i guess i will not be posting after dec 31 2007

[Norris W.]

Re: i guess i will not be posting after dec 31 200

I guess if the only reason you see to join NCRS is the judging, then my recommendation would be that you don't join. Sounds a lot like only reason to join a church is to see the girls in the choir.

I have other car intersts besides Corvettes. There are multiple GM brands and even several hi po Fords. You only have to compare the state of the restoration of these marques to the Corvette to see where the other brands fall in terms of availability of information and components. I believe that NCRS is largely responsible for the level of correctness and depth of reproduction parts available due to exchange of information. To say the others are decades behind would be an understatement and one only has to sit down and order a bunch of Chevelle or GTO stuff to see the utter crap that's on the market by comparison to available Corvette parts.

I participated ONCE in an event of another Corvette organization that centers basically around a witchhunt for dirt in all the cracks and crevises, and the only thing I can say is that if IT was the pillar of the Corvette hobby the quality and integrity of the cars would be MUCH different today.

Anytime there are multiple personalities and egos involved there will be ripples, and NCRS isn't perfect, but the Corvette hobby is so much better for it and those who don't see it have really missed a lot.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Another DUMB decision by Old, Dead and Dying G

"The new Corvette buyer and the vintage Corvette buyer has one thing in common, both are FAT, 50+ years in age AND blue haired!"

Ouch...personally, opinions aside, the fact is that, as one post accurately stated, the use of the forum by non-members can surely lead to increasing membership. It is another tool to get non-members involved in the NCRS and can lead others into being "guilted" into joining. I feel it should remain a public forum where the NCRS can give back to ANYONE who wishes to learn about Corvettes. Its like providing a public service to the Corvette community...

And by the way, if you can afford a 2008 Corvette, fixed income or not, you can afford $35 a year membership...just my humle opinion.

GM

[Clem Z.]

i just don't think i should pay to give away

information that i was paid for before. JMHO

[Terry B.]

[Robert Willis]

Re: i just don't think i should pay to give away

At one time I looked into joining NCRS, the price at that time was about $65.00 CDN and I thought it was a little high. Now it's down to about $44.00 .

So if I spend $44.00 and join what do I get besides the 4 Restorer's per year ? And will the magazines come on time or after everything is sold ?

Are they an $11.00 magazine ?

[Chuck R.]

Re: Well

It's obvious that the Clemster is far from food stamps so that's not what this is about.

If the organization has deemed that people who choose not to be dues paying members are outsiders and have no value other than a financial means to an end, then there is something definately wrong!

The high standards of the founding fathers don't have to be gutted to keep the club vital, it just needs foresight and an un-biased commitment for ALL Corvette enthusiest ranging from busted up drivers to trailer queens.

The $35.00 membership fee has to reach deeper than over priced and late publications, $5.00 off how to books and meager discounts at parts vendors who are still making very good dollars regardless what they take off list.

Remember the open forum? Make THAT a members only benefit and bring it back to life with strong boundaries in place to abusive users. I miss Dale P. and his colorful, flamboyant stories.

Members have tons more to offer other than how many ribs should be on a "proper" GM radiator hose.

Chuck

[John D.]

Well spoken. U said it better than anyone. *NM*

[Gary Bishop]

Will Team Leaders now post?

Will Team Leaders now be able to post replies? I know that they do not want their replies used against them on the judging field but some of the questions do need their input.

[Chuck S.]

Looks Like...

Starting early next year, you'll also have the priviledge of posting on the NCRS Technical Board in addition to that wonderful magazine (Congrats, Wayne, that last issue was the best yet). Other non-vendor-supported Corvette websites charge nearly that much just for the posting priviledge alone.

Corvette Forum, Digital Corvettes and other Corvette sites can have free posting for everyone because they are exclusively vendor supported...there are no "dues", and no real membership.

But, there is a price to be paid for that "free posting"...Vendor support influences an organization,s "freedom of speech". While CorvetteForum tries very hard to be equitible in supporting vendor/member disputes, it's clear whose side they initially take in a dispute until it's clear the vendor is crooked as a snake.

I personally do not want to see NCRS become the lap dog of big (and small) Corvette vendors simply to allow non-members to post, and I can see no other alternative. The function of those other websites, besides providing a common meeting place of interested individuals, is strictly commercial and never forget it. NCRS has a much higher purpose, and in spite of what many believe, it's not about making the dough.

Running a website, particularly one as utilized as the NCRS site, is expensive. NCRS has already had to decide that we can't afford to archive posted photographs in order to conserve server space. It is no accident that the Board also elected to appropriate more money for site resources.

We cannot AFFORD to end "Corvette World Hunger"...NCRS isn't the reason non-members came to own a Corvette, and we won't be the reason they decide $35 is too much too ask any Corvette question they want. They will still be able to lurk and read all the Corvette info that members are interested in, but they won't be able to have their own private consultation with experts in the hobby.

For my part, once I had Corvette fever, $35 a year was a paltry sum to help scratch my itch. I would still regret losing Clem...Clem is a giver rather than a taker, and I understand his position. But, Clem, many of us used to get paid for giving out info, but after years of membership and training, we're giving away our knowledge every day. If I were John...I would probably just "forget", and set it up where Clem's password was "grandfathered" and continued to allow him access; problem solved.

[Tom B.]

Re: Big FRICKEN mistake to loose Clem!

I have been around since the beginning. I attended the first meeting in Fremont IN but didn't join because at that time is was a '53-55 organization. Shortly after when It officially changed to the NCRS I was a member and paying my annual dues has never been an issue even when I was unemployed in the early 80s. The magazine alone has been worth the price of admission over the years. To me this organization is about a lot more than just this discussion board. The friends I have made at the meets and the knowledge I have gained have made the NCRS dues one of the best bargains in the automotive hobby.

After I finally broke down and entered the computer world this board has just been the icing on the cake. If the dues are strictly a pay to post issue for some then they are really missing out on most of what this organization has to offer.

Tom Bryant #1360

[Clem Z.]

i am going to be a little more blunt about

my position. there are dues paying people in NCRS that sell a product or offer a service that makes them thousand if not tens of thousands of $$$ and they only pay $35. i offer a FREE service so why should i pay the $35 unless these people who do make money off of NCRS members kick in a % of their profits to the NCRS. would that be fair ?????

[Terry F.]

Re: If you decide depart

Yep, what about the other potential people that we will loose if this goes through. Terry

[Allan J. Wicklund]

Re: If you decide depart

I'm with Clem! Al W.

[Chuck S.]

It's True...

We have members that offer parts and services. Paying the $35 dues is the easiest entre to NCRS members THROUGH The Driveline advertising. We needn't kid ourselves; most of them pay the dues for advertising priviledges, and are never seen or heard from again; not here on the TDB, at meets, nor any other place in person.

ON THE OTHER HAND...If those same vendor members come on this website, and began touting their wares, they will be gone faster than you can say "Jackie Robinson". Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to analyze what part of NCRS revenues result from print advertising in The Driveline, but I doubt they will offset the expense of running this website...the analysis would be an interesting exercise.

In any event, whatever the reason for posting on TDB free, whether you are trying to restore a Corvette without buying any books, doing any research, or paying any dues; or, just because it makes you feel worthwhile to contribute, the time has come to "roll up the free lunch" IMO. Maybe those trying to "shoestring" a restoration will realize that $35/year is chump-change tuition for the education they will receive.

[Roy S.]

Re: i guess i will not be posting after dec 31 200

John,

Excellent response, my comments are unsolicited and probably unnecessary but here they are. I think if this organization has any intent to place the driveline on line it needs to have a member only access corridor. Does that make sense? If we are going to go forward and improve the availability and accessibility to information for members don't we need a members only corridor?

As always partial explanations of reasoning behind change is confusing and leads to nothing other than false accusations and finger pointing, when ultimately the actual reasonong and actions might be logical. Sometimes you have to go back to move forward.