Homepage Announcement Discussion - Page 2

Cpl Mickey · 01 Jul 2005, 22:53

Faolteam. I would give a yearly donation as i signed up at the moment as a lifetime member, so i wouldn't miss it as i budbet for it anyway.

**SueW** · 02 Jul 2005, 14:15

Quote:

After conducting a survey among our paying membership over the last five weeks or so we have decided it is no longer viable to operate a subscription membership side to our club.

The vast majority of people who have posted to this thread seem to want the fan club to continue so please could you tell us how many paid members responded to the survey and out of those what proportion wanted it closed compared to wanting it to continue?

Mike Piercy · 02 Jul 2005, 14:59

30 people responded Sue (figures correct as of today) after 5 weeks opportunity to respond! Most of those wanted the paid side to continue. A few indicated they would not renew.The absence of forms from the rest makes it impossible to tell whether or not they want the paid side to continue. Other factors also came into consideration.

As for people who posted to this thread you are the 27th as I respond to you. Some respondents have posted twice so about 20 individuals have responded here and if you read carefully some were not or are not now paying members even though most are.

I can't go into full details until the RVM comes that would be unfair to those who pay but full statisics will appear there with a summary of the paying members' (anonymous) comments from the 30 returned forms.

It would be naive in the extreme to believe that a club runs purely on the wonderful hardcore of our fans who have, and would, support us through thick and thin. Those numbers do not make a viable financial unit - we need to maintain a breakeven number
of fans and we cannot continue to operate with Management Team subsidies or dwindling merchandise stock as our other sources of income.

The website is increasingly the only way to be viable for many fan clubs. We don't get financial support from official sources, we only get money in from subscriptions, if expenditure exceeds income...misery! The management team has maintained this club against all odds and enabled members to benefit from meet and greets in 2003/4, we no longer benefit from that opportunity having been told .net is the source for those in the future.

Is that a comprehensive answer or should I put it in bold letters as you did - which as a simple soul I am told is supposed to be quite rude in web etiquette?

Kathy · 02 Jul 2005, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SueW

The vast majority of people who have posted to this thread seem to want the fan club to continue so please could you tell us how many paid members responded to the survey and out of those what proportion wanted it closed compared to wanting it to continue?

I come here fairly often, but I wasn't even aware there was a survey.
-Kathy

R. · 02 Jul 2005, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathy

I come here fairly often, but I wasn't even aware there was a survey.
-Kathy

The survey was conducted in our printed fan club magazine for paying members only.
Hope that helps.

Kathy · 02 Jul 2005, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.

The survey was conducted in our printed fan club magazine for paying members only.
Hope that helps.

Thanks, that does help - I had no idea the website and the club were separate to such a degree, and wouldn't have thought of looking for current news in a printed mailing such as the RVM. (I do very much appreciate and enjoy the RVM, but since I got a number of back issues at once, I am reading them in order and until just now, hadn't even opened the most recent one). So, that's how I missed the survey.
-Kathy

Tim · 02 Jul 2005, 18:27

Even if i'm not a paying member. Still said to read it. Very said. Isn't there any other way you can prevent that? Can i help in any way? Got good knowledge of computerprogramms to make a magazine. But don't think that would do the trick!

Mike Piercy · 02 Jul 2005, 19:18

Thanks for the offer Tim.

The problem is viable numbers willing to pay over a period of time. We have a good hardcore of fans but a floating outer group who only stay in the short term (tours/meet and greets attract members but not for the long term and then there is a drop off).

Mike

christa · 03 Jul 2005, 01:23

Oh dear I hold my hand up as to not filling in the survey. I had every intention and put it on my desk in my "to do pile" and it got missed I'm afraid.

I would very much like to see the fan club carry on in its present form. I understand that there are some only here for the M & G but these were an added bonus for us paying members.

LucyK! · 03 Jul 2005, 09:35

Absolutely gutted.

I'm sure you guys have come to this decision having explored every avenue, but if there is anything we can all do to help with our fanclub please do tell!!

I'd like to thank you guys for everything you've done over the past years. I joined MLUKFC in 1998, I was completely hyped up because I could see the Meat Loaf logo letter-head through the envelope! And to this day it still brings a smile to my face to see my RVM sitting on the doormat.

I just hope that you all know what a wonderful effect you've had on our lives, as without you we wouldn't have made the amazing family of friends that we're part of today, the friends I've made through MLUKFC are one of a kind and I hope to never lose them.

One more year to go though, so let's go out with a bang and wear those MLUKFC pins with pride!

LucyK! · 03 Jul 2005, 09:40

Perhaps August 2006 would be an appropriate time to have that MLUKFC convention we've been talking about for goodness knows how many years?! An "MLUKFC Leaving Party" if you will....

Bart · 04 Jul 2005, 11:22

About the survey. Did you mention in the survey that RVM will be canceled if the outcome of the survey is negative?
You know, there are surveys and there are surveys. A good survey is more difficult than most people think it is.

But

In my opinion a fanclub needs a magazine. I would become a member to keep the magazine. Maybe other fans think same. So: I want to be a paying member to keep the stuff running. Are there other fans who think same? That would be a nice survey.

Mike Piercy · 04 Jul 2005, 12:37

There is no facility now to become a member as it says in the announment.

Members were told of the options.

The website will continue and maintain its current high profile in the Meat Loaf community.

mike

Caelan · 04 Jul 2005, 13:07

great

Cathie · 04 Jul 2005, 20:28

Very sad news, but thank you to all the people who have worked so hard to keep the fan club going. If there's anything we can do to help...

Don't know what else to say

Mike Piercy · 04 Jul 2005, 20:46

Keep posting on here and keep the community alive folks.

mike

Tim · 04 Jul 2005, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Piercy

Thanks for the offer Tim.

The problem is viable numbers willing to pay over a period of time. We have a good hardcore of fans but a floating outer group who only stay in the short term (tours/meet and greets attract members but not for the long term and then there is a drop off).

Mike

That is too bad. Maybe there is another way to do this? And maybe on a free base, if you want.. still want to help!!

Maybe an option to make one every half year, that people can order. Not a sort of membership, but just 1. And if they like it, they will buy the next one too. Is that an idea?

Caelan · 06 Jul 2005, 20:59

that would be a good idea i think. to order them..

Mike Piercy · 07 Jul 2005, 10:08

We did offer "Rear View Mirror" CHSIB Tour Editions to non-paying members on these forums in 2003/4 and a few (very few) people took up the offer.

Problem is to justify the proposal you envisage Tim you need to know who would buy in advance to justify a print run and have the money in before you print - that can cause delay and those who paid early start to wonder if they'll get their magazine.

But...

We do offer back numbers of RVM to all who visit this forum and in late July an advert will appear on this site with some special offers.

Basically while stocks last:

Any copy £2.50 UK and Europe £3.00 Rest of World
Any 6 copies £10.00 UK and Europe £15.00 Rest of World
Any 10 copies £15.00 UK and Europe £20.00 Rest of World

All proceeds go to keeping this website operating efficiently and in its usual entertaining way.

Full details soon

Mike

Tim · 07 Jul 2005, 18:52

Mike,

Maybe an other option. Make in front a magazine, before you publish it and tell people that it is availeble. Then, when it is ready and you can print/copy it, maken an advertisement on this forum about it. When people wants it, let them pay, and then send it. That is different and then you will not make extra costs. Maybe an option.

Sorry.. just keep on trying and thinking about it.

Tim

Storm Warrior · 11 Jul 2005, 22:04

I'm new here, found you all after going to Chatsworth House, which was very good.
I've been a fan for a long time, and so are all my kids.
As for this web site continuing, and the cost of providing it. May I ask whoever is in charge to mail me with the requirements for hosting.
One of my busineses is a Web Hosting Company, and I have unlimited space, bandwidth etc available at one of the UK's top Server Farms.
I'm sure we can find room to host such a deserving cause.

R. · 11 Jul 2005, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Storm Warrior

I'm new here, found you all after going to Chatsworth House, which was very good.
I've been a fan for a long time, and so are all my kids.
As for this web site continuing, and the cost of providing it. May I ask whoever is in charge to mail me with the requirements for hosting.
One of my busineses is a Web Hosting Company, and I have unlimited space, bandwidth etc available at one of the UK's top Server Farms.
I'm sure we can find room to host such a deserving cause.

Hi there, welcome and thank you very much for your offer.

This website won't close anytime soon. In fact, we are planning to keep this site running past 2006.
However, as nobody knows what the future brings, I might come back to this offer in July 2006.

Lorraine · 22 Jul 2005, 23:07

I am also guilty of not returning the survey.

(I am in the middle of moving, job change etc and admit I put it on the back burner.)

However I just wanted to say how sorry

I am to see such a brilliant magazine become obsolete and to give thanks to everyone concerned with it - from Anne and everyone in the early days to the current crew who have all worked very hard to bring us the great RVM it is.

So cheers everyone!

The mag maybe going but will never be forgotten as long as the website is here

Gina · 03 Aug 2005, 18:54

So sorry to hear we'll no longer have the fan club here. I'll really miss it. I'm so glad we'll still be able to get RVMs! Does anyone know when the July issue is being sent? Thanks everyone. Take care..

~Gina

**Diane** · 03 Aug 2005, 20:27

Don't worry Gina this website isn't going anywhere, it's only the paid membership which is being discontinued. There will still be another 5 issues of RVM to collect over the coming year after the current edition. The July issue is in the post to you. Hope you enjoy it!

Diane

02 Jul 2005, 14:59	#28
Mike Piercy cat out of hell Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: With the black cat where the rubber meets the road Posts: 618	30 people responded Sue (figures correct as of today) after 5 weeks opportunity to respond! Most of those wanted the paid side to continue. A few indicated they would not renew.The absence of forms from the rest makes it impossible to tell whether or not they want the paid side to continue. Other factors also came into consideration. As for people who posted to this thread you are the 27th as I respond to you. Some respondents have posted twice so about 20 individuals have responded here and if you read carefully some were not or are not now paying members even though most are. I can't go into full details until the RVM comes that would be unfair to those who pay but full statisics will appear there with a summary of the paying members' (anonymous) comments from the 30 returned forms. It would be naive in the extreme to believe that a club runs purely on the wonderful hardcore of our fans who have, and would, support us through thick and thin. Those numbers do not make a viable financial unit - we need to maintain a breakeven number of fans and we cannot continue to operate with Management Team subsidies or dwindling merchandise stock as our other sources of income. The website is increasingly the only way to be viable for many fan clubs. We don't get financial support from official sources, we only get money in from subscriptions, if expenditure exceeds income...misery! The management team has maintained this club against all odds and enabled members to benefit from meet and greets in 2003/4, we no longer benefit from that opportunity having been told .net is the source for those in the future. Is that a comprehensive answer or should I put it in bold letters as you did - which as a simple soul I am told is supposed to be quite rude in web etiquette? Last edited by Mike Piercy; 02 Jul 2005 at 15:14.

02 Jul 2005, 19:18	#33
Mike Piercy cat out of hell Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: With the black cat where the rubber meets the road Posts: 618	Thanks for the offer Tim. The problem is viable numbers willing to pay over a period of time. We have a good hardcore of fans but a floating outer group who only stay in the short term (tours/meet and greets attract members but not for the long term and then there is a drop off). Mike Last edited by Diane; 02 Jul 2005 at 21:27.

22 Jul 2005, 23:07	#48
Lorraine Junior Loafer Join Date: 13.04.2003 Posts: 41	sorry I am also guilty of not returning the survey. (I am in the middle of moving, job change etc and admit I put it on the back burner.) However I just wanted to say how sorry I am to see such a brilliant magazine become obsolete and to give thanks to everyone concerned with it - from Anne and everyone in the early days to the current crew who have all worked very hard to bring us the great RVM it is. So cheers everyone! The mag maybe going but will never be forgotten as long as the website is here

01 Jul 2005, 22:53	#26
Cpl Mickey Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.09.2003 Location: Maidstone. England Posts: 1,378	Faolteam. I would give a yearly donation as i signed up at the moment as a lifetime member, so i wouldn't miss it as i budbet for it anyway.

02 Jul 2005, 18:27	#32
Tim The Butcher Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Westervoort, The Netherlands Posts: 10,321	Even if i'm not a paying member. Still said to read it. Very said. Isn't there any other way you can prevent that? Can i help in any way? Got good knowledge of computerprogramms to make a magazine. But don't think that would do the trick!

03 Jul 2005, 01:23	#34
christa Super Loafer Join Date: 23.05.2003 Location: Nottingham Posts: 663	Oh dear I hold my hand up as to not filling in the survey. I had every intention and put it on my desk in my "to do pile" and it got missed I'm afraid. I would very much like to see the fan club carry on in its present form. I understand that there are some only here for the M & G but these were an added bonus for us paying members.

03 Jul 2005, 09:35	#35
LucyK! The Monster Is Luce Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Posts: 7,547	Absolutely gutted. I'm sure you guys have come to this decision having explored every avenue, but if there is anything we can all do to help with our fanclub please do tell!! I'd like to thank you guys for everything you've done over the past years. I joined MLUKFC in 1998, I was completely hyped up because I could see the Meat Loaf logo letter-head through the envelope! And to this day it still brings a smile to my face to see my RVM sitting on the doormat. I just hope that you all know what a wonderful effect you've had on our lives, as without you we wouldn't have made the amazing family of friends that we're part of today, the friends I've made through MLUKFC are one of a kind and I hope to never lose them. One more year to go though, so let's go out with a bang and wear those MLUKFC pins with pride!

03 Jul 2005, 09:40	#36
LucyK! The Monster Is Luce Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Posts: 7,547	Perhaps August 2006 would be an appropriate time to have that MLUKFC convention we've been talking about for goodness knows how many years?! An "MLUKFC Leaving Party" if you will....

04 Jul 2005, 11:22	#37
Bart Bald Mega Loafer Join Date: 06.03.2003 Location: Holland, but I prefer Greece Posts: 2,243	About the survey. Did you mention in the survey that RVM will be canceled if the outcome of the survey is negative? You know, there are surveys and there are surveys. A good survey is more difficult than most people think it is. But In my opinion a fanclub needs a magazine. I would become a member to keep the magazine. Maybe other fans think same. So: I want to be a paying member to keep the stuff running. Are there other fans who think same? That would be a nice survey.

04 Jul 2005, 12:37	#38
Mike Piercy cat out of hell Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: With the black cat where the rubber meets the road Posts: 618	There is no facility now to become a member as it says in the announment. Members were told of the options. The website will continue and maintain its current high profile in the Meat Loaf community. mike

04 Jul 2005, 13:07	#39
Caelan life is one big adventure Join Date: 23.06.2005 Location: some town in Alberta called Leduc Posts: 5,550	great

04 Jul 2005, 20:28	#40
Cathie Sweet But Sadistic Join Date: 18.06.2003 Location: Lincolnshire/Essex depending on the time of year! Posts: 4,098	Very sad news, but thank you to all the people who have worked so hard to keep the fan club going. If there's anything we can do to help... Don't know what else to say

04 Jul 2005, 20:46	#41
Mike Piercy cat out of hell Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: With the black cat where the rubber meets the road Posts: 618	Keep posting on here and keep the community alive folks. mike

06 Jul 2005, 20:59	#43
Caelan life is one big adventure Join Date: 23.06.2005 Location: some town in Alberta called Leduc Posts: 5,550	that would be a good idea i think. to order them..

07 Jul 2005, 10:08	#44
Mike Piercy cat out of hell Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: With the black cat where the rubber meets the road Posts: 618	We did offer "Rear View Mirror" CHSIB Tour Editions to non-paying members on these forums in 2003/4 and a few (very few) people took up the offer. Problem is to justify the proposal you envisage Tim you need to know who would buy in advance to justify a print run and have the money in before you print - that can cause delay and those who paid early start to wonder if they'll get their magazine. But... We do offer back numbers of RVM to all who visit this forum and in late July an advert will appear on this site with some special offers. Basically while stocks last: Any copy £2.50 UK and Europe £3.00 Rest of World Any 6 copies £10.00 UK and Europe £15.00 Rest of World Any 10 copies £15.00 UK and Europe £20.00 Rest of World All proceeds go to keeping this website operating efficiently and in its usual entertaining way. Full details soon Mike

07 Jul 2005, 18:52	#45
Tim The Butcher Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Westervoort, The Netherlands Posts: 10,321	Mike, Maybe an other option. Make in front a magazine, before you publish it and tell people that it is availeble. Then, when it is ready and you can print/copy it, maken an advertisement on this forum about it. When people wants it, let them pay, and then send it. That is different and then you will not make extra costs. Maybe an option. Sorry.. just keep on trying and thinking about it. Tim

11 Jul 2005, 22:04	#46
Storm Warrior Rookie Join Date: 11.07.2005 Posts: 3	I'm new here, found you all after going to Chatsworth House, which was very good. I've been a fan for a long time, and so are all my kids. As for this web site continuing, and the cost of providing it. May I ask whoever is in charge to mail me with the requirements for hosting. One of my busineses is a Web Hosting Company, and I have unlimited space, bandwidth etc available at one of the UK's top Server Farms. I'm sure we can find room to host such a deserving cause.

03 Aug 2005, 18:54	#49
Gina Senior Loafer Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: North Carolina, US Posts: 152	So sorry to hear we'll no longer have the fan club here. I'll really miss it. I'm so glad we'll still be able to get RVMs! Does anyone know when the July issue is being sent? Thanks everyone. Take care.. ~Gina

03 Aug 2005, 20:27	#50
Diane Super Moderator Join Date: 04.02.2003 Location: Guernsey, Channel Islands Posts: 3,462	Don't worry Gina this website isn't going anywhere, it's only the paid membership which is being discontinued. There will still be another 5 issues of RVM to collect over the coming year after the current edition. The July issue is in the post to you. Hope you enjoy it! Diane