Premium Membership Discussion. - Page 7

Steve V. · 02-05-2005, 01:42 PM

that when you compare this site to other brand sites its like comparing apples to oranges. I could be wrong be here's what I think. If ekool goes to the vendors to get site sponsorship it (at this time) could be very hard to do. If I am a vendor selling truck parts and I have a fixed amount of money to spend, I'm going to spend it where it will do the most good. That would be with the Ford, Dodge, and Chevy sites. Let's face it folks there are way more of them on the streets and way more people tuning/customizing them. Our trucks are vurtually brand new. I was talking to another guy and he said that he figures it will be five years of production before the aftermarket companies really start pumping out stuff for our trucks. You can buy anything for the other brands and many variations of anything. We are still not able to find some things for our trucks. Toppers come to mind since I'm looking for one. I only know of two models from the big name players that work with the utilitrack. Anyway, back to the point. People that say that ekool should be able to get the money from the sponsors should think about that. You can't charge more just because there aren't that many. Two reasons, membership is nothing compared to other brand sites (I believe that will change though), and when you try they look at it compared to what they pay on those other sites. I could be totally wrong though, it happened once before.

Steve V.

HavockWK · 02-05-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekool

I've modified the first post, here's a copy of the current list:

Code:

1. Photopost/Picture Gallery (50MB Quota)
2. Email address @TitanTalk.com (incoming mail only, 50MB Quota)
3. Increased Private Message Mailbox (From 70 pm's to 300 pm's)
4. Acess to a customized "MyGarage" Page (6 Photos)
5. Special User Rank signifying your Premium Status

Ummm... So does this mean you are going to fix the Arcade for the non-Premium members?

*Squid* · 02-05-2005, 03:10 PM

HHHHHMMMM! Does this mean I'll now have to pay to post a joke?
Or just to read one?
And is this the premium package?
The platinum premium package?
Or the platinum blondes premium package?

And if I search will all my questions be answered?

Do ya know the difference between men and pigs?
Pigs don't act like men, when they've been drinking.

Davink · 02-05-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutspinner

One other thing I would like to add.

This site has the exposure and traffic due to the content provided by the users of the message board and in turn, continues to bring new people. In essence, you could almost say that this site is built by the people you are trying to charge.

I'm not taking anything away from the cost, development & efforts of the admin but without the content freely provided to this site by it's everyday users, this site would not be successful.

I have run websites with message boards, online chat, etc. and understand the costs and maintenance involved, this is a bad idea!

If I provide content, can I be compensated? Sounds rediculous doesn't it, it works both ways.

trout

I agree fully, When I was first looking for a forum site on the Titan, I would not have paid a dime. And I can say that the features being suggested are not worth another monthly/yearly charge on my credit card bill.

I also agree with trout. People on the site are the ones dicovering problems and fixed and sharing this information freely. What would you say if I was to log on and say I have a fix for some common problem, and I will email it to anyone who wants it for $20. That is not the reason for the forum.

On the other hand, if it is costing more to run the site, and keep it opperational, list these expences and set up a Paypal email, make the balance known to all of us, and I think many people would be happy to help pay for the costs, but if you are trying to turn a profit. I agree I would be outta here.

Just my .02 Later

37L1 · 02-05-2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davink

I agree fully, When I was first looking for a forum site on the Titan, I would not have paid a dime. And I can say that the features being suggested are not worth another monthly/yearly charge on my credit card bill.

I also agree with trout. People on the site are the ones dicovering problems and fixed and sharing this information freely. What would you say if I was to log on and say I have a fix for some common problem, and I will email it to anyone who wants it for $20. That is not the reason for the forum.

On the other hand, if it is costing more to run the site, and keep it opperational, list these expences and set up a Paypal email, make the balance known to all of us, and I think many people would be happy to help pay for the costs, but if you are trying to turn a profit. I agree I would be outta here.

Just my .02 Later

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

If you want ADDITIONAL OPTIONS that come with the PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP there will be a fee.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

Don't freak out. You can still continue to enjoy TitanTalk just as you do now, For Free.

Davink · 02-05-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

If you want ADDITIONAL OPTIONS that come with the PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP there will be a fee.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

Don't freak out. You can still continue to enjoy TitanTalk just as you do now, For Free.

In the long run it will NOT all be free. The information that is provided is done so by discussion. You know people talking about their different experiences and such.

If something like Titan4x4Aggie suggested is done, and they start a "Perfered Mmembers" only forum, it is limiting information to the non paying members. Say that this does does happen, and I search for some information on a problem my truck is having, is it going to give a pop up screen saying that this information is available in the "Premium" section and I can join now for only $19.95 a month.

Finnally, no one is "freeking out" I am giving my opinion as ekool has asked. That is why he started this thread, for opinions. Mine says that although maybe not instantly, but in the long run I think that this will kill the site.

I really would not care, I would just go somewhere else, I just feel that charging for the site AT ALL, is making money for other peoples information. Should we patent or copyright a problem fix befor it is posted so that we profit, No it all about respect for one onther and the information that they share, and I think that this violates that respect.

Like I said Just my $.02

Good luck with your decision ekool, and I have really enjoyed the site so far!

Mike H. · 02-05-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekool

I'm thinking about doing the following.... There would be an option to add the following into the membership, which would be an additional $35 or so...

1) Titan Hat (with a small titantalk.com URL written on the back)
2) TitanTalk.com License Plate Frames
3) TitanTalk.com Stickers
25) TitanTalk.com Business Cards (you can put them on a Titan to let people know about the site)

So... you could do the Premium Membership for $20, and for $35 add in the listed items above. So you'd be looking at $55 total if you did the whole shebang.

Also... the items would be available seperate if you wanted to piece together just the stuff you wanted.

How much for naked babe in Titan passenger seat? Supreme membership?

*Squid* · 02-05-2005, 04:37 PM

Davink Let squid try to explain it.

#1 Right now everyone has a basic membership right? do you agree?

if so, we'll move on to #2.

#2 A premium membership will be everything we now have in the Basic membership

PLUS, in addition to the basic membership

1. Photopost/Picture Gallery (50MB Quota)
2. Email address @TitanTalk.com (incoming mail only, 50MB Quota)
3. Increased Private Message Mailbox (From 70 pm's to 300 pm's)
4. Acess to a customized "MyGarage" Page (6 Photos)
5. Special User Rank signifying your Premium Status(like what the mods and administrators have below the user name)

In conclusion you loose nothing by not paying.

You get these additional things if you do.

1. Photopost/Picture Gallery (50MB Quota)
2. Email address @TitanTalk.com (incoming mail only, 50MB Quota)
3. Increased Private Message Mailbox (From 70 pm's to 300 pm's)
4. Acess to a customized "MyGarage" Page (6 Photos)
5. Special User Rank signifying your Premium Status

It is no different than a XE Titan, compared to a LE Titan. They are both Titans.It's just that the LE has more PREMIUM additions than my BASIC XE

It's all good!

Mike H. · 02-05-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

If you want ADDITIONAL OPTIONS that come with the PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP there will be a fee.

All the options you have now will continue to be free, nothing will change.

Don't freak out. You can still continue to enjoy TitanTalk just as you do now, For Free.

There's no place like home.......
There's no place like home.......
There's no place like home.......

Seriously though. I have two questions: Will all the options we have now will continue to be free? Will nothing change?

37L1 · 02-05-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davink

In the long run it will NOT all be free. The information that is provided is done so by discussion. You know people talking about their different experiences and such.

If something like Titan4x4Aggie suggested is done, and they start a "Perfered Mmembers" only forum, it is limiting information to the non paying members. Say that this does does happen, and I search for some information on a problem my truck is having, is it going to give a pop up screen saying that this information is available in the "Premium" section and I can join now for only $19.95 a month.

Finnally, no one is "freeking out" I am giving my opinion as ekool has asked. That is why he started this thread, for opinions. Mine says that although maybe not instantly, but in the long run I think that this will kill the site.

I really would not care, I would just go somewhere else, I just feel that charging for the site AT ALL, is making money for other peoples information. Should we patent or copyright a problem fix befor it is posted so that we profit, No it all about respect for one onther and the information that they share, and I think that this violates that respect.

Like I said Just my $.02

Good luck with your decision ekool, and I have really enjoyed the site so far!

ekool has specifially mentioned that there will not be any limiting of anything you currently enjoy on TitanTalk. He has just mentioned adding additional services/merchandise for a premium fee.

I suppose you could try and market your "solutions" to a problem but I don't think you'd have many takers and as such it is not a very realistic worry, just MHO.

All the current functions at TitanTalk you enjoy now will continue to be available at no cost to you so there shouldn't be any worry about a premium membership option "killing" this site.

37L1

*Squid* · 02-05-2005, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike H.

Seriously though. I have two questions: Will all the options we have now will continue to be free? Will nothing change?

Yes, but there wil be an I.Q. test now.

But I'm not worried my dogs are pretty smart.

Davink · 02-05-2005, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squid

Davink Let squid try to explain it.

#1 Right now everyone has a basic membership right? do you agree?

if so, we'll move on to #2.

#2 A premium membership will be everything we now have in the Basic membership

PLUS, in addition to the basic membership

1. Photopost/Picture Gallery (50MB Quota)
2. Email address @TitanTalk.com (incoming mail only, 50MB Quota)
3. Increased Private Message Mailbox (From 70 pm's to 300 pm's)
4. Acess to a customized "MyGarage" Page (6 Photos)
5. Special User Rank signifying your Premium Status(like what the mods and administrators have below the user name)

In conclusion you loose nothing by not paying.

You get these additional things if you do.

1. Photopost/Picture Gallery (50MB Quota)
2. Email address @TitanTalk.com (incoming mail only, 50MB Quota)
3. Increased Private Message Mailbox (From 70 pm's to 300 pm's)
4. Acess to a customized "MyGarage" Page (6 Photos)
5. Special User Rank signifying your Premium Status

It is no different than a XE Titan, compared to a LE Titan. They are both Titans.Iit's just that the LE has more PREMIUM additions than my BASIC XE

It's all good!

Squid,

I fully understand what people are saying, allthough the repeditive nature of the previous thread, and speaking to someone like they are in Kindergarden is not nessesary.

I appriciate your efforts, but I am fine with this, I do not however feel that people are understanding what I am saying.

It is simple, IF a "prefered members" only forum is started, as previously suggeste by titan4x4aggie, then this limits the informaiton that wouldcome available to the Non paying members. Informaiton that would have been available on the standard forums if the "Prefered member" level was not developed.

Second I agree with what was said earlier by Trout. The site is made by the information that the members provide. With out there would be nothing worth reading or dicussing. I simply feel that EVENTUALLY this will negativily inpact Non paying member and EVENTUALLY turn people off to the site.

Thanks for your concern though

*Squid* · 02-05-2005, 04:53 PM

One Forum two memberships. Get it?

ekool · 02-05-2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HavockWK

Ummm... So does this mean you are going to fix the Arcade for the non-Premium members?

It is on my todo list and will get done before we implement the premium membership.

As far as the "Premium Member" section -- we dont have plans to create one. The same information will be available to everyone.

RoughRider · 02-05-2005, 06:53 PM

I agree with most of the folks who have stated they don't want their current usage rights taken away. This has been a useful forum, but I think it still needs time to fully develop - The truck is only in it's 2nd year of production. I've been a member of CorvetteForum.com for several years (which happens to be a free site) and it is truly one of the best organized and useful automotive sites I've ever been on. There is a slew of site administrators and moderaters and all make a decent living off the advertising that goes on on the site. I think the Titan aftermarket product availability just hasn't caught up to demand.

If you make your members unhappy, you've lost your biggest bargaining chip - the number of active members on your site.

I'm not opposed to paying for really useful features - web page space, VIM's, etc.

I realize that $20 - $30 really is nothing for a years worth of dues, but when you pay for membership, the features need to be something you really need or you can't find anywhere else. With the other sites out there and the cross membership, I don't think you have a solid argument for charging at this point.

RoughRider