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Spence.

[SHAKEY]

I will start by saying I appreciate that a web site like this costs money to run and yes it has to come from somewhere. I always assumed that as a fee paying member of the B.S.S. you were entitled to use the facilities of this site. I have on the odd occasion used the Sale/Wanted section to advertise, (the last time being January 2011)but have never made a profit on sales, or for that matter got anything I advertised for.
I like to browse the site just to see what is happening in the steel world, I have very little to contribute as I live in a steel guitar wilderness.
To get to the point I read people calling for a mandatory subscription and others talking about shaming people into making contributions. Have you ever thought that there may be people out there that love steel guitar and like to know what's going on but just simply cannot afford to subscribe or donate. people who through no fault of there own are now unemployed, retired people and even, more especially young up and coming people who want to learn the instrument but can't afford to subscribe. I for one am in that situation. I had to give up my membership of the B.S.S. because I just could not afford to pay the subs. And before anyone uses my reputation as a boozer against me and says "it's only a couple of pints" well let me tell you, it's been that long since I bought a pint I would probably get pissed on half of shandy now. Many of you guys have decent jobs or private pensions as well as still gigging. We work part time and get no benefits whatsoever, 35% of our household income per week goes on rent and council tax alone, that leaves very little for other bills or food. If it wasn't for John Davis's generosity my guitar would now be in it's case under the stairs. I don't have any answers to how you raise funds to keep the site going but I do know if you go down the route of compulsory subscription you are in danger of becoming a "Steel Guitar Club Exclusive."
Not the best way to promote the instrument we all love.
From me it's goodbye.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Shakey,
With the utmost respect I feel the need to make comment on Your post.
I agree that a yearly subscription is not the way to go.
I do not think for one minute that the members expect everyone to contribute to the running of the forum,there are many who are finding things difficult during these times.I,Myself am a pensioner and could say I am on low income and I understand everything You say.I am/was the person who said c'mon have a pint or two less!! Again I felt that members were needing a reminder to donate and it was meant as a Push.
With regard to selling on the forum,I,for one have never made a profit by selling anything,I doubt if anyone sells second hand equipment and makes a profit.
Admin Have NEVER asked for donations and We have seemingly all been happy to ignore the "donation button" I include Myself too,until a member brought to our notice that there was a bill to pay.
I was puzzled by Your comment that,whilst You like to browse the forum You have little to contribute?? You are a fine steel player and I am quite sure there are many things on which You could advise.We all need help and suggestions to improve,especially the new player who,in turn could be a potential donor
The bit about Your post which concerns Me most is Your closing line "Goodbye from Me" Please clarify,Do You mean You have resigned or do You mean You will resign if there is a mandatory fee? Perhaps You were just signing off.
I still think that if the members are made aware that a small donation will ensure that the financial burden of running the forum does not fall on a few.
We are not talking big money A two qud donation from a fair number of us would amount to a "fair" sum.That is less than four pence a week You do'nt get many pints for that.
Best regards
Billy

[Ken Byng]

Dave
Your post will do nothing if not concentrate our minds on the fact that we all have different circumstances in our lives. The post was originally put out because Bob Adams was going to have to shoulder the cost of this additional annual fee himself unless he got some help from others.

I am fortunate in that I have a very well paid job, but that will come to an end next March when I am going to accept voluntary redundancy. That is primarily so that I can look after my wife. I will then be on a reduced income, and will have to re-assess my lifestyle, and certainly will be cutting down on buying instruments.

As one of the people who pontificate on this site more than the average person, I accept that I should pay my fair share towards its upkeep, but would agree that those on limited income would find it difficult. All we really want from you Dave is a contribution of words from time to time, as you have a lot to offer in that direction. I was only thinking the other day that we hadn't heard from you for a while. In the meantime I hope that things pick up for you on the economic front.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

I would have to agree with everything Billy and ken said, Dave, and i hope things pick up for you, but keep posting, and contributed, you have a lot to offer, and regards you Billy, and making contributions, correct me if im wrong, but weren't you the first person to actually join the site, and i think im right in saying, you were also the first person to contribute as well, AND furthermore, did you not offer to donate 50 quid of a recent reverb unit sale to the site, Dave, no one is chasing anyone for money here, its just that there are some mean people on here,who can afford to contribute and dont, that upset those of us that do contribute, and they know who they are, we dont need to name and shame, nor should we even consider it,

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Eddie,
Yes,I was first to join,I just had to be first at something.I can't remember if I was first to donate but it is immaterial,or immatreakle as My Mum said.There may come a day when I wil be unable to donate but for the moment I am still trying to find ways of offloading My lottery win
Billy

[Dave Nutt]

Thanks John

For all other members who are unaware of this, site hosting incurs annual fees. Once initial startup costs are paid that is not the end of things - if only. The guys responsible for setting up the site and maintaining it have done a phenomenal job, and the membership has been the beneficiary. The 'for sale' and 'wanted' section for instance is highly beneficial to those of us who use the facility, and it would not hurt for a small contribution to be made by the seller when a sale is completed as a result of adverts placed and responded to via the forum. It is a free service, and the USA forum for example is highly dependant on donations from successful sales from its 'For Sale' section in addition to startup subscriptions.

Bob Adams is far too polite to actively tout for fund contributions, and possibly feels embarrassed having to do so. I believe that this site plays a really important parts in raising the profile of steel guitar not just for old farts like me, but for younger and less experienced people who are potentially the future of the instrument in this country.

Let's just make sure that it continues to flourish and develop over the years, and lets devise some sort of mechanism where Bob doesn't have to ask for contributions once a year. Any ideas?

100% agree with every word you say Ken.
Re-Any ideas? its a no brainer- the site wont fund itself, it needs dosh, that has to come from someone, so! if folks want to be a member? then they pay a small!!! subscription.
Some simple economics- 277 members donating just £2.00 each equals £554.00 - now! that should do nicely.
If guys and gals can't or dont want to pay £2.00 per anum towards keeping this site afloat, then they shouldnt be allowed to sell, buy, contribute,promote or whatever.
Simples?
Anyone who doesnt think that they should donate £2.00 per annum to assist Bob and Arcada in maintaing the high standards thay give us when maintaing our site, will perhaps have the courtesy to tell us why.
Dave.

I had decided that further response on the above subject was a waste of time, folks just dont get it do they?
£2.00 per year???? two 'bleedin' pounds per year in order to keep our British Steelies Society site going.
I asked for a response then and didnt get, I now ask another question- How many of our hard up members contribute financially to the US site? I rest my case and will say no more.
Dave.

[STEDDIE EDDIE]

Billy, offload your lotto winnings to me! yeah, i seem to be agreeing with everyone today, thats not like me, but Dave is right, certain people, who can afford a few bob, are happy to stand back, and know that others will contribute more than their share just to keep things going, so i say to anyone reading this, that CAN afford a couple of quid, butjust WONT pay out, be ashamed, and dont come near me when im at the bar, buying my round, standing my corner, you know who you are!

[Tony Smart]

Cool down Lads.

All Bob A. has to do is remind us when his bill comes in and that will give those of us a nudge who wish to donate.

No big deal. If you don't wish to donate fair enough. Some people are more interested in the Steel than others and as long as there are enough of us to cover Bob's costs, we can keep the thing going.

[SHAKEY]

So, Tony you think less fortunate people who cant afford to donate are not as interested in steel as those who can afford it?
Dave.