membership question please

giant1

giant1

Joined
May 9, 2007
Messages
2,955
I have looked at joining as a member since I really enjoy this forum. I am located in Australia and it seems that my only option is to join as a gold member for $30usd.

I want to contribute but I don't really need such a high level as I don't sell my knives.

Do I have any other choices ??

Thanks :)
 
I live in Canada and did what you said and splurged on the gold. I would have bought the basic though.
 
For foreign members of the Bladeforums community, Gold is the lowest level of membership that can be obtained. Basic is only available to folks in the US.
 
It seems a bit unfair, I believe it's keeping a lot of us foreign members out:mad:

I can't really see why it costs more to 'process' a foreign order on-line .. A compromise would be 20 dollars, we'll even send cash:D
 
Also, I understand that the gold membership is more expensive out of the US, but why is the platinum the same?
 
It's not that we hate international members. The automated system can't deal with money orders or with international credit cards or with one member buying a membership for another member, that's all. If you can use the automated system you it costs less to process your order so you get a discount. Unfortunately, if you can't use the automated system you don't get the discount. Maybe someday somebody will invent a more intelligent automated system, but don't hold your breath while you're waiting.
 
Cougar Allen said:
It's not that we hate international members. The automated system can't deal with money orders or with international credit cards or with one member buying a membership for another member, that's all. If you can use the automated system you it costs less to process your order so you get a discount. Unfortunately, if you can't use the automated system you don't get the discount. Maybe someday somebody will invent a more intelligent automated system, but don't hold your breath while you're waiting.
Click to expand...

I buy knives from US websites all the time. I use Paypal as first preference or if it's a trusted site I will provide credit card details where paypal is not accepted.

I pay the advertised amount for each knife. I do not pay more just because I am ordering from Australia with a non US credit card.

I think you will find that the "intellegent system" is already available. :)

Not picking a fight, just pointing out my observations. I cannot see why I should pay more. (Matter of principle really)

Cheers
Frank
 
My guess is those US knife dealers are processing your orders manually and you're not getting a discount for using an automated system from them either - in fact nobody is.
 
It's like this:

We use what's called Address Verification to ensure that credit cards are not stolen. By and large, this option is only available for US card holders. Some international banks use this, the majority don't.

That extra $5 goes to paying someone to go in, disable the AVS system, manually run the charge, manually setting up your membership, making sure everything is right, then re-enabling the AVS system again. It's a pain in the ass. The platinum and knifemaker memberships aren't charged more for international customers primarily because very few international customers get those level memberships. It's a service charge, nothing more... a service charge that is waived if you can use the automated system. If you can't, then you get the service charge.

Regardless, you are talking about a difference of 6.8 cents (US) a day, versus 8.2 cents. If you don't like not getting a discount, get the higher level of membership and avoid the service charge.
 
willgoy said:
It seems a bit unfair, I believe it's keeping a lot of us foreign members out:mad:

I can't really see why it costs more to 'process' a foreign order on-line .. A compromise would be 20 dollars, we'll even send cash:D
Click to expand...


IMO, someone should start a group buy and then get 20 or so foreign members to give them $10.50 a piece (via paypal or whatever)

Then send Spark the $210 and 20 names.

One credit card transaction, 1 change, 20 new paid members :thumbup:
 
Spark said:
It's like this:


Regardless, you are talking about a difference of 6.8 cents (US) a day, versus 8.2 cents. If you don't like not getting a discount, get the higher level of membership and avoid the service charge.
Click to expand...

Actually I'm talking about the diffference between BASIC and GOLD. $10USD verse $30USD

You are asking people outside the US to pay for Gold without the option of Basic.

In any case thanks for your response.

Cheers
Frank
 
Actually the difference would be $15 and $30, not $10. And with there being a $15 price difference between the two, it wasn't deemed worthwhile to offer a basic membership.

So, again, if the site isn't worth 8.2 cents a day for you to use, you aren't forced to purchase a membership.
 
Thanks for your response Spark.

I'll consider my options from here.

Cheers
Frank
 
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