International membership fee

[Shiny Alex]

I think the best option then would be to make the whole forum paid membership only.

And what about refunds if you don't use the paid membership much or don't find value?

[Dan R.]

Alex, you would pay $100 to read the 102 posts on 25 topics rather than pay $250 to read 106,000+ posts on 8360 topics?

Refunds are if you are asked to leave the forum (get booted).

If it were paid only, how would we attract new members?

You question $250, how would paid only be a benefit for you?

In the end, it is $250 a year. Joining is not compulsory. It is your choice in the end. Same with, renewal. If it is worth the coin renew, if not then don't. We have members here for 5 years with a handful of posts, They continue to see value and renew. It is a personal choice.

The goal of the SFA was never to be a fund raising organization, but for fabricators helping fabricators.

[GuyboR]

And what about refunds if you don't find value?

I have offered to refund the $250 out of my own pocket to people in the past if they didn't see the value in the SFA....I have yet to write a check for it.

[Todd Luster]

And what about refunds if you don't find value?

I have offered to refund the $250 out of my own pocket to people in the past if they didn't see the value in the SFA....I have yet to write a check for it.

I have done the same. It's usually someone I have talked to at the show that I know has a lot to offer to us as well. Never been asked for a refund here either.

[Frosty]

I started this thread based on the fact that in my part of the world US$250 is just under $400 local and wondered why as an 'international" member I would be missing out on workshops etc. so not getting full value. I'm not disputing the knowledge in the members area and am positive I would learn something new and pretty sure with in excess of 15000 hours experience on stone machines I could pass on a tip or 2 as well but as a father about to buy his first house I can't justify the cost out of my personal income.

Cheers

[Osman77]

I understand the OP did not say he sees no value, just that he can't use all features of the membership but would be willing to pay for the ones he needs.

I am planing to get the membership as well. I am new to the industry but have been a serial entrepreneur who is working currently on the Business Plan with my partners (by the way: need contacts in Ontario for face to face advise).

From my past experience as a consultant and entrepreneur I know how valuable it is to exchange experience and look for "best practices". Without having seen the members area yet I assume just using some of the best practices will pay off tremendously.

However, my suggestion would be to allow for a short period of time (1-2 weeks) a trial membership. This would allow the potential member to peak into the members area. One could even ask for fee of $50 for example for the trial which would be counted towards the full membership price. This step would lower the barrier and the $50 would still keep out anyone who is not really interested.

[Dan R.]

We have limited time to manage such small.detIls.

For $50 for a trial period, it would allow anyone to read all they want in that period and not join. Then do tbe same at a later time in the future. Certainly, less than ideal for the whole membership.

Is $50 that much more than $250 in the big scheme of things? I think not. Explain how it is. We spend tens of thousands every week and access is not worth $250?

The membership is to move the industry forward, not just grant access. Many members have not attended a workshop and have realized great savings from info provided on the forum.

At this time, there is no active discussion ro change this policy. We will consider it at a future meeting.
Thanks for your input.

One more question.
As a serial entrepreneur & consultant, how much ongoing information do your clients receive for.a flat fee of $250?

[Osman77]

Dan,

My last post was a suggestion to help "showcase" the benefits of membership to non members. Not a post stating that I see no value. Please read again if you have this impression.

I understand the effort to allow a "trial membership" might be in excess of the benefit you see in it. Specially if you can't set an automated process. Anyways...To answer your question how much value from consulting one would get for $250..the answer is probably not as much as having thousands of posts discussing industry specific topics. So again, I see the value clearly but my comment was to allow for improvement and not criticize the current state.

Thanks.

[kevinp]

I understand the OP did not say he sees no value, just that he can't use all features of the membership but would be willing to pay for the ones he needs.

I am planing to get the membership as well. I am new to the industry but have been a serial entrepreneur who is working currently on the Business Plan with my partners (by the way: need contacts in Ontario for face to face advise).

From my past experience as a consultant and entrepreneur I know how valuable it is to exchange experience and look for "best practices". Without having seen the members area yet I assume just using some of the best practices will pay off tremendously.

However, my suggestion would be to allow for a short period of time (1-2 weeks) a trial membership. This would allow the potential member to peak into the members area. One could even ask for fee of $50 for example for the trial which would be counted towards the full membership price. This step would lower the barrier and the $50 would still keep out anyone who is not really interested.

Allowing a short period of access for a fee kind of negates the purpose of the SFA, which is sharing. A person could extract a ton of information in a short time going through all the post that go back years. If they choose not to join or share, the information they receive would be worth a ton more than $250. I don't think the SFA is interested in selling information. We are interested in people that will benefit from and add benefit to the SFA.

[Dave.Scott]

I understand the OP did not say he sees no value, just that he can't use all features of the membership but would be willing to pay for the ones he needs.

I am planing to get the membership as well. I am new to the industry but have been a serial entrepreneur who is working currently on the Business Plan with my partners (by the way: need contacts in Ontario for face to face advise).

From my past experience as a consultant and entrepreneur I know how valuable it is to exchange experience and look for "best practices". Without having seen the members area yet I assume just using some of the best practices will pay off tremendously.

However, my suggestion would be to allow for a short period of time (1-2 weeks) a trial membership. This would allow the potential member to peak into the members area. One could even ask for fee of $50 for example for the trial which would be counted towards the full membership price. This step would lower the barrier and the $50 would still keep out anyone who is not really interested.

Contact me directly, I am happy to answer any of your questions,
Dave
406-522-9001