Question about membership dues

[SilvrT]

Even if Don was getting rich off this site

 

hmmmmmm... come to think of it... didn't he just buy a couple new vehicles and a couple new geetars and hasn't he been looking real close at a new scoot or two...????

[k9cottage]

i have only been a member for 1 month and already have had my 12$ worth as i live in Australia and they don't do ventures here anymore finding parts and information is not easy, just getting a workshop manual of the site is worth triple what i have paid to join not to mention all the info for my 99 rsv that i can not get here in Australia .keep up the good work guys

[dingy]

Didn't we do this a couple months ago? Some new newbee questioned the $12.00 fee. I smell a rat.

 

I think it is KIC, didn't one of his first posts start with the phrase "A quick question...", very similar here, to much coincidence to be overlooked.

 

I think we have a winner.

 

 

Gary

[SundayRider]

Simple to figure out. The OP just got back from his wall street protest and has nothing better to do but stir up trouble.

[steamer]

I think it is KIC, didn't one of his first posts start with the phrase "A quick question...", very similar here, to much coincidence to be overlooked.

 

I think we have a winner.

 

 

Gary

KIC:stirthepot: NOOOO:whistling:

[KIC]

I think it is KIC, didn't one of his first posts start with the phrase "A quick question...", very similar here, to much coincidence to be overlooked.

 

I think we have a winner.

 

 

Gary

 

 

Oh man... To be connected to this original post... My quick question was bike related. The answer(s) got me to buy my first Venture.. Then I bought another... then 2 parts bikes... I have never questioned the value of this forum.... maybe questioned the value of a 2nd Gen or two, or three , or four... but never the forum fees.... Geez...

 

Now will somebody please help me by pulling the knife out of my back and flushing the salt out of the wound...

 

 

P.S... I know you are only kidding Gary...

[steamer]

No it wasn't KIC, It was someone named sempi, and it was all most exactly one year go. i think that rat is starting to stink.

[BIG TOM]

Hmmmmmmm KIC..wasn't he that really rude and obnoxious guy that finally "GOT IT"...... ?

[AzBones]

I've been designing web sites for 14 years now. In those many years, I've always been looking for that one "great web site idea". Don had that idea and he deserves any and all profits that he may or may not make.

 

It goes far beyond the expenses. A good idea - like this site - is worth what the market will bear, and Don has been gracious enough to keep it affordable. Bravo. I hope to eventually have such a good idea that will be picked up and valued by so many helpful folks.

 

:cool10::cool10::cool10::cool10::cool10::cool10:

 

Seriously.

[steamer]

Hmmmmmmm KIC..wasn't he that really rude and obnoxious guy that finally "GOT IT"...... ? :rotfl: :rotfl:

every family has one....and kic is ours:stickpoke:

[bmxndad]

I wish Don would/could put some of the money in his pocket. But I know he doesn't.

[n9viw]

Okay, okay, simma down nah! I've let you kick this dead horse long enough. No, I'm not KIC, or that sempi guy, or a troll. I'm a FRONT. There's a difference, thank you very little.

 

A friend of mine found your site, found it interesting, and wondered (as I did) what the funds go to. He wanted to know but didn't want to get flamed (for good reason, apparently!), so I offered to do it for him. Why? Because personally, I don't give a $#!t one way or the other- I ride ratty vintage Jap chops. I'll likely never have a fancy bike like a Venture or Star, because I'm too cheap. LOL!

 

So, my registration on this site was solely to carry that one question to you, and man, what a hot button! Seems like I hit a raw nerve, and I wonder if there weren't a few who thought to themselves, "Man, I'm glad someone finally asked, I've been wondering that for years!" Well, I'm your guinea pig.

 

I think it's a completely valid question, and not at all out of line. You could be using it for a kitty for downed riders, or a swag bag from which you hold a raffle, or to fund the eats and hooch at a once-a-year bash (sounds like your Maintenance Days thing), all of which would be excellent and commendable. The point is, out of all the valid responses you could have given, what did most of you give? Manly chest-beating and ostracism. Way to go.

 

I don't believe for a second the claims some of you made that one can only find useful information, camaraderie, support, or gatherings from a membership-fee site. I've been a regular on a number of forums, all FREE, that had an answer to every question, nonjudgmental tech support, and gatherings galore. The difference is that WE do it the free-market way: if you think it's worth it, chip in a buck or ten. If you don't, don't; it's your money. What you do here is more akin to socialism, without the 'guns poking you in the back' thing. But that's neither here nor there, my point is that what you've got here ain't all that special.

 

So, anyway, go ahead and villainize me, call me names, close my account, whatever. We got our answer (in a very roundabout way), my work here is done. Rest easy, this is my last post.

 

Sayonara!

[RockinRobin]

If you had read the post they were about family and freindship. It is a pity ithat you will never have the opportunity to meet some of us.

[sgn]

And because you chose to start the way you did , you have taken some heat.

 

You implied that you where testing our reactions and proved your point. By your actions is how you judged us, not with a balanced opinion.

 

As far as I am concerned you are still welcome.

[playboy]

No it wasn't KIC, It was someone named sempi, and it was all most exactly one year go. i think that rat is starting to stink.

 

 

Did a search and it was on June 9th 2011 by Sempai his one and only post this post reminded me of someone else who whined about the 12 bucks a few hours after making his first post because he didn't receive and immediate answer. He got help on several different bikes before his trial membership expired. " Usedcyclesales" If OP gets upset because were a little protective then maybe this isn't the right fit there is a lot of give and take here not just a bunch of take. But I have to admit I have gotten more than I give.

[Freebird]

I'm not going to waste a lot of time in this reply because it's not the first time that such a question has been asked and I've responded to it before.

 

I've also fielded questions and/or comments about this in private emails. A couple of times over the years, I've gotten emails from people saying things like "you are ripping people off, the Internet is supposed to be free". I always respond the same way, the Internet is NOT free. SOMEBODY pays for it. It is true that there are a lot of websites out there that are free to the user but SOMEBODY is paying for them. They are either paying for it out of their pocket or by covering the site up with ads.

 

I keep ads to a very minimum here. I posed that question and choice to the membership here long ago and it the very vast majority of members preferred the modest yearly fees rather than all the ads.

 

There are also other benefits to having a membership fee. That is spammers. Only supporting members have access to everything here. Things like the members list, assistance list, ability to place classifieds, etc. Most spammers will not spend even 12.00 per year for access to those things.

 

I have owned up to this in the past and will do so again now for anybody who still wonders. After many years, this website IS making a small profit now. It's not a lot of money and after paying hosting and etc., I can assure you all that I am certainly not going to be able to retire for many years. In addition to the hosting and other costs, I also have to pay federal and state income taxes. The IRS looks at this as a business so I also have to pay self employment taxes. It adds up to more money that you might think and takes a huge chunk of what little the site does clear.

 

That's OK though because I didn't start this site to make money. The fact that it is making a little bit is a welcome bonus though. Like most of you, I work a full time job and run this site mostly in the evenings. I travel almost weekly so spend a lot of time in hotel rooms and much of my evening and early mornings are spent taking care of business here whether it be updates to the software, reading emails, etc. I am not exaggerating when I say that I spend about 25 - 30 hours per week MINIMUM in activities related to this site and the VentureRider club.

 

So, I hope that is adequate explanation to the question. The question really doesn't bother me at all. The fact that somebody would sign up here simply to ask such a thing, especially with his own admission that he really doesn't care, tells me enough about the person that I really wouldn't want them as a member anyway. It also bothers me a bit that another member, trial or otherwise, would put a third party up to asking such a thing. If they were afraid of being "flamed", they could have sent me a private message or an email and I would have gladly answered their question. I'm not so sure about their character either.

 

One last thing. You brought up "free market" and "socialism". Do you even understand what those words mean? You going to "free" sites where somebody else pays the bills for you is your choice. There is no way that this site is not "free" market" though. You DO understand that you were not FORCED to register here and are certainly not forced to become a supporting member or stick around. You are free to buy the product or not. That is truly free market.

 

So, that's all I have to say about this and I thank you all for your support.

 

Don

Edited June 28, 2012 by Freebird

[dingy]

More time spent explaining it than the OP deserved, by far.

 

I'll give you $13 next time, just cause I like you. Better remind me of that, oldtimers is setting in.

 

Gary

[Kirby]

You know, you're a real piece of work! I sat here and read all the responses that my Family members gave you and you still don't get it! I'm a member of other sites as well but until you've been a part of the Family, you just don't know what it's like. There are members here who ride just about any kind of bike you can name and when we get together it just doesn't matter. You say you ride chopped Jap bikes that aren't as expensive as what ride. Have you ever seen one of these 1st Gens before it has been completely gone through by one of the members here? Some of these bikes were bought at little to no expense and today they are as good if not better than when they were first built 25-30 years ago. They were built by people who didn't have much money to put in a bike but they could see the potential in the bike and over a period of time with the help of Family are riding today. You just don't have a clue. If you or any of your friends would like to join our group, you would be welcome and we would help you just like we help each other already. But if your sole purpose in life is to incite the Family to anger, then it would be best for you to just ride on down the road. But remember, there's a pretty big group of like minded people here so if you're broke down by the wayside one day don't be surprised if a Venturerider stops and offers some assistance. If he does then you won't care where the membership dues go..

[Yammer Dan]

I typed a nice long heartfelt answer to that and hit the wrong button!!! But I was thinking....

 

Good answer Don. We ain't gonna miss him. Too many good shots on here:whistling:

 

 

With the Vets, gun nuts and just plain nuts on here this would be a poor place to start a feud....

[Venturous Randy]

And, as the world famous Forrest Gump put so eloquently, "That's all I've got to say about that".

From one of the black sheep of the FAMILY.

RandyA

[Guest Swifty]

...........What you do here is more akin to socialism, without the 'guns poking you in the back' thing.......

NO WONDER I've had an affinity for this website!! (LMAO)

Dear OP, the $hit you raised is NOTHING compared to yours truly. (LOL)

I'll take the blame for the $12...Don needed it to pay for his headache meds after some of my posts. God bless him.

Invite me to your free websites and I'll see what I can do to help their administrators make some money. (ROFLMAO)

So, don't go...stick around...these right wing, gun totin, bike ridin, ice cream eating, monster gazing slobs actually like to love guys they hate.

Yeah, and a quarter million kilometers on an 86VR since joining, plus friends, parts, rides, a ton of laughs and all that other crud too.

...but dam, this thread was the best laugh so far this year. (kaching)

Edited June 28, 2012 by Swifty

[Kirby]

Don, I will pay more if you think it will keep the riff raff out!

 

I'm gonna say one more thing and then I'm through. Many of the members on this site are also members of the PGR. And everything you do for the PGR is at your own expense. Until someone like this has a need to give back a part of himself to help others he will always be there to come and go about stirring up trouble! He needs to re-evaluate who he is. And by that I mean who he is deep down inside. I'm sure he could have contacted you(Don) or someone else on this website and tackfully asked the same question, but instead he wanted to do in an open form just to see our reactions. Now he's free to move on to stir up trouble elsewhere. I'm done and Don, thanks for all you do.

[SilvrT]

Okay, okay, simma down nah! I've let you kick this dead horse long enough. No, I'm not KIC, or that sempi guy, or a troll. I'm a FRONT. There's a difference, thank you very little.

 

A friend of mine found your site, found it interesting, and wondered (as I did) what the funds go to. He wanted to know but didn't want to get flamed (for good reason, apparently!), so I offered to do it for him. Why? Because personally, I don't give a $#!t one way or the other- I ride ratty vintage Jap chops. I'll likely never have a fancy bike like a Venture or Star, because I'm too cheap. LOL!

 

So, my registration on this site was solely to carry that one question to you, and man, what a hot button! Seems like I hit a raw nerve, and I wonder if there weren't a few who thought to themselves, "Man, I'm glad someone finally asked, I've been wondering that for years!" Well, I'm your guinea pig.

 

I think it's a completely valid question, and not at all out of line. You could be using it for a kitty for downed riders, or a swag bag from which you hold a raffle, or to fund the eats and hooch at a once-a-year bash (sounds like your Maintenance Days thing), all of which would be excellent and commendable. The point is, out of all the valid responses you could have given, what did most of you give? Manly chest-beating and ostracism. Way to go.

 

I don't believe for a second the claims some of you made that one can only find useful information, camaraderie, support, or gatherings from a membership-fee site. I've been a regular on a number of forums, all FREE, that had an answer to every question, nonjudgmental tech support, and gatherings galore. The difference is that WE do it the free-market way: if you think it's worth it, chip in a buck or ten. If you don't, don't; it's your money. What you do here is more akin to socialism, without the 'guns poking you in the back' thing. But that's neither here nor there, my point is that what you've got here ain't all that special.

 

So, anyway, go ahead and villainize me, call me names, close my account, whatever. We got our answer (in a very roundabout way), my work here is done. Rest easy, this is my last post.

 

Sayonara!

 

Sounds to me like the both of you are doing nothing but looking for a little attention .... kinda like "hey boys... we went to this forum and really shook them up"... B/S .... you did your thing, had your fun, and now you're gone and we'll all laff about this for a long time to come.

 

Thanks for the entertainment!

[Snarley Bill]

Is it worth a dollar a month?? :mo money:Heck yea, End of story or concern.

i wish you guys would quit saying a dollar a month. now that sounds like big money. i may have to cut back on my sunday breakfast at waffle house. horrors.

[Snarley Bill]

Okay, okay, simma down nah! I've let you kick this dead horse long enough. No, I'm not KIC, or that sempi guy, or a troll. I'm a FRONT. There's a difference, thank you very little.

 

A friend of mine found your site, found it interesting, and wondered (as I did) what the funds go to. He wanted to know but didn't want to get flamed (for good reason, apparently!), so I offered to do it for him. Why? Because personally, I don't give a $#!t one way or the other- I ride ratty vintage Jap chops. I'll likely never have a fancy bike like a Venture or Star, because I'm too cheap. LOL!

 

So, my registration on this site was solely to carry that one question to you, and man, what a hot button! Seems like I hit a raw nerve, and I wonder if there weren't a few who thought to themselves, "Man, I'm glad someone finally asked, I've been wondering that for years!" Well, I'm your guinea pig.

 

I think it's a completely valid question, and not at all out of line. You could be using it for a kitty for downed riders, or a swag bag from which you hold a raffle, or to fund the eats and hooch at a once-a-year bash (sounds like your Maintenance Days thing), all of which would be excellent and commendable. The point is, out of all the valid responses you could have given, what did most of you give? Manly chest-beating and ostracism. Way to go.

 

I don't believe for a second the claims some of you made that one can only find useful information, camaraderie, support, or gatherings from a membership-fee site. I've been a regular on a number of forums, all FREE, that had an answer to every question, nonjudgmental tech support, and gatherings galore. The difference is that WE do it the free-market way: if you think it's worth it, chip in a buck or ten. If you don't, don't; it's your money. What you do here is more akin to socialism, without the 'guns poking you in the back' thing. But that's neither here nor there, my point is that what you've got here ain't all that special.

 

So, anyway, go ahead and villainize me, call me names, close my account, whatever. We got our answer (in a very roundabout way), my work here is done. Rest easy, this is my last post.

 

Sayonara!

like you said in a cool stupid sounding rant, SAYANORA