Why the site has been down, how you may help!!

Yomp said

We are all aware what original front wings sell for now.

I'm not, how much do they go for ?  :dontknow:

ive only just joined as a paid member @£15 for this i got my membership pack my air freshener and paper work with club details ect discounts…the day after joining i saved a massive £60 off my insurance with footman james that alone was the main reason for joining and worth every pennie ive only had my cabby since last year and have sorted every problem thanks to this site….it would be a massive shame if this site had to be stopped due to lack of paid members

DUBnutter said

I know we can choose to click the button but do you think that raising the minimum pledge 150% is going to get more people to do it?  Surely it would be better to keep it low and steady, than high and infrequent.

Don't get me wrong, I know something has to be done to increase membership and I know that some people do a lot of hard work to keep this site running, but these are hard financial times for a lot of people, so a percieved aggresive income strategy could possibly alienate people from joining up.

I'm sorry, but even in this 'economic climate' £2.50 instead of £1 shouldn't be a massive deal.  And I wouldn't perceive any of these as an aggressive income strategy.

When I joined I was pleasantly surprised by how cheap it was.  I expected at least £25 so a raise to £20 would still be perceivable as cheap…particularly when you consider the savings.  I've only had a skim read of all this but would it not be good to make full membership higher as suggested and then have renewal at a slightly reduced amount? And maybe an 'access all areas' membership which doesn't entitle you to discounts.  Don't know whether that over complicates things though!!

Anyway, the point should be that none of this would be as important and necessary if people would spend £15 on membership instead of £15 on something shiny for the car.  If people can afford to run/rebuild/maintain a mk1 golf then I'm sure they can afford the membership.

Apologies if this comes across a bit harsh…bad day and sad to see this as well…jolly really      

Yomp said

Thanks for the advice on purging the users Paul. I still think it would be worth getting some good forum names back though.

I think that would be a good idea if we auctioned off past user names, it would help to generate a bit of money for the club.

OK - Someone commented that only paid members seemed to be replying, so heres my view as a non-paid member…

Firstly, I have been using this site since it was called "The campaign register"!, which goes back way before the date of 02 Nov 2004, as shown in my details to the left.

I just went looking for "The benefits" of becoming a member (as I don't fully know), and found a tiny little box of text at the bottom of the right hand column on the front page - That should be a main focal point when you view the home page, about where CrazyQuiffs Golf Emporium ad is!

One of the best benefits is the discount offered with Footman and James. For many, the single biggest necessary annual purchase is insurance, yet again, there is a tiny little ad at the bottom of the left hand column.
I was quite surprised to find this thread only this week. It seems that many golf owners and forum users are not even aware of Footman James?!?  :dontknow:

My golf has been off the road for much of the time I have been a user on here, therefore I won't really see the benefit of the discounts on offer, so I don't want to pay for the full membership, BUT, I am a tight git by nature and I am probably one of the toughest cookies to crack with regard to paying membership fees.

I have racked up over 2000 posts here and would like to think that my contribution has been of benefit to the newer users over the years, helping to make this forum what it is. I don't feel I should have to pay for that.

I got bitten when I re-visited the forum after a break to advertise my car and found that the classifieds section had been locked for paid members only.
I think I ended up posting in one of the chat sections instead and promptly had my post removed and a PM from a mod.
The users of the forum lost out, as I went straight to ED38 and listed there instead. Didn't sell by the way, I pulled out after the serious "I can collect tomorrow" offers came in!
I don't think locking down the forum is the answer, otherwise, new users won't see what we have to offer. If I ever visit a website that makes me register before I can view whats on offer, I go elsewhere straight away, as I know there will be another option out there - that is the beauty of the web.

I would love to be able to contribute in a different way, though with a full time job, a young family and a house to look after, time is not on my side.
The only show I have been to in YEARS is Volksfest Wales, as it is about 10 miles away from my house!
I would really like to come to the AGM gathering this year, though at around 200 miles each way, four up in the golf with enough kit to camp for the weekend and keep the kids entertained, things aren't looking good!

I'm quite handy with a camera - I'd love to spend all weekend taking snaps that could be made available for sale (all profits to the club) via a photobox progallery or something. I have one with some shots from volksfest HERE for example.
The only downside is, as said, I don't get round to the shows much, so this would most likely bring in very little in the way of revenue.  :dontknow:


I LOVE this site - I did get a bit concerned when it went down the other night and kept coming back every hour or so to check!
I hope this thread generates some ideas that can help the club move things forward with regard to hosting solutions and improving membership conversion rates!

An idea to kick about - "Refer a friend"

If a paid member can get a non paid member, or even a new user to sign up and pay their money, they get something back.
What that something is, who knows, but schemes like that are what gets sites like Photobox to where they are today…

Thanks for reading,
AL.

geejah said

Anyway, the point should be that none of this would be as important and necessary if people would spend £15 on membership instead of £15 on something shiny for the car.  If people can afford to run/rebuild/maintain a mk1 golf then I'm sure they can afford the membership.

That's just it - I have pretty much NO BUDGET to get my pride and joy back on the road. £15 is a lot to put towards bits I need - That will buy me a rear arch repair panel (OK, a cheap one, or maybe half of a better quality one)!

Marcus said

Yomp said

Thanks for the advice on purging the users Paul. I still think it would be worth getting some good forum names back though.

I think that would be a good idea if we auctioned off past user names, it would help to generate a bit of money for the club.

Fantastic idea - lets get this one rolling - quick saturday night auction of the top 20 best names at this years AGM. Yomp if you let me have the list we could do a quick comedy auction…will take half an hour maximum and raise a few quid and a laugh. 9 O'Clock start when they've had a few..i've still got my hammer from my Manheim days!!

On a more serious note however the mebership really does pay for itself so benefits of joining are immense and one trip to GSF will usually pay for itself, if you use Footman James you've made your money back etc etc….we really need to get the benefits advertised more blatantly accross the site…..the top of every subject in the forums would be an ideal place. I'm sure all of those people who own a Mk1 and haven't paid £15 would have been quids in if they'd have joined!!!

I know i'm always buying stuff for mine, and all the little bits add up - even screen wash for my other motors works out to be a saving!!

GET IT PLUGGED LIKE THE CALENDARS….

"oldspice" said

Marcus said

Yomp said

Thanks for the advice on purging the users Paul. I still think it would be worth getting some good forum names back though.

I think that would be a good idea if we auctioned off past user names, it would help to generate a bit of money for the club.

Fantastic idea - lets get this one rolling - quick saturday night auction of the top 20 best names at this years AGM. Yomp if you let me have the list we could do a quick comedy auction…will take half an hour maximum and raise a few quid and a laugh. 9 O'Clock start when they've had a few..i've still got my hammer from my Manheim days!!


a scouse with a sense of humour thats a gd one ralph
hey guys, been away for a while as some you know my families business got burnt down last year so ive spent every day with insurance people etc etc so my mk1 has been sat on the drive for nearly four months not using it (big shock) but now im back im gonna be sorting my membership out tonight.
it makes a massive diference every year even on the saving for the agm! come on guys lets help a club out who really helps their members!!

Who would want to buy another members name… I'm alright with mine. I thought of it myself and everything.  :mrgreen:

blans said

Who would want to buy another members name… I'm alright with mine. I thought of it myself and everything.  :mrgreen:

A5OPY…? He needs a new one!! Poor bloke didn't even manage a full set of letters and had to make do with a number :dontknow:  

Hi all, I know I am new to this site and the people involved, so this message may be over looked by most but…….. I am more than happy to join and get my club membership ( as long as  get my gold stars ). I am not a fan of putting my bank details on line, but I will for this. Unless there is other means of paying like a cheque through the post???? As for ideas, why cant we send items for a raffle for the meet at Uttoxeter? Im sure people would be happy to pay the postage as long as they had an adress to send the stuff to. :dontknow:

Undoubtly this is the most useful and informative forum i have ever found. To think of it going under would be undoubtly a sad day.

Alot of our members are skilled at knocking things up from scratch or modifying things to work for certain applications. What about those who can donate their time to makeing things which could be sold covering costs ovbiously an donating the Profit towards the running of the site.

For example

Leather seat covers
How to guides
Wireing
Strut braces
Cross hair headlights
Crazy art
Pictures

Any un used / unwanted spares is a good idea but if it would help a individuals prodject along i dont think they would part with it likely resulting in the item remaining in the shed!

Limiting non paying members avitars and sigs etc would help lower usage but i think you would lose valuble information.

What about some kind of bar chart that shows the sites financial state. No numbers but kinda traffic light system like green from full to half way down orang a qtr then the rest red. Starting at red i feel it would let the people who regularily use the site see that theyre needed and or are makeing a difference

Judgeing by the numbers paid the hosting must be a few bob so why not raise the membership to help cover it.

At the moment i am not a paid member and in my time here ( joined 25 - 03 - 05) i have posted 357 i have read more posts than i can remember. I have only bought a few things and have attende only one mk1 meet with two other members! Must have been a slow day! That bad the mini club was takeing the biscuit.

Overall i have had a invaluble experience out of the site which is why i will renew when i get paid!

Used the site for ages without paying and its great

i have just paid my membership

 i would suggest full access for a limited period only this way new members will be hooked as iam but will then join. That way they get to see what a great site and club it is.

Also a great big button on the home page to make joining easy i had to spend 15 minutes looking for the link to pay to be a full member.


just my thoughts

AL_Mk1 said

OK - Someone commented that only paid members seemed to be replying, so heres my view as a non-paid member…

Firstly, I have been using this site since it was called "The campaign register"!, which goes back way before the date of 02 Nov 2004, as shown in my details to the left.

I just went looking for "The benefits" of becoming a member (as I don't fully know), and found a tiny little box of text at the bottom of the right hand column on the front page - That should be a main focal point when you view the home page, about where CrazyQuiffs Golf Emporium ad is!

One of the best benefits is the discount offered with Footman and James. For many, the single biggest necessary annual purchase is insurance, yet again, there is a tiny little ad at the bottom of the left hand column.
I was quite surprised to find this thread only this week. It seems that many golf owners and forum users are not even aware of Footman James?!?  :dontknow:

My golf has been off the road for much of the time I have been a user on here, therefore I won't really see the benefit of the discounts on offer, so I don't want to pay for the full membership, BUT, I am a tight git by nature and I am probably one of the toughest cookies to crack with regard to paying membership fees.

I have racked up over 2000 posts here and would like to think that my contribution has been of benefit to the newer users over the years, helping to make this forum what it is. I don't feel I should have to pay for that.

I got bitten when I re-visited the forum after a break to advertise my car and found that the classifieds section had been locked for paid members only.
I think I ended up posting in one of the chat sections instead and promptly had my post removed and a PM from a mod.
The users of the forum lost out, as I went straight to ED38 and listed there instead. Didn't sell by the way, I pulled out after the serious "I can collect tomorrow" offers came in!
I don't think locking down the forum is the answer, otherwise, new users won't see what we have to offer. If I ever visit a website that makes me register before I can view whats on offer, I go elsewhere straight away, as I know there will be another option out there - that is the beauty of the web.

I would love to be able to contribute in a different way, though with a full time job, a young family and a house to look after, time is not on my side.
The only show I have been to in YEARS is Volksfest Wales, as it is about 10 miles away from my house!
I would really like to come to the AGM gathering this year, though at around 200 miles each way, four up in the golf with enough kit to camp for the weekend and keep the kids entertained, things aren't looking good!

I'm quite handy with a camera - I'd love to spend all weekend taking snaps that could be made available for sale (all profits to the club) via a photobox progallery or something. I have one with some shots from volksfest HERE for example.
The only downside is, as said, I don't get round to the shows much, so this would most likely bring in very little in the way of revenue.  :dontknow:


I LOVE this site - I did get a bit concerned when it went down the other night and kept coming back every hour or so to check!
I hope this thread generates some ideas that can help the club move things forward with regard to hosting solutions and improving membership conversion rates!

An idea to kick about - "Refer a friend"

If a paid member can get a non paid member, or even a new user to sign up and pay their money, they get something back.
What that something is, who knows, but schemes like that are what gets sites like Photobox to where they are today…

Thanks for reading,
AL.

AL, if everyone did as you do there would be no club…
Don't get me wrong your forum contributions are appreciated, but
hosting is not free,
AGM is not free,
The club requires income to run and grow.

Time you made a contribution to something you clearly enjoy making use of.
However we do live in a democracy, so the choice is still yours !!

I tell you what, you pay up as a member and I will donate a prize to the same value for this years AGM raffle.

chink said

Used the site for ages without paying and its great

i have just paid my membership

 i would suggest full access for a limited period only this way new members will be hooked as iam but will then join. That way they get to see what a great site and club it is.

Also a great big button on the home page to make joining easy i had to spend 15 minutes looking for the link to pay to be a full member.


just my thoughts

Best post on this i've read!! Given me an idea - 60 days un interupted and free access for newbies. After 60 days still free access but with loads of 'JOIN NOW CLICK HERE' pop ups. ??

@ Paul C can this be done??

"Red-or-Dead" said

Hi all, I know I am new to this site and the people involved, so this message may be over looked by most but…….. I am more than happy to join and get my club membership ( as long as  get my gold stars ). I am not a fan of putting my bank details on line, but I will for this. Unless there is other means of paying like a cheque through the post???? As for ideas, why cant we send items for a raffle for the meet at Uttoxeter? Im sure people would be happy to pay the postage as long as they had an adress to send the stuff to. :dontknow:

Just quoting myself as im looking for an answer!

with out reading threw all the coments and surjestions, i dont agree with all the coments etc about making money here and there for use off certain parts like tech section, cos i know personaly i would just hit the google button and find a site that can help,

this might have the affect you require less server traffic, resulting in site living off £470 paid members

maybe a better structure with the membership i.e stop people having access to less inportant things such mk1 genreal talk and genreal topics and people builds etc becuase lets face it regulars that use these parts more, so u would stop traffic there,

have 3 levels off membership

level one being £5 full access to the site excludding members area, also excludded from the discount codes etc, no membership pack, and no membership number

level two being as above but £10 but with the rights to discount codes but again with no members pack or card etc, but a membership number for were needed i.e cheaper insurance etc

level 3 £15 all the trimings, with rights to have a single car closer to club stands etc and a chance to be on club stands

this may or may not work but surely more cahnce off people buying the level one package then nothing at all

red or dead paypal is ok on here u dont need to give the club ur details

Red-or-Dead said

Red-or-Dead said

Hi all, I know I am new to this site and the people involved, so this message may be over looked by most but…….. I am more than happy to join and get my club membership ( as long as  get my gold stars ). I am not a fan of putting my bank details on line, but I will for this. Unless there is other means of paying like a cheque through the post???? As for ideas, why cant we send items for a raffle for the meet at Uttoxeter? Im sure people would be happy to pay the postage as long as they had an adress to send the stuff to. :dontknow:

Just quoting myself as im looking for an answer!

Realistically posting it somewhere would need someone to store it all and then turn up to the AGM  in a MK1 with a weekends worth of camping gear, food beer etc and the raffle prizes. Good idea, but, might be difficult to arrange. Possibly could work better if we all bring stuff to raffle / auction….maybe unwanted MK1 related bits?

Did you join yet? Are you going to the AGM? ….you should its mint!!

oldspice said

Red-or-Dead said

Red-or-Dead said

Hi all, I know I am new to this site and the people involved, so this message may be over looked by most but…….. I am more than happy to join and get my club membership ( as long as  get my gold stars ). I am not a fan of putting my bank details on line, but I will for this. Unless there is other means of paying like a cheque through the post???? As for ideas, why cant we send items for a raffle for the meet at Uttoxeter? Im sure people would be happy to pay the postage as long as they had an adress to send the stuff to. :dontknow:

Just quoting myself as im looking for an answer!

Realistically posting it somewhere would need someone to store it all and then turn up to the AGM  in a MK1 with a weekends worth of camping gear, food beer etc and the raffle prizes. Good idea, but, might be difficult to arrange. Possibly could work better if we all bring stuff to raffle / auction….maybe unwanted MK1 related bits?

Did you join yet? Are you going to the AGM? ….you should its mint!!

you just want someone to cuddle up to in the morning of your tent
will be booking the agm off work tomorrow now.
paypal is very safe btw red its the best way to do transactions on the internet.
you can sell all your car stuff at the agm if you wanted to aswell but also donate a lil something would never hurt, personally would prefer an auction im sure funkstar would have the best stuff to give if you could prise it away from him