Please Read- b0b needs some $$$$ help

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 20 May 2002 7:34 pm

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
b0b is in need of some cash donations.He should NEVER have to dip into his pockets to support this great Forum that we all enjoy so much.PLEASE send what you can so he can keep the books in the black..Here is a link to the thread talking about it in another section of the Forum.
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum4/HTML/002696.html

Here is a link to the address where to send your donation to: http://b0b.com/products/order.html

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 20 May 2002 9:27 pm

Rather than just send off some monies.... that most likely would fail to meet b0b's needs, I will go on the record as being most willing to submit to an annual "dues" figure to help insure that the Forum stays on the internet FOREVER.
b0b should not have to finance "our program" particularly when each of us receives so very much from his dedicated efforts. He created it.....gave it to us....
and has kept it running thro' thick and thin.
Let's put it on the table........and let's get this program on solid footing.
b0b.........please tell us what you need annually to keep this program afloat. I've subscribed time and again to magazines only to have them fold.
I'd gladly pay a "membership dues" comparable to the old Steel Guitar WOrld's structure. I hope I'm not the only one willing to put my money where my mouth is.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 20 May 2002 9:43 pm

I think an annual fee would be great for membership. Around $50.00 a year maybe ? Would that be too much or not enough? Jody.

Tom Ward · Post by **Tom Ward** » 21 May 2002 2:36 am

b0b...Let us hear from you! Annual fee would not be bad...how much?

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 21 May 2002 2:47 am

Hello Guys;
That is a GREAT idea!!!..Yes; we should NOT let b0b have to worry each month how he is going to pay for this wonderful Forum that we ALL enjoy so much..I think some sort of a yearly "dues" or fee would resolve this problem..b0b; i know you read thru these posts so PLEASE let us know how much you need to keep it running in the black & don't be shy!!!..Remember folks; this info( & lots of it too) comes to you immediatly & has been free to most of you for a long time now..Thanks Ron

Jim Ashton · Post by **Jim Ashton** » 21 May 2002 5:33 am

Ditto........Lets go for it.

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D10 Mullen, DPC1400,hilton pedal
Peavey 112e's. tubefex.

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 21 May 2002 6:30 am

b0b has been opposed to dues. It's his forum and he sure has made a success of it. I can't begin to thank him enough.

If b0b would rethink his position on dues and decide to go with it, I am for it.

Maybe we could talk him into a "Friends of the Forum" group where we buy a decal for $25,$50, or $100 bucks a year or some amount...and support the forum that way.

Part of it may be that some of the name pro players, etc are willing to come on the forum and answer questions once in a while, but wouldn't be inclined to pay to be the guru for the rest of us. With a "Friends" organization, we could support the masters of the art with our financial support and they could continue to support us with their advice and council.

It's certainly b0b's call, but I would hate to see the forum fade for financial reasons if there was a way for us to help.

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 21 May 2002 6:43 am

I agree with the dues concept. Right now there are 3213 members of the Forum, so if all members paid an even $50 per year b0b would get $160,650 annually. Hey, that's pretty nice work if you can get it!

The Forum probably costs a little less than that to run so the annual fee would probably be pretty small, if everyone paid. However, there are many who might not want to pay a fee at all and might let their memberships lapse, so we'd lose their presence here. Fee-based participation would also increase the complexity of b0b's operation. Would he need to bill people? Send out annual reminders? Remove them if they went 30, 60, 90 days over without paying? Would he have charter memberships? Or special memberships (with attendant privileges) for people who pay $50 or $100 per year? It can get pretty complicated. And if he did institute a fee based setup cutting in at some date in the future at say $5/member, at what point would he pull the plug on non-payers? It could get messy. I still think a membership fee arrangement is a good idea, but I'm not sure how to implement it cleanly.

Hey b0b, can you give us an estimate of the annual cost of the Forum? If we did all chip in, what would you need from each of us?

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Bill L | My steel page | Email | My music | Steeler birthdays | Over 50?

Howard Kalish · Post by **Howard Kalish** » 21 May 2002 7:37 am

In the meantime, don't forget to patronize the Steel Guitar Forum catalog and order some CDs or other stuff. I've gotten some superb music from the catalog.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 21 May 2002 7:48 am

I suppose most people read this thing every day, like I do.

Well???

C'mon guys...ante up! Not "tomorrow", or "next week", NOW!. You spent thousands for a steel, amp, and all the other assorted paraphernalia, along with all that money on a computer and web service.

Send b0b $25...and be a member, not just a reader.

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 21 May 2002 8:12 am

Come on everyone, it's so easy with PayPal.
Remember, it's not just B0b's Forum, it's our Forum. Don't let it die!

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Steelin' Greetings
Marco Schouten
Sho-Bud Pro III Custom

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 21 May 2002 9:30 am

Sent my donation off today!
Next..........

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 21 May 2002 11:37 am

This is just an opinion! This is how I feel about this subject. bOb the entrepreneur. bOb the enterpriser. BOb had a thought. An idea. He pushed onward and succeeded with his plan. He is entitled to, not only break even or pay expenses, but make a profit! How much profit? Thats his business. As Bill L. has stated approx 3200 members @ $50. = $160,000. per annum. I have no idea what it costs to operate this network for a year. bOb knows. Equipment costs? I wouldn't have a clue! I do know that when I go to get repairs on my computer or buy electronics it always seems mighty expensive to me. I suspect bOb finds the same thing. If bOb decided to put in place a "annual dues" and some just cannot afford it then bOb could be the sole judge in determining if that person could have a "complimentary membership". He would not have to tell us who was receiving "comp memb". Also he could give comp memb to the pros and anyone that he thought would be a "draw" to the forum. We can't expect the pros to pay membership to relate to us the experience that took them a lifetime to acquire. And besides that they don't owe us anything. Some groups charge $40. for 3 months .. some $10 per month... I'd like to think that we would not drop any membership by initiating a fee, however ... I do think that all would stay, after all we are receiving a product in return. We would actually be paying for a service that we have been receiving for free.
This is just my thoughts. For bOb this should be a full time job with a full time salary. regards,fred

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 21 May 2002 12:09 pm

Dues are a great idea.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 21 May 2002 12:41 pm

I get so much pleasure from reading this forum I would hate to see it end. Why should Bob have to pay for our pleasure. Annual dues would be a way of thanking Bob for all his great work.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 21 May 2002 4:08 pm

We can't expect the pros to pay membership to relate to us the experience that took them a lifetime to acquire. And besides that they don't owe us anything.

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 21 May 2002 4:08 pm

I think it's a great idea. Let us hear from you b0b. I sure don't want to lose this great place. I dearly love it.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 21 May 2002 4:27 pm

Obviously it's b0b's call but I question if he would want to tackle the additional headache of policing subscriptions, making decisions re: comping pros (who qualifies, who doesn't) etc. As imperfect as it is, voluntary contributions save b0b from having to deal with all this. We will end up carrying the load for deadbeats such as the forum member who once announced that he would never pay for the forum, didn't need it, didn't care, but still posts announcements when it suits him. Yeah, we'll make his welfare payments but it seems preferable to turning b0b into a full time bookkeeper. (unless it's been your secret ambition to be one, b0b).

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 21 May 2002 4:36 pm

Hello Everyone;
I just got home from work & was reading thru this thread & the other one concerning b0b's cash problem..I want to say a big "THANK YOU" to everyone that has been able to help..My check will go out tomorrow to b0b..Here is his own words on the subject

"Don't fear. The Forum can't go under as long as I am gainfully employed. The T1 connection is on a 3-year contract with Qwest, that started in January. I'm not going to reneg on that contract.

I'm happy to say that the PayPal response has been just great! It instantly removed a month-long worry from my mind. Donations are ranging from $5 to $100 each! This is a great help".
Thanks, everyone!

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Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com
-System Administrator

You folks have done a GREAT job so far & i just know bob's buttons are about to 'pop' on his shirt

but PLEASE don't stop yet..We HAVE to make this Forum self-sufficient(sp?)as i am sure bob does not need this monthly worry in his life...
THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ron

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 21 May 2002 5:08 pm

Fred and David,
To condense what both you guys said, that I think is right-on, is: David - your idea of like buying a decal/bumper sticker for a nominal [yearly dues, essentially] is brilliant; Why? [1] Because it will keep the 'Good Ship Lollipop', not only afloat, but sailing those Seven Seas; [2] and, God, I can't believe ole liberal me
is gonna say this, ADVERTISING!!!!

Fred - good point - Let's make this SGF a great endeavour for not only US, the guys/gals who really benefit the most, but also, for "UNCLE B0B" - who, without, this whole place would never be. I feel, as you and some other members do, that b0b, not only deserves to NOT PAY out of his own personal finances to keep the Forum going, but certainly deserves to make a profit as well. Why not!
b0b keeps this great Forum RUNNING. I would
not have the 1st clue as to how to solve or repair any of the problems [almost daily, I'd guess] that arise in operating this huge website.

Anyway, fellas, thanks for the insights you have expressed so well.

...ChipsAhoy

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 21 May 2002 10:42 pm

I can remember back in the 70's and how desparate I was to find information about the steel guitar, ANY information. It was nearly impossible. This forum is the best thing that has ever happened for steel players, especially the guys and girls who are just getting started. Whatever B0b wants to do is fine with me. I think he should make a profit, after all, it takes countless hours to keep up with making this forum smoothly. And he does it all for us. Martin.

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Martin W. Emmons LG III 3/5 Peavy 1000

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 22 May 2002 6:23 am

I'm willing to pay yearly dues to this forum. Maybe $20 a year would be fair. Not everyone on this forum will send a donation, and the dues idea is probably the only thing that will work. Duane Becker

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 22 May 2002 8:53 am

Thanks, everyone.

The dues idea is a bit of a problem for me. You members are what makes the Forum great. If dues would mean losing members, it would diminish the Forum. I don't want that to happen.

I'm toying with the idea of a "Forum Boosters Club" for "sustaining members". The main thing you would get from belonging to this club is a yearly invoice. I think a lot of people would join. I just have to figure out how to implement it.

The outpouring of support since I posted that message has been astonishing! Thanks to all of you. It looks like I won't have to dip into my own checkbook for a while. My biggest problem right now is finding time to process all of the donations!

Thanks again.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/coolb0b2.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 
-System Administrator

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 22 May 2002 10:07 am

The best and fairest way to raise a few bucks seems to me to be in the For Sale section. Where else can you advertise something for sale for NOTHING? Just an easy to keep up with $3.00 to $5.00 fee or something nominal everytime you list something for sale. Those who fail to ante up the fee after 2 or 3 listings, just would not be allowed to list items for sale anymore. This would be simple to keep up with, whearas, a percentage fee on the items sold would be a nightmare to keep up with and would rely pretty much on the honor system, but it might be something to consider also.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 22 May 2002 10:18 am

Most people do send in donations when they sell something in Buy & Sell, George. It's our major source of income.