Supporting Membership Rate Increase: Aug 1 2014

[mysteryclock]

20 --> 30 is a big jump, but 40 --> 80 for Gold is a lot bigger. Sooooo...mine's up next month. Should I renew now or sign up for recurring (where??) now?

 

[Michael Eisenman]

How did you determine $30/year and $4/mo, rather than $3/mo? That's quite a premium for going recurring.

 

[Solarmist]

Your current annual sub is not affected - you're good until next May.

So if you buy a 1 year supporting membership before August 1 for $20 - you're good to go for a year?

 

[Munjibunga]

It's cool.

 

[Kustom_Thunder]

Hi TalkBass'ers!

It's been a few months since the 'great migration', and I hope you are enjoying the new site. I am truly enjoying working with this new forum software and the upgraded features it offers as well as upgraded growth opportunities for the future. I have to thank everyone who has supported the Talkbass site with your participation, suggestions, patience and continued Supporting Memberships during this time.

So on to the news: Subscription rates for Supporting Memberships and Gold Supporting Memberships will be increased on August 1st. Did you know that the subscription rate for Supporting Membership hasn't changed in 14 years? So why change it now?

Well, basically, $20 in 2000 was worth a lot more than it is now (according to data.bls.gov, $20 in the year 2000 has the same buying power as $27.63 today. $60 in 2000 is equal to $83.05 today). I know that nobody likes prices to increase... that's why I haven't in 14 years. But this time it's overdue. I'm hoping that y'all are enjoying the added perks since the migration (unlimited attachment storage). I plan on adding more benefits like premium forums (SM-only) before the fall. I also want to make the site faster and continue to have custom addons developed just for us. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!

August 1 2014 revised rates:

Supporting Membership: $30/year or $4/month recurring
Gold Supporting Membership: $80/year or $8/month recurring
​

* Those currently on active recurring subscriptions will continue to pay your original rate ($2 or $6 for Gold) monthly until you cancel, or until the end of the year.

Fine by me

 

[paul]

So when my existing year is up (next spring, I think) I have the option at that time of paying $4 per month or pay an upfront payment of $30? Just want to be clear. Thanks.

M. M.

You got it

 

[paul]

So if you buy a 1 year supporting membership before August 1 for $20 - you're good to go for a year?

Yes.

 

[paul]

20 --> 30 is a big jump, but 40 --> 80 for Gold is a lot bigger. Sooooo...mine's up next month. Should I renew now or sign up for recurring (where??) now?

Gold was never $40, it's been $60 since the beginning. You see $40 because I'm testing out a system that discounts your already-paid $20 from the price. A Gold Supporting Membership though has been $60 for over a decade. $60 in 2000 had the buying power of $83 today.

Renewing now for a year ($20) would be your best bargain.

 

[paul]

How did you determine $30/year and $4/mo, rather than $3/mo? That's quite a premium for going recurring.

Well, there's a couple reasons... The vast majority of users going the monthly route are joining for a month to sell a bass. A $4 charge to sell your bass is a bargain IMO, esp compared to ebay. Also the monthly recurring option has been a bit of a pain on this end. PayPal's "per transaction" fees, plus users not knowing how to cancel their subscriptions ("I didn't authorize this charge!!" etc)... I know some like to not shell out for the year so I'll continue to offer the recurring, but it's gotta be $4 minimum. Sorry!

 

[Michael Eisenman]

I just started recurring. What's the easiest way to convert back from recurring to annual? (Just to make it less of a pain for you, Paul ;^] ) I'd rather see all of the money go to TB.

 

[NightW0lf]

If I have still a few months on my current subscription and I buy another one now, will it add 12 months to my current one or will it start from 0, a new 12 months?

 

[paul]

If I have still a few months on my current subscription and I buy another one now, will it add 12 months to my current one or will it start from 0, a new 12 months?

It will add 12 months to your current term.

 

[NightW0lf]

It will add 12 months to your current term.

Thank you, and if I want to go gold, can I upgrade? How will it affect my remaining time / price ?

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

Not to sure about 'SM Forum' thang. It gets a little too close to a First Class vs Second Class TB. I know supporting membership has it's privileges but I believe that the general frame of discourse should be wide open. I enjoy speaking with other players from all over this big planet and it would be a shame to exclude any player that may not be a able to afford 'SM' status from any forum. But otherwise I'm in.

Rezdog

 

[Zooberwerx]

Good value. $80 is pretty much dinner and a movie nowadays.

Sometimes I even take my wife.

Riis

 

[Tom Lane]

For everything I've learned and the deals I've found, $80 is waaaay too low, IMO.

 

[RockinRonnie]

I have made a bunch of new friends on TalkBass
AND picked up lots of tips and hard-to-find info
AND made some good deals (as a buyer, a seller, and a trader).
This is a terrific website and I am glad to be a supporting member!
No worries with the increase for me

 

[paul]

Thank you, and if I want to go gold, can I upgrade? How will it affect my remaining time / price ?

Yes, you can upgrade right now if you want. It should give you a price of $40 to upgrade. In this case, your term would be the same (current term + 12 months) and you'd be Gold for the duration.

Sorry wrong info above. So basically if you have 3 months of regular SM left, and you buy a Gold SM today, you're net result is a Gold Supporting Membership from now until a year from today. Yes you "lose" the 3 months of regular SM you have left, but, that's what the $20 discount is supposed to take care of (normal Gold sub is $60, but it's $40 if you have an existing regular SM).

 

[Burwabit]

Still worth it. This expense pales next to the gear I buy here haha. Best forum ever!

 

[chuck norriss]