Pay to play

Ok, maybe this has been covered in another thread, but if not, here goes;

While I'm not a licensed WERA competitor any longer, I still have an interest in it surviving the economic downturn that will result from this pandemic. Though I don't race, I sure spend a fair amount of time on the Beeb. I'm not sure about the logistics of this, nor even whether Sean and Ev would want to bother, but what about either a subscription to use the forums, or at least an easy way to make donations? I would think even a modest amount per user would be some relief for these people who have sacrificed so much for all of us. And no, this isn't welfare, or socialism at it's worst. It's called fair compensation for a product or service.

What say ye all?

 

I say that's a fantastic idea.

 

Well for sure for the classifieds, but I'm talking even 'General'. Just the forum overall. Ok, guess I'll finally have to figure out Paypal. Hoping this doesn't keep sliding down the list, as my guess is that an influx of money would be helpful in short order.

 

Including the bbs and classifieds into a wera membership would be my suggestion.
$120 a year you get your membership so may as well race too..
Plus that gets you unlimited classifieds

 

Unfortunately, won't ever be able to race pavement again. So what about all the people who aren't license holders, but still use the forums? There's plenty of those, so even if they just wanted to ensure that the Beeb survives, they could contribute. I'm sure the logistics of creating a more closed format would be a lot more work, but just spit-balling some ideas on how to help their situation. If you included it in your WERA membership, then that doesn't really add any money to the coffers. They'll need an additional revenue stream, and this place has value that I don't think is being leveraged. Not sure if you've ever been on Motomatters, but it started as a free site to get some traffic, and has converted to subscription as an option. The people who pay get more content, though not sure how that would scale over here.

 

I figured out PayPal about a week ago.

 

I'm all for this idea. FWIW, advrider charges me $5 a month to have "supporter" next to my name.......I like this place better, so name your price

 

You just buy the same membership, so it is more money because more people would have to buy it to be able to use the forum.

 

Craigslist now charges 5 bucks to sell a vehicle so for sure charging 10 bucks for classified bike post and 5 for a parts post might work for everyone?

 

So, members only access?

What would be the downsides? Would we have to wear one of those silly jackets?

Hey Sean, I guess this is a pretty stupid question, but are they saying I could have been a card carrying member all this time, even though I can't race?

 

Yes to your questions

 

I came up with this idea a long time ago. I said I'd gladly pay to be on here lots of folks said they wouldn't. I'll donate $100 to the PayPal right now.

 

So I'm an idjit.

Ok, so that's one. How many people on here do you think aren't actual card carrying members? Whatever the answer, it needs to be a significant enough gain over just allowing only existing members access.

 

Majority of the regulars probably aren't current members

 

Racing-wise, WERA isn't as local as CCS, but I did crash on a rainy race school weekend at Grattan a bunch of years ago. Not a big fan of a paid/membership bbs, but would help if a plate were passed to keep healthy through 2020. I want to see the org survive and thrive so I can justify the trips down south/east when I get more time to devote to the sport.

Classifieds are what brought me and I'm sure a ton of others here. This is the most trustworthy marketplace for our sport where I'd expect to get dicked around the least buying or selling.

 

Done. That ought to buy a pie or two.

 

Way to go Boomer.

 

Obviously, there are some who are probably not in a position to, as perhaps they've been laid off. But the simple fact that you read and responded to this post, shows that you benefit from the existence of the Beeb. Everybody wants something for nothing, but there's a real possibility that WERA might not survive the future. Would it really hurt to throw a few shekels their way? And BTW, there wouldn't be a CCS if it weren't for WERA. Not sure if you're aware of that.

 

25 per year is ample.

And charge 10 bucks per bike ad.
5 bucks per parts ad

It would weed out the riffraff.

But also with that, the first time I got bam for a couple weeks for posting a picture or a link to YouTube in the wrong thread, I'd be livid.