I also agree that limiting group buys to premium members is a little odd. Other sites, such as Maxima.org, allow regular members access to group buys (at least they did when I had my Maxima). It will just force some people to register on other sites to get group buy advantages. It can also severely impact the number of items sold within a group buy. Did you run this by the sponsors to get their input on it, since it will impact their units sold? Don't get me wrong, I plan on becoming a "premium member". I'd say giving special deals to premium members once in a while would be more enticing than the group buy issue. Or maybe not limit premium meber pics to 100K. Whatever the case, it's your board and I respect your decisions. It is a great source of information and I have learned a great deal.

 

I'm still contemplating getting the Premier Membership, mainly out of guilt for using a great site without making anything but contributions of text. But at this time, money is a little tight.

I was also in on the Nismo Rear Diffuser Group Buy, in hopes of saving a few bucks. At this point I would think that any discount on a GB for this part would be close to the $30 minimum Premier Membership. For now, that money would seem better spent on paying full price for the part and not having to wait for the GB to materialize. It sucks to have to make the choice on how best to apply that money. Perhaps I'll pay for the Premier Membership later, when I've got the cash to burn. I may even spring the $6 for the Z mag.

Good luck on the group buy, pd. I hope you all get a good break on the price of the diffuser.

And I do understand the choice to limit access to the GBs, Godzilla. I have to run a business as well. Hope to make that contribution to the site soon!

 

Ron,

its a 'no-go' on the rear diffuser bro. after it was locked by admins, the whole thing fell through and everyone involved more or less gave up or forgot...i think you played a big part in organizing the whole thing and i appreciate your time and effort. i believe bulletproof was interested in providing us prices as well. From my research it looks like the people who normally set these group buys up arent premier members, and I know for a fact more than 50% if not 75% of the names/users on these group buy lists are non 'premier'. hopefully one of the admins will jump in and give us his/her $.02 soon

 

Neffster's idea of increased cost off for Premier Members is a really great idea. I think that's the way to go.

 

I agree completely! I think it is smart marketing to make the Premier Membership as appealing to non-members as possible. And of course running this website takes time and money. I feel extremely guilty for not financially supporting this wonderful website. But hopefully ways can be found to entice people to join without hurting those who don't.

 

Better?? And Thanks! Got my money worth now! j/k

(*and it was a storm trooper!)

 

You buy the newspaper to get the coupons, don't you?

 

Actually, coupons are sent out for free. The newspaper is just one source of coupons.

 

Will non-members be able to see the details of the group buys? If so, you will probably get more people to join the site JUST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GROUP BUY!

The FGC has had 5-10 people join the club for the sole reason of buying a G35 at $500 over invoice through Lokey Infiniti. Several of these people have become active in the club and w/o this offer we never would have had them as club members.

Just another thought...

 

I have to agree that limiting group buys to a smaller group will hurt group buys all together....

 

I think It's sad that so many are now charging for information that would otherwise be free. I think that limiting those who support and have helped grow the very site that enthusiast commune is wrong. Hey we want to thank you for helping us get bigger but were gonna stick it to you who we need inorder to thrive by limiting access unless you pay us a fee. Isn,t it enough that there are sponsors and vendors supporting the site? I mean have you guys looked at the bar lately now ads when switching between forums I mean come on.

 

In a small way I have to agree with this post. While I certainly don't think the founders of this site are looking to get rich off it or even make a profit, the thought of having to spend money to access information that was free leaves a bitter taste. Thankfully I can use this site without having to pay, but given the "Premiere Membership" trend I wonder how long that will last. And I'm not saying becoming a "Premiere Member" is a bad thing. I think the yellow bar and pictures are cool. And I'm not saying the cost to become a "Premiere Member" is unreasonable. I'm concerned that a trend may be starting. First it's a price to become a "Premiere Member," then its a small service fee each year to access certain forums, then another "General Membership" option becomes a requirement to even use the site. I would hate to see this site slowly evaporate because the almighty dollar sign blinds people from seeing the true intention of g35driver.com.

That being said, I want to thank those who monitor this site, maintain this site, and spend money upgrading this site. You have provided me many hours of useful, informative, and entertaining information.

 

If you look at my post in the 'premier membership' from about 2 months ago, I had the same worries and I still do. However one of the admins 'geobau' I believe stated that would never happen. But time will tell, BTW almost all PAY only sites started off free....

 

I tend to agree with this also. As a new member, I have found it extremely frustrating that I have been unable to access certain parts of the forum. I for one tried to become a premier member so I could see the extra's but cannot because my paypal account is locked. (Someone tried to hack it and they have yet to put it/me back online so I can't pay the fee) I then tried to contact the admins to discuss the isssue only to be confused as to why I couldn't send PM's or emails. I finally learning of the 5 post minium, so I have been forced to make worthless posts just so I can contact other people on the forum.

I appreciate the ability to access the information, but the process could be less painfull I feel.

Respectfully,

Chris

 

I donated a few $ to this site before the upgrade. I did this to help with the upkeep as I had certainly benefited from the information sharing. Since this new site, I am very unwilling to sign up for the premier membership. I have no idea what group buys are going on. I cannot buy a "pig sight unseen". I can relate to the business plan of g35driver.com; that is make some $$$.
But sorry not from me; since I do have other options