Maybe the reason there is no openness on the costs of LZ is that the advertising brings in far more than the costs of running the site and if everyone knew this they would be less inclined to donate. Advertising often pays on number of visitors to a site - LZ has a lot of visitors and has a lot of advertising on it (even words in posts become links, such as eBay)

No problem with people making money, but, you don't walk round Sainsbury's with things like pasta saying 'we buy for: £0.10 and sell to you for £2.50'
 
That is a possibility - though I am not saying they are not transparent... simply that the question had not been raised as far as I could tell.

And if the operators are making a few quid... then fair play to them.... they work to provide the facility after all.
 
Maybe the reason there is no openness on the costs of LZ is that the advertising brings in far more than the costs of running the site and if everyone knew this they would be less inclined to donate. Advertising often pays on number of visitors to a site - LZ has a lot of visitors and has a lot of advertising on it (even words in posts become links, such as eBay)

No problem with people making money, but, you don't walk round Sainsbury's with things like pasta saying 'we buy for: £0.10 and sell to you for £2.50'

I'm with you on that, although it might seem harsh. Everyone is contributing by posting. If we didn't post there would be no adverts. I know I can't see them because I block them but I'm sure they make a lot more than the site costs.
 
I'm with you on that, although it might seem harsh. Everyone is contributing by posting. If we didn't post there would be no adverts. I know I can't see them because I block them but I'm sure they make a lot more than the site costs.

Thank you for that valued contribution......
 
My 2 penneth worth :rolleyes:( and I know I,m just a relative nooby but it might be of interest to some)

I ,with a few mods, run a streetfighter motorbike site and a couple of years back the chap who owns it decided he could no longer afford to pay for the running of it out of his won pocket(he doesn,t like ads on the site).So we as mods were given 2 options.

The first was that the mods could contribute every month out of their own pockets and take ownership of the site.That was poo-pooed because some of us couldn,t promise that sort of cash every month for certain.

The second was to offer membership at £15 a year with benefits( a members zone,free selling of vehicles etc).And this is what we opted for.

Luckily things took off and with the extra cash left over from the site costs we have been able to get T-shirts printed up.wooly hats,stickers etc as well as organising a meet once a year with a band and stuff.
All we have to watch for is that we do not keep too much cash back in the bank and appear to be running a business.

Just how it worked for us and just a way of doing things.But I thought some might be interested.Off back under my Landie now and I,ll keep quiet :D
 
Glad things worked out for your forum...seems like a good way to run in your position. Personally I am more than happy with the way the forum operates... it is reliable, rarely suffers failure... people donate when they can and everyone gets to take part on a equal standing...irrespective of whether or not they are dumb ****es or genius material.

Good to hear how other organizations make it work though.

Out of interest... what is LZ's legal status? Is it a non profit business or a charity? Or a normal "for profit" business?
 
Personally I would be happy to make a contribution but when you log on to the site it states that it is free, which to my mind tells me it doesn't need my money. If, however, everyone logging on was asked to make a donation as a membership fee I would do so without hesitation. If Landyzone is in danger of folding I would be very surprised as it is more than likely generating a substantial sum from advertising fees. I have a monthly direct debit to a chosen charity but I know where the money is going. There is no transparency on Landyzone in respect of its finances for obvious reasons. Should I feel guilty at not contributing? No I dont think so. Can anyone who contributes financially to Landyzone give me a reason why they do so when , I suspect, their money is not really needed? If it is needed why aren't we all asked to contribute which would be a fairer system.
 
The LandieZone is completely different to the forum I mod on mate as the owner still doesn,t allow advertising.
The advertising on here I would imagine pays for the site no probs and I think the donation thing is a good idea.
I pay in because of the info and help I have had so I do feel obliged to give back.Thats just me.
If the forum has ads on it which cover the costs it is up to each individual to make the choice and that ,to me, is a good way to attract decent members and hopefully encourage them to stay.
Think LZ works just fine as it is and long may it do so :D
 
I has just Donated..



Knew that Lead Porch I passed on the way home would come in handy
 
Personally I would be happy to make a contribution but when you log on to the site it states that it is free, which to my mind tells me it doesn't need my money. If, however, everyone logging on was asked to make a donation as a membership fee I would do so without hesitation. If Landyzone is in danger of folding I would be very surprised as it is more than likely generating a substantial sum from advertising fees. I have a monthly direct debit to a chosen charity but I know where the money is going. There is no transparency on Landyzone in respect of its finances for obvious reasons. Should I feel guilty at not contributing? No I dont think so. Can anyone who contributes financially to Landyzone give me a reason why they do so when , I suspect, their money is not really needed? If it is needed why aren't we all asked to contribute which would be a fairer system.
I see nothing wrong with system that says "This is free but if you feel that are benefitting from it, and you would like to contribute then we appreciate it"

Nothing wrong with that... it's like try before you buy... with no limit to the trial period!
 
I see nothing wrong with system that says "This is free but if you feel that are benefitting from it, and you would like to contribute then we appreciate it"

Nothing wrong with that... it's like try before you buy... with no limit to the trial period!
I hear what you are saying but what benefits does Landyzone get from voluntary contributions? If there was an appeal for extra cash to provide something that isnt allready on offer then, yes, I could see the point but just to throw money into Landyzone for the feelgood factor doesnt make much sense to me. I contribute by offering my (limited) advice. I have not ruled out making a contribution but is it "needed"?
 
For instance , if you were to discover that the Landyzone coffers held £250,000 would you still contribute?
 

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