DIS Auctions instead of Rent/Trade board

[HookdonWDW]

Pete,

I am another fence sitter, who read your message, and realized that it was time to put my money behind supporting a site that has helped me so much. This site was the thing that finalized our decision to purchase DVC.

Thanks for offering such a great service!

 

[nuthut]

Just joined as site sponsor. I never new this was available until I read this post. Now Pete, you need to offer these auctions in addition to the rent/trade board. It costs me about $5 to list and about $30 to sell a DVC time on ebay. The rent/trade board decreases the value of points as too many people are unloading encumbered, etc points. Even at $12 a point, everyone can save up to 60% off Disney's rate with no tax. I would sure be willing to try this site for DVC auctions. Do remember that the end consumer (renter) ultimately pays all the costs!!

This site has saved me enough on airfare for one trip to become a lifetime member. Cheers for Pete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

Joined through Paypal last night but it isn't showing up yet. Thanks for the reminder. I was wondering how long it usually too for the banner to show up.

 

[HeatherPage]

Some people don't view using the rent/trade board as a "commercial" venture or as a second income. They just may need to rent out points that otherwise would be lost anyway. I needed 10 points about two years ago for a one night stay and a gentleman on the rent/trade board was kind enough to rent them to me for $6/point as he was probably not going to use them anyway. He could have tried to ask for more but he showed a great amount of generosity. If I can do that for someone one day I hope I can. Not everyone needs to gouge their fellow man/woman all the time.

 

[rtp-resident]

Dean - There may be a glitch with the paypal system. Have my paypal email receipt and went through the registration process on DISboard. I signed up the other night and have not shown up on the sponsor list yet. One of the Webmasters took care of the symbol but I am apparently not in the system yet. I think it is being worked on.

 

[robinb]

First of all, thank you Pete. I'm glad that you left the rent/trade board the way it is.

Second: I became a 2 year Gold site sponsor weeks ago. I figured I've already received $100 of "enjoyment" from the site and I was happy to pay and help out .

Third: I'm happy that a lot of fence sitters are becoming sponsors. If you have enough money for a computer and an internet connection and you are a regular poster, there is no reason not to become a site sponsor, IMO. The DIS is entertaining and it is not unreasonable to pay for your entertainment.

Last of all: On a down note, I am upset at the following remark made by Pete:

I find it interesting that not one of the people "complaining" about this is a site sponsor. You like this site, then help pay for it, because it's getting more and more difficult each month for me to do it.

I hope that was just a sick, grumpy Pete talking. I know that I can be a real ***** when I am sick . Nevertheless, to insinuate that only those people who have ponied up $$ to become a site sponsor really have a "say" is wrong.

 

[HeatherPage]

Welll....I would like to become a site sponsor but I literally do not have the money at the moment. My husband gets paid tomorrow and I get paid on Friday and after bills and diapers and formula and food we have about $35 to last us until next Thursday. We were given our computer by my father-in-law and I also post on the one at work so just because you own a computer does not mean your rolling in dough. We are not normally as tight as this (or we obviously would not own at DVC) but husband's work has been cutting everyones Friday for the past four weeks (that's basically about $400 less a month than we usually get). However, I did go to the sponsor board to give a paltry $5 until we could afford more but the minimum is $20 that I saw. This isn't a post for sympathy but just to let you all know that some people really enjoy these boards and would like to donate, but cannot at this very moment. So I guess my alternative is wait a few weeks until I can donate or quit frequenting this site. And Robin I second your comment above -I hope Pete can look past the harsh comments generated over the past few days and realize that he has touched peoples lives with this site- the well off and the just scraping by.

 

[zulaya]

I feel bad posting on this thread because I can't do the sponsorship level I want until I get paid either.

I agree with robinb and HeatherPage.

Also, perhaps the need for support can be shared more openly on other forums as well. While I don't read every board, the ones that I do read don't have any kind of thread like this. I realize this thread was a reaction to a change, but perhaps if the readers of all the other forums had the same reality information about the cost of keeping this site functional, then more fence-sitters or lurkers would take the plunge and sponsor too.

 

[Richyams]

I saw the new policy for the restaruant board, Pete is going to start a restaruant review auction site. You are only going to be able to review meals that you bid for.

Maybe this new policy is actually designed to get that board's patrons to remember the sponser thing.

 

[Chris C]

Holy Cow!

Look at all that traffic you just gave the Restaurant Board Rich! Talk about a major bandwidth spike!

 

[RobDoc]

In the past, Pete has made it clear that sponsorship is NOT a requirement to enjoy this site and no one should feel...or be made to feel...that they are not welcome here regardless of their ability to contribute financially to the DIS.

I think of this like Public television and the sponsorship programming they conduct each year. Those who are able to contribute are encouraged to do so and those currently unable to do so are more than welcome to contribute their knowledge and experience thru posting.

No one was disagreeing about the value of the Rent/Trade Board, but as a low volume Board, it could certainly be expendable should cut backs be necessary in the future. The inclusion of that aspect in the DISauction program was intended as a means to allow those who benefit from the Rent/Trade - either as renter or rentee- to contribute to the operational costs of the site as a whole.

Pete's comments were an observation that, of those who had offered their criticism about a program which had yet to even begin, none were providing any support to the sustenance of the site. Several forums- some even busier than the Rent/Trade- have been discontinued in the past without outcry from anyone. The sudden response this week about the Rent/Trade was most unexpected.

Sponsorship does not "buy" anyone a voice in the operation of this site, but is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc

Pete's comments were an observation that, of those who had offered their criticism about a program which had yet to even begin, none were providing any support to the sustenance of the site. Several forums- some even busier than the Rent/Trade- have been discontinued in the past without outcry from anyone. The sudden response this week about the Rent/Trade was most unexpected.
Thanks!

Gosh how do I say this........ I think what bothered me most about the switch notice was the way it was presented...... We are switching the way we do it but we are not telling you how it is going to work. The DISAuctions arent even up and running yet so the WHOLE thing brings up questions........ Of course this is the first time I mentioned my thoughts about it.

I am also one of the few who thought this might be a good idea.... I kinda like a third (and trusted) party involved when I exchange/trade points. And really would of liked to hear more about how this might work.

I hope when all this settles down, we once again can look at the auction posiblity with questions answered and bugs worked out.

Now can we move on to another HOT topic! Like what ever happened to my teeth?? ------------->

 

[ncligs]

Just signed up for a sponsor. It is well worth it!!!!!!

 

[drtpaper]

This auction idea is a good one and should move forward, but the board should remain as well. I understand the cost of the server is an issue. I have used your board to sell excess points. I would be willing to pay for the service. I suggest that you do 2 things:

1. Auctions be made available at a cost - I would recommend you use an ebay dutch style auction so people can split out points and prices.

2. Offer posting on the board to members only who have sponsored the board or paid a posting fee.

The boards offer services an auction can not. I could not auction points due to the quick turnaround you have to make on points, resorts, and dates. The board also acts as a trading post which wouldn't work well in an auction format. I also would not "auction" points for less than current value. It appears you want to take a cut of the transactions and this is only right since your service is not being compensated. There are many ways to do this without having to remove the things that make the board a great place.