wish I had the money to "SUPPORT" bimmerforums

[Dakar95M3]

I am an everyday person that does not have the money to pay these messed up fees. I put together a group buy every once in a while, and cannot believe it has come to this! I understand if I throw group buys around every day, but WTF.

[Bob ///M3]

I closed your other thread because you are obviously associated with (or representing) Global Team Racing who will benefit from selling products by using our message board. We cannot allow non-supporting vendors (or their representatives) to advertise products on Bimmerforums.com. Doing so would be unfair to those "supporting" vendors who pay to advertise with us. "Supporting” vendors support Bimmerforums.com by paying to advertise. Global Team Racing is not currently a supporting vendor. I'm sorry you don't seem to understand this but try to put yourself in the shoes of a supporting vendor who is paying for the right to advertise his website and promote the products he sells...

You have the same situation, but on a much larger scale, with advertising in newspapers, magazines or on radio and television. There is nothing against those who don't (or can't) advertise with these places...it's just not allowed unless they pay for the right to do so.

It makes no difference how often you offer group purchases...or whether you can't afford to pay the "messed up fees"! What does matter is that unless a vendor has paid to advertise, we cannot allow them to advertise. Also, to my knowledge you aren't even aware of our Rate Plans and Terms! I assume "any" cost to advertise is considered too much for you... You may be surpised how reasonable they are!

Companies don't pay for advertising without some type of return for their advertising investment. Literally every company must use some form of advertising to promote their company and/or products. It makes people aware of who and what the company is all about...especially a new company. Many companies offer promotional sales, close-outs or exciting new products to the buying public to increase their sales...and of course their profits. If companies didn't advertise, they wouldn't have many customers. Advertising by word-of-mouth only goes so far... Putting your company's name in front of as many potential buyers as possible results in greater sales which in turn results in greater profits. And profit is what affects the bottom line of the ledger sheet. Advertising is good business! It's a must!

The following is part of our Rules that apply to non-supporting vendors:

NON-SUPPORTING VENDORS
Non-supporting vendors are welcome to participate on the bimmerforums.com message board and use its many features with full privileges. However, we must ask that all non-supporting vendors (including agents, dealers, staff, etc.) not advertise or promote any companies, products or services in any way. The use of text, logos, images, links or any other means to advertise, promote or obtain potential business while participating on the message board will not be allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, all messages, profile signatures or any other communicative features available on bimmerforums.com.


If you are interested in becoming a supporting vendor of Bimmerforums.com I will be glad to email you our Rate Plans and Terms. If you are interested please email me at bob@bimmerforums.com and make the request.

Bob ///M3

[Bernanke]

Hey bob, I have to disagree on that one. Its one thing if a huge company like Active autowerke or Turnermotorsports is not a supported vender and posts on this board for business gain or something like that, but doing that to chris is not fair. He is not even nearly as big as those other companies, and does not have to huge cash reservoir to pay to be supported. He has been very good to bimmerforums and has brought alot of good group purchases at unbeatable prices, so I dont see whats so wrong with him posting a few small group purchases. I doubt he will even make a dent with companies as big as those other ones. Just thought i'd share my opinion on the situation, and no im not affiliated with GTR so im not trying to defend him or anything, i'm just a loyal customer, thats all. would u reconsider?

this board used to be free to post anything thing, what happened?

[Bob ///M3]

I respect your opinion however we must handle advertising the way I explained it. We must draw the line based on who pays to advertise...just like advertising with newspapers, magazines or on radio or television. It's exactly the same principle. If we didn't, it would be impossible to explain at what point a vendor must begin to pay to advertise.

Also, as I've explained...it makes no difference if the company doesn't have the funding to advertise. They must actually find the funding as part of doing business.

Bimmerforums.com has always had rules about non-supporting vendors advertising on our message board however we elected not to enforce those rules because we weren't ready to have "supporting" (or paying) vendors at that time. Now that we do have supporting vendors we must protect their investment by not allowing non-supporting vendors to advertise. That is what changed... It's only fair we enforce this portion of our rules now.

By the way, our least expensive rate plan offers a small button-size banner to be displayed for only $50 per month! This shouldn't be a large expense for a small vendor to pay. It's nothing like as much as eight times this amount that some of the other message boards charge for their one-and-only rate. Any small or newly established vendor should certainly be able to afford $50 per month to advertise to such a large audience!

Bob ///M3

[Bernanke]

yes i understand your point, i understand, oh well. thanks for taking my opinion seriously, keep up good work bob.

[Bob ///M3]

You are very welcome!

Bob ///M3

[Kevlar]

I understand that money is money and we have to draw the line, but I was thinking about it last night. What about those people who contribute knowledge?

Granted... that doesn't pay the bills, but maybe we could have something... for them... nothing like a banner ad or anything, but maybe like permit them to change their avatar to their company logo or their Title to their company name or URL?

Just an idea as I was brainstorming last night. Many of these upstart internet companies are trying to pass savings on to us here on the board and I would hate to see them shut out. Even if we offer them something little for contributing "knowledge"?

Just my $0.02.

[Stockman]

Honestly I think $50 is excessive for someone like Dakar95M3. He doesnt run a full time shop.. I think he hopes to one day but all he really does now is every so often give people on the forum a very good price on items. Its possible he would lose money if he had to pay 50/month.

I also see how people who do pay would be not so happy but maybe there should be a limit? Like maybe you can do one per time period without paying? That way if a seller wanted to get serious with it he would have to pay but a casual seller wouldnt have to

:dunno

[Bob ///M3]

Many of us contribute our knowledge and/or time and receive absolutely nothing for it! I know I do...

Bob ///M3




Originally posted by Kevlar
I understand that money is money and we have to draw the line, but I was thinking about it last night. What about those people who contribute knowledge?

Even if we offer them something little for contributing "knowledge"?

[Bernanke]

Originally posted by Stockman
Honestly I think $50 is excessive for someone like Dakar95M3. He doesnt run a full time shop.. I think he hopes to one day but all he really does now is every so often give people on the forum a very good price on items. Its possible he would lose money if he had to pay 50/month.

I also see how people who do pay would be not so happy but maybe there should be a limit? Like maybe you can do one per time period without paying? That way if a seller wanted to get serious with it he would have to pay but a casual seller wouldnt have to

:dunno


I TOTALLY AGREE, perfect idea stockman. You should set like a 2-3 sale limit per month or something like that, that would be a really good idea Bob. hope that helps

[C///M3]

I guess rules are rules, but I tend to agree that this is a bit excessive. This may backfire and hurt this forum more than help. People will start to flock over to other forums where they have more to gain/benefit.

[ChrisFL]

This won't mess up anything if we just DROP IT NOW. I think everyone eloquently spoke their point and got it across.

"C-c-c-c-can't we all j-just get along?"

Hey look...boobies!!


:boobies

[Stockman]

Originally posted by ChrisFL
This won't mess up anything if we just DROP IT NOW. I think everyone eloquently spoke their point and got it across.

"C-c-c-c-can't we all j-just get along?"

Hey look...boobies!!


:boobies

Sure it will.. the people who do a few group purchases a year wont be able to give the users here a good price like they used to

[ChrisFL]

Doesn't this guy use other forums??

[ChrisFL]

All you need to organize a gp is people's e-mail's. Basically a way to talk. If I can't find GP here, I will simply go over to another board. Easy as that.
I just don't like BF being dirtied by threads like this.:mad:

[Stockman]

its not being dirtied

its just a month ago he was able to do it with no problems.. and he tried to do it a few days ago and couldnt

Personally i think everything would be fine if there was like a 1 GP/month limit for non supporting people

and well.. you think that the people here should miss out if/when he does it on other forums? many people here have this their ONLY forum

[ChrisFL]

Oh well. I guess I just don't care. Sorry for coming off bad but that's the truth. I read what you posted and see your points - all of you all.

I don't see why this is a big deal:dunno

[ChrisFL]

And if people miss out of a GP on another board by him, for God's sakes, just let others know about it before hand! Provide a link or something in an e-mail.
BF is a great place, but ti is by no means the only place I go for info/parts/GP etc.
It's just my favorite:love1

[joshE46]

I figured I'd add my .02, not to start or finish any discussion, only to provide a view from a supporting vendor. I personally have no problems with anyone organizing a group buy. I think it's a great idea, and we do it too. What needs to be considered is when people represent a vendor in the For Sale sections as a means to promote their business. I know, we all have to start somewhere. I'm in the same boat. Jason and I are completely self-funding Bimmer Mods, and neither of us have extra money to spare. But, we realize the strength of advertising, and we decided to pony up the cash to pay for advertising here at Bimmer Forums. This is coming right out of my personal mod funds, so I can sympathize. But, if you want to play, you have to pay, that's the old saying, and it's just as true here as anywhere else. If guys want to organize a gb, then go ahead because it's great for the community, but if you want to consistently organize a gb as a means of undercutting all the competitors and promote an actual business, then it's only fair to those of us that are paying for the right to advertise here, that they be required also. Someone has to support the server bills and associated fees in order to keep Bimmer Forums up and running for everyone to enjoy. If anyone could advertise freely, then what'd be the point? I have a forum as well, and to support this kind of traffic, you have some very expensive costs associated with it. I just wish everyone would realize the little things like this.:cool: It's better than charging for a membership, right? This way, the people that stand to profit from it, can pay for it. Free market economy, it works.


Sincerely,
Josh
Bimmer Mods

[Bernanke]

interesting view from a supported vendor. I guess we all have to start somewhere. You have a good point and its well understood. Thanks for input

[Stylin]

Well said Josh.. running a forum this size is NOT cheap. The monthly bills must be outragious. I would help out any way I can finacially if I could. We are very thankful for all who give to the forum in every aspect making it what it is today.

[Ryan325i]

I often wonder who the hell pays the bills to keep this site working. There is no way that the ads are currently keeping it afloat. 3 months ago when the site had so many problems I would have paid a monthly fee to be a member. I'm glad I don't have to and losing an opportunity a month on GP is worth it.