Gold Oak Membership: Policy Change

[Stonehenge]

This time of year I tend to get really frustrated about GTX. Not so much because of anything the site is or isn't doing, but because of me. For those of you who have winter, this is your crazy-busy time of year. Same for me.

Problem is, finding the time to bring really good content to Gold Oaks and Clippings is hard. Even harder lately with the economy tanking, where I find myself running like a chicken with it's head cut off to drum up business.

And the same is probably true for you.

So, because money's tight for everyone, and because I have pangs of guilt for not doing as good a job with the exclusive content areas as I would like to, for now I'm going to stop all paid subscriptions.

If you're a Gold Oak now, you'll stay a Gold Oak. No charge. And if you aren't a Gold Oak but have been a long-standing, contributing member to the site, we'll let you in, too.

I haven't figured out the parameters yet for which new members we'll let in. I'll let you know when I do. Maybe it'll be post count. Or content value. Or maybe it'll require nomination by other Gold Oaks. Not sure yet.

But for at least the next 2 years, starting today, nobody will be charged to Gold Oak membership. (But with one caveat - until I have time to change the status of all the accounts, some of you who are Gold Oaks may still get charged - but that money will be promptly refunded.)

[NCSULandscaper]

how about if you were just charged a month ago? lol

[Stonehenge]

I figured that would come up. I'm not sure yet. What sounds fair to you?

[NCSULandscaper]

i think if you need to refund everyone to make it fair

[Stonehenge]

Hmm. I'm not sure that's going to be an option. Where do you stop? Any selected date would seem arbitrary. And no matter where you leave off, someone's just on the other side of that.

Short of a compelling argument otherwise, I think those who are Gold Oak members will be shown appreciation by having the next two years access for free, and I think that's as good as I can offer.

[Fine Edge]

I think that's a generous offer. You really don't have to do it if you ask me. It's not like you're going to be a millionaire from the low rate to be a Gold Oak Member.

[AZTLANLC]

I think if you just became a gold oak member there is so much information you can grasp to make it worth the fee, the same goes for everyone else that wants to join now, I wouldn't give free membership to all new people, the thing that makes this site so much more valuable and professional then the rest is because the people that really cares about this industry joins in and pays such a small fee, don't let GTX became one more of those forums where the volume it's more important than quality.
I pay so much more money on a single seminar than the small fee this site charges and have learned so much more that to me is value.

[Greensmith]

Damn, so much for that tax deduction! I kid, I kid. I like the content, and the old stuff is still relevant no need to give it away for free.

I haven't felt any ill will towards your lack of articles, besides who at this point could make changes to their (hopefully) busy operations anyway.

[Mac]

Jeff,

I agree with the last two, I would rather see people have to pay to play. There is no reason to give away the historical value you have amassed behind those curtains. Just because you are not adding to it doesnt mean your past work is not valuable. I also will not like seeing people added by an arbitrary means of post count or whatever. Again, if they want to see what we all deemed valuable, then let them pay with the knowledge that the new content will not be added for some time now.

[Stonehenge]

I wouldn't be giving away access to everyone - those that had already paid to be Gold Oaks will continue to have that access, and those that have not will continue to not have access to that section of the site (until such time that we can devise a system for entry into that section that's different from the Paypal setup now.

And that doesn't mean I'm not adding to it, either. It's hard to find time to add to it right at the moment, but the plan is not to let it go dormant.

[Lanelle]

How about a one-time fee for entry (for now) so everyone who wants in pays but there is no renewal fee for the time being? I know that some here don't want the private gardens 'exposed' and that is understandable. But new, serious members should have a way to get in, if they so choose.

[sandim]

I agree.