Open comment to the powers that be

smokeandapancak

smokeandapancak

what?
Silver Member
Dont get me wrong.. I see a lot of promise with the "club" thing...

But right now...35 bucks for a big avatar, and a chance to enter a drawing to have a chance to maybe win something.......meh..??

Give me some exclusive content.. much like ESPNInsider, or the premium boards on Scout.com....you do that and I am all over it..but for now I will just use the 35 bones to pay my table time.
 
That's cool. Some of us feel that the board just being here is enough to pay soem tribute. I am a member of other boards that are "free" but also have a voluntary donation system and I am glad to donate. I guess no one really thinks about what it takes to actually run a website but it's not easy. Those of you that do websites know that it's a full time job to keep a content rich site going.

I waste more than $35 on stupid stuff all the time. At least this $35 is for something I believe in and have benfitted from.

I personally don't need "more" from AZ - I just want AZ to continue. How do you feel on the days when AZ is down?
 
Not really trying not *****ing here... just saying...

The site generates revenue and it has for a while now, and it does so remaining free for it's users.

All I am saying is that in order for get some cash out of my pocket then give me something in return... as of now the product being sold is a big avatar, entry into a raffle, and more pms...

not worth my 35 bucks....

OTOH.. if mike came out and said he needed donations to keep the site running then my wallet would crack open.... here he isnt saying that, he is selling....
 
smokeandapancak said:
OTOH.. if mike came out and said he needed donations to keep the site running then my wallet would crack open.... here he isnt saying that, he is selling....
Click to expand...

Mike H. is a humble guy. He would never ask for a donation in that manner. However, is is offering what he can in return, as you see, selling.

C'mon smokeandapancak, crack that wallet open and help to make sure this site stays up. It's worth every penny.
 
Is that really the reason... trust me, if it is then there are more than enough folks around here (including me) that would jump to help.

I am just saying that what is being sold...isnt what I would buy...
 
i agree to a certain extent that perhaps you don't get a hell of a lot for your money, but i don't think that's the point. they're more like small rewards for donating to the site to help out. like john says, i'm donating just for AZ to continue as it is, and to say thanks for being a great forum which i've spent hours and hours of my time being a part of.

the issue of premium content has been discussed before, and it's an awkward subject. i believe the genral consensus is the content of the site should remain free, so as long as this is the case then you can't really have premium content available.
 
Smoke you make some valid points. Being a paying member should have extra benefits. I only paid for a few months just to see how it works and support the site.

Some forums sell branded merchandise to their members, and offer paying members a discount or even free for sale ads. AZB could do something like billiard towels, t-shirts, hats, etc. Maybe even offer anyone who pays for a whole year a free AZB logo'd towel

Maybe even have guys go around to tournaments an take photos of the pros playing and their equipment. Start a What do the pro's use section.
You know use the extra revenue to benefit the average user.


Just listing some things that work elsewhere.
 
BPG24 said:
Smoke you make some valid points. Being a paying member should have extra benefits. I only paid for a few months just to see how it works and support the site.

Some forums sell branded merchandise to their members, and offer paying members a discount or even free for sale ads. AZB could do something like billiard towels, t-shirts, hats, etc. Maybe even offer anyone who pays for a whole year a free AZB logo'd towel

Maybe even have guys go around to tournaments an take photos of the pros playing and their equipment. Start a What do the pro's use section.
You know use the extra revenue to benefit the average user.


Just listing some things that work elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your thoughts BGP24. Now, does anyone have any good ideas?
 
Thanks to jackass that "negged" me.... thumbs up!!!


I understand the mindset of donations being given.. but I am under the impression that this is a money making venture for Mike and the gang. the add space he sells here has to make money and everyday that the membership grows then those rates, will in time, increase...we just hit 1 million post...that makes the space on this board prime to anyone dealing in the pool biz.


I said all of that to say this...
If I pay for a product I expect value in return... and I just dont see the value... (though Jakes Giant Norris is making my a bit envious).
I pay for premium content for other boards...b/c I get something in return..

I am not just going to walk into my local TV station and fork over some cash , just b/c I like the news cast.

If help is needed to keep the site up , then count me in... if Az just wants to fold a little extra cash...count me out.. at least until the advantages of the membership justify the cost.



Seriously.. the big avatar thing is starting to get to me...avatar envy might just push me into this anyhow!
 
DeadPoked said:
Thanks for your thoughts BGP24. Now, does anyone have any good ideas?
Click to expand...


:D...

But BP is on the same track as me...
Offer interviews...video/pic archives... expert insight.....discounts on "stuff"....exclusive "stuff" for sale only to "members"....

Chats with pros (like the old days)

there is a lot more out there I am sure..these just popped into my mind.
 
Man I love this!!! I am willing to donate just because I got the chance of watching the huge avatar of BPG24.

That avatar in that size must be worth 35$ :D

(Seriously I think the avatars are too big now, expect BPG24's avatar, that is still too small)
 
smokeandapancak said:
Thanks to jackass that "negged" me.... thumbs up!!!


I understand the mindset of donations being given.. but I am under the impression that this is a money making venture for Mike and the gang. the add space he sells here has to make money and everyday that the membership grows then those rates, will in time, increase...we just hit 1 million post...that makes the space on this board prime to anyone dealing in the pool biz.


I said all of that to say this...
If I pay for a product I expect value in return... and I just dont see the value... (though Jakes Giant Norris is making my a bit envious).
I pay for premium content for other boards...b/c I get something in return..

I am not just going to walk into my local TV station and fork over some cash , just b/c I like the news cast.

If help is needed to keep the site up , then count me in... if Az just wants to fold a little extra cash...count me out.. at least until the advantages of the membership justify the cost.



Seriously.. the big avatar thing is starting to get to me...avatar envy might just push me into this anyhow!
Click to expand...

Smokey you never struck me as the jealous type...
 
smokeandapancak said:
Not really trying not *****ing here... just saying...

The site generates revenue and it has for a while now, and it does so remaining free for it's users.

All I am saying is that in order for get some cash out of my pocket then give me something in return... as of now the product being sold is a big avatar, entry into a raffle, and more pms...

not worth my 35 bucks....

OTOH.. if mike came out and said he needed donations to keep the site running then my wallet would crack open.... here he isnt saying that, he is selling....
Click to expand...

Well I don't think any of us know how much revenue is being generated and IF it's enough - I guess that IF it was then maybe Mike wouldn't "need" to sell memberships. Or perhaps this is just a trial to see how memberships will sell. In which case your comments are totally in line with the kind of feedback that Mike needs.

I think Mike SHOULD put up a PayPal donate button and let people donate whatever they want to.

it's all good - although to be honest I don't understand the appeal of the oversized Avatars - they jsut screw up my screen - can I trade mine in for more pm space and LONGER PMs????

Mike PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE allow longer PMs - dude 1500 characters is NOT enough.
 
I will not be bullied into spending the cash!!!! :D

Stop it !!!




















for those that dont know.... I dont really hate DP... it's in ggod fun...
 
Hey Smoke, I think we have agreed on something 2 days in a row. We will have to fix that :eek: :D

I am an ESPN insider too. LOVE IT!!!


Anyway, the Powers thaw be should go look at www.golfwrx.com they have by far the best golf site like this one is to pool. Get in touch with their owners and talk about this stuff. Copying their F/S forum would be a great idea, and solve many problems that currently exist here. This place is great now, but it could be so much better.
BTW... any of you who click on Golfwrx,com need to know that the non members do not see the real site. they have special low end software for non members

I have wasted countless hours of my life looking at all of the new, tour issued clubs and pro golfers WITB pics. WITB = What's in the bag.

They have contests for their members. EX: They pay $300 to the person who contributes the best photos from tour events. You wouldn't believe the number of hits that those threads get. They do video interviews of club designers and CEO's of top companies in the industry. Massive amounts of info. It has allowed them to completely dominate the Golf forum market.


I hope they don't think I am knocking this place. Just trying to help.
 
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