Well people this is your chance to have input into the way the forum sponsorship is done. Please post input below. If you are real passionate about it give me a ring on 0407330002 and we will have a chat. You have approx 72 hrs to comment. Input will close 8.30 am Saturday 21 Dec 02.

- The Forum will take on sponsors from each area within Australia. These sponsors will be taken on a first in best dressed deal with no two sponsors from the one area being taken on without the consent of the initial sponsor of that area. For example if No1 VW Parts in Brsibane is first in and he does not wish to allow No2 to advertise then that is his decision. If he has no problem with it then it is fine for them to sponsor. This decision can be changed for the positive not the negative.
- Cost of sponsorship
1st Rate sponsorship will cost $500 p/yr and will get a static banner add on one topic and a listing in the sponsors page area linked to a one page website listing full details of their business and products.
2nd rate sposorship will cost $150 p/yr and will gain a rolling banner add, shared with other 2nd rate sponsors on the topic and a listing in the sponsors area.

That is pretty much it for what they get. What do we as members get for making this board what it is today ??

Free 10mb wbepages at a subdomain of Aussieveedubbers.com , so basically I could have a 10mb webspace at http://www.buggyboyz.aussieveedubbers.com  and so on. This will halp members get a web presence for free on a full optioned webspace. In return the forum gets more publicity.

E-mail address - yourname@aussieveedubbers.com, 5mb quota with full pop3 setup or mail forwarding, your choice.


mmm that should do to get us going ..

Oh yeah in answer to the next question someone is sure to ask.... What do I get out of this ?? As some of you may know Aussieveedubbers.com currently sits on my server. I currently foot the bill for this in partnership with Mick Motors. Once we have setup sponsors my plan would be to simply roll the forum over onto a paying package and and treat them as any other customer at a substantially discounted rate, which I will happily post here.

Input please


[Edited on 18-12-2002 by Buggy Boyz]

[Edited on 19-12-2002 by Buggy Boyz]

What if we were also to make it that to be a sponsor you have to offer a discount to Forum members ?? We could issue a membership card and get include it as a clause in the contract.

ie - Sponsors must give forum members parts at trade price upon presentation of a valid membership card ?? If we were to do this then we would need a membership form and a nominal fee from those on teh forum who wished to take up the deal. ie - For $10 you get a forum discount card and a forum sticker ??

OK I'll be first

Firstly Brad thanks for the Forum I think its just TOP:thumb

I'm not sure about letting the first sponsor stop other sponsors - Kinda makes me think of monoplies.

I like the idea of VOLUNTARY membership.
I would join - Not just for the discount but to support the Forum.

I think it is important that it is voluntary.

However when it comes down to it someone has to make the final decision, and I'm pleased with what you've done so far so will offer any support I can.

I know what yo are saying about monopolies... but how else can we do it ?
No business is going to want to sponsor something that every VW business in Australia can be on, or will they ?? I don't know ?? Maybe they will and then we can make more money .
Maybe we shopuld set it up like a huge discount scheme and run it that way so members get maximum benifits. That would be different looking out for the VW community, kinda like the Bendigo Bank theory ...

What say the masses ??

In order to get around the ABN and tax department issues I intend to run the setup through teh Manx Club Books, they will get a small percentage of teh $$ and in return will take care of the Books and make it all legal like from a tax point of view. Why the Manx Club you may ask ? Well cause if someone is going to benifit from my time and effort I want it to be them, simple really..

Brad , just so I,m clear on this.
You propose 1 x No 1 sponsor by region or 1 x No 1 sponsor nationally?
Dean

It is tricky, but if I ran a VW business I wouldn't want to be the only one not listed.

Magazines have ads from lots of similar business.

Anyway - its bedtime

Keep up the good work.

I thought you said we would have no more worries with costs , and is the idea now to make more money , who for ?
Alec

Brad , I am hearing a lot of bad words about the forum from people around the tracks , I think you are going to ruin it if you are not careful . Alec

Don't get me wrong we are not having money problems and if we keep the images under 50kb then I don not think we ever will. The current deal I have is with Mick Motors and it takes care of the costs with the setup we have.
If we are all happy with that and having only one sponsor then that is great.
On the other hand by clossing out other sponsors I beleive that we are limiting our options. I agree that making money is an issue so maybe the best option is to offer sponsorship in return for members discounts, but even this would have over heads that need to be covered ?
I don't have the answers. I set up the Mick Motors deal to get us sorted apart from that I am open to all input, the mebers want input here is their chance ..

Keep em comming :thumb

Probalby not my place to answer - but...

Firstly I own an IT business

The fact that members are getting email addresses and 10meg websites demonstraights to me that members will benefit from this and the fact that Buggy Boyz (Sorry dont know your real name) is willing to publish the discounted rate he is eventually going to charge shows that he has nothing to hide.

Trust me this knid of site would cost you BIG to set up and run. He has taken a gamble and set it up. Unless he is a millionaire then he has to pay his bills too.

My company charges about 30% less than my competitors even so you can start with $65 per hour before we even look at licensing for software, hosting fees, bandwidth fees.

Instead of concentrating on what his "angle is" concentrate on what you get out of this site for FREE.

Sorry to rant - Its late and I get mad when people dont appreciate whats done for them

the samba.com has lots of adverts
I thought we also made money by selling stickers and soon caps & tees etc.
we must try not to be exclusive
Alec

Brad , I don't take drugs unless perscribed , do you want to hear of bad comments towards the forum or not , Ihave not mentioned deleting pics ,
People say you fly off the handle .
you say" the members are the forum"then lets have lots of happy members.Alec

Personally, I have no use for a 10M space on your server (I have 170M free on my main site - I haven't cleaned up lately.) I can understand your wanting to profit from this, Brad - and if it will help to keep the forum alive, I'm all for it. But, unless you have some kind of a problem with MickMotors, I think you should be honest about your motivation.

I must have posted the same time as 70AutoStik ...
Anyway I am not going to profit and I have no problem at all with Mick Motors.
Will you guys please please read all the posts.
I have started this thread as others seem keen to sponsor the forum and I am after input. If that input is to leave it with one sponsor and that is all then I am happy with that....
I have offered to put up all fees and balances on the web for all to see how much more can I do ??

My motives are simple - To get input from members ... I don't need money I have a full time job that provides for me just fine.

Who remembers what it was like when the forum closed down???? I had no where to go in My hobby!! No One to talk to.. to comment on.. etc..
One way.. is to Ban all mentions of other VW businesses as Mick IS Paying for a Priviledge.... as the Sponsor... He is NOT getting a Fair Go.... If Dave wants to tell someone about VVDS... He should email the person-s directly.... as I DO.....
Alternatively- What You are suggesting that each state has a sponsor, I suppose would be OK too... as someone from Melbourne or Adelaide will probably prefer to deal with someone closer..... If only for the cheaper postal rates...
Then again... I prefer to Buy Parts from MIck Motors and I live in NSW.....
Seeing there are 500 members.... of VW enthusists - VW owners etc.. You do have some Bargaining Power Brad... as there are NO Aussie VW Magazines.... and lots of New VW owners - who don't know of all the different VW parts Suppliers... I have been going thru old VW mags and emailing people to tell them where their closest- state wise- VW Parts supplier... is located.. and also Praising MIck Motors whom I have been dealing with for over 6 years.... I got a bit carried away there Brad. I don't know if I answered any of Your Questions..

Hmmm...not quite sure how to word this, I know what I mean but hope I don't get misunderstood.

If Mick's pays $500 per year and there are going to be lesser rates, for his money he should probably get some sort of exclusitivity (is this a real word?) or prime real estate on the website although I'm not sure in what form that this would take (only providing a suggestion).

If there are going to be multiple sponsors allowed on the site, charging one lower flat rate for everyone might encourage more sponsors and still bring in enough money to cover costs at the same total revenue that you might get from a single high paying sponsor.

Well that's my two cents worth and hope it makes some sense?

Yes, it makes sense... Mick Has been Paying $500 a year.....for EXCLUSIVE Sponsorship... and Now the option of having other sponsors... NOT Paying $500 a year.... or even JUST other sponsors.... I believe You should talk to MIck.... But YOU do have the final say BRAD... if Mick is selling $500 worth of parts to SA or WA each month.. He won't be happy.... BUT I doubt that this is happening.... You are in the drivers seat Brad... and I'll go with You. I don't See why You shouldn't get reimbursed some what for Your efforts & costs... Lee

Even a LIST of Suppliers for each state with phone & email & webpages etc.
and Mick as the MAJOR SPONSOR.... Its a bit tricky Brad.... I'm sure You don't want to lose MIck as a sponsor.... and I believe He has Paid the $500... If You can manage to have all these other options when Mick's sponsorship comes up again.
So He's NOT disadvantaged....
AS I said before- I live in NSW but I buy most of My parts from MIck in QLD...
So there could be another problem...
Well there is a bit of food for thought Brad. Best of Luck... Lee

you should confront Mick and ask him what he prefers.its all tricky as i dont know much about this sorta stuff but i though i shoulkd have my input on what should be done! I reacon only one flat rate per yer should be applied for other sponsors if that goes ahead otherwise there would be fights over who gets where etc.
if this forum ever dies i think i would probably die aswell its my life know aswell as school!!!!! i am happy to pay $10 a year for membership!
cheers
rhys

Hmmmm,
Got a bit heated there for a minute. As a new V dubber, i have loved the wealth of information I get out of this site!!!!!!!

Im all for allowing other sponsors in, but on that same token, would not care if Mick motors fly solo.

Sorry Im too indecisive.........

matt

Manx Club, Money, Books, hey thats me!!!!

My two cents worth,

What does Mick think?
Has he been asked about this yet?

People giving out other business's details at the drop off a hat, kind of like standing in Myer listening to people chat about a product then racing over and mentioning Target sells it. I know before you state the obvious this is a forum where all are free to make their own comments and thats what its all about. But, lets give the sponsor a bit of slack here, I cannot remember ever having Mick come in here and heavy hand anyone or make any sort of demand at all. How good is that!!!!
If we must have a list for those persons who don't know who their local parts guy/gal is then lets get Micks OK, for a seperate section that can only be added to by the admin and those companies pay a fee allbeit small, Mick stays as major sponsor on the top(If he wants to).
Think ahead, will we have people bitching about certain companies(sponsors) that did not do the right thing by them? Will the sponsors then get upset as they are paying to be here????

I think the current system is great, If Mick wants to stay then let him, If he's OK with other sponsor's on here then Ok by me too.
But lets not fight and bitch when someone makes a comment about them down the track.

You can't please all the people all the time!!!!

I think thats 3 cents worth.

Cheers
Darryl
P.s. I was in the Barossa Valley on Tuesday, how dry is it down there!!!!
And 41 degrees where we were!!!!
Glad to get back to Sunny QLD:bounce:repuke

[Edited on 18-12-2002 by daz67]

My opinion - dont care. A forum is a forum and people get crappy and sulk for a while and they come back - or not. Just like drinking in a pub. I personally like the banner idea BUT if PUTOOEY MOTORS wants too advertise on a banner and people dont like em - they are aloud to say so. This forum should be no different to a group of people talking in a street/pub/bbq. Public pressure will sway everyone.
Brad......i think is doing a GREAT job cause this forum is here. I love these things...i have learned a lot in the last couple of years but hated having to chat to americans on STF, SBO and CLF. These sites have the same problems....in fact worse. Just go over to STF and have a read of the cat fight that went on between aircooled.net, moore parts source, L&N Eng, Raby........now THERE is a bunch of girls.
I will say again though.... i think there is a difference between a shop saying i have something when all they sell is new stuff and a shop saying i have something when they are a wrecker as well. Anyway :bounce

Mick Motors - I have spoken to Mick and will state here for the record he is here for teh long run and we will not loose him as a sponsor, that I will make sure of. He has been with us since the start and is happy to support the VW community. He does not come in here and push his products because he does not beleive that would be the right thing to do.

THE FEEL SO FAR - The feeling I am getting is that most people are happy to stay with the current setup. Maybe add a VW Business directory or something simple like that. Maybe it could be like one of those adds where if you mention it you get a discount, ie you say to the shop " I saw you on Aussieveedubbers.com " and they give you a few $$ off ?? I dunno.

[Edited on 18-12-2002 by Buggy Boyz]

Hi Brad,

I am fairly new to the forum, but have enjoyed reading all the comments and enjoy the banter that goes back and forth.
Maybe I have missed the point, but as I have read through the forum the biggest problem that people seem to have is the size of pictures and them dissappearing. I very much understand why you remove them if they are over 50kb as you have restricted space.
Is the point of getting more sponsorship, to get more money so we can go to a bigger server and not have the problem of picture size ?
Do you have other companies that want to sponsor this forum and advertise on it now ? and if so have you asked them what would be acceptable to them ?.... just to get ideas.

Sorry, I have just asked more question !!

Having a dedicated sponsor like Mike Motors is fantastic and so he must be kept happy.
Also, you and your team (if you have one) are doing a great job with the forum. Thanks for the effort as I know it just doesn't happen by magic !!

Mark. :bounce

We are not going to be able to please every body, regardless of which way we decide to go here.

What we must do is whatever is "right" for the forum, aussieveedubbers.com.

Brad, I agree with your last conclusion about the feeling so far. The status quo has worked, is working, and will no-doubt work in future. Mick Motors has been loyal to us, we should reward that loyalty (if in any way Mick has concerns about extra sponsors) with exclusivity.

By all means have a business directory on the forum somewhere, but leave well enough alone.

Regarding picture size, leave the limit at 50kb. I can't understand how something so trivial or petty could cause so much disquiet amongst adults. Come on guys and girls, them's the rules.

Steve

.....and with the dawn came reason.....

"I personally like the banner idea BUT if PUTOOEY MOTORS wants too advertise on a banner and people dont like em - they are aloud to say so"

"I love these things...i have learned a lot in the last couple of years"

"Thanks for the effort as I know it just doesn't happen by magic !!"

"What we must do is whatever is "right" for the forum, aussieveedubbers.com."

"The status quo has worked, is working, and will no-doubt work in future. Mick Motors has been loyal to us, we should reward that loyalty (if in any way Mick has concerns about extra sponsors) with exclusivity."


I think these remarks some up my feelings, and as I've quoted everyone else here I'll quote an idea I posted a couple of days ago.

How about posting an "Etiquette" Guide it could advise people on the prefered method of buying parts such as:

1. Post a request for parts and purchase from any forum member who has it.
2. If no forum member has it contact one of the sponsers (I'm assuming there will be more than one)
3. If 1 & 2 dont give you a result contact any of the other suppliers that people reply with in step 1.

If this were posted as a seperate area then we can all post an "I agree" message under it.

This would show our current sponsor that we are going to support them in return for the sponsorship and also if prospective sponsors see a list of 500 customers who have pledged to activley seek to purchase from them it would be a big incentive.

Thats it I'm Done.

I don't like this idea Adam, as I said before. I LIVE in NSW and buy My parts from MICK MOTORS in BRISBANE... He gives good service to everyone no matter where they live.... and I know of 3 or 4 semi locals who do the same.... We all live in the country.... and Mick is the Sponsor after all.... but We bought from Him many years before the forum....
regards
Lee enjoy the holidays..Adz.:rudolf