Paid membership.....Why not?

CWL said:
There was no badgering,
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False.

but if someone steps-up and volunteers explanations, one that IMO, is not reasonable,
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Why is it not reasonable? Because the way I prioritize my money is not something you would do? Because your community of 1's and 0's is more important that real, live people? Because you think that your Gold status means something to someone besides you? Why?

then it does open the poster up for skepticism.
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You don't want to believe me. That's fine, really. I can't find one reason why that matters. I do, however, take exception with being called a liar. As I said, I may be a whole lot of things, but that ain't one of them.

I also have to ask: if you are so concerned about providing financial support for BFC, why are you only Gold Members? Why not Platinum? Why is that? Why do you only go half-way if it is such a big deal to you? Sounds like this place really isn't as important to you as you would like others to believe...

That said, I probably won't ever get a Platinum. Basic? Probably. Gold? A little less likely. You want to? Great. I am sure Spark appreciates the paycheck. A few extra PM's and the ability to change my sub-heading just doesn't seem like a worthwhile investment. Come to think of it, I guess that could sum up why I have delayed membership renewal. There is really no tangible, measurable return by which to justify it. That makes sending the money a little more questionable in my mind. I mean, hell, even the NRA used to send my old man t-shirts and hats and before I canceled it, NAHC used to always send me products to test out or vouchers for range fees...Yea, there is a "community" around here, but is it really any different than the one in my apt, at my job, or in the real world? For some folks, the answer is "no." I am fortunate enough to work and live with gun and gear addicts, so I get this everywhere.

Now, will I renew my membership again? Probably. As I said, I have been saving almost all of my paychecks. I need to take a look at it and see how much I may need before I decide whether or not I renew. I think we all agree that $10 isn't that much money, but I have never lived in a foreign country for more than a few months, so I am trying my best to look at worst-case here since I will not technically have any income while there.
 
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The owner of this site never solicits. It is what it is and people are free to make choices.

If you are not going to post with respect, this is not the forum to do so.

Enough. Make your point without the antics.
 
dougo83 said:
I am not given much of a choice as to the location of my internship, but thanks for your input...
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It says everything about how one feels about BladeForums by the level of paying support one offers....with a caveat.....

Some people CANNOT even pony up $10.00 for an annual membership....while unfortunate, it is fact.

Others could support BladeForums, but choose not to...they all have their reasons. What I do is buy knives from paying members, and sell knives (almost exclusively) to paying members. I support paying members, and I don't support non-paying members...unless they fall into that "cannot afford the $10.00 bracket".

Non-supporting members of BladeForums make their choices, and I make mine. My choice is to be an active part of this community.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I've been unemployed for a year, and still renewed. I lurk more now, and dropped from platinum to gold, but I still like to give back to the community.
 
Kohai999 said:
Non-supporting members of BladeForums make their choices, and I make mine. My choice is to be an active part of this community.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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The problem is, there are plenty of gold members who contribute nothing, are not active, and some are outright trolls...so the status of your profile means little regard the input you make on BF, for example Kevin Cashen. He is not a financial member of BF but he is one of the biggest names when it comes to blade metallurgy, there are only a handful out of many thousands of members with knowledge that advanced. I'd consider him invaluable to this site.

This sums things up:

Bastid said:
The owner of this site never solicits. It is what it is and people are free to make choices.

If you are not going to post with respect, this is not the forum to do so.

Enough. Make your point without the antics.
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I don't think i have sold anything on bladeforums in years. i like to support the site though. i've been a gold or platinum member since 2005 (i lurked since 2000, registered in 2002, didn't really start posting until 2005) and was a basic member until february when the membership was supposed to expire but someone generous upped it to platinum until april. unfortunately after that i am going blue and probably staying that way for a while. pretty much every dime i have is tied up in my lobster boat now and until i start making some money every penny counts. I couldn't justify spending even $10 for a luxury when there are bills to pay. Bladeforums is the site i visit most when i am on the internet and i should probably just make it my home page :D
 
uffda said:
this thread reminds me of the people standing on a corner panhandling while smoking cigarettes. What do they cost now? $5 to $7 a pack?:rolleyes:


Yeah, spend your money as you see fit, but remember this sign......

do to all the complaints about our free services, there will no longer be any free services.
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hell yea. I think that is right. Get rid of all of the free loaders.
 
Screwdriver said:
I joined a year ago but really only started being active last month. Since joining I have gotten a ton of valuable info, bought a cool custom knife from one of the makers here and just basically really enjoy all the posts.

So I was contemplating another knife purchase last night when it hit me that I should just spend the $25 and join as a Gold Member. Why don't more people join? I mean, I see people showing off their $100's of dollar knives yet have been non paying members for years.

So why don't more people join?
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I can't speak for anyone but myself but because you asked....

There is pretty much just a single reason I have not upgraded to a paid membership. I have many hobbies and visit many forums, I just can't support them all. Currently I'm on 2 knife based forums, 3 survival based forums, 2 home-brewing forums (one beer one wine), a cigar forum, a snowmobile forum, 2 paintball forums, a localized travalbuddy style forum, a Canadian gun forum and a Toyota forum.

Thats 14 places that I visit at least once every few weeks assume I forgot nothing. If each forum runs me 25-50 dollars for a premium membership I'm looking at 350-700 dollars a year before exchange rates or international fees.

Bladefourms is a great asset, and I am indebted to the people who keep it running, I use it a lot and will probably pick up a gold membership in a year or two when I can make better use of the exchange forum. That being said, I offer my explanation only because it was asked. A lot of the hostility on this topic is unwarranted.
 
mat_890 said:
i can't speak for anyone but myself but because you asked....

There is pretty much just a single reason i have not upgraded to a paid membership. I have many hobbies and visit many forums, i just can't support them all. Currently i'm on 2 knife based forums, 3 survival based forums, 2 home-brewing forums (one beer one wine), a cigar forum, a snowmobile forum, 2 paintball forums, a localized travalbuddy style forum, a canadian gun forum and a toyota forum.

Thats 14 places that i visit at least once every few weeks assume i forgot nothing. If each forum runs me 25-50 dollars for a premium membership i'm looking at 350-700 dollars a year before exchange rates or international fees.

Bladefourms is a great asset, and i am indebted to the people who keep it running, i use it a lot and will probably pick up a gold membership in a year or two when i can make better use of the exchange forum. That being said, i offer my explanation only because it was asked. A lot of the hostility on this topic is unwarranted.
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very good then go and stay there and dont come back to this form. If you can pay for them then you can here too.
 
richard thurman said:
very good then go and stay there and dont come back to this form. If you can pay for them then you can here too.
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Give it a rest already. Without some of the registered users on this forum it wouldn't be what it is. This guilt trip crap needs to end.

Mat and any other RU's reading this, please ignore the trolling.
 
What is going on? Anyone has an option to pay or not pay. The people who choose not to pay seem to be getting harrassed too much, even in Community?

If Spark did not want registered users (still hits to a website to sell ads) he would make it a pay only site. Since he has not, then all need to calm down bit.
 
Don't hassle people for not having paid subscriptions. Not everyone has the ability, not everyone sees the value. We're an open community. Those of you who help keep the site open have my eternal gratitude.
 
Win Heger said:
What irritates me are the vendors and knifemakers that don't have the appropriate membership. I know from conversations with other members that it pisses off more than just me. If you're using this forum to profit at least get the right membership!!

Thanks for starting this thread!!:thumbup:

Win
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I agree 110%!!!
 
cj65 said:
What is going on? Anyone has an option to pay or not pay. The people who choose not to pay seem to be getting harrassed too much, even in Community?

If Spark did not want registered users (still hits to a website to sell ads) he would make it a pay only site. Since he has not, then all need to calm down bit.
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You missed all the fun. I don't believe that all registered users are being harassed. In fact, none were being harassed until one particular registered user took a general comment personal even though it was not directed at him. Of course, things heated up after that.

If you were to go back to the beginning of this thread, you will see what happened.

EDIT: It's all screwdriver's fault. He started it. :D
 
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