Anybody noticed something about the site... [Archive]

d6dph

19-10-2010, 20:25

Up until mid this year I co-ran a large BMW forum, There were three head admin, 10+ mods. We took a very very strong view that the forum was always to be kept advert free and there was not to be any alliance with any one company.

This worked brilliantly, We never charged a bean for general usage of the forum. Instead we charged for sales if you went over the "breaking one or two cars" barrier, A nominal £5pcm I think it was. People that ran companies were charged £20pcm and a BMW dealer that had it's own section for discounted parts paid £50pcm.

This funding was topped up annually with a donations drive from the masses, in return they could have a custom user tag.

Funded the forum perfectly, Gave us money to pay the astonomical sever fees and some in the kitty for banners and stocks of merchandise.

That's a nicer way than advertising banners imo, But it depends if people are willing to chip in to make it "their club"

The Patrolman

19-10-2010, 21:46

Must admit I hadn't spotted it!!

The service wouldn't be of use to me as I am too tight!!

I ignore banner adverts and the like, If i need a new engine I would search relentlessly and ask advice on the forum I have paid to join!

It distracts minimally from my browsing pleasure!

But hey! we're all trying to make our way in the world!

AND if it stops the subscription rising Hey Ho!

Bat21

19-10-2010, 23:11

Gain funds... you guys have added 2+2 and come up with 5 :doh

I happen to know the guys that work there and thought I would place a banner up here on the site to help raise their profile.. and also make anyone who might be interested aware, they work wonders with the Navara engines. :thumb2

For those who feel a small banner like that is distressing.... you really do need to get out more :p

makeitfit

19-10-2010, 23:17

For those who feel a small banner like that is distressing.... you really do need to get out more :p

:thumbs

briggie

19-10-2010, 23:18

i have no problem at all with the banner , because after all they are trying to help nissan 4x4 owners , and that is the main aim of the forum , to share knowledge and resources :thumb2

lacroupade

20-10-2010, 08:56

Got to say I don't like it either. The lack of adverts is something I've allways liked about this site. I would rather pay an extra fiver a year than have adverts. I guess Paul needs the revenue to help cover costs.

JIm

LMAO!

Jim - multiply the number of members by £10 then deduct the cost of a bit of web hosting for a year.......:naughty

Personally I can't see the issue with advertising banners so long as they aren't popups or some poxy graphic that wanders all over the screen for 30 seconds stopping you doing anything.:nenau

zippy656

20-10-2010, 09:06

Muckypup

20-10-2010, 09:28

yeh a very anoying billcar advert

maybe only to me

I find them the same... and also as a moderator of a similar website to this cannot see why you would need it AND £10 per year subs :augie
(apologies if no funds are being raised from the advert)

We raise our funds by having a once a year fundraiser event or similar. We have contacts at venues that allow us to have a "cheap" day at their venue as the rest of the year our forum helps keep them in business... we charge the same rate to our members as normal (£20 for the day) 50% goes towards the costs.

Not preaching, just voicing an opinion ;)

TONUP

20-10-2010, 09:28

Do the offer any discount for club members?

Alan

lacroupade

20-10-2010, 09:31

hes not paying from what Batty says....

There are certain countries where calling someone Batty can get you shot! :lol:lol

Bat21

20-10-2010, 09:45

LMAO!

Jim - multiply the number of members by £10 then deduct the cost of a bit of web hosting for a year.......:naughty

Only 1 in 3 site users are paid up members, PayPal has about 50p from each tenner and the taxman has 30%.... take off that the server costs and the £5k I paid for the site off the previous owner (who was about to bin it).... doesn't look so good now does it :thumbs

I find them the same... and also as a moderator of a similar website to this cannot see why you would need it AND £10 per year subs :augie
(apologies if no funds are being raised from the advert)

We raise our funds by having a once a year fundraiser event or similar. We have contacts at venues that allow us to have a "cheap" day at their venue as the rest of the year our forum helps keep them in business... we charge the same rate to our members as normal (£20 for the day) 50% goes towards the costs.

Not preaching, just voicing an opinion ;)

If you'd have read post No12, it would have saved you typing all that ;)

zippy656

20-10-2010, 09:57

There are certain countries where calling someone Batty can get you shot! :lol:lol

true enough.... but hes got to be batty to put up with us lot !

Terranical

20-10-2010, 10:02

Personally I cannot see any problem, the banner is not particularly in your face, it's right at the top and consequently does not intrude on any of the site content, plus if you don't like it, ignore it!

zippy656

20-10-2010, 10:04

you never know you might need them on day too

lacroupade

20-10-2010, 10:13

true enough.... but hes got to be batty to put up with us lot !

Ah but ah was tinkin a diffrn't sort a batty if ya get ma drift maaaan....:augie

Muckypup

20-10-2010, 10:17

BAT21 - You paid 5k of your own money for the site? Fair play in that case... :augie

Can I ask tho, if there are unpaid and paid members what do you get for your money? I've been paid up and cant see anything to be honest, is it for the downloads?

zippy656

20-10-2010, 10:28

Bat21

20-10-2010, 11:18

BAT21 - You paid 5k of your own money for the site?
Yup :thumb2

Can I ask tho, if there are unpaid and paid members what do you get for your money?
The technical section, the PM function, and the link to the dowloads :)

stevecrm

20-10-2010, 11:20

you get me!

oh dear, can I get a refund :p:lol

(RIP) PLANK

20-10-2010, 12:39

Yup :thumb2

The technical section, the PM function, and the link to the dowloads :)

and just a good site and many pleasant hours of harmless banter, how much does a dvd cost? watch it once and you've had enough. This place entertains hour after hour, day after day!

danielj

20-10-2010, 12:52

Never noticed it. Wasn't sure what the debate was about for a while. That's not bad. As others have said as long as its not one of those things that keeps popping up when you're trying to do something I don't give it much thought.

Muckypup

20-10-2010, 14:32

Yup :thumb2

The technical section, the PM function, and the link to the dowloads :)

I see! Sorry for sounding a bit think there lol I was just wondering if it was worth me paying the subs for next year as I dont own a Nissan 4x4 anymore so wont require the downloads.
(to be honest i'll never again! Didnt like my Maverick and if I had Patrol money it would prob have to be a Land Cruiser :o )

But of course there are other great reasons to stay a member which is why I was wondering whether to pay up again :)

zippy656

20-10-2010, 14:54

yea just pay up

(RIP) PLANK

20-10-2010, 18:26

I see! Sorry for sounding a bit think there lol I was just wondering if it was worth me paying the subs for next year as I dont own a Nissan 4x4 anymore so wont require the downloads.
(to be honest i'll never again! Didnt like my Maverick and if I had Patrol money it would prob have to be a Land Cruiser :o )

But of course there are other great reasons to stay a member which is why I was wondering whether to pay up again :)

you wont be the only non nissan owning member i have been without longer than i have been with, but have kept on being a member, Daved is still a member and has a jeep now! i rarely use he downloads and technical stuff i just like the old place :thumb2

MontysMaverick

20-10-2010, 19:21

I did notice the banner and thought it wasnt a issue really, after reading the posts I personally think that a lot of people enjoy looking at this site and also joining in the banter and passing on their own experiences and advice which nicely leads me to this conclusion, "THANK YOU BAT21 FOR STUMPING UP 5K OF YOUR OWN HARD EARNED CASH" it certainly is appreciated by me and I will be paying my subscriptions again without even thinking about it. :thumbs :thumbs :thumbs

clivvy

20-10-2010, 19:23

for chuffs sake. that banner is totally un obtrusive and doesnt follow you when you scroll down, ive not got a problem with it at all.

MontysMaverick

20-10-2010, 19:43

for chuffs sake. that banner is totally un obtrusive and doesnt follow you when you scroll down, ive not got a problem with it at all.

:thumbs:thumbs:thumbs seems to be of no issue especially when we have a chap here whos 5k lighter so we can lark around and take the pi££ out of one another :lol :lol :lol

clivvy

20-10-2010, 19:48

:thumbs:thumbs:thumbs seems to be of no issue especially when we have a chap here whos 5k lighter so we can lark around and take the pi££ out of one another :lol :lol :lol

Absolutely! :thumbs

extreme-4x4

20-10-2010, 19:52

:thumbs:thumbs:thumbs seems to be of no issue especially when we have a chap here whos 5k lighter so we can lark around and take the pi££ out of one another :lol :lol :lol

at last someone who talks sense :bow:bow:bow:bow

MontysMaverick

20-10-2010, 20:36

at last someone who talks sense :bow:bow:bow:bow

Ta :thumbs :thumbs :thumbs

Deleted account DD

20-10-2010, 20:50

at last someone who talks sense :bow:bow:bow:bow

and buys sensibly :augie:D

I see! Sorry for sounding a bit think there lol I was just wondering if it was worth me paying the subs for next year as I dont own a Nissan 4x4 anymore so wont require the downloads.

Time for a Jeep section :augie:augie:D

Adz

20-10-2010, 20:55

and buys sensibly :augie:D

Time for a Jeep section :augie:augie:D

Another forum :augie for jeep owners :lol :lol :lol

(you new that had to come from somebody :doh)

Muckypup

21-10-2010, 09:27

and buys sensibly :augie:D

Time for a Jeep section :augie:augie:D

WHAT A GOOD IDEA!!!!! :thumbs

No I agree and are a little embarrassed about my first reply. It really is quite some thing for someone to spend there own cash for other folks enjoyment. Good man Bat21!

Should have got all the facts before commenting really :o

extreme-4x4

21-10-2010, 11:08

at least you spent the time to ask. nothing wrong with asking questions

tezzer

21-10-2010, 15:07

at the end of the day, (it gets dark, i know) this site belongs to bat and he can do as he pleases, i see nothing wrong with the advert, if it wasn't for adz i wouldn't have noticed it to be honest. just my pennies worth, :thumb2:doh

extreme-4x4

21-10-2010, 15:16

and buys sensibly :augie:D

Time for a Jeep section :augie:augie:D

so you would stay with jeep next time then daved ???
not found anything better yet. come on we know you like to try cars out. whats other cars do you like ???

Deleted account DD

21-10-2010, 16:11

so you would stay with jeep next time then daved ???
not found anything better yet. come on we know you like to try cars out. whats other cars do you like ???

I thought pathfinder would be next on the list if we keep the caravan we've got or a posh navarra if we went for a fifth wheeler. BUT I had the loan pathfinder for 3 weeks and was glad to see the back of it and get the jeep back. Personal views I know but when I use more fuel to go slower its a no brainer for me ;)

I can actually get a brand new grand cherokee (had a go of one yee hahh big grin drive ) cheaper and better specified than a pathfinder .

Jeeps all the way.................. at the mo :thumbs

How about you Col?

extreme-4x4

21-10-2010, 17:30

after spending over 60k on newish cars in 10 years . 3 years ago.life changed im more your old used car purchaser now so a grand or two outlay is my way.

of the cars i have owned (around 150) i like the terrano. the seats are kin shite , freelander 04-06 had the best seats.
but everything else i like. the fuel dont really bother me because it more than makes up for it. in other ways:sly

Deleted account DD

21-10-2010, 17:35

A deep dark confession, I nearly got a freelander when we had the old caravan but held off becaue we started looking at bigger vans..............saved accidentally from the dark side :cool:

extreme-4x4

21-10-2010, 17:49

oh i had one freelander. (got it stuck in the garden)

3 disco's and a 90 years ago

all overrated none a nice drive. after all if you want a tractor, buy a tractor. if you want a big tow car, there are plenty of higher spec cars out there that drive nicer on the road and tow similar.

and reliability ???

what on earth would anyone want a landrover for:confused:

tezzer

21-10-2010, 18:17

tow cars, just bought a volvo v70, a lot of motor for the money, my mate has got a c80 t5 an absolute beast of a car and very quick:augie

rustic

21-10-2010, 18:27

freelander 04-06 had the best seats.

The engineers designed comfort into them because you would have to wait hours waiting for the AA or RAC to recover you on many occasions.:lol

Deleted account DD

21-10-2010, 18:28

and reliability ???

what on earth would anyone want a landrover for:confused:

my experiences of them are older but before we all swapped to diesel as a common battlefield fuel and all of that we had the petrol ones. particularly when it was very hot or very cold we used to have bets as to whether we could get them started up before the batteries ran out of juice :D

Mind you once you got them running everyone used to rush for the 1/4 ton lightweight :D

The arrival of the 90s and 110s with turbo diesels (was that around '85 ?? ) were a blessing you didnt have to sit in a cab that stank of petrol where youd had to fill it under the seats and they used to start on a morning :D

Wouldnt touch one as my main motor now.

So out of those youve listed Col, which was your fave?

Deleted account DD

21-10-2010, 18:32

The engineers designed comfort into them because you would have to wait hours waiting for the AA or RAC to recover you on many occasions.:lol

:jesterbg:jesterbg

rustic

21-10-2010, 18:37

Do land rovers still have the starting handle?
I remember hand starting my dads 2 1/4 litre Petrol one, circa 1966 version series II.
They must have known something then.
All cars had them until they designed the first mini then it was downhill all the way.

He could never do it, the knack was to get the compression at 9'oclock position, and lift just 90 degrees up, it started first time, but not if you tried to wind it up. ( ie crank it).
He fitted a second battery under the passenger seat after that.

extreme-4x4

21-10-2010, 19:33

my experiences of them are older but before we all swapped to diesel as a common battlefield fuel and all of that we had the petrol ones. particularly when it was very hot or very cold we used to have bets as to whether we could get them started up before the batteries ran out of juice :D

Mind you once you got them running everyone used to rush for the 1/4 ton lightweight :D

The arrival of the 90s and 110s with turbo diesels (was that around '85 ?? ) were a blessing you didnt have to sit in a cab that stank of petrol where youd had to fill it under the seats and they used to start on a morning :D

Wouldnt touch one as my main motor now.

So out of those youve listed Col, which was your fave?

its funny, when i was little we had a lwb landrover safari or something it was around 79 and it was old then.he sent ages in the garage tidying it up nice paint job new interior. we loved it i always thought we went everywhere in that old bus, the school run, shopping holidays . it was our family car for around 3 years. i was talking to dad 3-4 weeks ago about memories our childhood. he told me then we only covered 8,700 miles in it.

how the world has changed people move / travel about more to do the things we used to. nothing is just down the road anymore. where dad did maybe 6,000 miles a year . we think nothing of 30,000 miles in our cars a year.

in answer to what was my fave car. i suppose the best answer i can give is..... i never found it. i found whatever you have you always want more. (a bit like beckham, Rooney or john terry)

i liked my
volvo v70 for comfort
renault clio 1.9 d for running costs and leave ability " could park it anywhere"
freelander seats

i like the terrano it just feels like an extension of me i sort of know it...... and yes it sounds weird or odd.
a bit like a rally car driver knows his car.... you know ?

Deleted account DD

21-10-2010, 20:32

He fitted a second battery under the passenger seat after that.

A 1966 one was before my time but did they not have an internal top filling lift the cushion fuel tank under there too :eek: :confused:

rustic

21-10-2010, 21:46

A 1966 one was before my time but did they not have an internal top filling lift the cushion fuel tank under there too :eek: :confused:

Not on that one, there was a lift the seat job, but there was a recess for a battery.
The middle seat was something else, under the seat, you could get to the prop shaft and see the road.

Deleted account DD

21-10-2010, 22:03

Not on that one, there was a lift the seat job, but there was a recess for a battery.

:thumb2 i did wonder

The middle seat was something else, under the seat, you could get to the prop shaft and see the road.

I hated the middle seat, managed to avoid it most of the time :augie

I can remember the gaps too on some models. We used to green duck tape type stuff and sed to cover the gaps up when it got drafty :D

Happy days eh :lol:lol I must be honest I had no interest in them at that time other than as a tool of the trade.