[The_Rookie]

Jerry..

TU STORE!!!! We have alot of talent here on TU!!! Why not make a store all of us can use! All of us could donate items to stock the store.. The money you get could keep the site running.. I know its more complex than just that.. but everything starts with a idea.

I will do whatever you decide.. TU has helped me make more than 60 bucks over the past 2 years.. Let me know where to send the check! The friendship I have made are priceless. But if you want more creative ways to make money without charging members... I think a TU Store would be a great idea.. Heck we could sell stock in the store and all of us have ownership rights. Or do a auction style listings like ebay and charge fees for the items listed.. If you build it they will come!!!! It could be big guys.. or it could flop like my pancakes!

If that doesnt work.. I vote for a TU POKER SITE!!! We could just meet and play Texas holdem at night! Use the rake to pay the dues!

The Rookie

[redg8r]

Originally Posted by rhahn427

PLEASE CHANGE MY VOTE TO NO

Done

[sagacious]

Well, congrats on the continuing succes of TU! Sites like this don't prosper unless they have competent, dedicated management.

However, I must admit to some slight chagrin at the proposed membership fees. I find that I participate considerably more as a contributor than a miner of information. I don't weigh-in with opinions and questions as much as I try to shed some light on areas where my own experience or techniques might be of practical benefit to others. As such, paying a fee to access this great site would, unfortunately, likely be the end of my participation.

I am a moderator on a couple other fishing websites, and I do understand that in this day and age, everything costs money. I was under the (perhaps mistaken) belief that the advertising here covered the site maintenance costs. If the primary reason for the modest membership fees is to force participation of membership, then I am of two minds (both against tho! ).

First, I suspect that there are some who will pay, well, just to be here, and also have considerable knowledge to share. But my guess is that number is fairly low, and will almost surely suffer attrition over time. Without that pool of talent, the quality of the information presented here will suffer. Second, that group who will pay a fee for the ability to access the information and considerable talent here (now), will also surely suffer from attrition. Many tacklemakers/hobbyists want nothing more than to know how to pour a few spinnerbaits and tie a few jigs. Once they have that set of skills, there becomes little reason to remain as an active, membership-dues paying member. If this tendancy for attrition is correct, even in part, the future of TU may not be as rosy as I'd like to hope.

I suspect that many of the 'lurkers' are of the type listed above-- those who only need to acquire a limited repertoir of skills. Also, I suspect that many come here to be inspired-- I certainly am inspired by the fantastic work I see here. That inspiration, I believe, is what makes a young person say, "hey, maybe I could make my own lure and catch a fish on it!" Those are 'newbies' looking for support, encouragement, and also a knowledge base. Those folks are the ones who patronize the advertisers here, who bring a fresh, current feel to the site, and those same starry-eyed lure-making fisherfolks are the future of TU. And those people are perhaps the least likely (as a group) to sign on as paying members.

I have seen several fishing websites enact membership fee schedules in order to actively reduce the membership, while hoping to retain the 'hard-core' members. This invariably has the effect of turning the club into a clique of friends who all know each other, and want someplace to hang-out on the web. The quality and integrity of the site can then become exceedingly hard to mantain without the input of fresh blood, and I'd hate to see that happen here.

I'm not sure exactly what the poll options mean. If expansion = dues, then mark down a no vote for me.

Anyway, best of luck all, and I look forward to the future TU with bated breath.

[Mylures]

Hey Jerry, I voted yes only because if thats what it takes to keep TU growing I'm all for it. We go way back to TM.com before you started TU. I'm very grateful to Tu for all the great people I met and all that I learned and I even contributed a thing or two way back when. As far as being an active member I would have to say I lack there. I like others posted alot at one time. Then I enjoyed seeing other peoples ideas. I only do this as a hobby and I'm happy when I can keep all my ideas and supply costs covered. That can be difficult at times now days. Its a tough world we are living in right now with the high fuel prices that are causing everything to skyrocket. People are losing their jobs right and left to foreign countries. Alot of people are losing their health insurance and other benefits. I'm one of them. You do what you have to do as I think you worked very hard at building this site and maintaining it. I just regret that I won't be a part of it anymore. No hard feelings and I do wish you the best of the best always. Times are changing but thats life. Ken

[outdooradvantage]

I like most love this site, it has helped me in so many different way's it's unbelievable. I would love to do whatever I can to help keep this site going. However I think we can come up with a pletheria of different idea's to raise money for this site. Maybe a one time start up fee? And go from there with advertising and such. If we all put our heads together I'm sure we can do it , and make every member happy. I for one don't plan on leaving this great site. I just think maybe we should all try to work together to find the right solution. With all the great mind's on here it should'nt take long.................Jeff...............

[cheesehead]

Jerry,
I will support you decision on fees for the site, although I do feel that the proposed fee schedule may be a bit high. I have learned loads of information from all the members here and hope to continue doing so. I visit the site quite often (sometimes multiple times each day) one of the reasons I do not post as often is that our other members often beat me to the answer or that the question is out of my leauge.

[psv]

I'm in. I like TU a lot. Great site! Great people! Great ideas!
60$ looks reasonable fee to me. I do jigs, spinners for myself and my fishing buddies. I did them before, I found TU. But with your help and support they are a lot better product then they were earlier. I'm definitely in.
I'm sorry to see some members are about to live.
Regards, PSV

[boomah21]

Im not sure how to vote because mainly in part I see both sides to this coin....I know how much time I spend on this site reading and adding information when I can and dont come close to what most of you put in. I do however think there are ways you/TU could make way more money for growth support etc...than charging a fee.

Charging a fee will see a large decrease in membership (IMO) who knows what innovative ideas and creative styles will never see this site because of a fee. You wont see nearly as many new members which decreases your opportunity for "talent" which is what will continue to make this site successful.

I think that there is a lot of merit in a lure store, donation (money, lures..etc) or other ideas in order to allow this site to grow. I also think that limiting sections to those folks that donate etc is a great idea....I know that after spending countless hours combing threw all the knowledge on this site I would personally donate/pay for video how tos...or a section with plans to build things like duplicators, pour pots and who knows what else.

so in closing i still dont know

[Travis]

Not for sure if the end result of such an action will be a desirable one.

[Palmetto Balsa]

Mixed feelings on this one.
Fees of $60 per year are going to drive too many valuable members away. If this happens then I wouldn't be willing to pay $10 a year.
I for one would love to have a chance to bid on some of my favorite custom lure makers baits. Hardbaits, Jigs, Soft Plastics, custom jig or soft bait molds, Rods, Used but tuned up reel, Spinnerbaits, Custom painted baits, and everything else that is discussed on this site. I would love to donate a bait or two to support the site but I don't think I would pay a $60 fee just to see the membership of the sites most valuable members dwindle to just a few. I would love to be wrong on this one but my gut feeling tells me that I am right.
TU has lots of new talent joining every week and many of them bring fresh and new ideas on a regular basis. I just think that many of the new members that know new tips will have a very tough time paying the dues just to share what they know. I think they join to talk with people that like the same things they do and there will be another site that will pop up in 6 months that will give us a new gathering place.
I don't like the feeling I'm getting as I write this down, but this is what my gut telling me. I think it would only be a matter of time before this would all come crashing down. The immediate success would be nice in the bank account, but I think it would be short lived.
Idea...
Let the members have a avenue to post Items they would like to donate to the site for funding. Set it up as a quarterly event. (something to look forward to) The members participating will be responsible for the delivery of their item, to the winning bidder (no matter where they are located). Only after paypal payment has been made to the site account. Then the site will contact the selling member with the information needed to ship the item. Rods or heavy items will only be available to ship to US bidders. Logistics or details will need to be worked out further. (Note- non members that would like to bid could pay a $? registration fee and to have the right to bid and get a ? week membership. Any member wanting to bid would pay $5 to bid and this amount would be credited to there winning bid if they win, other wise it could go to there fees of $5 per quarter.)
This is just one that came to mind for a way to save the site.
Others that are just learning and don't feel they have a item that is worthy might get credit for winning auction items or just make a donation of $5 per quarter.
I think an idea like this might bring more revenue to the site than a small membership paying $60/yr.
If this would be more work than it's worth then I would like to hear the other ideas to keep the site alive.
My vote is no. The reason I vote no, is for THE FUTURE OF TU. I think the poll might be better worded as.
Yes, I would help support the expansion & future of TU
No, to keep the membership alive with new members and fresh ideas and the wisdom of veteran members.
I love this place and all the friends I have made but... I have more to say but I will finish with... we'll see.