Astromart should

Astromart should

...keep counting on non supporters to pay up which they never do. What is the defintion of insanity? :C :C

I think A-mart should charge a percent fee for all sales. I'm not sure how to administer it but I think that's would should be done.

Bob.

I voted for the $15 subscription fee, but I take the other poster's point that folks who won't support probably won't subscribe, either.

My problem with the $1 per ad fee is that I've posted a few ads but have never successfully sold anything through an ad. It would be no fun watching the dollars dribble away in a string of ads for items that just don't sell.

And weigh all of that against the fact that I *have*, in the past, purchased two years of annual support. It would rather rankle me to have to pay a non-supporter's fee at this point, although $15 wouldn't hurt me any and I'd gladly pay it.

A percentage-of-sale fee is another interesting idea, but you'd be utterly dependent on the honesty of the seller, with no real method of enforcement. And I can just imagine the ill will that could be stirred up by just a few bad apples.

Astromart was and is a GREAT idea, but no good deed ever goes unpunished.

Terry Friedrichsen said:

I voted for the $15 subscription fee, but I take the other poster's point that folks who won't support probably won't subscribe, either.

Adios amigo - we don't need them if they aren't willing to pay a small price to keep things going. I don't know how may subscribers there are but at $15 a head that sounds like a lot of cash even if only half continue.

My problem with the $1 per ad fee is that I've posted a few ads but have never successfully sold anything through an ad. It would be no fun watching the dollars dribble away in a string of ads for items that just don't sell.

Fairly simple solution. Lower the price.

And weigh all of that against the fact that I *have*, in the past, purchased two years of annual support. It would rather rankle me to have to pay a non-supporter's fee at this point, although $15 wouldn't hurt me any and I'd gladly pay it.

Congratulations. I don't support every year either. I find that it is a pretty steep price to pay.

A percentage-of-sale fee is another interesting idea, but you'd be utterly dependent on the honesty of the seller, with no real method of enforcement. And I can just imagine the ill will that could be stirred up by just a few bad apples.

A nightmare to even try to think about.

Astromart was and is a GREAT idea, but no good deed ever goes unpunished.

Astromart is like health care. Everyone wants it, but no one wants to pay for it.
Membership here should be free. Ads should be free. Want to reply to an ad? Stick a nickle in the meter.....
That would cut down on the low ballers/ tire kickers and generate a heck of a lot of revenue for Amart to continue.

I've been a supporter most of the time for the last several years. I've both bought and sold a lot of astro equipment (95% of which were excellent deals and met my expectations) on astromart, and look at stuff every day. I guess the ONLY reason (and I admit its not a good reason) that I don't keep supporting is...the fact that most of the people who use the service NEVER support it. Its kind of depressing to see guys with 50 or more ads NEVER show up on thew supporters list. So that is why I voted for the $15 annual fee. Anyone who is serious about this (expensive) hobby should be able to afford that rate; and if we ALL have to support, then I know I'll feel better about doing so (and I imagine others feel this way too).
By the way - I'm going to support right now...

Not really a steep price to pay for what you get. Selling on e-bay costs a lot more. I support astromart pretty much continuously since i use it often and i feel i get my money's worth.

I do get tired of the "complaining" ads about non-support, though. Either charge members and get it over with or shut up about it is my thought.

It's also free advertising for a certain telescope vendor which will remain nameless. Sometimes i think that is not realized.

James, Did Amart share their metrics with you? If that is not the case, how do you know whether it is broke or not?

Don

I'm really surprised this hasn't already been implemented. At $1, an ad placement fee is very affordable for anyone who is selling items. More affordable than eBay.