Let's get involved, and help George & Debbie...

@Ed Harbur posted:

I don't think a pay wall is necessary and it certainly would add some (a lot of?) complication for Debbie and George and I agree that it could keep new people away. I, for one, would be proud to have the LeMans green check next to my name.

I firmly believe that a “donate if you appreciate “ model is the way to still get new members and create revenue for G&D !

I don’t think I would be here if there was a “paid membership only “!

it’s the experience you get on this forum that wants you to contribute….

Like others, I also have tried to 'do my bit', even in a very small way. When I joined in the distant past I kind of understood that PI was a 'club', as it seemed to have a magazine and other 'merchandise' like stickers, and as such I expected to pay a club membership fee. Upon contacting the admin I found out that there was no real magazine anymore nor membership fee etc. I could buy stickers and I could buy some old additions of the magazine, so I did both, to support the site. My 'payment' since then has  been to contribute to the forums and in PMs, with what I believe is valuable information to the other users.

Cheers, Tim.

Happy to donate, but I would like to see an accounting. What are the hosting costs? What could be done to optimize them? Let's open the books and see what the shortfall is each month. For example, sponsorship payments minus hosting costs. I hope to start a DeTom YouTube channel and sponsor this site as a way to drive traffic to the channel but that's months and months away.

We also have the issue that Larry is pointing out, which I think is legitimate and worth mentioning. I understand it's a hobby, but the absenteeism is not good, and it makes me a little hesitant to donate.

Closing with a sincere Thank You to George and Debbie for what they do.

I am in for paying some type of membership to use this website because I see VALUE.  I receive a lot of good information and look at this site almost everyday.  It is not up to us (users), to make the decision on Free or a paid service, it is up to George & Debbie (owners).  This tread started with a sponsor of this site Sharkey (Pantera of Mami).  Maybe he knows something that we don't know.  I also remember reading a stated from George stating as long as he and Debbi owns this site, he would not charge for it, that is a VERY nice juster, but nothing is FREE in life.  I think if George and Debbie wanted too, they could find some more sponsors to help in the cost.  It has a lot of value to the De Tomaso community.  George could also sell the site if they wish, which I would be interested in owning this site, George are you listening.   Another question is: What is the Business Model"  We don't know.  I wish George and or Debbie would chime in so we the users could help.  We have no control, we are just users of this great site.  They could always do a survey.  In closing I am still in favor of paying for a membership to use this site.  What ever happens, we are just along for the RIDE.  Long Live this Site.  Larry Goodnough