Subscriptions etc

AckwelFoley

Ive never subscribed to boards. I should and i may but tbh, 50 quid is a little on the harsh side for what it is. Yes, i could say i do get alot of enjoyment from the site and that there is alot of cost in running the site an perhaps i should contribute to it, but personally ive never been a fan of the subscription structure on this site.

My suggestion for what its worth, would be to get rid of the temp subscriptions .. ie monthly etc and have it as anually only.
Change the levels of the subscription packages to perhaps - Gold, Silver and Bronze subscriptions with an anual term.

The 3 "packages" would contain different benefits, some that exist and some that perhaps could be offered, and the prices would be gradiated accordingly.

Bronze could cost as little as 10 euro - you would be a "Bronze subscriber" you would have very basic extras - perhaps a namechange ability and access to avatars

Silver -same as bronze but with most of the features that are available to full subscribers now but would cost 25 euro.

Gold Subscribers - These would cost as much 60 - 80 euro but perhaps there could be exclusive priviledges that could be created / made available to entice subscriptions.. i have a few in mind but dont want to suggest them openly yet

The reasons i suggest consideration of the restructure is because

a i would like to subscribe, merely to support the siteand perhaps have an avatar, but my 50 quid is abit much for an avatar, and if i did subscribe i would like to do so for a year.. im too lazy to do it every much, and not trust worthy enough to do it recurringly.

b I think personally it would create more revenue for the site, i know 50 euro isnt the largest subscription in the world for a site but its alot more than i paid before on other sites. I do think members want to support the site but for many people that would subscribe the fee is too much, alot of subscriptions would be from younger people in the late teens and again i think the 50 euro is a little out of their range.



^ ^ ^ ^
2 cents

My name is URL

+1 to all of that apart from getting rid of Monthly subs.. I don't know if many people* would be willing to pay the full wallop with no refund if they get banned a week or 2 into it

*me

Buford T Justice

My name is URL wrote: »

+1 to all of that apart from getting rid of Monthly subs.. I don't know if many people* would be willing to pay the full wallop with no refund if they get banned a week or 2 into it

*me

Yeah but if posters are muppets enough to get banned for knowingly breach of the charter then I say tough luck for bein a muppet

tbh

My name is URL wrote: »

+1 to all of that apart from getting rid of Monthly subs.. I don't know if many people* would be willing to pay the full wallop with no refund if they get banned a week or 2 into it

*me

how do you know there's no refund? are you just assuming?

El Weirdo

snyper wrote: »

Gold Subscribers - These would cost as much 60 - 80 euro but perhaps there could be exclusive priviledges that could be created / made available to entice subscriptions.. i have a few in mind but dont want to suggest them openly yet

Coke and hookers?


Although, at that price the coke would be shite and I don't really wanna think about the hookers.

star-pants

tbh wrote: »

how do you know there's no refund? are you just assuming?

I believe there are refunds, I assume if you're close to the end of what you've paid for it might not happen, but I've seen threads where a few days in people have asked for a refund and gotten it. Don't know the rules on it persay myself.

I prefer the monthly subscriptions, pay as I go type thing, asking for a large lump sum may not suit some people and might in fact put some people off.
I don't subscribe for the 'benefits' ..there aren't much really. I do it to give back to boards (that's just me).

tbh

star-pants wrote: »

I believe there are refunds, I assume if you're close to the end of what you've paid for it might not happen, but I've seen threads where a few days in people have asked for a refund and gotten it. Don't know the rules on it persay myself.

I prefer the monthly subscriptions, pay as I go type thing, asking for a large lump sum may not suit some people and might in fact put some people off.
I don't subscribe for the 'benefits' ..there aren't much really. I do it to give back to boards (that's just me).

I thought there were too, but I think that's based on some remark DeV made that probably isn't a statement of policy

My name is URL

tbh wrote: »

how do you know there's no refund? are you just assuming?

Well I was going by this post and haven't seen anything to make me assume otherwise

RoundyMooney

There used to be refunds. I remember a certain bannee broke our hearts on adverts-and shilled their dads company regularly on b.ie. They subbed thinking they were buying diplomatic plates, but ultimately got most of it back on request following an adban.

Overheal

Monthly or Annually, isnt it still a conflict of interest? "If I ban this person, we lose Revenue" etc.

AlmightyCushion

Overheal wrote: »

Monthly or Annually, isnt it still a conflict of interest? "If I ban this person, we lose Revenue" etc.

Potentially yes but in reality I've never seen it cause any conflict of interest. Plus it could have the opposite affect. If muppets who are nothing but trouble and ruining the site get around a siteban just because they're a subscriber then they could cause the quality of the site to dip and cause people to leave because the muppets have turned it to shíte. That would probably have a much bigger impact on revenue in the long term through lost page impressions and lower ad revenue then a few lost subscriptions could ever do.

RoundyMooney

It's not a factor, or at least, it wasn't. I assume that hasn't changed.

AckwelFoley

star-pants wrote: »

I believe there are refunds, I assume if you're close to the end of what you've paid for it might not happen, but I've seen threads where a few days in people have asked for a refund and gotten it. Don't know the rules on it persay myself.

I prefer the monthly subscriptions, pay as I go type thing, asking for a large lump sum may not suit some people and might in fact put some people off.
I don't subscribe for the 'benefits' ..there aren't much really. I do it to give back to boards (that's just me).

If you dont want to pay alot of money and merely want to support the site ive got jist the package for you..

*Introduces bronze package*


Its a yearly subscription and only 5 euro more than a monthly subscription


As far as banned members getting a refund - you must be joking..

If you buy a car and wrap it around a poll - do opel give you a refund because you were driving wrecklesly - crashed the car and were unable to use the car anymore?

Xavi6

Just don't get rid of quarterly subs. Thanks.

Buford T Justice

snyper wrote: »

If you buy a car and wrap it around a poll - do opel give you a refund because you were driving wrecklesly - crashed the car and were unable to use the car anymore?

Well, not if its an audi no.....

Spiritoftheseventies

Xavi6 wrote: »

Just don't get rid of quarterly subs. Thanks.

excellent post there by xavi. I think the 13 euro fee is a good place to start for subscribers.

Boston

None of the "privileges" are worth the money. That was kinda the point. There was a time when normal users couldn't search and subscribers could.

Spiritoftheseventies

Boston wrote: »

None of the "privileges" are worth the money. That was kinda the point. There was a time when normal users couldn't search and subscribers could.

As a once off fee its reasonable enough though. You get to chose your own avatar, change your name if you so choose . And you contribute to a good cause as well. To quote a poster "we have a good thing going here"

Boston

hmm "good cause". In what way is boards.ie a good cause? It's a business. Subscribing is more akin to tipping for a good service then giving money to a cause.

DeVore

I wouldnt refer to it as a "good cause". A "tip" is a nice way of putting it... but its been painfully obvious to us that we need to revisit and revamp the idea of being a "subscriber". I would hope we will address it this year but unfortunately I cant give a better time frame then that. A one time fee for an avatar or whatever sounds like a good idea though, but I'd prefer to address the whole area as, well, a whole.

DeV.

OldGoat

...and a Club necktie. I really want one of those!

Boston

How about RSS feeds for subscribers?

DeVore

As I said, I think we are better off approaching the area for a full overhaul or rethink rather then coding multiple specific items. It will just end up a patchwork.

As for RSS feeds, we have feeds available at the moment... no? Feeds of what exactly?

DeV.

Boston

DeVore wrote: »

As I said, I think we are better off approaching the area for a full overhaul or rethink rather then coding multiple specific items. It will just end up a patchwork.

As for RSS feeds, we have feeds available at the moment... no? Feeds of what exactly?

DeV.

Theres an RSS feed for the main page but nothing for individual threads as far as I can see? If memory serves it was tried out once long ago and shown to be too much of a resource hog.

Spiritoftheseventies

Boston wrote: »

Theres an RSS feed for the main page but nothing for individual threads as far as I can see? If memory serves it was tried out once long ago and shown to be too much of a resource hog.

You have to ask what benefit does it give you to be a paid up subscriber. Value for money is the bottom line.

Nevyn

onestepahead wrote: »

You have to ask what benefit does it give you to be a paid up subscriber. Value for money is the bottom line.

Subscription was never about value for money it was about contributing something back to the running costs of the site.

Spiritoftheseventies

Thaedydal wrote: »

Subscription was never about value for money it was about contributing something back to the running costs of the site.

Not aware Subscriptions are donations. Maybe im wrong.

_blank_

onestepahead wrote: »

Not aware Subscriptions are donations. Maybe im wrong.

They are donations, and for that donation you get a few "perks", like a custom avatar, a namechange if you like (another way to change ones username is to open a new account, as it happens), access to certain restricted forums, a tagline.

The subscription is/was to help with the running costs of the site

Spiritoftheseventies

Its a donation so.

Boston

Nah, cause you're getting something in return.

Spiritoftheseventies

Boston wrote: »

Nah, cause you're getting something in return.

Its a good ideal anyway. All for it.

_blank_

Boston wrote: »

Nah, cause you're getting something in return.

If you make a donation to those people who have money shakers in shopping centres they usually offer you a sticker.

You don't have to take it or wear it though, same as a subscription and the "perks" that go along with it.

I was of the opinion that since Boards "went corporate" then subscriptions were no longer needed, I even started a thread about it either here, in helpdesk or in the Subscribers Forum, not sure where, and had some points clarified for me, and I am still a subscriber.

I probably won't renew this time though, it's up soon iirc, but that's down to me needing the fifty quid more than I think boards does.

Spiritoftheseventies

Des wrote: »

If you make a donation to those people who have money shakers in shopping centres they usually offer you a sticker.

You don't have to take it or wear it though, same as a subscription and the "perks" that go along with it.

I was of the opinion that since Boards "went corporate" then subscriptions were no longer needed, I even started a thread about it either here, in helpdesk or in the Subscribers Forum, not sure where, and had some points clarified for me, and I am still a subscriber.

I probably won't renew this time though, it's up soon iirc, but that's down to me needing the fifty quid more than I think boards does.

Why didnt you take the once off £13 euro sub

_blank_

onestepahead wrote: »

Why didnt you take the once off £13 euro sub

I have no idea what you are talking about

Are you saying that there was a facility for someone to pay just thirteen euro, and be a subscriber for ever?

Dohnny Jepp

From reading the title and last line I think the subscription cost should be 2 cents too!!


Now to read the rest.

snyper wrote: »

Ive never subscribed to boards. I should and i may but tbh, 50 quid is a little on the harsh side for what it is. Yes, i could say i do get alot of enjoyment from the site and that there is alot of cost in running the site an perhaps i should contribute to it, but personally ive never been a fan of the subscription structure on this site.

My suggestion for what its worth, would be to get rid of the temp subscriptions .. ie monthly etc and have it as anually only.
Change the levels of the subscription packages to perhaps - Gold, Silver and Bronze subscriptions with an anual term.

The 3 "packages" would contain different benefits, some that exist and some that perhaps could be offered, and the prices would be gradiated accordingly.

Bronze could cost as little as 10 euro - you would be a "Bronze subscriber" you would have very basic extras - perhaps a namechange ability and access to avatars

Silver -same as bronze but with most of the features that are available to full subscribers now but would cost 25 euro.

Gold Subscribers - These would cost as much 60 - 80 euro but perhaps there could be exclusive priviledges that could be created / made available to entice subscriptions.. i have a few in mind but dont want to suggest them openly yet

The reasons i suggest consideration of the restructure is because

a i would like to subscribe, merely to support the siteand perhaps have an avatar, but my 50 quid is abit much for an avatar, and if i did subscribe i would like to do so for a year.. im too lazy to do it every much, and not trust worthy enough to do it recurringly.

b I think personally it would create more revenue for the site, i know 50 euro isnt the largest subscription in the world for a site but its alot more than i paid before on other sites. I do think members want to support the site but for many people that would subscribe the fee is too much, alot of subscriptions would be from younger people in the late teens and again i think the 50 euro is a little out of their range.



^ ^ ^ ^
2 cents

Spiritoftheseventies

Des wrote: »

I have no idea what you are talking about

Are you saying that there was a facility for someone to pay just thirteen euro, and be a subscriber for ever?

No des. Its a once off. for thirteen euro. then you get back to being an ordinary poster again with no privileges.

Boston

Des wrote: »

If you make a donation to those people who have money shakers in shopping centres they usually offer you a sticker.

You don't have to take it or wear it though, same as a subscription and the "perks" that go along with it.

I was of the opinion that since Boards "went corporate" then subscriptions were no longer needed, I even started a thread about it either here, in helpdesk or in the Subscribers Forum, not sure where, and had some points clarified for me, and I am still a subscriber.

I probably won't renew this time though, it's up soon iirc, but that's down to me needing the fifty quid more than I think boards does.

I'm not going to get into a semantics discussion about the meaning of donation.

As for boards.ie not needing subscriptions, the company boards.ie LTD made a loss last year.

_blank_

Boston wrote: »

As for boards.ie not needing subscriptions, the company boards.ie LTD made a loss last year.

that's as may be, but I had a job last year.

Boston

How does that affect whether or not boards.ie LTD needs donations? Maybe you need it more, but that doesn't mean they don't still need it.

_blank_

Boston wrote: »

How does that affect whether or not boards.ie LTD needs donations?

It doesn't, but I was speaking from a personal perspective, that's all.

Spiritoftheseventies

Sorry to hear about the job des. Any luck finding anything?

Steve

Long term subscribers don't have any 'real' perks apart from a custom avatar. That's hardly worth fifty lids in my book.

If you just want a name change then pick the minimum sub, get the change and job done - both sides benefit from the exchange.

Personally, I see it as a 'tip' as DeV said and don't really expect anything in return for it.

Spiritoftheseventies

Steve wrote: »

Long term subscibers don't have any 'real' perks apart fom a costom avatar. That's hardly worth fifty lids in my book.

If you just want a name change then pick the minimum sub, get the change and job done - both sides benefit from the exchange.

Personally, I see it as a 'tip' as DeV said and don't really expect anything in return for it.

Can you change your name more than once?

Steve

As long as your subscription is up-to-date then yes.

(I assume, though, that if someone requests a name change once a day or is otherwise silly about it then common sense would kick in and they'd be told politely where to go.. )

Spiritoftheseventies

Steve wrote: »

As long as your subscription is up-to-date then yes.

(I assume, though, that if someone requests a name change once a day or is otherwise silly about it then common sense would kick in and they'd be told politely where to go.. )

Thinking of getting my old name back. I miss it