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Post by Phil Nottingham on Dec 20, 2006 21:30:22 GMT
I agree but seem to be in a minority of 2?
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Post by Ken Nelson on Dec 21, 2006 3:25:18 GMT
Currently the parts page indicates that no parts can be shipped outside of the UK. Since I can't attend meets or meet members (I live in the USA) this has been a detriment to joining the club. The more people participating in this forum the more likely to keep P5's alive and desirable for members and non-members both, I think. Is there any way to increase parts or services to non-UK members if they join? Ken
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Post by glennr on Dec 21, 2006 9:11:18 GMT
I think Roy makes a valid point. "You've got to be in it to win it" seems a very fair solution. I think I would be miffed too.
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Post by David on Dec 21, 2006 9:34:43 GMT
kennelson, the reason items are not shipped outside of the UK is because of our insurance. We are covered for faulty items/potential accidents within the UK but to have a policy that is worldwide would be far more money than the income generated. However if you or a friend visits the UK, or you have a relative that resides in the UK,... if you get my meaning
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Post by RichardF on Dec 21, 2006 14:43:26 GMT
Judging by the previous posts, and no disrespect to the author, perhaps there should be a 4th option; that which a few have mooted already. Because of the (seemingly) restricted options, I voted to open for all as this is much better than a closed shop. However, with hindsight, I agree with some that there should be some sort of enhancement for the paying portion of us. As suggested, this could be members being offered items/reductions first and then after a certain time, open to all. This would still offer assistance to non (but potential) members and at the same time placating the paid up members. Difficult balance I admit but certainly not insurmountable.
Richard Southampton
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Post by andymaslen on Dec 21, 2006 20:35:44 GMT
I'm with Richard (and the others) on this. Make the technical info and chat/pics open to all, but give members of the club first dibs on parts/cars and anything else with an "economic" value.
Andy M
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Post by Multi-Tech on Dec 21, 2006 21:41:49 GMT
I think Richard and Andy have got it spot on Andy just sent you a pm
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2006 13:02:35 GMT
Dear P5 club,
As mentioned at the beginning of this discussion if you limit exposure to existing members we will continue to die a (slow?) certain death. The only chance of widening interest is free publicity for these wonderful cars and their owners (presume Mr Mueller agrees?). This website is the best free publicity and leads the car loving general public to the heart of excellent (P5) carbuilding, ownership and maintenance. Nothing else does. If necessary I would even ditch the magazine (or increase its price with declining membership) and invest in the website. All classic printed paid media forms are in decline (newspares, magazines). Don't kill off your best communication channel by restricting it to predominantly older people who already have the product. Makes no sense. David suggest you get advertisers to pay for for space on the site and that ALL advertisements be carried on the site. Internet advertising is winning the war against print advertising too! Why does our club run at a loss? There is absolutely no need! We need a strategy to develop funds and service and not to exclude the general public and lose money.
Regards,
Peter The Netherlands (63) P5B Coupe owner (and management consultant)
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Post by mancamefirst on Dec 22, 2006 13:16:43 GMT
I agree that elements of the board should hold privileges for those who contribute to the club financially. The suggestion of 'For Sale' having a time bar before being open to non members seems reasonable, although with the emergence of fleabay perhaps only reasonably effective.
I recently bought a P5B. There was no deep rooted reasoning behind my purchase, i didn't grow up with them (or anyone who wanted one), I haven't hankered after one for years (although i would have bought one a decade or so ago instead of a P6 if i could have afforded to), and had never met an owner until after we bought our car.
I was influenced by two main factors. First and greatest was that my wife was very keen (once i found some pics to show her). The second one was this website/board, the information available on it and the inclusive attitude of those who posted.
Without this website i probably would not have bought a P5 and probably not a classic car of any type. As it is i am glad i did, and have just sent off my membership form....
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Post by David on Dec 22, 2006 14:04:13 GMT
Thanks to all for your input. Keep it coming ................and welcome to 'mancamefirst' Peter, we are only running at a slight loss as membership fees remained static for a number of years. The sudden rise in postal costs are probably the single greatest factor in our financial balance. the new fees along with a fixed yearly membership date of April will over the year, see us back in the black again The website has a much greater influence on the club and will become even more so over time. The site itself has been discussed at committee and a new updated version will be instigated in the not too distant future i.e. when we (Janet & I) get the time. We are aware that members should receive benefits from joining the cub, with the Club Workshop at Gaydon planned for April/May being a good example. For members this will be totally free, but non-members will have to pay a yet to agreed figure of around £35. I will not be on-line over the next few days so can I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2007.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2006 14:07:33 GMT
Even though I bought Olive the P5B before I found the website I found the first benefit of being a club member was a reduction in insurance and all the technical information available from other members. If I could make a suggestion , could we make any technical help/ advice & parts for sale ( NOT whole cars ) be limited to members only, that way non members could still access the site to view these lovely old girls until the day they finally give in and buy one !. We must remember that there are dealers out there who survive by buying spares cheap and then selling them on ebay. Maybe give non members a discount on membership if they buy a complete car from the club website. I dunno? if I hadn't spent the money on membership, £30 of it would have been spent hookers & booze and I would have wasted the rest! Regards. ScarlettWilll
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Post by johnbirmingham on Dec 24, 2006 0:16:27 GMT
I'm with "the open to all" camp. We save nothing by keeping non-members out and may miss someone with useful input or a potential new member. Closing the door seems rather like telling a stranger who aproaches us to chat about the car to "sod off if you're not a member". And we'd never know what we'd missed ! Oh!(or should that be Ho, Ho?) it's Christmas eve - Seasons greetings to all, and thanks again for all the helpful advice I've had from this site. John.
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Post by Roy of the Rovers on Dec 24, 2006 21:10:51 GMT
On the contrary John, we are saying "Here is our site, please feel free to use it. By the way, if you join the club you will ALSO benefit from having an early look at cars/parts for sale rather than waiting a month". This is just an example but I think people who pursue the view that ANY kind of restriction is a bad thing are probably not members of the club and have something to lose! Lets not forget, the people who contribute to this forum will still do so and offer the invaluable advice they always have. Why should the club/members pay for this...lose the sales through the magazine(revenue to the club) and potentially miss out on that 4 speed box or new old stock front grill to non members? Any restrictions are to be decided by the club with input from the members. If you want the club to take notice of your view then JOIN THE CLUB!! Merry Christmas all
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