MyE28.com

I don't own a BMW, much less an E28. I don't see any opportunities to own either on the very near horizon, so if that makes me unqualified to chime in so be it.

I don't like the idea of Jeremy having to provide an accounting only because it will inevitably lead to second guessing. Inevitably, it will be suggested that he's overpaying, waste of funds, why not move it to so and so.

If the proceeds exceed the expenses I'd imagine that they'd get rolled over to next years expenses or Jeremy would say enough for now, thanks.

If the proceeds continue to be insufficient, I would imagine that Jeremy would speak up or the site would cease to exist. Anything more complex than that will pollute the site.

graphite wrote:I'm with the people that would like a cost breakdown on the site. I (somewhat) trust Jeremy but what costs are there other than hosting/domain registration?

I don't care how much it costs him. I'm happy to pay what I can to keep the site up. It is an archive, a repair manual, a message board, etc. and it hasn't historically charged anything or made us look at flashing ads. I'll pay back rent for all the archived info.

I think when people are asking for a general idea of cost for running the site they are trying to figure out what a reasonable donation would be. This would be helpful if you want reoccurring donations rather then one time donations to help the site meet its budget needs as they happen rather then a call for donations when funding gets tight.

I would want the forum to remain as it is now.....just let me know where to send some money .
jm

jeremyk wrote:I think when people are asking for a general idea of cost for running the site they are trying to figure out what a reasonable donation would be. This would be helpful if you want reoccurring donations rather then one time donations to help the site meet its budget needs as they happen rather then a call for donations when funding gets tight.

I know most here do not want google ads or to pay for for sale ads, but there's a reason I suggest an entrepreneurial approach and that reason relates to this very question of whether someone should profit. I have absolutely no problem with someone profiting from providing a service and when one has a business, then it's not a matter of disclosing costs to run the site and all of that. Jeremy & co are running and monitoring the site, so why shouldn't he get paid? I know I don't work for free and I suspect most here don't.

I think however the funds are raised/billed/earned that there's no reason for us to know how much costs are mainly because the next question is "why are you paying this?" and before you know it, there are 100 managers trying to run one website and that can only result in chaos.

This site provides a lot of value that I have no problem paying for and the main issue is how to set it up how to monetize it consistent with the feedback everyone has given. I understand the aversion to google ads, but why should someone come here and sell a car for thousands or set up a business to sell parts or whatever else and not be able to leave some of that value by paying for the ad? Can you go on Ebay and sell your stuff for free?

Trying to monetize the people on this website is what keeps me up at night.

GKLCPA, what I am trying to say is tell me what kind of cash is needed, give us a general sense of the need. I would guess that there are enough people here to make the site run and have the funds available so that Jeremy does not need to worry about whatever bills are needed. I would hate to see a regular call to arms because there is a lack of funding because everyone thought it was taken care of last month/quarter/year. Giving us enough information like "it takes $5,000 to run the site per year" is more then enough info to direct the group on how to respond and how often to respond. If Jeremy wants to take some of this for beer money as a operating expense that is up to him. Some general information like net cost and amount raised can let us all know how we can help fill in the gaps when they arise.

oldskool wrote:Trying to monetize the people on this website is what keeps me up at night.

Hey Oldskool, that's already happening. Everyone who sells something here has monetized the people here by taking advantage of those who've gathered here. I'm not saying anything is wrong with anyone doing that, but if they can, why can't the guys who run the site? If it weren't for them, no one else could sell anything nor benefit from the information here.

As Long as you accept Paypal from non US customers, I`m all in for donations...

Had some Deja Vu while ebaying stuff I need and needed to cancel some transactions... Still keep my 100% Fedback Positive though...

I will give my vote (Even when is probably not important) to keep the site off of the Ads or anything that could certainly include banners, etc... because I hate these...

jeremyk wrote:GKLCPA, what I am trying to say is tell me what kind of cash is needed, give us a general sense of the need. I would guess that there are enough people here to make the site run and have the funds available so that Jeremy does not need to worry about whatever bills are needed. I would hate to see a regular call to arms because there is a lack of funding because everyone thought it was taken care of last month/quarter/year. Giving us enough information like "it takes $5,000 to run the site per year" is more then enough info to direct the group on how to respond and how often to respond. If Jeremy wants to take some of this for beer money as a operating expense that is up to him. Some general information like net cost and amount raised can let us all know how we can help fill in the gaps when they arise.

Hey Jeremy, I understand where you're coming from and I can see that if there's a charity that's being run, but even in that instance, the determination of how much needs to be raised can occur without knowing the specifics of costs and let's say if it did cost $ 5000 bucks to run the place, unless you know how many others are contributing, it 'd be difficult to determine your share or my share. It's just far better to come up with a formalized funding/revenue scheme and work it and if there's excess so be it. As a matter of fact, you want excess as if revenue drops off, at least there's reserve around to keep things going. I just think getting into costs and worrying about whether there's any excess profits is beyond what anyone should be doing. My concern is to get information to maintain my vehicle and to buy stuff I need and if I have to pay to keep the site going to get that, my concern begins and ends right there.

GKLCPA wrote: Hey Jeremy, I understand where you're coming from and I can see that if there's a charity that's being run, but even in that instance, the determination of how much needs to be raised can occur without knowing the specifics of costs and let's say if it did cost $ 5000 bucks to run the place, unless you know how many others are contributing, it 'd be difficult to determine your share or my share. It's just far better to come up with a formalized funding/revenue scheme and work it and if there's excess so be it. As a matter of fact, you want excess as if revenue drops off, at least there's reserve around to keep things going. I just think getting into costs and worrying about whether there's any excess profits is beyond what anyone should be doing. My concern is to get information to maintain my vehicle and to buy stuff I need and if I have to pay to keep the site going to get that, my concern begins and ends right there.

What you're not understanding is this is essentially a club of friends, not a business.

I will be willing to donate funding without asking the cost of maintaining, however I have two stipulations:

1. I can conversate with Jeremy by way of telephone at ANY time without worrying that I will get hung up on
2. And Newskool can stay.

Mike W. wrote:

GKLCPA wrote: Hey Jeremy, I understand where you're coming from and I can see that if there's a charity that's being run, but even in that instance, the determination of how much needs to be raised can occur without knowing the specifics of costs and let's say if it did cost $ 5000 bucks to run the place, unless you know how many others are contributing, it 'd be difficult to determine your share or my share. It's just far better to come up with a formalized funding/revenue scheme and work it and if there's excess so be it. As a matter of fact, you want excess as if revenue drops off, at least there's reserve around to keep things going. I just think getting into costs and worrying about whether there's any excess profits is beyond what anyone should be doing. My concern is to get information to maintain my vehicle and to buy stuff I need and if I have to pay to keep the site going to get that, my concern begins and ends right there.

What you're not understanding is this is essentially a club of friends, not a business.

Hey Mike, I see several groups of people here-friends, people who need or share information, folks who just come here to sell their wares, people new to E28 ownership (for which this site is invaluable) and etc. I suppose that ultimately whatever the majority expresses is what will happen and I'm fine with whatever happens either way.

I do believe that things evolve over time and sometimes how things start off aren't necessarily effective in a new or different circumstance. That doesn't necessarily mean that it would morph into a business (although that's what I might be inclined to do--but that's just me) but it does appear that something different needs to be done to ensure continuity of the site and that's the question that I'm raising as I don't want to see any problems on that front. I think a club of friends is fine, but the question is whether that structure can sustain the site over the long haul. And if things are formalized in some way, can people still operate as friends?

I'm playing the devil's advocate here. I'll support the site regardless of the direction it takes.

GKLCPA wrote: ..I'll support the site regardless of the direction it takes.

And IMHO that's what counts!

GKLCPA wrote:

oldskool wrote:Trying to monetize the people on this website is what keeps me up at night.

Hey Oldskool, that's already happening. Everyone who sells something here has monetized the people here by taking advantage of those who've gathered here. I'm not saying anything is wrong with anyone doing that, but if they can, why can't the guys who run the site? If it weren't for them, no one else could sell anything nor benefit from the information here.

The only ones who are really profiting off of parts sales through this forum are FedEx, UPS, and the USPS (of course they don't really profit ).
Most all 'parts pricing' sold by individuals doesn't even cover their time cost to pull them. AMHIK

Like this site, if used parts were about the money there would be no old cars on the road today.

Karl Grau wrote:....there are enough people willing to contribute that we don't need membership fees, advertising or any other mandatory fees to participate.
Also, I still think at least 90% of the budget should be for Jeremy's hookers and blow*.

Agreed and FTFY.....never pinch pennies when it comes to these.....or you'll end up like Duke..

GKLCPA wrote:

oldskool wrote:Trying to monetize the people on this website is what keeps me up at night.

Hey Oldskool, that's already happening. Everyone who sells something here has monetized the people here by taking advantage of those who've gathered here. I'm not saying anything is wrong with anyone doing that, but if they can, why can't the guys who run the site? If it weren't for them, no one else could sell anything nor benefit from the information here.

I think I'll go out for a smoke now.

I've been lying low lately but I'm of course in for a donation. I'm not opposed to selling ads either, but then I also work in media so that stuff doesn't bother me.

1st 5er wrote:

GKLCPA wrote:

oldskool wrote:Trying to monetize the people on this website is what keeps me up at night.

Hey Oldskool, that's already happening. Everyone who sells something here has monetized the people here by taking advantage of those who've gathered here. I'm not saying anything is wrong with anyone doing that, but if they can, why can't the guys who run the site? If it weren't for them, no one else could sell anything nor benefit from the information here.

The only ones who are really profiting off of parts sales through this forum are FedEx, UPS, and the USPS (of course they don't really profit ).
Most all 'parts pricing' sold by individuals doesn't even cover their time cost to pull them. AMHIK

I haven't read through the thread but has the idea of charging for the right to sell on the site been floated? The UK bmw5 forum uses that policy and it seems to work for them. £10 per year buys you the right to sell parts etc. People who just want to read/browse/buy can do so for free.

Would another idea be making your first hundred posts per year free, then levying a subscription or whatever for the right to continue to post? I'm thinking about trying to keep the site accessible to newbies/occasional visitors while lifting the financial burden on the organisers.

For the record, I've no problem whatsoever with paying an annual subscription or similar.

I heard through the grapevine that the seven layer bars are absolutely delicious. Put me down for a tray of the seven layer bars and some of the eight layer bars, if you catch my drift.

Shoot, and a bag of puppy chow, because those eight layer bars are going to have me searching for more.

snakebrain wrote:Would another idea be making your first hundred posts per year free, then levying a subscription or whatever for the right to continue to post?

That would be deliciously diabolical.

So what's the PayPal addy?

How about fines for not using the search
I'm in for whatever, and thanks again for all you do!

By my remark "monetize" I was simply implying that someone should write a screenplay. The amount of material here is Golden.

How about $300 life memberships with an annual camel toe photo?

Careful around here:

Holy shit. I take care of life business for one week, and THIS happens?

I just need a paypal addy. Thanks!

Nasty!