What would you do if the forum had a subscription fee (to post classifieds, etc)?

This is following on from the discussion in the classifieds debate thread... and also follows on from the fact that we had to purchase a 2nd server last month and our fees have doubled (we're in the red every month now).

Think along the lines of us splitting the membership levels into three tiers:

Registered/Nursery, as current = no PM, no thread starting, etc.
Regular, slightly less than current = no classifieds thread starting, no group creation, limited PMs, etc.
Donor = Everything and more... £3 per year (a beer a year).

Would you pay? Or would you be disgusted that what was free now has a fee?

Basically, would you rather we go towards adverts and sponsorship with annual top-ups in the form of t-shirts, etc... or would you rather make a small contribution and have some form of revenue from the classifieds to the forum to make the problem essentially go away? Or... what's your view on it?

The forum actually does have the technical means to support a subscription model in the box, and can prompt annually for payment, show who is a donor, etc. So it's all there already. The question is really about whether this is a path we want to go down?

I like the idea. If it actually works it could actually produce a profit which would offset the amount I was out of pocket over the past few years and could even actually line my pocket with some money too. So of course I'm in favour of it from a selfish perspective... it gives me the potential to turn something I do out of love and that takes up an immense amount of my time into something that could actually offer a financial reward on top of the love. Which is pretty fine by me.

However, I do have some concern that perhaps this isn't what the community would want. That it's moving away from the free for all, everyone welcome spirit or something. Basically I'm hesitant because I hate monetising really, it feels dirty to have money between friends and stuff.

Anyhow... debate away... I want to know since it's been raised, is it an idea worth pursuing?

I haven't read the classifieds debate thread.......

but i think that you should have to pay a fee to sell things in the classifieds.

just encourage the people who want to donate to actually donate, don't make everyone do it.

just encourage the people who want to donate to actually donate, don't make everyone do it.

You wouldn't have to donate... you just wouldn't be able to sell stuff or create groups or store hundreds of PMs indefinitely, etc if you didn't.

So by not donating you wouldn't be excluded from the forum, and you could still buy stuff from sellers. You just wouldn't be able to do things that you profit from more directly like selling stuff.

I haven't read the classifieds debate thread.......

but i think that you should have to pay a fee to sell things in the classifieds.

I kind of agree, but hard to do fairly without it being complicated - someone selling a seatpost for £8 will not want to pay the same fee as someone selling an £800 bike.

VB, I think £3 a year is a very fair price.

I don't see any problem in £3 to become a fully NJS approved member, I've paid £10 for this on other forums (although in the benefits were also some pretty sweet competitions).

small fee is also likely to keep the rif-raf out. i'm down with it.

I don't see any problem in £3 to become a fully NJS approved member, I've paid £10 for this on other forums (although in the benefits were also some pretty sweet competitions).

Well we're currently looking around at reviewing stuff, we could make that a donors only perk and some items could be given away as competition prizes. Not that I could promise anything as I haven't secured anything... but it's a good idea (though considerably easier to do at £10 per year as the profits would be silly and taking advantage too much, so of course you can afford to purchase prizes).

If you're up front about it (like you are being) then I definitely dont have a problem with it.

Non-donors should see ads too.

small price to pay!

you shouldn't have to be subsidising this…

I'd totally pay £3 (more even) to be a donor. I really don't know why I haven't donated yet considering how much help and advice I've received since joining. Plus the jokes. Oh the jokes! You can't put a price on that. Izza makin' me feel bad!

I agree with BDW. You totally shouldn't be subsidising this.

yup, what he said

and him

However, I do have some concern that perhaps this isn't what the community would want. That it's moving away from the free for all, everyone welcome spirit or something.

Fuck 'em!

£3 isn't enough should be more.

£1 a month - maybe to get some kind of proper benefits that non-payers can only glimpse. Jeez - I pay £30 a month for my phone and it hasn't been a thirtieth as useful or enjoyable as this has been the last year.

£3 a month is nothing for all the advice/help/items etc that can be gained from being part of the forum!

V - I agree and I like your suggestions for:-

Registered/Nursery, as current = no PM, no thread starting, etc.
Regular, slightly less than current = no classifieds thread starting, no group creation, limited PMs, etc.
Donor = Everything and more... £3 per year (a beer a year).

hey, maybe throw-in some fines for the hell of it too..

On the competition front, raise monies and awareness for local charity or community related stuff as opposed to prize money for individuals..

I don't need that kinda motivation to subscribe.. would be a cool gesture to give something.. as opposed to receiving, that is.

Or throw an annual blow-out party with the proceeds for all members..

keep it rolling V

peace

anybody that objects to paying six pence a week deserves a kicking.

..........but i'll ask my other nephew and see what he thinks.

£3?

For that price I'd buy a few aliases.

cliveo
Clive O
O Clive
Clive Oh

Oh Clive

what about olive c?

I'd happily pay to use this site.

I'd happily pay for this entire site.

worries all done

small fee is also likely to keep the rif-raf out. i'm down with it.

Large fee is even more likely to keep out the 'riff-raff', eh?
Is that because the more money you have the more interesting/entertaining you are?
Jesus wept...