Legacy Subscription plans

[Mopar1973Man]

If it gets too much thinner I'll just have to shut down. Like I just had this conversation with @JAG1about getting new staff to fill in the shoes of the guys that just left. Then get people that want to pro-active and help the site grow. Like back a few years ago I tried to shut down M73M because I was sick and tired of doing so much and not get even the bills paid for the site. This was because of the donation system was range of prices but very few actually did donate. Roughly 0.5% of membership pool was donating. Not even covering bills then hoping that people would kick to keep it alive. Everyone pooled together because they didn't want to lose the resource. Great but now after 5 to 6 years here I'm back to the same problem once again. No one left to help with the site, Bills barely getting paid most times and no one wanting to help out on the site. Again I'm trying to do what I can with my free time to keep the website going. This is why the subscription system was started so if you wanted support it would guarantee that I would get paid for my efforts. Now we got people that want to lock in at the older prices again that was discussed and need to be raised to $10 a month to cover bills. This means I've got to shut down those legacy accounts and one by one find out if they will renew on the new system.

 

Like this morning I'm pouring over the server logs catching other hackers attempting to hack the server and adding more fences and barbed wire to the website. I've already dump in over an hour just trying to catch the hacker attempting XSS injection or PHP injection. This stuff still needs to be handled and the business of the website. Ordering high idle kit cables that are going up in price as well. Much, much, more... Why it almost pisses me off when people whine about $10 a month really??? $100 a year at $8.33 a month. Not like I raised the price out of hand. But here I work at this website since 2004 trying to provide that quality content and storing all the info on the server so all people can read for FREE but charge a small $10 a month to support members. 

 

Again this entire this was discussed 1 year and 2 months ago right here in this forum. 

[wil440]

To be fair Mike I would say everyone that was around at the time 1 year or so ago fully supported what you were saying, I for one did not look to renew on the cheap I just renewed and had no idea that I had done so on el cheapo terms, there should not have been a default to cheap, the software should have been sorted so it is the new price and nothing else, don't get me wrong here I know all about busy, but I did not renew cheap on purpose

[Mopar1973Man]

Thank @wil440 for the reply. 

 

That what I though too. But it didn't work that way. So now I've got to manually call all these people and one by one cancel the current subscription and then get them renewed on the new system which I can do really fast here as long as I can call get authorization for changing there subscription... Just a few clicks for me and I can do the change which I've had a few members call and notify me that they wanted to upgrade to the new plan. Then there are others think that its too high. Again I'm not Cummins Forum that is owned by VerticalScope, or Diesel Bombers owned by Internet Brands. I don't have multi-billion dollar corporations backing me up like the rest of the forums out there again like Cummins Forum. This means all bills and expenses are solely mine to handle. 

 

Give you an example I know this could be quite profitable. Now I've already got a agreement with DAP for parts and supplies. I've already tested out selling Quadzilla back a few years ago. DAP would be willing to drop ship anything you guys want to order from here. My problem I need a "Code Monkey" to do a bit of code work to the website so when a customer order say 3 parts (turbo, Injectors, and BHAF) it sends one email to DAP and that's it. Currently it sends 1 email for each part. Not going to work but I would have to come up with at least $500 to $750 to have a code specialist build this module for me. I currently do not have the funds... Currently I'm trying to round up enough funds to even buy 100 cables for high idle kits. So this whole project sits on hold. So that is why the store is closed. Again a lot of work, phone calls, diagnosing issues, bench testing... As for the high idle kits i'm sold out and so is DAP. Now I'm waiting to see how much 100 units of cables are going to cost me now with the inflation already here. Roughly going ot be 3 ot 4 months till I have high idle cables by then the season will be over and no money made either. But what do you do? 

Edited December 18, 2021 by Mopar1973Man

[leety]

29 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Thank @wil440 for the reply. 

 

That what I though too. But it didn't work that way. So now I've got to manually call all these people and one by one cancel the current subscription and then get them renewed on the new system which I can do really fast here as long as I can call get authorization for changing there subscription... Just a few clicks for me and I can do the change which I've had a few members call and notify me that they wanted to upgrade to the new plan. Then there are others think that its too high. Again I'm not Cummins Forum that is owned by VerticalScope, or Diesel Bombers owned by Internet Brands. I don't have multi-billion dollar corporations backing me up like the rest of the forums out there again like Cummins Forum. This means all bills and expenses are solely mine to handle. 

 

Give you an example I know this could be quite profitable. Now I've already got a agreement with DAP for parts and supplies. I've already tested out selling Quadzilla back a few years ago. DAP would be willing to drop ship anything you guys want to order from here. My problem I need a "Code Monkey" to do a bit of code work to the website so when a customer order say 3 parts (turbo, Injectors, and BHAF) it sends one email to DAP and that's it. Currently it sends 1 email for each part. Not going to work but I would have to come up with at least $500 to $750 to have a code specialist build this module for me. I currently do not have the funds... Currently I'm trying to round up enough funds to even buy 100 cables for high idle kits. So this whole project sits on hold. So that is why the store is closed. Again a lot of work, phone calls, diagnosing issues, bench testing... As for the high idle kits i'm sold out and so is DAP. Now I'm waiting to see how much 100 units of cables are going to cost me now with the inflation already here. Roughly going ot be 3 ot 4 months till I have high idle cables by then the season will be over and no money made either. But what do you do? 

 

The thing is, the resource of this site, and everything it provides, is stalled until the members fund it.  I did my part to renew at $100/year +$50 just because this is an important site/(et al) to me. As an American and fellow Dodge owner I see supporting this site as the ONLY right-thing-to-do.

 

I think it would be very worthwhile to take pause and reach out to the members.  Those who don't have the mental capacity to understand why it's "so much $" can stick with the corporate owned sites with all of their misguided information.

 

My question is this:  Is there a way to pause/suspend the accounts that renewed (perhaps in batches) at the legacy cheap rates and send out an email to those members with a call to action to have them contact you to make the necessary corrections to their accounts?  Also can you create a message on the site that pops up telling them to contact you to resolve an issue on their account regarding their membership?

 

It would be less work for you if they were contacting you so you. Also with this dynamic you can find out who cares enough to take action to get their account back up and running. It's a take away with the possibility to resolve the issue by contacting you.

 

This would probably be a better strategy than you chasing after them.

 

You could use some language like this:

 

SUBJECT: Temporary Account Suspension ~ Action Required

 

BODY OF EMAIL:

Your account has been temporarily suspended.  Please contact us so we can resolve the issue.  We need you permission to make the necessary corrections to bring your account back online.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience to you.

 

Thank you for your membership and ongoing support.  We look forward to hearing from you.

[Mopar1973Man]

Keeping it easy you would just access the subscription and it will list all active accounts. Now I can one by one call each and ask if I can cancel the subscription and then get the new one started for the member. If I just cancel out now we lose the list of people and no way to fix the problem.

[Doubletrouble]

 I will be renewing on the monthly plan for now (Christmas is here and we have many grandchildren). Now, do I need to wait to be contacted at this point? I would love to BS with @Mopar1973Man if he calls. Lol

 But I'd also like to save him a bit of time and frustration if possible. Let me know please.

  Also, quick question, I realize Mike that you charge for calls regarding technical advice but if a member were to call to just say hello and check in???? Just curious.

 Great site! I hope it's around for years to come. 

[leety]

6 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Keeping it easy you would just access the subscription and it will list all active accounts. Now I can one by one call each and ask if I can cancel the subscription and then get the new one started for the member. If I just cancel out now we lose the list of people and no way to fix the problem.

Makes sense.  Sounds like a phone effort is in order.

[Mopar1973Man]

Yeah just had a long discussion with @JAG1last night about all this too. Trying to make a game plan to making things right again. Approximately 50 to 55 users that are holding out in legacy plans. I did the smart thing making it a requirement to give full name and phone number so I can contact all these members by name and phone number and get this fixed one by one.

[JAG1]

Basically this situation has placed the website in a difficult position, causing an impasse with it's inability to move forward to cover usual expenses and keep going in proper fashion.

 

One example is the demand for high idle kits and the inability to pay for and begin manufacturing of the wire harnesses. This situation is causing an ever greater loss of revenue that is usually relied upon each year.

 

A second example is the business offers and commitments made by 3 important Diesel parts vendors but, the site hasn't the money to upgrade the system software to allow that ability and to begin making revenue and help support the site.

 

A third consideration is Mike Nelson having to work out side, in some cases out extreme cold, especially this time of year only to pay the money earned to the website fees.

 

 

What happens with these important phone calls to members holding on to the old fee. This attempt to correct this shortfall, will be key,  an all important exercise. 

 

More coffee anyone? Thanks for listening and @Dieselfuture turn off that horrible music .Lol

Edited December 19, 2021 by JAG1

[Mopar1973Man]

Yup its true I've got a 2006 Dodge in my wood shed right now and waiting for the weather to calm down been snowing all week and been a cluster snag with the snow and its damages. 2 days without power. Then a 3rd day without power when the tree limb out back broke off and I stayed up till 3:50am to deal with that. Now I'm trying to get funds rounded up for high idle kits and been warned already the price has gone up considerably. Right now my main focus is to deal with the income part that should of been finished last year so since its not finished I'm still in a short fall when half of the paying members are on the old price. I've got ideas that I can improve the site but I need to buy a "code monkey" to write some custom code for the website then I can open the store up with my idea. Between that and not knowing but last batch of cables for high idle kits are roughly $4,300 for 100 units which is the smallest amount to produce and know the price is going up I could be paying closer to $5,000 to $6,000 for cables for the next batch of high idle kits. This means even the price of high idle kits will be going up too. 

Edited December 19, 2021 by JAG1

[Doubletrouble]

 I understand the need for the price change and agree with it. I did renew under the old prices though but not on purpose. I didn't see where to renew on the new plans. Maybe I missed it I don't know but we will all get it corrected. 

 I'll await your call @Mopar1973Man to rectify my subscription. Unless there is something i should do before I hear from you. Just let me know sir.

[Mopar1973Man]

@Doubletroublepretty simple really. Just cancel your current subscription or I can for you and then we just start again on the new side. I've already did it for @leety which she just needed the guidance of me and problem solved. 

[Doubletrouble]

 Got 'er done Mike. 

 If you still want to call I'll be happy to chat ya up for a few. Lol

[Mopar1973Man]

3 hours ago, Doubletrouble said:

 Got 'er done Mike. 

 If you still want to call I'll be happy to chat ya up for a few. Lol

How about tomorrow evening? You could give me a call. 

[JAG1]

47 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

How about tomorrow evening? You could give me a call. 

Have your battery charged up to max 

[Mopar1973Man]

Easy enough. I've got a charger in my trucks, I've got a charger in my bedroom and living room. Then even a charger at the computer. That's easy. Now my earbuds maybe a challenge.

[Doubletrouble]

7 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

How about tomorrow evening? You could give me a call. 

 I could give it a try. Never know how my work day will turn out. Lol

[Royal Squire]

I believe I got my account renewed correctly. Not certain though. Let me know 

[Mopar1973Man]

1 hour ago, Royal Squire said:

I believe I got my account renewed correctly. Not certain though. Let me know 

Yes you are correct. Everything is working. Your profile shows Quarterly.

[Dieselfuture]

It would be great if old timers with knowledge say pay $25 a year and the ones that need help can pay $25 for single problem that we can all help resolve and give them that same year of subscription. There's enough questions that I think it'll add up over time. Making it work is another story I suppose...