice)
* Exclusive Website Articles How To's, Featured Rides, Event Coverage and more..
* Possible Selection as Car of the Month
* Special Discounts from website Sponsors
First of all, I can't see how the vendor/sponsors will be happy about the group buy rule which will cut down on customers. Also, the vendor fees to my350z are already embedded in the cost of their goods. So it's like customers are being taxed twice to participate in a group buy.
The attachments rule could hurt Premier Members if the attachment size limitation becomes unreasonably strict. If non-payers have trouble figuring out how to compress an image small enough to attach, they won't bother. That means less new info for those paying for the subscription.
And the third one concerns me because people come to the website for info about 350zs. What if someone creates their own "how-to" thread that covers the same topic as an exclusive website how-to article? Will the thread be deleted because it reduces the value of the article?
--
Jeff
#3
Originally Posted by jeffw
I saw that this is the current list of benefits for Premier Membership subscribers ($29.95):
Most of these seem reasonable (even if things like the avatar pic is a bummer). However, the three that I made bold worry me.
First of all, I can't see how the vendor/sponsors will be happy about the group buy rule which will cut down on customers. Also, the vendor fees to my350z are already embedded in the cost of their goods. So it's like customers are being taxed twice to participate in a group buy.
The attachments rule could hurt Premier Members if the attachment size limitation becomes unreasonably strict. If non-payers have trouble figuring out how to compress an image small enough to attach, they won't bother. That means less new info for those paying for the subscription.
And the third one concerns me because people come to the website for info about 350zs. What if someone creates their own "how-to" thread that covers the same topic as an exclusive website how-to article? Will the thread be deleted because it reduces the value of the article?
--
Jeff
Most of these seem reasonable (even if things like the avatar pic is a bummer). However, the three that I made bold worry me.
First of all, I can't see how the vendor/sponsors will be happy about the group buy rule which will cut down on customers. Also, the vendor fees to my350z are already embedded in the cost of their goods. So it's like customers are being taxed twice to participate in a group buy.
The attachments rule could hurt Premier Members if the attachment size limitation becomes unreasonably strict. If non-payers have trouble figuring out how to compress an image small enough to attach, they won't bother. That means less new info for those paying for the subscription.
And the third one concerns me because people come to the website for info about 350zs. What if someone creates their own "how-to" thread that covers the same topic as an exclusive website how-to article? Will the thread be deleted because it reduces the value of the article?
--
Jeff
Answers to your post.
Group Buys..
It may seem that way, but the setup isnt finished yet.When its done you will understand what I mean.
Attatchments
It will not be that strict. Although people do need to learn how to compress images.
How-to's
If someone creates a how-to and posts it on the forum we wont delete it.
#5
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Geez, this cost more than most MAGAZINE yearly subscriptions and the benefits are weak! IM in the wrong business..
Lets see, there are 40K members on this message forum how many do you think will get this? Lets say about 5% that's $2,000 members at $29.95 thats $59,900!! Not a bad way to make money huh?
Im sorry, but been on the internet way to long and have realized that once you start charging people, the people begin to leave! To me this is more like a RIP OFF, when you start adding stupid stuff like "User name Highlighted in BOLD" wow, you know something is wrong. But anyhow, there are many cool sites from RX7 to Supra forums M3 etc... that DO NOT CHARGE and are doing just fine. As a member I feel I have the right to speak up and IM sure i'll have plenty of people that will agree with me. Why doesn't my350z pay us for making it the community it is? Like a tax return
Lets see, there are 40K members on this message forum how many do you think will get this? Lets say about 5% that's $2,000 members at $29.95 thats $59,900!! Not a bad way to make money huh?
Im sorry, but been on the internet way to long and have realized that once you start charging people, the people begin to leave! To me this is more like a RIP OFF, when you start adding stupid stuff like "User name Highlighted in BOLD" wow, you know something is wrong. But anyhow, there are many cool sites from RX7 to Supra forums M3 etc... that DO NOT CHARGE and are doing just fine. As a member I feel I have the right to speak up and IM sure i'll have plenty of people that will agree with me. Why doesn't my350z pay us for making it the community it is? Like a tax return
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I'll support the site by joining. I don't care about the "added benifits", I just enjoy the site. I've gained a lot of knowledge from this site. I've discovered Zaino, found a set of Track Ray's for $1,500.00 (they're $1,500.00 ea at the dealer), met some really cool people and continue to see many advantages to being on this forum.
Hell, the money I saved on the last "door ding" meet more than pays for membership.
I'm going to sign up right now!
Keep up the good work guys! It's the best car forum I've ever seen.
Hell, the money I saved on the last "door ding" meet more than pays for membership.
I'm going to sign up right now!
Keep up the good work guys! It's the best car forum I've ever seen.
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#8
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Originally Posted by Wicked4u2c
Geez, this cost more than most MAGAZINE yearly subscriptions and the benefits are weak! IM in the wrong business..
Lets see, there are 40K members on this message forum how many do you think will get this? Lets say about 5% that's $2,000 members at $29.95 thats $59,900!! Not a bad way to make money huh?
Im sorry, but been on the internet way to long and have realized that once you start charging people, the people begin to leave! To me this is more like a RIP OFF, when you start adding stupid stuff like "User name Highlighted in BOLD" wow, you know something is wrong. But anyhow, there are many cool sites from RX7 to Supra forums M3 etc... that DO NOT CHARGE and are doing just fine. As a member I feel I have the right to speak up and IM sure i'll have plenty of people that will agree with me. Why doesn't my350z pay us for making it the community it is? Like a tax return
Lets see, there are 40K members on this message forum how many do you think will get this? Lets say about 5% that's $2,000 members at $29.95 thats $59,900!! Not a bad way to make money huh?
Im sorry, but been on the internet way to long and have realized that once you start charging people, the people begin to leave! To me this is more like a RIP OFF, when you start adding stupid stuff like "User name Highlighted in BOLD" wow, you know something is wrong. But anyhow, there are many cool sites from RX7 to Supra forums M3 etc... that DO NOT CHARGE and are doing just fine. As a member I feel I have the right to speak up and IM sure i'll have plenty of people that will agree with me. Why doesn't my350z pay us for making it the community it is? Like a tax return
And I sincerely doubt we will get 2000 premier members. There are hardly that many regular members that post everyday here. I would estimate ~200-400.
#11
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I agree with Bixby... I'm not too hyped about any premier member benefits. However, in the 2.5 years I have visited this site, I have pulled well more than $30 worth of value out of it. Were it not for this website, I would not have half the mods I have on my car now and, for the things I have done, I would have spent a lot more money than I did. Hell, the money I saved on the Lambo Door group buy is enough for me to be a premier member for a couple years.
I don't think the benefits listed are worth $30, but I have no issue with supporting the site considering the large amount of information I have already taken the benefit of at no charge. As we move forward, if I do not continue to gain value out of the information posted here, I simply will not renew my premier membership. For now, for me... it's more of a "thank you" for the 1st couple of years of information.
BTW, I can't imagine non-Premiem Member's attachments being any different than now. The current ones are pretty restrictive (75KB or less, I think). All members will probably still be able to do that, it's just that premier members will be able to post much bigger attachments.
I don't think the benefits listed are worth $30, but I have no issue with supporting the site considering the large amount of information I have already taken the benefit of at no charge. As we move forward, if I do not continue to gain value out of the information posted here, I simply will not renew my premier membership. For now, for me... it's more of a "thank you" for the 1st couple of years of information.
The attachments rule could hurt Premier Members if the attachment size limitation becomes unreasonably strict. If non-payers have trouble figuring out how to compress an image small enough to attach, they won't bother. That means less new info for those paying for the subscription.
#12
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Lets see, there are 40K members on this message forum how many do you think will get this? Lets say about 5% that's $2,000 members at $29.95 thats $59,900!! Not a bad way to make money huh?
#13
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Originally Posted by mcduck
Not bad at all... of course, the point of this is to ensure there is enough money to keep this site operating as it is today (not as it was a couple months ago). You'd be surprised how much it costs for web servers, backup servers & files, bandwidth, support for the same, etc, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if upkeep on this site is in excess of $2500/month. There's half of your $59,900 there... and that's IF they get 2000 Premier Memberships.
Ive been here since the start, and I always see things changing here and it keeps getting WORSE, next thing you know in about 1 year you will limit regular people post's to like 5 per month and than make PREMIUM member unlimited to get EVERYONE to pay. But again, just my thoughts it would of been different if you would of posted "CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SITE" than to make it seem like your really getting "BENEFITS"
I can go to Linkin Park and become a MEMBER for less than that amount and get FREE POSTERS, FREE CD'S, FREE SHIRTS, ETC... for $20.00 That's getting benefits but having my NAME BOLD PRINTED I think they couldn't come up with better things than that... Heck every site im registered I can change my AVATAR without paying... But whatever
#14
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Originally Posted by Wicked4u2c
Dude unless there renting the server it doesn't cos $2,500 a month. And where did you get half of 59,900? That FIFTY NINE THOUSAND not FIFTY NINE HUNDRED. 59,000 THATS THE COST OF 2 BASE MODEL 350'z PAID OFF! That's an M3 Paid in cash. I been to TONS Of sites TO4R, CLUBSI, HONDA-TECH, NAOSIC, BMW FORUMS, AUDI, EVO8 and none have this BS Membership fee's. I understand its not mandatory, but hey if you have people that are willing to give you that money I guess more power to you. Like I said before to me its more of "WE WANT MORE MONEY" because the "BENEFITS" aren't really "BENEFITS".
Ive been here since the start, and I always see things changing here and it keeps getting WORSE, next thing you know in about 1 year you will limit regular people post's to like 5 per month and than make PREMIUM member unlimited to get EVERYONE to pay. But again, just my thoughts it would of been different if you would of posted "CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SITE" than to make it seem like your really getting "BENEFITS"
I can go to Linkin Park and become a MEMBER for less than that amount and get FREE POSTERS, FREE CD'S, FREE SHIRTS, ETC... for $20.00 That's getting benefits but having my NAME BOLD PRINTED I think they couldn't come up with better things than that... Heck every site im registered I can change my AVATAR without paying... But whatever
Ive been here since the start, and I always see things changing here and it keeps getting WORSE, next thing you know in about 1 year you will limit regular people post's to like 5 per month and than make PREMIUM member unlimited to get EVERYONE to pay. But again, just my thoughts it would of been different if you would of posted "CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SITE" than to make it seem like your really getting "BENEFITS"
I can go to Linkin Park and become a MEMBER for less than that amount and get FREE POSTERS, FREE CD'S, FREE SHIRTS, ETC... for $20.00 That's getting benefits but having my NAME BOLD PRINTED I think they couldn't come up with better things than that... Heck every site im registered I can change my AVATAR without paying... But whatever
I think you are blowing this out of proportion...don't think the benefits are worth it? Don't pay. We aren't making you pay. Heck, we aren't making you come here either.
BTW...assuming that we get 400 to sign up for premier membership (which I doubt will happen)...that BARELY covers the cost of the server we just bought...barely.
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Originally Posted by nis350ztt
Editing your avatar and user title are the only things that have changed that regular members used to have.
I think you are blowing this out of proportion...don't think the benefits are worth it? Don't pay. We aren't making you pay. Heck, we aren't making you come here either.
BTW...assuming that we get 400 to sign up for premier membership (which I doubt will happen)...that BARELY covers the cost of the server we just bought...barely.
I think you are blowing this out of proportion...don't think the benefits are worth it? Don't pay. We aren't making you pay. Heck, we aren't making you come here either.
BTW...assuming that we get 400 to sign up for premier membership (which I doubt will happen)...that BARELY covers the cost of the server we just bought...barely.
More sponsors is really the way to bring cash to the site, not memberships.
But it's a good source for additional revenue.
Last edited by bixby; 04-14-2005 at 01:16 PM.
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Originally Posted by mcduck
I'm not too hyped about any premier member benefits. However, in the 2.5 years I have visited this site, I have pulled well more than $30 worth of value out of it. Were it not for this website, I would not have half the mods I have on my car now and, for the things I have done, I would have spent a lot more money than I did. Hell, the money I saved on the Lambo Door group buy is enough for me to be a premier member for a couple years.
I don't think the benefits listed are worth $30, but I have no issue with supporting the site considering the large amount of information I have already taken the benefit of at no charge. As we move forward, if I do not continue to gain value out of the information posted here, I simply will not renew my premier membership. For now, for me... it's more of a "thank you" for the 1st couple of years of information.
BTW, I can't imagine non-Premiem Member's attachments being any different than now. The current ones are pretty restrictive (75KB or less, I think). All members will probably still be able to do that, it's just that premier members will be able to post much bigger attachments.
I don't think the benefits listed are worth $30, but I have no issue with supporting the site considering the large amount of information I have already taken the benefit of at no charge. As we move forward, if I do not continue to gain value out of the information posted here, I simply will not renew my premier membership. For now, for me... it's more of a "thank you" for the 1st couple of years of information.
BTW, I can't imagine non-Premiem Member's attachments being any different than now. The current ones are pretty restrictive (75KB or less, I think). All members will probably still be able to do that, it's just that premier members will be able to post much bigger attachments.
#17
Originally Posted by Wicked4u2c
Dude unless there renting the server it doesn't cos $2,500 a month. And where did you get half of 59,900?
However, its not all about the hardware or software.
Originally Posted by Wicked4u2c
I been to TONS Of sites TO4R, CLUBSI, HONDA-TECH, NAOSIC, BMW FORUMS, AUDI, EVO8 and none have this BS Membership fee's. I understand its not mandatory, but hey if you have people that are willing to give you that money I guess more power to you. Like I said before to me its more of "WE WANT MORE MONEY" because the "BENEFITS" aren't really "BENEFITS".
Ive been here since the start, and I always see things changing here and it keeps getting WORSE, next thing you know in about 1 year you will limit regular people post's to like 5 per month and than make PREMIUM member unlimited to get EVERYONE to pay. But again, just my thoughts it would of been different if you would of posted "CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SITE" than to make it seem like your really getting "BENEFITS"
Honestly, when I see posts like that it makes me not even want to spend my time putting all the effort into it that I do. But I know there are many others on the site that do appreciate all the hard work that goes into it. So I keep plugging away.
Just by posting people "CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SITE"
I can go to Linkin Park and become a MEMBER for less than that amount and get FREE POSTERS, FREE CD'S, FREE SHIRTS, ETC... for $20.00 That's getting benefits but having my NAME BOLD PRINTED I think they couldn't come up with better things than that...
Sorry if I'm ranting its just that I wish some people could clearly understand how much effort goes into a site like this,
Yes its site is what is is partly due to members (which we appreciate a lot) but if no-one was on the backend doing things the site wouldnt go no where either.
#18
If I paid for the premier membership can there be a "new post" search that is restricted to actual Z stuff and excludes off topic, political and regional stuff? I don't have time to sift through all the muck anymore and if I am gonna pay, I want targeted searches.
Also, on the How-To, are you saying if I wrote a How-To and was not a premier member, it would get deleted or that How-Tos will only be available to premier members and if that is the case, why would people submit new How-Tos that most people wont see.
Chris
Also, on the How-To, are you saying if I wrote a How-To and was not a premier member, it would get deleted or that How-Tos will only be available to premier members and if that is the case, why would people submit new How-Tos that most people wont see.
Chris
#19
Originally Posted by HyperSprite
If I paid for the premier membership can there be a "new post" search that is restricted to actual Z stuff and excludes off topic, political and regional stuff? I don't have time to sift through all the muck anymore and if I am gonna pay, I want targeted searches.
Also, on the How-To, are you saying if I wrote a How-To and was not a premier member, it would get deleted or that How-Tos will only be available to premier members and if that is the case, why would people submit new How-Tos that most people wont see.
Chris
Chris
No they wouldnt get deleted