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 Replies: 65 / Views: 10,096 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1475 Posts |
I've only joined CCF about 6 months ago, but it has reignited my passion for coin collecting. But more importantly, I gained so much knowledge about the hobby in such as short period of time, I am amazed at the quality and quantity of members' insights. So, I thought that we all should be aware of current CCF financial situation that I recently encountered. Please read thread below, the one from Bobby toward the bottom. Let's talk about what we can do. Running a forum of this scale is not cheap, and one person (or few) shouldn't have to burden it all. There got to be something we can do. http://goccf.com/t/298450Edited by Coconutjoe
10/15/2017 6:32 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Well, that's a disheartening read. I hope bobby can be candid about what needs to be done to keep the CCF on a solid financial footing. Should there be an annual minimal membership fee for everyone? Let's hear some thoughts.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Okay, how about this - you can join for free, but once you reach 50 posts, it's assumed you're on board and you are then asked for a minimum donation of X dollars to become a regular member.
Reaction?
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Forum Dad
 United States
24150 Posts |
I appreciate the thoughts, but I can't do that.
Things will become easier. We've stopped paying the mortgage and we're moving in with my Mother-in-Law.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1261 Posts |
It's hard to make a recommendation as I don't understand how the ebay revenue works nor the other issues. The only idea I have is to possibly sell the forum. That's probably a really bad idea and I don't even know if it's possible but isn't the ANA looking to enhance their internet presence? This site is it and ready made! Again, probably not a good idea but I just thought I'd throw it out there. I'm sure there are other organization too that might be interested. Can you imagine the impact if ANACS, ICG or CoinWorld acquired the forum with a ready made presence of 25,000 active members? (Not sure if that's the correct membership number or not?) I'm sure they spend more in advertising and marketing than the instant reach they could attain here. I truly wish you luck and hope things settle down. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Would it be a good idea for me to let ebay know, through proper channels, how important your work is in keeping counterfeits off ebay? And that I look at the ebay listings posted by members of CCF, and use that information to buy on ebay. If the well gets thoroughly poisoned, ebay will suffer, and I doubt that they could replace your services. |
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Forum Dad
United States
24150 Posts |
Quote:
The only idea I have is to possibly sell the forum. No, won't do that. The house cannot be saved, so I would sell my main source of income and lose the house anyway, just further down the road. I had a friend offer me the $7800 I needed before before August 16th to stop it but I refused it for the same reason. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
bobby - Frankly, I'm surprised you've been as candid about your personal finances as you have. But surely there's no harm in talking in general terms about the impact of an annual (base rate) membership fee in some form on the stability of this forum, without discussing you own situation further?  |
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Forum Dad
United States
24150 Posts |
Quote:
Frankly, I'm surprised you've been as candid about your personal finances as you have. Well right now I'm at my wit's end and this guy just pushed me over the edge. The Staff knew back in July. Quote:
But surely there's no harm in talking in general terms about the impact of an annual (base rate) membership fee in some form on the stability of this forum, without discussing you own situation further? That model will not work, trust me. There are far too many people that think everything on the internet should be free. I'll tell you one thing I'm probably going to do.... block content from people that bl ock ads. Trust me again, that alone will cost us some members though. I'm just fed up.... and apparently despicable now.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
With respect, I think you have created an incredibly popular exchange forum here, and if its financial viability is seriously threatened, then I believe you have a sort of parental obligation ( ) to at least explore openly the pros and cons of an annual fee of some sort - let the members chime in. Would you rather have 20,000 lagely non-paying members and fold, or 10,000 paying members and flourish? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
I have let my own contribution lapse for a number of months now.
Ill be sure and update before the month is over.
I realize you are not searching for donations, but from my perspective I've learned so much here that has saved me thousands of dollars. Not donating makes me feel uncomfortably cheap.
Is there any way any of us can help besides donations?
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I posted in the other thread about the ebay revenue thing,please read. I will be  John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
To encourage paid memberships, are there any perks to offer besides the badge? Ad-free experience (if you're going to block those of us with blockers enabled), unlimited picture uploads (beyond what a casual visitor may use to ask the first few questions, or more than so many per month), access to the member galleries, personalized avatars (instead of the generic ones), links to our own eBay/eCrater pages...?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2130 Posts |
I have been a member for almost 10 years and I am ashamed to say I have never donated. I have thought about it many times but simply have never done it. My collection has grown from a bunch of 90% silver coins I inherited to a collection that I am very proud of. I can with 100% certainty say that without CCF I would probably not even collect coins. Everyone here is so willing to help and you always feel people here have your best interest at heart. I have seen a lot of members come and go over the years but the way this forum is ran has never changed. Bobby...thanks for all that you do! And yes CCF family...I just made my donation and I will continue to do this so other young collectors will have the same opportunity I did here at CCF. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1475 Posts |
How about a small seller's fee? (1% or 2%) From my experiences, CCF prices are 5 to 10% cheaper than ebay. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
When I try to post the post I wrote, it says the site is busy right now, but it lets me create this one..? I can't edit this to show the full post either.
Edit: Wish I knew why I can't post the other one but I can post this...
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Edited by paralyse
10/15/2017 8:09 pm
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Replies: 65 / Views: 10,096 |
Posted 10/15/2017 1:12 pm
