open letter to rob and moderators

Well, with equal due respect, unfortunately you couldn't be more wrong, as any of my friends would tell you. But you've provided a good example of one of my other points, i.e. while you're certainly entitled to your opinion, that doesn't necessarily mean it's based on any facts, or any reasonable and intelligent assessment of them.

 

Unfortunately, you've missed the point completely. It's not about the money, it's about the principles of running a good business that provides fair value to both sides. You are forgetting that posters provide all the editorial content on the site, and without such content there would be no site. I'm sure this is why the overwhelming majority of Internet boards do not charge users, and if I ran one I would adopt the same principle, as long as I could generate enough sponsorship money to cover the site's operating expenses. When I had my financial advice web site, we provided for free a set of services that any other financial planner would typically charge $500 - $1,000 for.

And I'm sure I'm no different than most people on this board, in that we give many, many, MANY times the $15 to charities each year. My own experience is that those people who are quick to critizize others about "money issues" are the ones who are themselves the most "money centric" in the way they live their lives.

 

I have no doubt that what you say is true a large part of the time. But it's not true all of the time, and that is the major (if subtle) difference. In my own personal experience with friends, colleagues, and myself, it's pretty much always about the principle, and never about the $. But you obviously don't understand that, since you don't know me or my friends and colleagues -- although obviously some people you know do appear to be "cheapskates", as you say.

 

This is on FC. I know that some subscribed users look down upon those who aren't subscribed, and they think what they have to say is unimportant. The arrogance is pathetic really.

In all fairness it should've been their choice to go in if they liked what they read or not. I WAS a senior member on another board since 2001. However while reading and trying to reason with some of these ppl I decided to leave because the topic so deeply moved me that I couldn't bare to go back, in fact it disgusted me to even think about it. My choice; I didn't go to the mods and say do something about it either; I just simply let it go. Same with another boards section I hopped on once, it was a Euro section, and even though I just wanted to say hello it turned into a “let’s make fun of the stupid American” thread. I left that section and haven’t gone back. So much for Europeans being progressive and open minded. Oh well, I guess what I have to say is unimportant because I'm not subscribed.

 

Good to hear that and thanks for the reply. Between the lines, I think that everyone should pop $15 to Rob for FChat. Even if it goes against your grain, he does a hell of a lot of work on this site.

 

You *presume* I missed the point. I merely disagree with you.

Hmmm, more presumption. I'd think you'd avoid this kind of snipe since you protest that similar generalizations don't apply to you.

 

I'm honored to be banned by someone with only 158 postings. It took me a good 200 postings before I passed judgement on all the F-chat veterans.

NOT!!!!!!

 

Robs site, Robs rules, if your unhappy with the way he runs things, go somewhere else or start your own site

ive never have been a subcriber, but now im going to, i should have along time ago, im just a procrastinator, best 15 bucks ill ever spend

Rob, keep up the great work, best site on the net

 

I've come to the conclusion that "NOT" is your favorite word.

 

Well, I've found that typically, most people prefer quality over quantity. Unfortunately, oftentimes these are inversely proportional -- and my reading of most of your posts on this forum has continually supported both notions.

 

This is not the public square. This is a private site that has a cost to operate. "Free speech" is an absolutely irrelevant argument. That there are ANY free sections is a treat. Want P&R? Pay. But hey, can't fault you for trying to get a freebie. You don't ask, you don't get.

 

Chevarri- Horsefly is an acquired taste, even among long-term members. I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about the politics behind the subscription fee and P & R- . I also disagree that unsubscribed users- or their views- are looked at with disdain. But, I would question the hypothetical user that frequently participates in a board devoted to one of the most conspicious of consumer products- a high-priced sportscar with an image that says $ like almost no other brand or product- and then complain that the subscription fee is onerous.
Putting P & R behind the subscriber wall will not in my estimation eliminate trolls, but i still don't get why people are so vocal about their right to participate in that section for 'Free.'

 

You know, people keep bashing the non-subscribers, but there's a very valid point to be made here. Yes, Rob set up the forum, marketed it well and was in the right place at the right time, but it's the members who provide the content. A susbscription-only format will drive away members, reducing the content and value of the site to owners and enthusiasts. It's easy to say "I'd pay $1000 for Ferrarichat", but there wouldn't be anyone to talk to.

Go to the owners' forum to see the impact of restricting membership

 

one of the best and most concise answers i have ever read to this argument. hats off to you. i concur.

 

Sure, remember when you were dating and the saying was "Why pay for the cow when the milk is free?".

John

 

Well...I bought the cow...and am still paying.



Wish it was only 15 bucks.

 

I don't think anyone is bashing the non-subscribers, there wouldn't be much of a 'community' without them. My only b!tch is with the people that get high and mighty and start standing on 'principle' about the fee to subscribe. If you don't subscribe, fine. That's your right, your choice. But don't try to justify it to yourself and the rest of us that it's a matter of principle, because it isn't.

 

One of these days, I'm going to go out and gather up enough aluminum cans to gain the subscription fee. Won't that be a photo op for the other F-chat non-subscribing cheapskates: Horsefly gathers enough scrap aluminum by the side of the road as Fat Cats drive by in their Ferraris and whine about the HIGH cost of a subscription!

And my shirt is guaranteed "stuffing free" unlike many others.

Exactly. Why does everybody think that F-chat is some sort of public forum for cheapskates? I'm a low life Corvette owner with a Ferrari interest and I can afford a Rossa subscription. Come on you Fat Cats, dust the cobwebs off that wallet and anty up!

 

I honestly wasn't trying to justify it -- to you or anyone else. I really have no need to do so. And it doesn't have anything to do with your notion of being "high and mighty". The fact that you think you are in any position to judge my motivation shows just how misguided you really are. As difficult as this might be for you to understand, I honestly -- and quite respectfully -- couldn't care an iota what you think, because you have yet to make an intelligent, well-thought-out, fact-based comment on this issue. When you start doing so, I assure you that I will start respecting your ideas. So, "b!tch" all you want, but don't expect many people to take your comments seriously.

(And that's the fundamental idea behind my previous suggestions to allow users to "rate" the comments of posters. It provides an incentive for people -- myself included -- to think a bit before posting, or risk being considered irrevelant on the site. Hence, the general level of discussion improves substantially, and all users benefit as a result. Yet I still haven't had even the courtesy of a reply from Rob, notwithstanding the fact that I'm not the only person who has suggested something like this -- that says a lot in my opinion.)

And yes, it is a matter of principle with me -- but not the principle you seem to think. It's all about truly trying to provide some well-thought-out advice to Rob to help him run his business better, and provide a better site for everyone who participates. Although it does seem from your comments that you may be so jaded that you simply don't/can't/won't understand that. Why I don't know, but not everyone is as cheap and money-focused as you seem to think they are. Do you really think that any reasonable person would care that much about a measly $15? You must know some incredibly cheap and selfish people -- and that's very sad -- but not everyone is that way.

P.S. Jim - I just took a look at your profile. You've been an FChat member for more than 4 years, and you have nearly 5 posts a day. Good Lord -- there's a lot more to life than Ferraris and bikini-clad women!

 

Arlie, I'll pay just to watch that!! Maybe sponsor a cheapskate or two in return. HEY, THAT'S IT, A TELETHON for Fchat cheapskates.

Maybe pictures, posted in the subscribed sections only, a dollar a peek.

Really folks. It's what $15?? That's like two gallons of gas now. So, skip a trip to the Blockbuster Video store, save that gas, and subscribe.

No one is forcing you to pay to stay. Just asking you to pay if you want to wander off far topic (Politics and Religion) which ain't got a thing to do with FERRARIS anyway.

It is, after all, FerrariChat.com. Not Politics&ReligionChat.com.

Peace fellas,

DM

 

Arlie's Kids!!!
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Outstanding! I feel the same about you! Quite respectfully.

No, they aren't fact based comments, I'm expressing opinions. They're based on my experience and observations, much like everything you've posted on this thread. An intelligent person that thought about my posts would recognize them as such.

So him working for free helps him how? He did that for a few years, I don't begrudge him some income.

There are? Now THOSE are fightin' words!

 

Give all you can!
Some day, maybe we can find a cure for chronic daydreaming!
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