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i became a member with less than a hundred posts. the active topics button and full searches are worth it, and the stuff in team forum is really nice when I've had a stressful day and don't feel like dealing with trolls.
All that being said, the advice I've read (from questions I didn't even know to ask) in various technical boards would have cost me well over $20 in: buying books, the wrong mags/ammo/scope, my time spent searching the net for info. Plus there's all sorts of cool pictures of guns all over. that and I wanted an avatar, not that I've done anything great with it. |
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Wife: "What's this $20 charge on the credit card?"
Tac: "I joined ARFCOM." Wife: "What do I get?" Tac: "???" Wife: "Ok, what do you get?" Tac: "It makes it easier for me to look up posts. I get a cool avatar that I already have picked out. I get to read the Team Forum. It'll be cool." Wife "... Will you spend more time on the computer? Will you make money on the membership? How many 2 x 4's can you buy for $20? Nails? Walmart oil changes? Food? Phone bills? ... (20 minutes go buy) Wife "... or take your daughter to the zoo? How may times can you buy her ice cream from the ice cream man for $20? ..." (20 minutes later) Wife: "Do you understand what I'm asking you? ... Well you're a member now, so there's nothing you can do. At least you won't have to re-join every year." Seriously though, people will pay the $20 with a smile on their face. Ads and sponsers are all well and good, but this is a Business. I doubt the owners of the site and moderators want to cover the 24 hours every day for nothing. Make as much as you can on this site guys. I'm glad it's profitable for you. |
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"Do you feel guilty having over 1000 post and not being a member?"
Sometimes - but money's tight at the moment, and I belong to alot of boards(and am gun poor)... I spend more time on ARFcom than other sites - including one I moderate at.... I'll join eventually, though - I've made some good friends here, and ARFcom has alot to offer.... - georgestrings |
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No, why? Are you the morality police or something? Does it make you feel Ghey to ride a "Water-Boy?" Honestly, I'm surprised that site staff/admin etc. would allow this thread. Dave |
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Yeah... I feel a little guilty. To be honest I would have joined a long time ago if there was a direct link to join and pay using a credit card without using paypal or snailmail so I could instantly join instead of waiting. With as many members this place has... it's kind of silly there isn't.
I'll be joining up soon enough though... |
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I did feel like I should support the site and was a paid member for a year, but then I didn't like what was done with my paid membership data by the site owners.
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I was a member for a year, but money's tight right now, so I can't renew yet. I miss the "My Active Topics" button the most.
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What happened? Did your personal info get sold? |
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Think about what "personal info" you provided to the site when you registered--a fake screen name and no address, etc. His personal info was not sold. Here's the story, as posted last week: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=350679 Happyshooter, if you're just driven to find an opportunity to post this once a week, please at least tell the damned non-story rather than dropping little teasers as though there is some big story. |
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Even if I wasn't unemployed and watching the pennies like a hawk, the bennies of membership have no value for me.
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Nope. Not in the least. If it was a private site they'd charge for a username and password to it. Otherwise I guess they intended it to be open to the public.
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It's been stated numerous times by the site owners (the Avila family) this site will always be open to the public and free to use. Extra features are given as an incentive to members to contribute to memberships, as the size of the site makes this necessary (the paid advertisers DO NOT pay enough to keep the place going), but it will always be free to use for everyone. Every single member is equally valuable and important. Period. |
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Nope, I don't feel guilty. I am cheap. I can interact with others and exchange ideas without all the bells and whistles that membership brings. This is a place I come for information, its not a social club for me (thus the low post count ratio).
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I don't feel guilty. If someone wants to contribute the $20 on my behalf, I would be very greatful, but it's just not in the budget right now.
If it was a problem with the owners, they would change things, and as always, I would respect their wishes. I do thank them for allowing a "free membership." fwiw Scott |
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I DO believe in paying my own way in everyting that I do, that being said, I owe my currant membership to the benevolence of Mrs.Glofetoe.
The benefits that come with member ship are well worth the $20 bucks a year. When my financial situation sorts itself out (waiting with fingers crossed) I intend to pay it forward. When you spend as much time here as I do everyday, you tend to look at ARFCOM as less of an intersesting diversion of time or entertainment which it is,but for me it is much more than that, it has literally become my 'window to the world'. Because of ARFCOM I have become more aware of the people the politics and the everyday things that make us as humans 'tick', and for that alone I am tremendously greatfull!! I have never met Ed, or any of the Avilas, but I am truly thankfull for what they so generously give. Azman-1....out.... |
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I donated soon after my membership.
If I hadnt everyone would call me a troll because my psots arent nice and arent PC. |
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Hey, someone started a 'guilt everyone into paying up' thread, and I responded with a short and non-nasty reason, as I did last time someone else tried the same basic concept.
I was disappointed by the owner's rolling over that easy, but maybe I expected too much from a family that fled true government overlords. Please stop saying that they didn't have any information to give up when you are a paying member, because flat out, no BS, they do. The FBI didn't get my contact info out of a magic hat, Ed Sr gave it to them.
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Member status..?
Hell, I'm considering ponying up for a DEALER account! BUT... I don't want to drop the money if I can't even get a response to one question..... www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=121&t=273067 I want to run a NFA group buy once I am a dealer. I sent off emails to the FOUR mods identified as having to do with group buys. No response after 2 or 3 weeks. Not one response..... I then posted that message in the group buy forum on EE-- maybe my emails hadn't gone through..? It happens and I'm willingto give the benefit of the doubt. Still no response. I want to pony up to the $400.00 level, but I think it's reasonable to ask for my questions to be answered, even if it's "we're too busy right now" or "check back in a week or two." Frustrated, Mike |
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Not really, I sent in $60 in January and for some reason it got missed.
No biggee. I don't search much, I never used the email or photo server and Team Forum is lame. Next year, I'll send in another $60. Its a donation, I don't use my memebership. |
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I was a member for a year but let it expire and will probably not be renewing it anytime soon. I don't spend a lot of time here anyway.
I've tried to contribute by supporting Industry Partners as well as giving advise when I can. Also, as long as airsoft is advertised on here and supported in the industry section I will not be paying for a membership. I have nothing against airsoft but this is a forum for real firearms and there is a place for airsoft and it's not here. |
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I rarely post yet lurk all the time.
So I sent in the 20. Still not a team member. I'll wait and see. |
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No. I don't.
I was a paying member and for reasons that I have outlined to staff ad nauseum I choose not to renew. Next Question. SG |
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Read the thread asswipe Not trying to make anyone feel guilty There are some that don't realize all of the perks as a member (I didn't) so I thought Id share. For the minimal cost there is a lot of useful benefits, if you choose not to be a member so be it, others may find this thread informative.. |
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Well, it's time this is addressed and handled once and for all.
First, you are more than welcome to tell your little tale as often and as many times as you wish. That said, you are NOT going to post a nasty little innuendo, which implies the Avila's have done something wrong, every time you can weasel it into a thread. When the FBI shows up with a subpoena they have two choices--1) comply or, 2) have the servers seized and be arrested for contempt of court. As you have already been made aware of at least TWICE, this site does not maintain any personal information on the membership. The only thing we have is your IP number, which allows law enforcement Officers, with yet another subpoena, to obtain your personal information from your ISP. This is all perfectly legal and legitimate in pursuit of criminals--and beyond the control of this site. Next, EdAvilaSr does not have ANY of your information to give to law enforcement. That kind of thing is only handled by his two sons--who live elsewhere, and own the site. The "blame" for honoring a legal order falls upon the site owners--GoatBoy and EdwardAvila. Lastly, you are not going to come to this site and insult our hosts with this bullshit:
. . . while you are talking out of your ass. The fact is, EdAvilaSr was sent to this country (fled Castro and Cuba) as a 14 y/o boy. He enlisted in the United States Army as soon as he was old enough and went to Vietnam for two tours and was a highly decorated war hero as he killed Communists there. He gained his citizenship this way and then became a Physician under the G.I. Bill. This site is his family's way to "give back" to this country and its people for the opportunity to live here as a free man. As I said, you are not going to come here and insult them with lies. I'm locking your account--you are done here, or I am. If your account is to be unlocked, then I go and you stay--Sr. Staff can make that decision if you whine to them.
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I wasnt a member until I was beyond 3000, didnt feel guilty at all since I patronized the sponsors.
Kharn |
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I'm afraid of getting my ass kicked by Sarge(or his
CW |
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But I LIKE you SGat1r5 |
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I guess so. I haven't been shot, chainsawed or butt-raped in one of your productions (yet). CW |
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Of course not--he told me he has something "special" in mind for you. |
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No. I don't feel guilty for not being a 'paying member' being that I do feel that I sufficiently
support the site by patronizing its Dealers. I spent a pretty penny while I was a 'lurker' and have spent a ton more since I became a member. Just this month I spent another $500 among the Dealers here, some know I'm member and some don't. That being said, the addition of certain types of businesses to the Dealer roster that will not benefit from any profits from me will only reduce my indirect support for this site. |
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I don't feel guilty for my post count but I do feel guilty for not being a contributing member already.
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This is a STUPID debate.
The Avila's have made is clear, since the inception of AR15.com, that the site itself depends on non-members for its vitality, and that they encourage it. Moreover, as long as the business model of this site remains ADVERTISER based, and it makes sense for the Avila's to generate revenue that way and stay afloat, then it will remain viable for them to have non-members using the site. I have to look at ads on the site, and don't get the extra benefits of being a "member", so my "value" is reduced. Should I stop watching network t.v. without giving ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX a donation? |
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I'm a Team Member...I just chose not to have an avitar, or a "Team Memebr" banner under my name....or have any access to Team Member stuff.
In the truest tradition of the "donation" policy here, I just declined all the do-dads and antied up. Makes me better than all of you. Me good, you not as good. Yeah, I am talkin' to you. |
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I have contributed money in the past and was a member for a long time. However, being an Admin on Conservativeunderground.com has been a costly venture. I use my Internet money for CU so that other people can post on the site for free.
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Well hopefully i'll have a membership soon. I graduate from college on sunday and my roomate said he'd buy me a membership for graduation.
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"Frankly...." CW |
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Guilty? No more than when I listen to the radio for free. Do you feel cheap, since all you bought was a bronze membership?? |
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i think i got my membership after 47 posts or something like that, but i had been lurking here for a while before that
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