A question that needs a answer IMHO

To all who visit this site.

It has always puzzled me why so many people don't donate to keep this site functioning? If that offends some then why do so few donate?

I do and in honesty give very little, could I give more, probably, will I give more, possibly but why are there less than 100 people who donate out of 18,000 members? Do I think I am special because I do, no I don't it just BOGGLES MY MIND WHY MORE WON'T. For 99% of the 99.5% who don't it is because they WON'T.

That is right as of today there are 99 members who donate so what is that less and 1/2 of a % which to me is a little mind boggling.

I do know there are people on fixed incomes and so am I, who own a computer, have the internet and obviously eat or you couldn't post on this site. I think if you have the ability to visit this site you do have the ability to give a little to help maintain it.

I have gained so much knowledge and made some great friends from the "real" experts and all who are more than willing to answer questions, many of them in private messges. Heck one "expert" on here sent me a part and a spare and paid the postage from a country not connected to North America, wow that was generous and all because of this site. I have saved money by not buying the wrong milsurp from reading what is written and that alone has been worth my donation.

Without a doubt I believe this is the most informative, civil site I have ever visited and that alone should be supported by far more than the few that do.

There is contrary to the belief of many, NO FREE LUNCH FOLKS, this site cost money to operate and as someone who has a friend that repairs my computer for "cheap" it still isn't cheap.

I know this is going to get some members more than a little upset (can't write the word I would like to use) and believe me I really don't care, having fairly thick skin and as stated a very low tolerance for stupidity.

I speak far better than I write, so here is me speaking " Time to click on the credit card you use at the top of the page and give so this site still exists years from now".

I also know I started a battle over a comment about "soccer" once and probably insulted a member on here, for that I do apologize. For what I have written today, no apology to anyone.

I more than look forward to comments.

:thup::thup::thup::thup::thup::thup::thup::thup::t hup::thup::beerchug::beerchug::beerchug::beerchug:

I agree 100%. I look forward to checking out the forums each day. And for pennies a day, come on.
Plus you get some extra benefits.
I posted this last April hoping it would nudge a few people to help.

Jim

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Something to think about

My year's time as being a Contributing Member to this site is coming to an end, so today I renewed my donation.

Maybe some of us don't know about being able to contribute? I know it is not asked of us or even solicited. But by doing so it helps keep the site up and running for our viewing pleasure.

I can understand that drop in viewers would not be interested. But what I have a hard time understanding is why all of us regulars who like to frequent this site are not contributing members. If it went away, some of us might have withdrawals. Look at the post numbers next to peoples names. And you know we read many more threads then we make posts. This site is informative and at the same time a lot of fun. It also allows me to meet others with like interests.

It doesn't have to be much. $25 for a single year or $20 if you choose to do multiple years. At $25 that comes out to be less then 7¢ a day. If someone chooses 2 years at $40 that is only 5.5¢ a day. Some folks donate their time instead of financial support. And I mean a lot of time. If I take into account all of the different forums that I read, Carbine, Edged Weapons, Watering Hole, and the WTS/WTB pages, I visit a lot of threads. Just learning about who the bogus parts makers are so as not to buy from them has saved people more then what a contribution might be. I found out about a show I want to attend. Met people from other states. And sometimes get a laugh or a cringe out of the bickering.

My thanks go out to the Administrator for making this round the clock site available to me for only 7¢ a day.

Jim

Wish I knew just one really good reason for not contributing, beyond not being able to afford the donation and then we could address that one problem and come up with an answer. Being a pessimist, I'll guess that most folks who don't donate don't even consider that they are using a resource that is being supported with $ by a few others; 'courtesy and consideration' are diminishing values in our world of 'entitlement'. Thanks for the reminder to renew my donation - I'd be embarrassed not to do so.

All great replies, interesting how they are only from members who do donate to help keep this site viable.

I am with you old crow, embarassed not to donate considering how much I gleen from it.

Being this is the most civil site I frequent it does prevent me from saying what I really think.

Its a fair comment, I'm one of the guilty parties. I've gained a lot of info from this site so I'll be donating on Sunday when my paypal gets some desperately needed cash. I'm afraid it won't be a lot but as a TV advert in the UK says, "Every Little Helps".

Brit Plumber: Good on ya, my friend! In some small way, contributing gives a sense of ownership, diminutive 'band of brothers' effect. Thank you.

Just waiting for some funds to arrive in my account and I'm there. Also noticed there is the hidden bennefit of not seeing any adverts appearing in posts, thats a blessing.

Good point, even if stated in a bit of a heavy-handed fashion, enfield303t.

I do not participate very much here, producing only ~1post/month in this, the only Forum that I frequent, since I joined in Mar'09 ... but I am a member, so I contributed.

Apparently, it was assigned to the "Sparrow Fund" (whatever that is) rather than as a regular contribution, but {shrug} my monetary contribution to this site has been made. :)

Look! I have a new banner !!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Youngblood

Good point, even if stated in a bit of a heavy-handed fashion, enfield303t.

I do not participate very much here, producing only ~1post/month in this, the only Forum that I frequent, since I joined in Mar'09 ... but I am a member, so I contributed.

Apparently, it was assigned to the "Sparrow Fund" (whatever that is) rather than as a regular contribution, but {shrug} my monetary contribution to this site has been made. :)

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Well trust me IF I wrote it the way I wanted to I would be banned in a nanosecond. It drives me nuts that people can get so much for so little and still won't consider donating.

Heck personally I have rec'd more than the value of my donation from Peter Laidler alone, let alone help from many others on the site.