Posted by ShelliR on March 31, 2001, at 15:06:33
In reply to Re: Credit cards - privacy concerns, posted by Dr. Bob on March 31, 2001, at 14:03:44
> > (3)New visitors may first want to experience the site for a certain period of time in order to understand the benefit and monetarily support the service. I realize you could time limit the free membership, as a "trial membership."
>
> Right, that's what I was thinking...
>
> BobWAIT A SECOND.... what is this about temporary memberships for a period of time? This is sounding more like you must eventually be a member. That is not in keeping with a pledge drive. If you don't pledge on public radio, you can still listen, participate; it is up to you and your conscience. When I suggested a pledge drive, I had in mind that all donations should be voluntary, not that psychobabble would now start to charge a mandatory membership fee.
That would upset me a lot because I think the entire flow of your website would change, be more limited, turn away people who by now have gotten used to full participation on the internet without fees. We do pay (most of us) to get our connection to the internet, but I have never been forced to pay for any services. I don't like that precedent at all. What happens if you are censored? Do you get back your membership fee? With a voluntary contribution, that is not an issue, because you chose to give. What if people hold back writing a message because: "oh, it's my fifth message and after this I have to pay and I'm still not sure if I want to." What if someone leaves for a few months and then comes back? Who wants to keep track of all that minutia?
I am willing to give money, but don't think I want to participate if I MUST give money. I don't want to be on a board with paid membership only--like belonging to a limited club. Also right now, Dr. Bob, you have a lot of power on the board, which is fine with me. But it I had to pay for membership, it might not be fine with me. Somehow donating to psychobabble feels fine to me, but being forced to join and pay a fee does not.
As to the privacy of credit cards, one doesn't have to pay by credit card. One can pledge money then send a check or a cashier's check. Credit cards are just one option to make payment easier.
Gosh, if this is turning into forced payment, then I'm sorry I mentioned a pledge drive.
ShelliR
poster:ShelliR
thread:619
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010315/msgs/954.html