See ya later, I'm selling BladeForums!

Good work! I've only just joined up here (after spending waaaay too long looking at reviews and advice as a "guest"), read your post and just started laughing - yep, this is definitely a forum I want to be part of! The wealth of knowledge I've seen here and members' willingness to share it is really staggering. You've built a great thing and I think I'd have to cry if you sold (real men aren't afraid of admitting they cry...right?)

Cheers
 
This site is indeed like no other. It's #1 for me.
Thanks for keeping it yours.
 
Damn, that header scared me :eek:

Thanks for all you do Spark, this is the best knife forum for sure:thumbup:
 
Spark said:
Every couple weeks or so I get calls or emails from various parties interested in purchasing this site.

Just to clear up any misconceptions, I'm not interested in selling it to anyone. You guys are awesome, this is a great community, so why would I let anyone else come in and take it?

So, when I get calls from "brokers" or whomever who want to make me an offer, I lean back and I smile, because I know what's up. Nobody wants to purchase this site for altruistic reasons. They want to buy it because they know it's under monetized. The lack of banner ads everywhere, skimlinks, text ads, etc make this a gold mine to anyone who can get it for themselves. What they fail to understand is that it's that way for a reason.

"We represent a client who would like to make you an offer for the site, are you interested in selling?" is how the pitch usually goes. Typically I'll respond with "Sure, but it will cost you a ridiculous amount of money." Banter goes back and forth and most often it will end with them saying "We're prepared to offer you... 4 to 5 times your annual earnings!"

:jerkit:

They never expect to hear someone laugh at that line. I'm sure people eagerly hop on that like it's some sort of lifeline. But for me, I think we do a better job than anyone else out there in our niche. You guys largely police yourselves, the community is amazing, there aren't huge problems all the time, and in general things are just fine as they are. We are a resource to the community. We provide information, interaction, and more. Why on earth would I let someone else come in and screw that up? I'm not an idiot; if I wanted to heavily monetize the site, I would do so. That I haven't should say a lot.

Thank you guys for being so great. Thank you for contributing to the group. Thanks for supporting the site.
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Bravo! I like the way you think. It is nice to find people in a community of like minded people but when they come together in other ways to find they are on the same page it is double goodness. Blade Forums is the biggest and best for a reason. The commitment to the community means more than the $ and that does indeed say a lot. Thanks Kevin
 
I know I'm a relatively new guy, but I also really appreciate your stance on this, and I would offer the following:

If the upkeep and/or overhead ever get to the point where you are getting 'compromised', please give the members first shot at helping you dig out … I'd be willing to bet your loyal crew would be more than willing to help "sponsor" the gig …

Thanks again, Cap'n!

~ Edge
 
Obviously i missed this from months ago when i seen this thread i panicked... And was reallyseriously bown away... Maybe someday you made decide to cash out but i just want to say thanks for keeping real..
 
Thank You SPARK I appreciate you keeping Bladeforums the way it is. Little things have changed over the years but its always been a great place to read, learn and have fun. I have made friends here I could not have any other place. Thank You
 
I just noticed this, and I must admit to being a bit shocked when I read the title. Thankfully, my fears were soon put to rest.

Thanks for everything. Keep up the good work everybody!
 
Great forum, and to me the LACK of adds all over the place is the main reason that I frequent this forum way more than all the others combined. Thanks for all you do!
 
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