30 replies to this topic

[Thorney]

First of all ( a point that seems to be missed by many) is that I satarted this site 2 YEARS before I even started TMS, TMS didn't start it in fact TMS came from it). Its run by a moderating team of which I am one. The site costs £199 per month plus VAT a month in bandwidth and hosting. On top of that I pay £125 per month to a developer who maintains all the sites and monitors useage and keeps anti spam software and other bits and pieces up to date. We also have licence fees for various bits of software used in the creation of the site. Ignore the 30 hours per week I spend managing it. We have some sponsorship from a couple of sponsors but I've not billed them for months so I pick up this bill myself. If members want to create something for the car we actively encourage it, all for the benefit of the car but if the purpose of that endeavour is to make a profit then there is nothing wrong with asking them to make a contribution to the site, if you disagree with that then fine but that is perfectly fair and reasonable. If RHS wants to sell stuff in a magasine he'll be asked to pay a fee - anything wrong with that? If he choses to sell on ebay then they will ask for a fee - anything wrogn with that? Why should the VX220 site be any different? It costs money to run and is free for all members but if someone choses to use it as a method to generate money for themselves then it is perfectly right to at least expect a contribution.

[framauro]

If RHS wants to sell stuff in a magasine he'll be asked to pay a fee - anything wrong with that? If he choses to sell on ebay then they will ask for a fee - anything wrogn with that? Why should the VX220 site be any different?

GPWM

[redhairsucks]

i completeley understand your point with regards to the engine/ boot cover. i was miffed at the previous issues with the difusser. no worries now though. before anything goes on the site i will contact the mod. i have so mant ideas its shocking so i might have to look at things on a bigger picture. any way pics later today on diffusser then we will sort orders etc etc etc next week. no rush as i have the shits. my arse is like a wizards sleve, the top of a welly, looks like the japanese flag, my ring now feature an edging familiar to the top of a used source bottle. bye till later.

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

and it burned burned burned....... the ring of fire

[rabidh]

If RHS wants to sell stuff in a magasine he'll be asked to pay a fee - anything wrong with that? If he choses to sell on ebay then they will ask for a fee - anything wrogn with that? Why should the VX220 site be any different?

Fully agree, and I thank John for setting up the site. I think mods should be a little bit more thoughtful though.

The 'delete first, ask questions later' mentality causes a lot of bad feelings. In this case just a PM saying 'please don't use a TMS image' (and maybe editing to remove the image) would have done fine, and everything stays friendly.

I can agree with not making a profit, but I think there should be some allowance for time spent and taking the risk about not being able to sell everything you've made, or having to replace one that breaks - in my mind that isn't profit.

A while ago I was going to make a batch of new resistor packs for the VX220 heater fan. Problem is, if I did I run the risk of being stuck with stuff I can't sell or having to replace broken parts and I may actually lose money! I just couldn't be bothered.

I'm sure there are a lot of other people in a similar position, that given slightly more leeway would make modifications to the VX220 available. Personally I think that this works out in TMS's favour. Not only does VX220.org.uk get more visitors and John gets more advertsing, but the vx220 shop and TMS can sell and fit the items too and I'm sure no-one would object to TMS making a profit on that.

Elaine's gear stick + expansion bottle covers come to mind, as well as whoever is selling those high tensile bolts for the hubs on ebay

Edited by rabidh, 25 May 2007 - 09:55 AM.

[jimbob010]

If RHS wants to sell stuff in a magasine he'll be asked to pay a fee - anything wrong with that? If he choses to sell on ebay then they will ask for a fee - anything wrogn with that? Why should the VX220 site be any different?

Fully agree, and I thank John for setting up the site. I think mods should be a little bit more thoughtful though.

The 'delete first, ask questions later' mentality causes a lot of bad feelings. In this case just a PM saying 'please don't use a TMS image' (and maybe editing to remove the image) would have done fine, and everything stays friendly.

I can agree with not making a profit, but I think there should be some allowance for time spent and taking the risk about not being able to sell everything you've made, or having to replace one that breaks - in my mind that isn't profit.

A while ago I was going to make a batch of new resistor packs for the VX220 heater fan. Problem is, if I did I run the risk of being stuck with stuff I can't sell or having to replace broken parts and I may actually lose money! I just couldn't be bothered.

I'm sure there are a lot of other people in a similar position, that given slightly more leeway would make modifications to the VX220 available. Personally I think that this works out in TMS's favour. Not only does VX220.org.uk get more visitors and John gets more advertsing, but the vx220 shop and TMS can sell and fit the items too and I'm sure no-one would object to TMS making a profit on that.

Elaine's gear stick + expansion bottle covers come to mind, as well as whoever is selling those high tensile bolts for the hubs on ebay

Fully agree. What makes sites like this a sucess is that it has a feel of 'by the people for the people'. If its non-profit then great, sell it, its one of the reasons i come here (along with others i'm sure) more people/hits = better sponsorship deals for the site no?

As for profit stuff. If its fully comercial then obviously Thorney has to give it the thumbs up. What about a 2% of everything thats sold for profit goes into Thorney's pocket. Money you'd not have in the first place and more people coming to the site due to inventors selling their kit much cheaper than Modding sites. A seperate commercial thread maybe? I think its this sort of stuff that could help the website grow even further.

Just a quick newbie brain dump. Thorney, feel free to tell me to poke it, as at the day it is your site and after having a look round, IMHO its currently the best and i hope it stays this way.

Cheers

Jimbo

[Cleancutyoungman]

Andy, if you have access to the tools and people that make these great items and you are looking at even more sounds like you should set up a business! Very good idea to poll a bunch of designs for this engine cover and sounds like you are just getting started... I look forward to seeing these designs!

[jules_s]

I still say there should be a threshold for advertising on here:- Sub £50....free £50 upwards an agreed 'fee' The profits made on tiny items would be minimal compared to the hassle of shipping the stuff. And I cant see TMS bothering with low value kit.

[ChazUwe]

Talking of sponsorship, where have all the banners gone?

[rabidh]

I still say there should be a threshold for advertising on here:-

Sub £50....free

£50 upwards an agreed 'fee'

The profits made on tiny items would be minimal compared to the hassle of shipping the stuff.

And I cant see TMS bothering with low value kit.

sounds good to me

[Spindoctor]

Yes this is a discussion that's been had many times but I think its healthy that issues like this get re-visited now and then. Its like corporate governance for companies. This site doesn't have a commercial feel, and that's credit to JT plus everyone else who makes it what it is. Long may that continue. But its only fair that those seeking to profit via the site (subject to a threshold as Jules suggests) should make a payment toward its maintenance. I'm sure the mods have discussed this issue at length but we seem to lack clear rules that everyone can work to. If we had them, threads like this wouldn't keep creating that sense of deja vu among certain users. And I'm not currently in the market for diffusers, but I'd settle for the girl-in-the-yellow-bikini mod