Would you pay for Fchat?

This is exactly how I feel, the site is already at a level above any other free forum I've seen, so why not go all the way and make it everything we know it could be?

 

We would lose the participation of plenty of folks who DO contribute, especially in the model-specific, tech and regional areas. Remember, without users this is just another empty forum, and there's tons of those on the net already.

In general, trolls are knocked out quickly, especially when they're not subscribed. The issue is usually what to do when someone who HAS paid to be here is being a pain. Again, IMHO, the worst trolls are subscribed users -- but everyone you ask will have a different list of trolls

 

I think the correct word is cheap . Selfish implies I don't share info with my fellow 308 gearheads. I'm glad to provide any of my learning to folks in need. I may not be the greatest mechanic but I've had better then 45 years working on foreign and domestic cars. So I'll help where I can and won't charge anybody for my support. Enjoy the ride

 

^So you honestly think these well contributing, relevant members would refuse to pay $5 a year to discuss their findings and/or concerns about F-cars with others? It seems the poll agrees with you, and I'm amazed. I think everyone is being selfish to not contribute to the site... But what do I know.

 

Yes, I do. And it's not selfishness. There are those who simply feel that their contributions are enough to justify their presence on the site.

Subscriptions are voluntary, and should remain that way.

 

Anytime you start charging to look at something online, your going to loose visitors, period. Take YouTube for example. If YouTube wasn't free, then I bet my Ferrari it would in a very short time would become less active and less active. If FerrariChat.com wasn't free, I wouldn't have been able to make this post. If it wasn't free, I wouldn't pay to join just for discussion. Discussions, sharing your opinions, pictures, and more should be free. The money should come in from the advertising. Just my 2 cents.

 

I've had subscription since I joined the forum.

 

Fchat Porn ?

 

How much for a subscription. Hahahaha

 

Rather than have new people to the site pay $5 in order to spam the crap out of us, you could institute a referral system in its place. You can stand outside the community and look in all you like. To become a poster you need to be referred.

If your referral becomes a spammer, you share the same fate. If you want access to the private subscribed forums, than that's when your voluntary contribution of $5 or some other amount comes in. What if you don't know anyone? Please enter your VIN.

We can't deny the impact free advertising F-chat enjoys from having non-subscribed individuals with the ability to participate in conversations they wouldn't otherwise. Reference the lurkers come out and play thread. FerrariChat is very well known, even respected. But it didn't get that way because of the cars, but because of the separate communities its members have created and contributed (and fought over) through the years.

When do you throw the No Vacancy sign up? NEVER! But there is a definite need for some sort of control put in place instead of some lame voting process or surcharge. The community should be big enough now that new owners are unlikely strangers.

Sunny

 

Oh so true!!!

 

Free for first 3 or 6 months, then charge.

Better than any car mag you can buy IMVHO.

 

I don't know. I would say it can go both ways.... for one i see a lot of subscribed poster's who tend to stir-up trouble and be jackasses to most everyone else that has a different opinioin. On the other hand, sometimes you get the know-it-alls who don't own an f-car and can be d**ches as well. In my case i'm a broke college kid, and no i wouldn't pay for a membership, for the sole reason of i can always go to another board and find just as much entertainment, some mature, other's not so much.

 

So far about 70% will pay. The rest say they won't. Rob, do the math.

The last time I wanted to talk to a college kid...I was in college myself and they looked like this...I wish LOL
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

See, I think this is the point we disagree on. I've been to plenty of other forums and there are none I've seen like this, I appreciate the maturity and respect I see from 99% of the members here. You don't get that on Honda forums, 300ZX forums, RX7 forums, etc.

 

Hey, I'm a college kid.

 

I've been developing websites and consulting on Internet and Linux issues for 10 yrs. This forum would not be where it is today if it started out charging all users for access. I would recommend against it for future growth, however, if Rob wanted it to be more exclusive / less traffic then sure.

 

Agreed.

 

Paid in the past, two years of silver I think. Not currently paid up. Cause um, poor student who wasn't working and kinda wasn't using the site much for a long time. Thinking of doing it again now that I've got another steady income stream and all.

 

I voted "No". The fact that I'm paying now doesn't matter in the "Would you pay initially?" idea. I wish these discussions would get locked. The site owner(s) have the ultimate control, leave it to them.

My god what an terrible idea! I came in via Google, browsed around and later decided to register. I don't know anyone with a Ferrari nor do I own one - I'm here to learn more and contribute where I can. If I had to pay I can guarantee you I wouldn't have considered FChat.

I run a forum and am in several other automotive-related forums and they are all free (completely!), a wealth of info, and FChat really isn't any different. In fact, a "pay to play" forum would certainly give the Ferrari name even more negative aloofness

 

I like the idea of having subscribed areas, which FChat already has.

And initially, I would have agreed with the idea of making people pay to post.

But Tillman also has a good point. Sometimes it's a special few that can add the extra value the site has.

But in a way, it's a catch-22 as well. Some of those good folks leave, because of the presence of "trolls", regardless of wether or not they're paying trolls. So what to do?

Interesting question. Both points of view are valid.

So, now that I've totally negated anything I could have said one way or the other, and have therefore added absolutely nothing to this thread, I'll take my leave.

But first this:

I dunno... Sounds a bit like a job secuirty issue t'me...

 

Hey...what about if Rob paid us?

 

+1000....

 

I have paid this is the best site ever !

 

nah, some of us hardcore ferrairchat user's rather pay him to keep this site running, but im sure, if he got bored of this site, he would sell it to someone to run, becuase this site has to run atleast another 20 years...