Vote***financing Fauna***vote

[nicolai]

Voters: 115. You have already voted on this poll

I voted for 2 things and posted my opinions and ideas for other ways.

I just thought of another one, evry member go out and buy 10 mega milions (or what ever your local lottery is) and send them to rich, 16,000 members x 10 tickets each = 160,000 chances for Rich to be a instant
millionaire.

Rich would then have all the time and money to make this the best site on the web. That is if he didnt move to the carribean and live out his life sipping pina coladas and dreaming of the old days on fauna.

 

[Bill_Leverton]

I thought Id bring this here ..seeing as there are 2 post on the same subject..............Look for what its worth, if there is a yearly fee of the 35$ with full access to all on this site. selling ads, the boi, all this site has to offer .Just tell me where to send the money.the way I see it "THIS SITE" has saved me a alot more money then the $35 and maybe by this fee you may lose people IMHO so what. Some of the people here are great some should wither away ..This site is like a favorite radio station I have it tuned in all the time and if it cost me a couple of bucks a year to keep it so be it....in the long run I'll be saving. there is no such thing as free anymore in the long run you have to anty up. I may be 1 out of 16,000 but it has to start some where thank for time and Rich what ever you decide I'll stand up and be counted

 

[DaveyFig]

Everyone who either buys and sells on a regular basis as an individual or business is going to save money over time using Fauna. The person who is not going to save money is the hobbiest, or pet keeper who only owns less than a handfull of animals. What percent of Fauna users do you think buy more than 2 animals online every year? I have made very few online purchases, and the one where Fauna came in handy in getting a refund is the one where I donated the refund to Fauna. I still lost the money, but at least by donating it was my choice to lose it.
I don't think that the average person relys as heavily on BOI threads as we think. I mean all of the bad guys that have been tarred and feathered are still making more money than the good guys. In the end, the bad guys are going to be the only ones who can afford to use Fauna.
If you count up all of the Contributor Icons, I am guessing that is as close to an accurate estimate of how many people who will pay for Fauna usage as you can get. Is there a way to find the number of contributors on the site?
I bet it is a lot less than half of the members, and I bet even less than half of those who have contributed even got close to the $35 dollar mark with their donation.
$35 bucks sounds like a fair price when you are talking about a site with 15,000 members to interact with, but is it going to be worth it next year when there are only 7,000? What about the next year when it divides in half again because the only people seeing the posts are other businesses because all of the hobbiests are gone? Over 3 years you could pay 100 bucks, which isn't a lot, but its something if the site you threw the money at isn't there.

 

[Karmic]

Like a lot of people have all ready said, I would pay to be a member now. But, I wouldn't have paid that to begin with. Anyway, I think I'm a typical user here, I look a lot, but don't post too much. Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. Nobody likes to beg for money, but I think a Sticky (colored and flashing if possible) with instructions on how to donate and maybe something about how much has been donated and what the goal is should be posted in every forum except maybe the classifieds. Also, we have a tendency to think someone else is "taking care" of this, so I don't need to donate today. If we go the donation route, it's important to tell people what the goal is, it spurs us on to give an extra $5 here and there.

2. All of us geeks are suckers for pretty emblems, like the membership level ideas.

3. The Fauna Fund is a great idea and I think it just needs a little more time to catch on and grow.

4. If the classifieds remain free, the sellers should be donating a certain percentage to the site for "items" over a certain amount of $. And this should be stated in the ad. This is of course one of those honor code kind of things, and may not work here.

5. If bandwidth is a problem, then I think the image hosting should go or be reduced. Sure, I like to host my avatar image here, but there are plenty of image hosting sites available.

6. Maybe a pay per post for non-members in the BOI. I just think that most people won't even pay $10 to post their experience, especially if it's just to say SoandSo is a good guy/gal. If somebody doesn't want to join up right away, they can pay $.50 or something to post a message. I've been on one site that won't even let you search the forums unless you're a member. Also, (I'm sure this isn't feasible, but thought I would throw it out there) those background check sites let you search for free, but you gotta pay to see the results.

7. And of course, periodic Telethons! Lucille's doing a great job!

I love this site and have learned a lot here, and also get a laugh everyday. Thanks to everyone who spends part of their day here!

 

[Karmic]

Oops! Forgot my name!

Melissa Harkness

 

[Bill_Leverton]

I do understand what your saying Dave but it wasnt from a sell point, it was from a knowledge point. This site has shown me where to send my money to get a good thing in return.... as to hey "Joe Q Public has this outragous Boa for sale I think I'll send him my money and get burned and to me that is worth the $35 a year .....Im just starting my business and if it wasnt for this site it would of folded within a couple of months The way I see it what has the most value to the public ..... and if this site isn't here in a couple of years somebody who care as Rich does will try to be the "Phoenix rising out of the ashes" and a site will be reborn...

 

[Bill_Leverton]

Hi All:
I don't post a lot on here, but when I need to find out about something or someone this is where I come, and when I have something for sale I want to use the Fauna Classifieds so in light of this and being a reasonable person I think it should be left up to the individual as to what they want to spend to have what they need from the site. My idea of this would be to offer a group of plans to choose from.

Bronze Plan= $10.00 yearly for Bio's only!
Silver Plan= $25.00 yearly for Classifieds only!
Gold Plan = $35.00 yearly for Bio's and Classifieds combo!
Platinum Plan= $45.00 yearly for total Fauna use!

These are just my opinions and thoughts! Feel free to add to or take away from as you desire. I will be on Fauna reguardless!

I like this idea also

 

[JAOA49]

I agree but...

I think this site is a great site... I for one do not have the money for a high cost fee for advertising... maybe a low fee... I have thought of being a contributing member sence I am on the site almost all day... but due to expansion and the starting of a better snake collection I believe that I can afford contributing to the site in 1-2 weeks... I believe that fauna is being greatly supported by many of its members already selling their products and reptiles ect... on the Fauna Fund board... to kill space delete some of the lesser used forums and generalize them to take on one whole meaning....

If you are gonna make contrib. members pay more as in $50 a year (4.17) pleaz do it monthly payments.... that way it would be at most a cost of a pack of Ciggs from Michigan or even higher in Washington


Just my 2 cents

 

[Bill_Leverton]

Everyone who either buys and sells on a regular basis as an individual or business is going to save money over time using Fauna. The person who is not going to save money is the hobbiest, or pet keeper who only owns less than a handfull of animals. What percent of Fauna users do you think buy more than 2 animals online every year?

Dave I missed this earlier and I have to some what disagree ....We all started out as hobbiest or pet owners and got a couple of good animals and bred them..on purpose or by accident and thought at least for a brief moment What if I could turn this in to a Business and you start buying up more stock and next thing you know your in business ..........Ok now comes Who to buy from Thats where this site comes in JMHO

 

[Seamus Haley]

Davey's point... is that someone who buys two animals a year would have no reason to pay thirty five dollars to report something when it goes wrong OR right. They would also probably not be inclined to pay that much up front to check and see if the dealer for their twenty dollar cal king is reputable.

But without the contributions of members who are not "regulars" and do not engage in transactions often enough to warrant the cost... the board is largely useless. People generally do not rip off Bob Clark or NERD because they KNOW it will kill their reputation. Same can now be said for many of fauna's more prominent members and businesses BECAUSE crooks know there will be reprecussions. They rip off the two animal a year hobbiests because they think it's safe to do so. And if it costs thirty five bucks... or ten bucks... or ONE buck for that two animal a year guy to come here and post... It WILL be safe to scam.

 

[Bill_Leverton]

Ok Seamus I sorta see your point but the way I look at is That $$ is buying my piece of mind...People will do what feels right to them and wont be forced to do anything that goes against their grain ......The bottom line is "The Site Is Here" and as long as its free it works for everyone....But put a price tag on it and "oh no" it wont work no more? I was directed to this site back in 2003 and if it would of cost me that 35$ I would of gladly sent the money "just because of the rep of this site" This place busts the scum and makes our hobby/business/pet ownership a better thing in life but you know what? what ever the future of this site may turn out to be I'll still be first in line to up my membership....and IMHO if there is a charge to be part of this site and people dont want pay then so be it they can get their knowledge else where and take their chances

 

[DejaGirl]

You either attract hobbyists or you'll attract businesses.

Put them both on a scale and see which one will weigh more than the other, IMHO you'll want hobbyists to join the forum and learn more about herps rather than businesses and people who CAN afford to be "members."

 

[DaveyFig]

Stephanie, that was the shortest, sweetest, most perfect way for that to be said. WELL DONE!

 

[Bill_Leverton]

You either attract hobbyists or you'll attract businesses.

Put them both on a scale and see which one will weigh more than the other, IMHO you'll want hobbyists to join the forum and learn more about herps rather than businesses and people who CAN afford to be "members."

I'm Not Reptile Business Yet but I agree that some people see it that way I see it as here you get updated knowledge as opposed to a an outdated book and you find out who to buy from or who to stay away from
And its 35$ if that.... people waste at least that on useless stuff jmo

 

[DaveyFig]

Could we not, as a community, without being required to submit anything, set up a Fauna Fund table at a major show? A group of individuals near one of the big shows could take in donations of animals and dry goods, and together the members of fauna could pitch in and purchase a booth, or several booths, whatever it would take to get everything on the table. It could be done bake sale style, and there could even be games, and raffles at the booth. Whatever the items are sold for would be profit, as they would be donations.

 

[The BoidSmith]

Option

A programmer’s time costs money and it’s reasonable that Rich doesn’t want to put more money into it. One idea would be a $10 credit given to any new member to be used in Fauna. Each post (BOI, classifieds, forums, etc.) is charged 5 cents and deducted from the initial credit. The person can thus make 200 posts for free the first time. By that time he more than likely will know if he is getting his money’s worth out of the site. With the current system in place it’s easy to verify when a poster has reached the maximum and notify him/her that renewal of the membership is due. In the renewal he/she will have to start paying, $10 again and 5 cents per post will be deducted. This would be a way to “tax” users that post more in Fauna and still allow those that use it sporadically to access all its features. Will it take some work? Of course, but you can always “pay” some members to verify the accounts. Payment could be just free access to all services.

Regards

 

[Melle]

Well, since I've read this thread and the other one, I decided to help out and give a little to the forum. Granted I dont sell anything, nor do i post a whole lot, but i definately dont want the site to go away! its a great place for info and i wanna help to keep it here.

 

[Lucille]

Thank you Melissa. It is the individual decision, like you have made, that is important. I very much appreciate what you did.

 

[BallPyFan]

Now, for my bright idea...
Rich, the list of things you've done so far to help raise monies was impressive, and covered all of the bases...except one...merchandise sales.
T-shirts, mousepads, etc. I bet you there's a user/member here that owns/operates a screen printing shop OR knows someone that does.
I myself would be MORE THAN WILLING to get both done for you at exceptional prices, but of course there is some out of pocket monies, which is what you really wanted to stay away from, so...how about taking pre-orders?? After coming up with the design(s) you could put 'em right there on the main page, BIG, BOLD, even Tantilizing I'd love to work with you on that, we could get a couple designs together - my treat, get some pricing on quanity, then see what happens. I dunno...but if you wanna give it a spin, call me sometime.
How many members are signed up here at Fauna??

Cafe-press anyone? I would volunteer/donate some graphics work for some of the merchandise Y'all BP fans would be wearing Peachy's pretty scales!

 

[nicolai]

this is my idea i posted in the other thread....

Level 1) Free - status = "participant"
a) access to BOI to search and view - no posting
b) access to all participate in reptile and animal talk forums
c) access to view classified

Level 2)10.00yr - status = "Member"
a) everything included in level 1
b) Ability to post on the BOI
c) access to user "CP" (avatar and profile included)
d) Private messaging enabled
e) ability to participate in auctions
f) Able to use the "Live Chat" room

Level 3)25.00yr - status = "Contributing Member"
a) Everything included in levels 1 and 2
b) Access to "hell"
c) Ability to give and recieve "reputation points"
d) Free link to personal Web page under Avatar
e) access to post in higher forums ( feedback forum,legal forum, etc..all forums)
f) ability to contact "moderators/Rich" meaning reporting bad posts,problems. and other issues...this would keep the complaints dowwn to a minimum and less whining to listen to.


Level 4)35.00yr - "Full Member"
a) everything included in levels 1 through 3
b) Ability to post classified Ads
c) Ability to post thier banner on every classified ad they post.
d) Ability to link thier ads to thier BOI Reputation "if they want"
e) free picture hosting for thier ads

If you dont agree just say so, please dont slam my rep points.

"Copied from other thread"