That's more like it. Just not to me. Just wait for someone to pipe up about the fun I had with my headlights and gearbox cables, and yes, they were related.

Forgot to say.....

Apologies if this type of "future direction" discussion is already taking place - I've not had chance to have a through look through all forums just yet.

Taken place, mate. But no worries - it can only be a good thing in its current form, from what I have seen already. It sort of takes the financial burden the webmasters have to bear at the moment (if "bearing" is the right word for it?)

cra, some interesting points - tbh having run my own business and had idealistic intentions about customer service when small iknow that as any organisation grows there will always be compromises.. but the donation idea to me is great, I donated because i believe the site gives me what i want - if the donations mean no corporate adverts and logos then great..but no doubt as it grows to 1000+ then 2000+ members it will come.

IF people dont donate then that is their choice no grudges will be held, all will still be welcome..

Re the official club, that would pen some new cans of worms about free speech so im not sure if itwould be good or bad?

what do others think?

Originally posted by cra in this post

With regards to the actual funding of the site, I believe the founders fund it. Maybe Briskoda should have a membership scheme where people pay a certain amount to "join the club. " - Could Briskoda become the offical Skoda membership club?

There is already an official pay-to-join Skoda club, so there would be a conflict of interests if Briskoda started treading on toes. It has been discussed about having several types of membership here, with extra bonuses for higher members. It would take a lot of time and effort to provide and maintain the extra bonuses, and possibly deter future users from contributing if they felt this was an "elitist" site...

Also what about a reginal co-ordinator structure so that local meets can be much more official,etc..

This is a good idea - does require a commitment in time and effort from the co-ordinator, but I suppose if they covered an area where the Skoda-owning populace was fairly spread out then the frequency of meets would be lower.

Whether people will want (or feel the need to) contribute will depend on what they get out of it.

I think that's why it's been set up on a purely voluntary basis. The main priority about funding is stopping Colin from having to foot the bill himself without resorting to advertising!

Rob.

One of the main reasons I like Broskoda.net - is the informal friendly(?) nature -- but I also see that it takes a lot of time and effort on behalf of Colin and the others -- and as has now been seen - there are costs involved in running the site -- if we are to stay advert free -- contributions are required -- but are probably more forthcoming via a voluntary system.

Joining a "Club" means you get other benefits -- more work involved,personally I think the way we run now is best -- everyone able to contribute info/threads etc,and as Ffellan said the more you get out the more likely you are to contribute.

I think the loose nature as it runs now is better for freedom -- and more likely to attract more members

if they change the name to broskoda skodaw im not logging on... and you spelt my name wrong....

Doh! -- what can I say -- ets bun a loung dae

Sorry when I say contribute I mean financially contribute. I suspect people might have thought I meant contribute to the site by posting messages.

At the end of the day, we need to find a way that allows the site to be run without needing external financial support.

Originally posted by cra in this post

Sorry when I say contribute I mean financially contribute. I suspect people might have thought I meant contribute to the site by posting messages.

At the end of the day, we need to find a way that allows the site to be run without needing external financial support.

Hmm...

I reckon there's more than one way to contribute.

Doing all the donkey work to put together a FAQ, or organising a meet is, IMHO, a valid way to contribute.

OTOH, it does cost money to run the site - so donations of money are also important.

Er... I'm not sure what I'm trying to say... :(

Does organising a group buy count as "a contribution"? I tried, ya know.

Each and everyone here is a contributor. Some people contribute more than others, just like in real life. But at the end of the day, Colin has made considerable costs, and at some point these costs are no longer bearable by Colin alone. A donation is just one way of helping Colin out, just likes he helps us out.

I recommend you get Nochex sorted soon - although it is _slightly_ more tricky to register from the client point of view, you only get charged a flat fee on withdrawals, no percentage or commission on individual payments.

Originally posted by cra in this post

At the end of the day, we need to find a way that allows the site to be run without needing external financial support.

This is precisely why it is a good reason to have voluntary contributions of 1 sort or another - Paypal is just one,suggested because of it's ease of use(once registered) -- theres no sending a cheque for someone to have to take physicaly to a bank to pay in & wait to clear etc -- I think that is worth the small percentage taken,after all

Skodaw is correct - dont forget a large chunk of the paypal fee goes to the credit card co not paypal...

Also bear in mind that if we send cash / cheques this may cause the admins problems with the tax man - at least paypal/nocheques give them full paperwork to support transactions. Im sure the last thing anyof us want is the site to close because of the greedy Inland Revenue miscontruing donations as income:)

Just a thought ....If we are accepting donations , does not Briskoda have to be a registered charity ..........as I said , just a thought , I don't know the law regarding donations .

I guess you'd have to think of it as people choosing to pay towards running the site. You don't have to be a registered charity to accept donations, but you can claim back tax or something...

Rob.

i dont trust internet banking facilities just tell me where to send the cheque to (or postal order or cash):confused:

Well I'm up for it. This place keeps me amused and therefore sane at work.

Shall we say a tenner for cash Colin?

Lady loki, maybe skoda uk would like to donate some for all the promotion of the brand we do? im sure someones corporate card could be hammered...

Just thought I would post a thought -- the donations system is now up & running -- which is great,but once the initial "rush" is over what happens then ? -- we fall back into deficit and Colin has to put his hand in his pocket again :eek:

May I make a suggestion -- each time anyone sell's an item though Briskoda.net, how about making a small donation to the site ?

Just my own thought's on the subject -- noticed that it's been a little while since any donations -- just because we are ahead of the game now - doesn't mean we should not donate -- any left over monies will,I'm sure be put to good use by Colin, and allow the site to grow bigger and better without advert's or pop-up's

I for one would be very happy to see this site remain advert free -- but as they saying goes -- nothing in life is for free !

Originally posted by ffelan in this post

Lady loki, maybe skoda uk would like to donate some for all the promotion of the brand we do? im sure someones corporate card could be hammered...

If they gave me one, I'd happily abuse it and support this site. However, I'm a minion remember...?

Will donate as soon as I am able to sort my life out here today... bear with me guys

Christ! How bloody complicated is that PayPal thing! There was I, full of bonhomie and red wine thinking 'Why shouldn't Colin be able to have a decent holiday, it's more worthy than internet porn.' Now I've apparently been charged $1.95 and I still can't make a donation until I get some sodding number off my next credit card bill.

Point 1. Can't be arsed to read the whole thread and see if anyone else thinks PayPal is a bit long winded.

Point 2. Didn't even realise we could makedonations until today.:(

Originally posted by rich1068 in this post

Christ! How bloody complicated is that PayPal thing! There was I, full of bonhomie and red wine thinking 'Why shouldn't Colin be able to have a decent holiday, it's more worthy than internet porn.' Now I've apparently been charged $1.95 and I still can't make a donation until I get some sodding number off my next credit card bill.

Point 1. Can't be arsed to read the whole thread and see if anyone else thinks PayPal is a bit long winded.

Point 2. Didn't even realise we could makedonations until today.:(

Rich

Don't worry mate -- you'll get the money back, they just use it as a way to clarify you are who you say you are -- when it appears on your credit card statement -- you enter a reference number from it to "Authorise" your paypal account - and get the money back.

And as for the point of not realising that you could contribute - no worry's -- that's why I updated the thread. I now Colin is chuffed that people are prepared to contribute to the site, and that then means he can look at other area's to benefit us all...... which I'm sure he elaborate on in good time.

As I've said before - one of the main benefit's of Briskoda is that there are NO adverts & NO pop-ups - which make browsing a much more comfortable affair.

Plus there are the many discount's which are springing up, which can only grow as the site get's bigger -- but the money has to come from somewhere, and if we don't want adverts then that somewhere has to be us Briskodian's.... a little price to pay for the quality of the site - I think you'll agree

Don't get me wrong. I've pointed out in the past that if we use it we should pay for it. You don't get owt for nowt.

As for not knowing, I haven't been as 'active' over the last few months so missed you actually taking the bull by the horns and sorting out Briskoda's finances. Everyone just ummed and arred before...