just to be clear in case it wasn't noticed in my previous post, the 25$ is for sure reasonable, that is not in question... hell it's worth way more than that.
I'm just saying that, the#1 reason for so many members not contributing is the 25$..I've seen it elsewhere before.. 25$ is not a lot to pay for this site.. but without seeing the stats.. I'm guessing of all the members , most prob just drop in once in a while to check things out.. so for them to pay 25$ to just come in and read the BOI a few times and maybe brows a few posts.. it's not something they are willing to spend on..
this is why I was trying to find other ways to bring some $$ in to help support.
comes down to the same as two diff friends here in my area, both owned a hobby shop, they were always in competition..one had the nice fancy new store fully stocked and 7-8 employees, while the other had the old scruffy store and 3 employees counting himself..
the fancy one would sell his products at the full retail prices, the scruffy guy sold his with a % markup he was happy with..
no BS here at all
the same engine my buddy#1 wanted 800$ for it while the other would let it go for 500$
I bought 2 at 500$ and when at the club the word got out and my buddy#2 sold 11 of these 500$ engines.. he only made about 75$ on them at that price but with me, he sold 13 of them that summer..
the other guy still had his on the shelf when he went bankrupt :-( he then sold me the engine for 250$
so, that is why I suggested maybe having a lower membership to real in some cash, having many 10-15$ members versus none extra member at 25$ could be a way to look at things..
maybe give more perks for the 25$ members maybe they could be the only ones with the privilege to post and the 10$ one can only read the BOI
this would bring back viewers and $$ to help out..
I was thinking why I hadn't contributed since being member, and it came down to what I said, I'm on many forums and check them all out once in a while. I post when I can help or give an opinion on something I think is worth my time.
I would hate to see the BOI go or be blocked, Fauna's BOI is the reason I come here.if it were to come to that, I might step up to help save it.
you have a great site, user friendly with good people helping out.. but many other sites are free.. that is also a reason why many may not warm up to the idea of paying 25$ for a few visits..
I'm sure you will come up with a good plan, you always have in the past
is it worth 25$ ?? yep and even more but it is what it is.. blocking it won't bring in more members except maybe a few who won't to keep it going. I'm worried that by blocking the BOI to only contributing members, as the time passes, there will be less posts, less visitors and the situation will be worst..