International membership fee

[Frosty]

Hi all,

I don't want this to sound like a complaint but I feel the membership fee is a little excessive for those of us outside USA who will miss out on a lot of the workshops and other benefits that being local brings. I'm just a line grunt with 3 growing boys so can't justify the current cost. If it was cheaper I would certainly look into it.

Cheers

[Alex DiPietro]

There's a lot of good stuff within these forums..

[Dave.Scott]

I also live in an area where I most likely will not join in to the workshops, and I have recouped the expense of my membership many times over.

Spend the money, start reading, ask questions. I believe that you will agree with me that this is how you feed three growing boys...................

[graniteman]

I think membership should be free if you make a certain amount of posts. Any content is better than none.

[mikedean]

Thanks for your feedback. The BOD does take all suggestions seriously.

I suggest you take a look at the SFA map, and PM or ask the other international members what they get out of it. There is a ton of value on this website, in these forums.

Ask a question, get an answer. In fact, usually get a bunch of answers.

I will always tell people of the way we changed mounting undermount sinks. My $250 fee turned into $12,500 in savings that year because of a suggestion from another member on how to mount sinks.

Everyone here will have a story like that.

[Darryl Miller]

You could never attend a workshop and still learn a lot about this business by being a member. I have gained more knowledge through the forum alone than I have ever gained from the workshops. I think most here would agree.

[Frosty]

I think membership should be free if you make a certain amount of posts. Any content is better than none.

I suspect you would then get people spamming posts just to take advantage of it. Maybe if it was based on a 'Thanked' basis it could work but it would be an added task for admins so can't see it working

[Dan R.]

Frosty is correct. Participation is voluntary and the admins do not need more work!

[Frosty]

I guess my point boils down to the fact there are benefits I won't have access to and while I don't expect a free lunch I also don't see why I should pay for someone else's. I'm not a company owner, just a guy on the floor with 10 years experience but by the time you factor in exchange rates membership seems quite pricey for those outside of the USA.

[graniteman]

I think membership should be free if you make a certain amount of posts. Any content is better than none.

I suspect you would then get people spamming posts just to take advantage of it. Maybe if it was based on a 'Thanked' basis it could work but it would be an added task for admins so can't see it working

Why would it have to be based on "thanks"? The people that post here are and always will be valuable. People are encouraged to post "x2" and " I agree" or "welcome". I would guarantee more people would post if there money was on the line. We have the smartest, brightest and most profitable granite business owners in the world on here, I would like to hear more from them.

How could this make more work for the administrators? They could easily keep track of the posts and content could be whatever the poster feels like sharing.

[Frosty]

Hypothetically if such a system was active would you consider it fair if you personally posted 50 pieces of advice and help and had free membership and John Doe posted 50 "x2" and had the same benefit?

[graniteman]

Yes, that would be fair. If John has the ambition to type "X2" enough he will eventually need to ask or comment on something, not just lurk. Active membership is what the group needs.

I do feel like the workshops, trips, tours and events are more important than the forum. I've learned a ton on the forum but "who" I get that advice from is just as important. And knowing a member outside of the forum is worth it's weight in gold.

[kevinp]

I for one have never made it to a workshop at another fabricators facility but I have benefited greatly from the forums.
There is a lot of great information in the Members Only area!

[Dave.Scott]

We have the smartest, brightest and most profitable granite business owners in the world on here, I would like to hear more from them.

I have been amazed from day 1 to the truth of this statement.

Just a floor guy, not the owner?

Ask, seek, knock.

You will feed those 3 boys plus 20 employees if you want to.

Tell your boss to watch out

Never, never, stop wanting to grow.

[Dave.Scott]

Frosty,

Go get them.
Don't stop, you will become a force that they will either want to harness and become a part of their business or they will fear you if you decide to go another way.

Be strong, keep chasing your direction.

From somewhere in the Rocky Mountains to Somewhere in the Pacific.

Right now, with the snow flying, I wish I was where you are.

[ageless]

I'm sure every year I spend more the $250 on worthless crap for the company. I've bought industry books for about the same price and they don't have the info I get here. The workshops are just a bonus for the cost.

[RBatstone]

im outside the USA. the dues are great value. I flew from Australia to the USA for a workshop and I thought that was great value.

[BellaTerra]

The quickest way to get to the point where $250 doesn't hurt is to join. I know your dilemma as we to are "international" and small and the first $250 hurt quite a bit but man did it ever make a difference. You'll save/earn that every couple of weeks with the wealth of knowledge you'll take in.
It's like arguing to get a discount on renting a Ferrari for a year for $250 because the speed limits in your town won't allow you to see its full potential. It's still a Ferrari and it's still a screaming deal.
You won't regret it one bit.

[Frosty]

The quickest way to get to the point where $250 doesn't hurt is to join. I know your dilemma as we to are "international" and small and the first $250 hurt quite a bit but man did it ever make a difference. You'll save/earn that every couple of weeks with the wealth of knowledge you'll take in.
It's like arguing to get a discount on renting a Ferrari for a year for $250 because the speed limits in your town won't allow you to see its full potential. It's still a Ferrari and it's still a screaming deal.
You won't regret it one bit.

I'm not sure the boss will stump up that sort of money no matter how much I improve my game but I understand your point.

[BellaTerra]

With the knowledge you'll gain you'll be adding a tremendous value to your shop. If you get a $0.50 raise out of it that's $1000 a year. Still a no brainer even if he doesn't pay you back up front. Odds are that once you save his bacon once he'll be willing to pay the dues and have everyone on the forum.

[graniteman]

Just give frosty a membership, heck he's posted more than most people already.

[Allstone]

Why is there a fee if it is a sponsored non profit. Do the sponsors not pay?

Sorry I'm new trying to figure it out.

[Dan R.]

There is a fee to seperate fabricators form the general public, looking for bits and pieces is of info.
A little skin in the game, gets everyone's attention.

If you peek behind the curtain, I would guess that you would think it was the best money you have spent in this industry.
Have a little faith and take the plunge. We are here to help each other.

[Dave.Scott]

Have a little faith and take the plunge. We are here to help each other.

This is it.

[Allstone]

So what does 250 pay for that the sponsorship does not cover besides protection from spammers.

There are forum programs that protect from that