Hi, Would it be possible to make the classifieds section read-only (ie read, but can't post) for non-supporters? I'd like a looky, but if there's nothing there I might as well wait until there is. I'm just that tight! Thanks, Iain
Hi Iain, I'm afraid the decision was taken that only members should have access to the Classified section in order to reward their loyalty and support of the site. As I'm sure you can appreciate, the site has certain costs which need to be covered and I can assure you that @The CO is not running this to make money! The view was taken than 10quid is a fairly insignificant sum for most people, which goes towards covering some of the running costs and thereby safeguarding the community we have here and access to the wealth of info which is already on here and will continue to be built. So I'm afraid that there are no plans to provide Read Only access, since that would somewhat undermine the principles I've mentioned above. Spend a bit more time here and I hope you see the value of the site and in its totality and view it worthy of 10quid for Supporter Status!
I understand that only supporters can submit adverts, but surely limiting even read access to "site supporters only" means a much smaller audience of purchasers?
I subscribe to other sites, but this site, for some undefinable reason is special, as was the old BMWland. It makes you feel like a member of an club, and is well worth 10 litres of fuel. Why not go a bit further and allow say 3 months free membership, then access is lost unless you become a supporter, or alternatively everything becomes read only, but you can't post.
True and that was a consideration. Believe me, the Mods debated this at length. But the key thing is to ensure that there is a benefit to folks for supporting the site since the set-up and running costs aren't cheap and as @DiscusbT mentioned, he's not alone in viewing this site as more than just a forum; therefore worthwhile of financial support.
I made that point but the Mod squad said 'no'. Seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face to me honestly. At peril of sounding like a real 'sour kraut' - this forum is pretty new so it's relatively small. Small classifieds, small content in the members section. (and this I can only assume, as the Aldi section has a few empty shelves) Yes, it's the revival of a well loved forum and obviously well liked now, maybe the exclusivity that adds to it's appeal to some. Cotswold's discount as a reward for subscribing? Yeah that's nice and all, but there's a much much larger bmw forum that offers that same discount, subscriber or not. It has a very different forum feel about it due to its size, each forum has its merits for different points. Please don't interpret this as rubbishing this forum, it's not, but in my opinion the issue is turning new members and content away and hampering the forums' growth.
i agree pay to advertise as a supporter but should not have to pay to view classifieds as a potential buyer.
I do have sympathy with this, but at the same time, this is a new site which has come with all the setup costs which are no insignificant. Whilst the vast majority of users returning to this site from the former BMWLand recognise this and have only been too pleased to contribute the pretty de minimus sum required to gain full access, there's still a contingent of people who want something for nothing. If it weren't for the site supporters, this site would either have cost @The CO a bucket of his own money or if he hadn't have been as generous as to underwrite that ongoing, then wouldn't exist full stop. At the moment, we're firm on the line that this section is for paying users only. We'll keep it under review, but I think there also needs to be recognition from people that hosting a forum and everything which that entails, does not come for free.
C'mon mate, this is obviously a love job from the bloke who bears the responsibility of the financial outlay, it's getting a group back together after the original creator passed away. Sure there's costs involved but really its nobodies business to ask how much it costs vs current supporter and forum sponsor contributions - somehow I don't think the bloke in charge will have to mortgage his house due to any major outlay involved here. Something for nothing? Just what is that something? Access to the classifieds? All you are doing there is reducing the amount of potential buyers. Subscribe to sell? yes of course, thats makes sense - stops blow in's only joining up just to flog their wares and there's the reward for subscribing by having a place to sell whatever. The sponsor discount? Cotswold sponsors more than one site, but this is the only one that demands supporters fees before getting access to it. There's obviously no shortage of supporting members who enjoy the nostalgia of the old forum and have signed on the dotted line as soon as they could, and they seem pretty happy about it as well. A forum is only as good as its content and active member base is, theres nothing 'wrong' with either here, but this contingent of people who want something for nothing as you put it are obviously in the same faction that argued the losing side in the moderator discussion. And while those 'something for nothing' types may sign up and make a few posts initially, how many now only log in just to read and not contribute? I just think that it is stunting the growth of content and active membership. You aren't selling a product, this is discussion, ideas and talking about cars.
Ten quid is not a lot of money is it? I don't want to offend but why not just pay to help run the site? The argument against this does not stack up to me, I'm sorry.
No other forum i'm a member of asks me any amount to be able to buy from a classified. Pay to help run the site? There's about 280 people signed up here as members, no idea how many 'support' but say at 50% of them do. Thats £1400 of helping - what sort of fuel does the forum run on? Obviously i'm not the only one in the 'something for nothing' contingent. Think i'll just head back to the lower decks now to the engine room and shut the door.
Sorry, I was just giving my opinion, as you have also. Like I said, don't mean to offend or anything. Lets let it lie now.
