For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

[Kenneth H.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

You mean a story such as this one that appeared in the spring 2010 issue...

https://www.ncrs.org/restorer/TDBStory.pdf

and there was another one by John Waggoner in the spring 2008 issue also...

Vinny, yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I didn't recall the article when I posted. Maybe we could rerun it with corrections (Join the other 5000-plus NCRS Members that are using and enjoying the TDB.) in a later issue. I'm not trying to be smart, I was just wondering where that number came from.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Vinny, yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I didn't recall the article when I posted. Maybe we could rerun it with corrections (Join the other 5000-plus NCRS Members that are using and enjoying the TDB.) in a later issue. I'm not trying to be smart, I was just wondering where that number came from.

Ken...I think that number comes from all members that have one time or another registered for the site...not the actual number that use the site on a regular basis. That's just my opinion...I think one of the IT personnel could answer where the number came from...I just ran with the story as it was submitted to me...

Vinnie

[Rob M.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Vinny, yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I didn't recall the article when I posted. Maybe we could rerun it with corrections (Join the other 5000-plus NCRS Members that are using and enjoying the TDB.) in a later issue. I'm not trying to be smart, I was just wondering where that number came from.

Currently we have currently 6,288 members setup for the forum, 4,006 members posted at least one posting... Many sniffed, apparently didn't find what they liked and probably didn't come back

[Dick W.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Quick and dirty survey that I sent our chapter members. Of those that have responded so far, over 85% had logged on the TDB, but almost 40% had not been on in the last 30 days. I did not try to drill down and see why they had or had not been back in 30 days. Wonder if it is the content/lack of, not doing anything to/with their car, or what.

I intend to share the results with the "Real Deal" so that he can present the results to the BOD. It is the second decade of the 21st century folks.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Vinnie, I understand now, thanks for the info.

To all: So we have about 33% of the membership registered to use the TDB but only 2% who are actually using it. I'm trying to digest what that means. Why don't the other 31% use the TDB. How would TDB useage be affected if a "for sale" section was created and the other 31% were informed of it's existence?


Rob, sorry, I was typing my post while you were posting. I guess the question is, since over 33% of our members are registered to use the TDB, how many more can we expect to use it if we expand the site to include a "For Sale" section and let them know that the section exists.

[Dave B.]

[Terry M.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Now you are talking. How to increase the membership using this site is what we ought to be doing, and maybe a for sale section would fit into that program -- but that program should be bigger than just that one area.

Elsewhere Rob posted some numbers of how many registered for the Forum and how many posted. Now we may have a handle on how many are active on the forum, at least in that week -- and for sure each of those numbers decreases, but even the registered members are low compared to the total membership. Why?
I could throw out some speculation, but it would be just that.

What can we do to increase the membership using what we see as a great resource?

[Patrick N.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Doesn't this fall into "value -adds" offered by NCRS? NCRS already offers FOR SALE items all be it just in print and it sounds like it may not be the most effective method to search and sell product compared to other methods. Getting an online equivalent is quite simply NCRS providing a more updated and user friendly method for those members who buy/sell, driving more traffic to the NCRS site over time. At some point offering for-sale items online is inevitable.

As the members restore or preserve their cars and are in need of parts or have parts to off-load, it seems like anything that can be done to facilitate the ease in which this happens is a good thing for everyone involved offered by NCRS. Regardless of the number that voted or didn't vote, it makes sense to add the online sales function.

[Claus S.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

The first time i logged on to the site i was looking for a "parts for sale" and i can not see anything wrong in that
I read thru the ads in the Driveline and also the online Driveline but i would not mind having a link to a parts for sale here
Have a online parts for sale where the parts are listed and separated for the different generations of Corvettes

[Dan D.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

If it wasn't for the TDB, I probably would not be in NCRS. This is my life blood. I have learned so much - even if people do get on my case once in a while. -Dan-

[Floyd B.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

I don't think it's valid (or helpful) to compare any number (i.e. number of TDB users, number of Driveline readers, etc.) to the total number of members. To be valid you would have to use the number of "active" members - i.e. members who actually restore Corvettes, attend meets, participate in the judging process, etc. That number will be much smaller than the number of people on the membership scrolls.

I have bought 100's of parts via the CF and fleaBay and a couple of parts via the Driveline classifieds. But when buying via a Driveline ad guess how I was directed to obtain more information or place an order - that's right- send an email! So even those "disadvantaged" members relying on the Driveline have to get online to buy the part! Of course it's a totally invalid argument anyhow; if your only interest in reading the TDB and/or the Driveline is to search for parts, then the Driveline is currently the only choice we have. To paraphrase Nancy Pelosi - we're going to have to pass the "Online For Sale" act before we'll know how it compares with the Driveline classified ads.

[Terry M.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Doesn't this fall into "value -adds" offered by NCRS? NCRS already offers FOR SALE items all be it just in print and it sounds like it may not be the most effective method to search and sell product compared to other methods. Getting an online equivalent is quite simply NCRS providing a more updated and user friendly method for those members who buy/sell, driving more traffic to the NCRS site over time. At some point offering for-sale items online is inevitable.

As the members restore or preserve their cars and are in need of parts or have parts to off-load, it seems like anything that can be done to facilitate the ease in which this happens is a good thing for everyone involved offered by NCRS. Regardless of the number that voted or didn't vote, it makes sense to add the online sales function.

Patrick,
Actually NCRS does offer some limited products on-line and has for about a year. Click on the "NCRS SHOP" button above.

[Peter S.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

I find it ironic that the paper system is holding up the proliferation of the electronic system

[Floyd B.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Our members are old, our cars are old, so I guess it only stands to reason that our methods are old.

[Michael J.]

Re: For Sale Poll - Stupid Question

Now you are talking. How to increase the membership using this site is what we ought to be doing, and maybe a for sale section would fit into that program -- but that program should be bigger than just that one area.

Elsewhere Rob posted some numbers of how many registered for the Forum and how many posted. Now we may have a handle on how many are active on the forum, at least in that week -- and for sure each of those numbers decreases, but even the registered members are low compared to the total membership. Why?
I could throw out some speculation, but it would be just that.

What can we do to increase the membership using what we see as a great resource?

That's a good and valid point. I am an active member of 7 different TDBs, many with organizations that have as many, if not more, members than NCRS. What I notice on all of them is the same as here. Only a tiny fraction of the membership participates in the TDB. Could be all these C6, Shelby, Mustang, T-Bird, Mopar, 'Cuda, etc. organizations are old like us, or it could be that they all just not that "into" the TDBs. These boards are not for everyone, or even the majority of most car owners and enthusiasts, so we have to remember the actual number of people you reach here. I notice, in my chapter, that only a single digit number of the fifty or so have ever posted here. I'm not sure what you can do about that.