POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

[Harry S.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

We're already receiving "Server Busy" messages during the day. I think there are more members that do not use the tech board than do.

Saying that, if we double or triple the numbers of active users searching for car, parts, info, etc. the IT costs would essentially double to have enough server capacity. So expect membership fees to increase.

Also the loss of revenue from advertisers in the Driveline will have to be made up elsewhere, where, membership fees.

Just my 2 cents.

[Gary C.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

OK, everyone has expressed their opinion - now it's time for a call to action - next step is to build a business case.

Business case should include the following:
1) way to offset $100,000 paper Driveline ad revenue loss. Dont know what the real ad revenue is so for the sake of arugment use $100,000 annual ad revenue that has to be replaced.
2) software license, maintenance & support cost of a purchased classified ad software program.
3) ongoing management of a classified ad system and a Classified ad manager.
4) fee structure
5) for NCRS members only or open to the public or a combination/mix thereof.

Any volunteers to work on developing a business plan?

NCRS $35 annual membership dues isn't enough to cover adding a classified ad service.

I'm available to discuss. My cell phone number is in my Profile.

JMTCW,

Gary
....

[Rob M.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

I suggest you run the same Poll in the driveline to capture the thoughts of non-tech board users.

I would ceetainly be in favor on that, you could be surprised of the outcome though...

[Patrick H.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

OK, everyone has expressed their opinion - now it's time for a call to action - next step is to build a business case.

Business case should include the following:
1) way to offset $100,000 paper Driveline ad revenue loss. Dont know what the real ad revenue is so for the sake of arugment use $100,000 annual ad revenue that has to be replaced.
2) software license, maintenance & support cost of a purchased classified ad software program.
3) ongoing management of a classified ad system and a Classified ad manager.
4) fee structure
5) for NCRS members only or open to the public or a combination/mix thereof.

Any volunteers to work on developing a business plan?

NCRS $35 annual membership dues isn't enough to cover adding a classified ad service.

I'm available to discuss. My cell phone number is in my Profile.

JMTCW,

Gary
....

Printing and shipping the Driveline can't be inexpensive. If they're $1 net each and we send out 15,000 of them 6 times a year that's $90,000.
I'd suggest that the digital forum be free, and if you want the paper copy of the Driveline you pay extra. Advertisers are included in both as long as both exist, therefore allowing the same audience no matter where their ad appears.
As others have noted many forums survive on ads in the margin of each page. Why not do the same for a digital version and include the same advertisers we have now?
If we start charging for member ads then the members will continue to use Corvette Forum for their buying and selling venue as we do now. So, that's not a viable option.

I have heard from one of the large catalog houses that it is far cheaper to pay for an online ad each month than to pay for any ad in one of the regular magazines. I don't think they will have a problem with it at all, especially since the number of members that truly read the Driveline is low.

Yes, the ads would be members only. Eventually a case could be made to allow non-members to see the first line of an ad but no contact info or price. I suspect some would join just for the chance to buy.

Patrick

[Gary C.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

Driveline postage is $0 cost for 4 months since it mails with the Restorer basically for free.

Printing cost might be reduced if the print quantity was reduced by the number of members who want on-line ads only and elect not to receive a paper Driveline. Howver, there probably would be a print cost in crease due to reducing the printing volume. Smaller print volume could mean higher print costs, loss of volume discount.

Gary
....

[Dan A.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

I would like to see an NCRS online classified area.

[Patrick H.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

Driveline postage is $0 cost for 4 months since it mails with the Restorer basically for free.

Printing cost might be reduced if the print quantity was reduced by the number of members who want on-line ads only and elect not to receive a paper Driveline. Howver, there probably would be a print cost in crease due to reducing the printing volume. Smaller print volume could mean higher print costs, loss of volume discount.

Gary
....

Postage might be "free" on occasion but you still pay to print no matter what the quantity.

[Daniel Y.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

i do not agree. but if it does get voted in. it must be self sufficient to cover all costs including management of the site

[Paul J.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

By "the forum" do you mean the TDB? I would vote yes for separate classified parts and car sections accessible from the NCRS home page, but no for putting it on the TDB.

[Michael J.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

If we have this does it mean we see no more of "Ralphie's Treasures"?

[Ronald F.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

By "on the forum" I mean to ask "somewhere on the NCRS website."

[Donald A.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

In Before The Lock.

Also known as I Beat The Lock !!

And I am very much in favor of a parts and cars for sale section here.

[Mark D.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

I respectfully vote "YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT...YES!!"

If my dues must go up to support it, I'm all in. Nothing in life is free.

[Tracy C.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

Yes !....and I respectfully disagree on the loss of Driveline revenues. DO NOT make this a "one or the other" scenario. Leave the Driveline alone and just start the onLine for sale section for those members that want to use it. EBay rapes the seller these days. I have no objection to pay a small listing fee for each ad, expecially if it runs until i pull it down.

Lets get outside of the box people. Some of the most creative people on the planet swarm this hive....

tc

[Bill C.]

Re: POLL: would you like to see a for sale section on the forum?

I would think that a very small increase of $5.00 in annual dues would more than adequately cover operational costs.

NCRS would not loose all its advertising revenue becuase of a secondary venue (for sale area off the TDB).
I beleive it would find a happy balance if presented positively to supporting Vendors.

My thoughts ... FWIW

Bill