Membership Fee?

[Babycakes1]

Would you be willing to pay a Membership Fee, which would help us increase the number of questions and comments we allow each day?  

We are pondering a $5 Annual membership fee to support this forum. If we go forward with this, only members would be allowed to post questions and comments.  We would appreciate your input on this?

Regards,
Med Help

[bystander2002]

Since you asked for input or opinions, heres mine.

I'd rather see this board stay free to users (even if it stays at a limited # of posts everyday, like it is now)

But, If you absolutly have to raise money, I'd suggest either
1. asking for donations
2. selling something (hats, mugs, t-shirts, whatever)
3. allowing so many posts per month for free.... and charging when a person exceeds their limit


While 5 dollars doesnt sound like alot--- its a bad trend to start

(What If EVERY messageboard charged 5 dollars)

[cuteus]

a minimal fee to be able to post a question is not unreasonable. I hope it limits the double posting of questions, though.
I would rather not use paypal at all.

Please do not change the format too much, this is a very simple format to use, extremely friendly, and without the clutter of advertisements and links that other pages offer.

I already pay a membership( one time fee) at my credit union, and it is still a non profit org. so for those who worry it will change the status of this site, that might not be so.

[susan400]

I'd be willing to pay a $5 yearly fee, as long as there's something that guarantees me that it's not going to keep on being raised.  At the point that I'd have to start paying $25 a month or even a year, I'd have to drop out.  I am not working and can't be doing things with the little bit of money that I have that are not practical.  I can live without the internet.  Also, I would want an address to mail a check to because I would not use my credit card.

Susan400

[annainitaly]

I probably would not have entered (just a little time ago) if I had to pay, no matter how little the fee could have been. now that I know the place, it has become my point of reference for info and somehow relationship and I wouldn't care a memebership fee. so a double formula, for aficionados and newbies, could be wise.  

I must add that my informatics savvy friends strongly recommend never to give my credit card # on-line, even if twice in my life I did it (once was to post a question to the medical Q & A's here at medhelp's).
so, that could represent a barrier for many and that would be a real pity, seen the value of this forum.
anna

[Plutonium-kid]

Dear Cindy, Phil & others,

Thank you for your reply, however I don't think that by stating that you have SAVED my LIFE I'm condemning you guys. Quite the contrary is true as I have made my position very clear in my comment.
I used the comparison to Classmates.com in an exemplary:
Main Entry: ex

[CGTMHI]

We appreciate your input.  In reply to your posting comparing Med Help to Classmates.com.  Just for clarification, Classmates.com charges $5/MONTH (or $39 a year).  Med Help is talking about a membership fee of $5/YEAR.

A membership fee is one option we are considering.  It would be really helpful if you could offer suggestions regarding how to financially support and expand the forum, rather than simply condemning us for not giving everything away for free.  


Cindy Thompson
Med Help International

[CGTMHI]

We would allow the forum to be open for reading by anyone.  The only time people would need to "join" would be if they wanted to post questions or comments.

Cindy Thompson
Med Help International

[cuteus]

yahoo and others already charge a fee...to the advertisers we have to put up with in order to use their services...


"I truly hope that you make a CORRECT decision, for the HEALTH of MANY is at stake.
This is an important site for many...but raising it to a life or death level is a bit much...
since this is not a medical forum, no professional medical advice available...no one's health...physical or emotional should depend on it.

[raheem]

It's a priceless forum.  However, I would not pay anything to join or participate in any on-line activity.  I would simply go to another site.  I think sets the wrong precedent.  Everyone pays x amount for internet service.  I think eventually other sites would get wind of the pay-per-view policy and soon we would pay an extra fee to access Yahoo, Google, newspapers, sports, etc.  It is a slippery slope.  Gov't is already talking about taxing internet usage.

[Plutonium-kid]

Dear Phil,

I don't mean to be disrespectful since the contrary is true. However, as a reply to your latest comment, I do have to say that you remind me of what Classmates.com did a few years back.
At first, if I recall correctly, the public was veered or lured into volunteering PURE INFO so that in due time Classmates.com could BAN that very same public to access his domain without a PAYMENT!
I for one, don't plan to fall prey to a similar plot. If you want to HELP than pls JUST HELP.......& if you want to CHARGE us for this HELP, come out & state your intentions & pls don't beat around the BUSH!
I truly hope that you make a CORRECT decision, for the HEALTH of MANY is at stake.

Thank you for your HELP,
Wishing you the BEST always,

Ben

PS-In no small way my FAMILY & I owe you my LIFE!

[stc1993]

I read the posts daily and I would be more willing to make a donation rather than having to pay a membership fee.

[Ambush]

Is your message stating that anyone (newbies) could access the site and read all they want.......but in order to comment or ask questions, they would have to pay for membership?  If that's the case, anyone coming across the site could read for awhile and judge whether or not they wanted to become a member.  What about offering an address to mail donations for those of us who are hesitant to send credit card info over the internet?  Or a Paypal link as suggested by greatbird is another secure option.
ambush :)

[cuteus]

I do not like the Paypal system and would not use it to donate at this site.

[Showboat]

So many great comments here!!!!!  You can see, we LOVE it here.......LVDBYGOD, Lou, Cuteous and others have voiced a very valied concern about Newbies being able to "check" the site out first...to "test the waters"...on a trial basis....I think that it will give them an opportunity to see what we are all about without the added stress of feeling like they have to pay first.  I agree with LVDBYGOD about new people reading and searching for answers, looking for an hand to reach out to hold them....to guide them, to comfort them...to answer questions that they do not even know how to ask.....:::: the first time I ever saw this forum....I "lurked" for quite awhile before I submitted a post......and, I think, if I was asked to pay first, I may have skipped over and gone somewhere else...not because I would have been "turned off" by the fee, but because I was so emotionally distraught, and not thinking clearly.......ready to begin yet another tx......I was filled with apprehension, and fear, and needed to have a "security blanket" placed on me immediately...I sure would have missed out...I LOVE it here....I read other forums, but feel like this place is home....There is something SPECIAL about Medhelp...and to be sure, there is something SPECIAL about all of the members here too......I look forward to seeing what avenue MedHelp takes....I am more than happy to support this home......Love to all of you....

[GreatBird]

Thanks, rev...

Phil...Actually, now that I look at things, the link should be at the TOP of the page.

I did notice there is a way to donate in the front of Medhelp, but it asks for a bunch of information plus the credit card. The advantage to Paypal is that--if one has an account with them--the donee doesn't have to get up from the computer and find the information. With Paypal it's just a series of mouse clicks and the transaction has been made, plus the receipt is automaticcally sent and can be saved for tax purposes. Paypal takes a small chunk out of each transaction, but if by using them there are more transactions then it shouldn't be a big deal.

[GreatBird]

If there was an easy way to donate (like a Paypal button at the bottom of the forum page) then maybe a membership fee would be unnecessary. My guess is that people would see the value in this and contribute when they were able to which could easily be more than $5 a year. Of course, some wouldn't be able to donate (or wouldn't voluntarily) as well. JMHO.

[Fubarcat]

$5.00 is no problem for me, but I do agree that newbies should be able to have 30 days free before they pay a membership.  Hopefully, there would not be too many administrative costs in providing a 30 day trial period to newbies.  Thanks for providing us Heppers the opportunity to come to this site and learn so much about our disease.  It's invaluable.

[layla]

Like gomacktrading I also just made a donation on line at www.medhelp.org . It's very easy and quick. LL

[BethUK]

I did go to make a donation when I finished treatment but I didn't see the little padlock in the corner indicating it was a secure site.

I think if at all possible, donations should be voluntary.  Maybe you could clarify that about the secure site, and put a few buttons here and there to encourage users to make a donation.  Thanks for the forum, it was a lifesaver for me back in 2002!

[Astrolady]

I'm fine with the $5 but I agree with Cuteus & Lou a trial period of about a month for new people.

[LvdByGod]

I'm for the donation idea...I think that will have the least effect on the Quality of this site and it's help for all people of many financial backgrounds and circumstances...

my main fear of a

[sher_]

I have NO problem with it. Tell me where I'll send a donation.

[GulfCoast]

I'm cool with the $5. Seems like a very small amount to contribute considering the info & support I've received here. I also like the ideal of some type of trial member ship and/or browsing capability for newbies.
Peace - Gulfcoast

[DebbieDo]

I have been very blessed by the abundance of information i have received here in the past 1  1/2 yrs. I don't post alot, but, i have come here daily to read the info.  I don't think $5.00 is too much to ask for membership, but, I do think a trial membership would be great......I mean who you pay for something you know nothing about, regardless of how little the fee is?
OR......a request for monthly donations as mentioned would be great too.......Whatever you decide will be fine with me...
Thank you  "Medhelp"  for all you have  given us.........Debbie  :)