Andy
What happened? All of a sudden I can't access the for sale threads unless either the advert is older than 48 hours, or I pay to be a contributor.
I know that the obvious answer is to pay up, but I don't remember seeing any announcement that this was about to happen. Or did I miss it?
I know its not much to become a contributor, and it does help the running of the site, but I am a member on several forums and each one seems to be
wanting money and each forum just says 'its only a few quid, look at all the benefits you get'.
I'm am going to contribute, (looks like I'm being forced too, which is not nice) but its going to have to be after the end of the month.
Icanttypeverywellwithonearmtiedbehindmyback
Andy
just noticed it too
sad move, what's next, pay per view? 
ive given my 4ps worth in the other thread, but to fellow posters - I really hope this doesnt put you guys off hanging out here!
P.s. you could always u2u the user who has posted the "for sale" thread if the title interests you 
I'm a bit disappointed that there was no notice given, but at the end of the day it is only a fiver.
I understand that some will moan, plenty of forums to join etc. etc., but I've always found this site to be the broadest knowledge base, and full
of friendly faces (or avatars!).
Thus, my hard earned cash has been electronically transferred - just means I can't have as many beers in the pub tonight.
Worse things have happened!
[Edited on 17/7/09 by Charlie_Zetec]
Looking at it from the other side, I'm glad my contribution now gets me something. It's just a shame it is not something extra rather than taking something from non contributers.
oh well all my stuffs definitely better being sold on e-bay then
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
oh well all my stuffs definitely better being sold on e-bay then
Can someone merge these threads?
Actaully I'm looking forward to being a contributor, I'm dieing to see whats in the club shop 
quote:
Originally posted by Macbeast
Chris
Since you're there - can I pay cash or cheque ?
It’s not me I’m talking about but the folk who are able to view my items that seems to have reduced
or if I contribute does that make them available to view be anyone (even non-contributors) without the 48 hour delay? I could have sold the stuff by
then.
Is that the death bell I hear.... .... ..... Excelent way of putting new members off...
Especially the restrictions on the for sale/wanted section...... Thats a baaad move!
[Edited on 17/7/09 by tegwin]
Ford Fair in two weeks then?
Chris
Again, if you go on eBay, the chances of you putting less than a 3 day auction are pretty slim.
By then, any non-contributor can see you are selling an item of interest (as long as you make the subject sensible) and will come back after 48
hours.
All this does is give contributors a chance to grab the bargains first.
Just be glad I didn't link the wait time to number of posts, Whippy. Even if it was a minute delay per 'post, you'd be waiting a week
to see anything! And yes, that is a hint!
Chris
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
It’s not me I’m talking about but the folk who are able to view my items that seems to have reduced
or if I contribute does that make them available to view be anyone (even non-contributors) without the 48 hour delay? I could have sold the stuff by then.
I think those posters who have contributed to this sites overwhelming success by their selfless dedication of advice, time & support to other locost members, should by default get contributor status. The unsung hero’s of Locost Builders.
quote:
Originally posted by Macbeast
Paid by PayPal Chris
Bloody double standards if you ask me, ChrisW asking for all this money going towards so called 'server updates', when he hasn't even
got the contributor message under his name. Disgraceful
I always meant to ask….just how huge is this server thing?!! Seems to hold an amazing amount of stuff, is it about the size of a fridge? What did it cost to buy? Does it host other forums or is it just dedicated to this site, I noticed other forums that looked very similar and thought they may also be on it? Maybe not don't know
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
I always meant to ask….just how huge is this server thing?!! Seems to hold an amazing amount of stuff, is it about the size of a fridge? What did it cost to buy? Does it host other forums or is it just dedicated to this site, I noticed other forums that looked very similar and thought they may also be on it? Maybe not don't know
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Is that the death bell I hear.... .... ..... Excelent way of putting new members off...
Especially the restrictions on the for sale/wanted section...... Thats a baaad move!
[Edited on 17/7/09 by tegwin]
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
I always meant to ask….just how huge is this server thing?!! Seems to hold an amazing amount of stuff, is it about the size of a fridge? What did it cost to buy? Does it host other forums or is it just dedicated to this site, I noticed other forums that looked very similar and thought they may also be on it? Maybe not don't know
It looks just like the one in the meerkat advert.... sort of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71hnoVqwkGo
Chris
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
It looks just like the one in the meerkat advert.... sort of
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
Cash is also fine, but in person only. I'm not too keen on giving out my address!
Chris
Have 2p from me.
If there'd been a post laying out the plans for the site, a new server etc. and asking people to donate, you'd probably have got more money
and more goodwill from members.
Certainly I'd've donated (again, apparently) to keep LCB improving and get some not crap ancient forum software.
Saying, "nope, you're not allowed to see X and Y during Z, unless you pay" and giving no notice, well. The cash will be staying in my
paypal account.
Just my opinion like, but Carrot > Stick
quote:
Originally posted by Staple balls
Have 2p from me.
If there'd been a post laying out the plans for the site, a new server etc. and asking people to donate, you'd probably have got more money and more goodwill from members.
Certainly I'd've donated (again, apparently) to keep LCB improving and get some not crap ancient forum software.
Saying, "nope, you're not allowed to see X and Y during Z, unless you pay" and giving no notice, well. The cash will be staying in my paypal account.
Just my opinion like, but Carrot > Stick
Well i've got to be honest - i cant see why anyone has an issue with Contributors getting priority on Sale items (and i am not yet a
contributor!!).
Having seen items sell on here literally in minutes, is it not therefore fair that those who support the running of this forum get first dibs on the
bargains to be had?? If you are a contributor with loads of posts, wouldnt you be a bit pee'd off if a newbie who had only just joined got in
there a minute before you?? I would - but feel 48hrs may be a little on the long side for those who are trying to sell items to reach the wider
audience. If something doesnt go within the first hour or two then clearly its going to be a little tougher to sell. 24hrs might be a better idea for
all - both buyers and sellers??
I can see what Staple's saying. If a notice would've gone up or a mass U2U asking for contributions for a new server and it's cost etc. there may have been a bigger response. A little bit of member involvement/sharing the responsibility, but to suddenly click one day and find you're being penalised seems a bit rude, like entering someones room without knocking, kind of. I have to say as well to follow it up with abrupt responses from Chris is a bit off, take a leaf from Fozzies book, chill a bit, have a little more diplomacy.
My point is, if you'd asked for donations, I'd (and i'm sure many others) would've stuck another tenner into the pot, and
you'd likely have made more money by asking nicely, than restricting access to parts of the site.
As you've effectively made the for sale section a commercial venture* I'm not inclined to donate.
*Obviously, I have no stats, but I'd happily bet all the great deals and bargains go inside 48 hours, you're just selling access to the
better deals.
quote:
Originally posted by Staple balls
*Obviously, I have no stats, but I'd happily bet all the great deals and bargains go inside 48 hours, you're just selling access to the better deals.
This post reminds me
Although im a Contributor
i haven't paid lately
so just paid again great site well worth it
Thanks
quote:
Originally posted by Steve G
No-one is forcing anyone to contribute here and if you dont want to then dont - better chance for those who do to get a bargain if there's less competition so cant see Contributors going to complain in that case
, I've contributed, and if asked, I'd've done so again, making access to an area something you have to pay
for removes my inclination to pay again. I paid mine but never pursued the upgrade as it was too much hassle and I wanted to stay as a Marklar not be a contributor.
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I paid mine but never pursued the upgrade as it was too much hassle and I wanted to stay as a Marklar not be a contributor.
why the hell are poeple being so tight,
and not only that just being bluddy childish,
its only a fiver and its only 48hours and its only second hand car parts,
get over it.
Sorry, one other thing to add...
quote:
Originally posted by Staple balls
if asked, I'd've done so again, making access to an area something you have to pay for removes my inclination to pay again.
Who is the biggest contributor to a site like this? Someone who gives £5 once and posts infrequently or one who posts every day but pays nothing?
I think the basic idea is sound but you should make people with more than say 250 or 300 (non spam) posts contributors whether they have paid the fee
or not.
quote:
Originally posted by jpindy3
why the hell are poeple being so tight,
and not only that just being bluddy childish,
its only a fiver and its only 48hours and its only second hand car parts,
get over it.
quote:
Originally posted by Staple balls
quote:
Originally posted by Steve G
No-one is forcing anyone to contribute here and if you dont want to then dont - better chance for those who do to get a bargain if there's less competition so cant see Contributors going to complain in that case
psst! look under my name
Though I'm not complaining, just trying to point out the flaws in the way they've gone about this.
I've been involved with other sites where the whole userbase very nearly upped and left due to the attempted commercialisation of the site (instead we all donated to get the site off the old owner and into the hands of a trusted member)
Just wanna say a big thanks to ChrisW and Fozzie for building and looking after this great site
Well worth the contributions I have made so far, but having traders who make money from selling stuff contribute more substantial sums as they do is
also a good idea.
Please keep up the good work - there's lots of us appreciate what you do - even if you can't please everyone!
Cheers
Mark
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
Surely, as a contributor, you should be pleased about the change? It can only work in your favour as you get first go at any items posted for sale?
Chris
Did contribute ages ago but never chased up the upgrade - didn't make much difference then.
Anyway, just donated again. The help, support and information I have had from this site over the years massively outweighs a couple of small
contributions.
Keep up the good work guys.
Mart.
quote:
Originally posted by Keith Weiland
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
Surely, as a contributor, you should be pleased about the change? It can only work in your favour as you get first go at any items posted for sale?
Chris
Unless you are selling then it can only work against you. Maybe you could put 2 selling sections, one for contributors who want to have the opportunity to sell to everyone straight away.
quote:
Originally posted by Keith Weiland
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
Surely, as a contributor, you should be pleased about the change? It can only work in your favour as you get first go at any items posted for sale?
Chris
Unless you are selling then it can only work against you. Maybe you could put 2 selling sections, one for contributors who want to have the opportunity to sell to everyone straight away.
I think its a safe bet that everyone will want the widest audience to their items for sale. Takes away the point of doing it in the first place if there is an option surely Chris??
I think there is no harm as it is, a 48 hour delay just lets contributors get in first, but after 48 hours its still the same price, to the same
audience as before. I suspect 24 hours would do the trick though.
Maybe a list on the front page of for sale threads as they turn 48 hours old?
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
Just wanna say a big thanks to ChrisW and Fozzie for building and looking after this great site
Well worth the contributions I have made so far, but having traders who make money from selling stuff contribute more substantial sums as they do is also a good idea.
Please keep up the good work - there's lots of us appreciate what you do - even if you can't please everyone!
Cheers
Mark
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
quote:
Originally posted by Keith Weiland
quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
Surely, as a contributor, you should be pleased about the change? It can only work in your favour as you get first go at any items posted for sale?
Chris
Unless you are selling then it can only work against you. Maybe you could put 2 selling sections, one for contributors who want to have the opportunity to sell to everyone straight away.
I have thought about that, and it's a feature I will look into more. Not two sections, but giving the option for contributors to have their adverts shown to non-contributors earlier.
If the current site contributors think this is a good idea, I'll look into it some more.
Chris
After such a long time it's a shame this site is heading for commercialism.
I think it's a bad idea to restrict any posts unless you declare this forum a closed one.
I've added my two'pennorth over time and am always lurking in background.
When you open a forum on the net you willingly take on it's problems and costs. If you want voluntary subscriptions , fine, but don't apply
blackmail, however disguised it is.
Chris,
Please remove me as a member, I've deleted all photos etc but am unable to remove my profile.
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Lane
After such a long time it's a shame this site is heading for commercialism.
I think it's a bad idea to restrict any posts unless you declare this forum a closed one.
I've added my two'pennorth over time and am always lurking in background.
When you open a forum on the net you willingly take on it's problems and costs. If you want voluntary subscriptions , fine, but don't apply blackmail, however disguised it is.
Chris,
Please remove me as a member, I've deleted all photos etc but am unable to remove my profile.
Hmmmm, I think a lot of you have misunderstood the ethos behind this.......
or, perhaps not fully read the posts by 'admins'..
ChrisW isn't actively touting for donations/contributions for the site.
Over the years, members have very generously 'contributed' of their own free will, toward this site.....
Some contribute waaay over the £5 (one-off payment), some contribute yearly....again because they want to......not, because they have been asked.
As a collective 'thank-you' and a way of giving a small privilege back to the very generous folk out there, it was deemed a nice gesture to
give 'first dibs' in the 'For Sale' section to those folk.
If ChrisW gained a few more contributors because of that, he said that those donations would go toward a new server/IT stuff for this site.
Anybody would think that the 'For Sale' section is always 'red-hot' with pages of bargains, it isn't....
It has been very sad over the last week, to observe some of the 'knee-jerk/keyboard-warrior' type posts, just because some people
haven't read the posts concerning this properly, or, if they didn't quite understand, send a u2u....
The 'For Sale' section is not where the wealth of information is to answer all manner of questions on building a car.......
Fozzie
Oh come on, a reward for contributors that just happens to blackmail other users to pay to view!
Pull the other one.
Even Blatchat and Westfield forums which are subscription based do not restrict their for sale posts, with the posters option to include a phone
number for none members.
It's in the 'sellers' interest that he is given a wider market, not a restricted one.
I've never seen a poster removed before but I request I be removed from the list.
For me the forum is in a state of degeneration to a pay per view.
What started as a free forum is slowly becoming choked, with begging pleas.
Maybe time to ressurect Yahoo Locost again although it's not a forum as such with catagories.
Very sorry you feel that way, Rob. However, unfortunately, Fozzie and I do not agree and therefore the site will be staying the way it is.
You, and everyone else, are of course more than welcome to continue using the site without making a contribution to it's running costs if you
feel you do not get a fiver's worth of value from it. Nobody is forcing anyone to do anything.
On a slightly side note, when the restrictions on 'for sale' were introduce I also reduced the number of occurances of the 'nag
screen' for non-contributors from 10:1 to 20:1, yet I notice nobody has commented about that.
Chris
Just one small point from me (may have allready been mentioned , but I've been away in the sun for the last two weeks ) ...... but ........
how much do ebay charge buyers just to browse the listings ?
Nothing .
But the sellers have to pay a fee , as it's them making the money .
I'd happily contribute but for one small thing - I like `posting freak` under my user name
Its unbelievable that so many people seemingly think they have a right to this site being totally free to use every part of it. For gods sake its only
the "For Sale" section thats restricted for a 48 hours.
So for those who are whinging about a one off payment of £5, do you think its fair that ChrisW should have to foot the bill for you to use this site??
So there's some revenue brought in from advertising (which is pretty unobtrusive) but its not covering all the bills. Frankly i think those who
start making threats to leave should just bugger off and do so - i doubt you'd be missed!!!
Edit - i'll be setting up a Paypal account as soon as i finish changing my bank so will be contributing myself then - and not because want to buy
anything!!
[Edited on 31/7/09 by Steve G]