I'm gonna stick my neck out on the block here. I hope this doesn't offend anyone, that's not my intention. I've always been upfront about questions and I'm certainly not shy.

I see alot of folks that contribute so much to the forums here that are not yet supporters of FTE and I was just wondering as to why? Is it for personal reasons, financial reasons?

Just for the record, at first, I didn't think it was necessary to support. I mean it's free, right? And it's fun too. But I thought about how much vital information that some of us need and what a great asset FTE is to the Ford Truck community I thought, it's for a good purpose.

Anyone dare to reply?


p.s. I'm certainly not posting this thread from some supporter "high and mighty pedestal". I'm really curious what your thoughts are on Supporting.

thanks!

 

i didn't "support" for a long time as i didn't realize the benefit or what Ken does to keep it up. I'll admit the only reason i did was to thank the forum with $$ for the many hrs of support that i was afforded during Nancys' illness. after she passed, i did some LOOKING and realized it was a good investment.
selfish at first because $15 was gas to the cancer center. i admit i was a tight wad

 

Hey, thanks for sticking your neck out there with me, Carl.

 

Ditto what Carl said. The work that goes into this is worth every penny if not more to support.

 

I agree with carl also, but I have a hard time paying directly for a portion of the internet that I'm already paying for, via Isp. I use the advertisement links here when ever possible, hopfully the owner is getting a kick back from that. I'm not into badges.

 

dude, it's not a matter of badges. i'm not advocating for or against "supporter" status either. i'm saying that in some way i saved $ 15 by being here. if i have a good waitress or waiter in a restarant i have no problem tipping them 10-15 bucks on a $50 meal. a bartender will get 4-5 $$ on my 2 beer indulgance. i was saved God knows how much in therapy fees by having this place. just fighting with dono and Ken would have cost me thousands in psyho therapy to deal with my loss. in my estimation, $15 for the chance to bitch in an extra rm was worth it too me

 

I think I scared everyone off. You definately shouldn't be ashamed for not supporting. I was just curious why more folks don't.

Mleichtle, I'm certainly glad that you use the advertisement links. Also, Ken and friends are sure is putting an unseen amount of effort to make sure these boards stay alive and their doing such a great job- It's such a huuge job.


but just so everyone's clear, "supporter" definately doesn't mean status. It's just recognition. Like if you were to pay money or volunteer to support a cause, you'd get a bumper sticker and put it on your car. That tag is just a forum bumper sticker.

 

I can tell you why I became a supporter, and that was to eliminate the ads, makes it easier to read, then the added benifit of getting to play in the members section. after that yeah I think it's a great site, I spend way to much time here, and I know Ken puts in a lot of time keeping it going.
I have on occasion (and probably will again soon) sponsered contests to give away a free one year membership, so that people can see what the advantages are. I don't notice if they keep it up, don't care, I am just supporting the site. granted I do it in the Iowa chapter, for the added benifit of trying to get some more participation in there too. And I don't get anything for doing these contest, just something to do to help out the site I guess.
I am with you though I don't really understand why you wouldn't want to be, although there are a few members that aren't anymore and I do understand thier reasons (I will leave it at that and please don't ask in this thread because I won't say) I also definatly understand people that are surviving paycheck to paycheck, I don't know what a personss reasons may be so I never ever look down on someone for not bieng a supporter everyone has to make thier own decisions with thier own money and it's not my place to judge those decisions.

 

For me it's a double edged sword.

I'm not a supporter, because for me I don't see the advantage in being one. The ads don't bother me too much and sometimes I get useful info from them. I doubt I'd ever even venture into the "members" area and I could care less about having "supporter" next to my name. In addition I have a hard time coming to grips with charging anyone for the free exchange of information that is the "internet". It's bad enough that I have to pay an ISP just to get on it.

Now, the flip side of the coin/sword is that I know what it takes to keep up a site like this. I have my own forums that are no way near what FTE is, but is still quite a bit of effort and it's related costs. My server alone costs me about $250 a year. I can't imagine what the bandwidth for FTE would cost. I know why you have ads and why you have memberships.

So I guess the short answer for me is that the cost to benefit ratio is just not high enough for me to see the need to support, yet. Now if Ken came on here tomorrow and said, unless everyone gives me some money the site has to go down, I'd probably chip in some money.

 

BroncoBabe,
I plan to be a supporter after I move this week.It has been for financial reasons for me.I agree with everyone here the information here is tremendous and well worth the $16.00 a year not to mention all the new friends I have made.I look forward to all the benefits on top of what I have received all ready from being here.

 

I respect most of your reasons. But this isn't a debate, so I'm not gonna go there. But I will just say this: You are totally missing out on that Club FTE Members forum. That's the only thing that keeps me on this thing. It's hillarious!!

And again, most folks don't support just to have "supporter" next to their name either.


Well, looks like I'm getting my answer. I do wish more ppl would venture a response though.

 

Give em time, it's early yet and a lot of people haven't gotten home from work.

 

You're not going to regret it either, Rebel. Guaranteed! Glad you'll be part of the family.

Well, we're all family as far as I'm concerned. Some are just closer than others, I guess. The comraderie is really awesome.

Especially watching some of the bickering that goes on between family members.
LOL

 

Thanks,It will be a few more days but I really can't wait.You're right we are like a family,and I got first hand proof of that another member here drove 2 hours to help me straighten out my truck and we had never met until he showed up at my place.So I have a hard time when someone says it not worth it to be a supporter.

 

EXACTLY!
Man I wish I could wave a flag with your quote, Rebel! You'll have to PM me when you do the deed. We'll have a forum party, and I'll throw it.