I ......

Ian,
Tell me - how would you collect a "small percentage" on each sale?
Herb

Definately the deal of the century. It's the exchange of ideas and information that fuels the astro community. The friends I have made and knowledge aquired that makes this site priceless.

Not sure where Herb came up with twelve bucks, but hey it works for me. This site is a highly specialized group. Look at other sites with tech data and the like and the majority have fees. I pay those for the info available. I'd pay for Astromart for the same reason.

Just my thoughts
8)
Rick H

It is a great idea to join to be able to advertise, however, I believe that an across the board fee just to read the ads will reduce the market size for the sellers. I also point potential newbies to the hobby to Astromart so they can get an idea of what is available. They would not want to pay a fee.
Just my 2C worth.
Art Ahrens

I also think $12 is cheap. And I also worry how
many people will leave, thus increasing the price
for remaining members. One can envision some
downward spiral where in 2 years there will be
30 members at $1000/year each.

A mitigating factor, I suppose, is that reducing
membership will reduce pressure on the servers,
etc. So it will also be cheaper to run.

What about advertisers? I don't know how the
fees are structured, but if enough people leave,
advertisers may pull out also, further compounding
problems.

Other options? Fees for placing ads? Fees for
images in ads? Eliminating some features to reduce
costs? It would be nice to figure out why it costs
so much, and target fees in those areas. Rather than
blanket fees on all users.

$1 per month
Herb

Tell me how you would do it.
Herb

:S
Wow, if only I could find places that would let me join for $1 a month. That is less than I pay for dues in our Astronomy club. And I don't really get a lot from the club for the money I spend either!
This "IS" and Astronomy Club, whether you realize it or not. So what is so wrong with dues for member, if it is required to keep the club going?
Floyd

I have no problem with a $12.00 fee but understand the issue regarding the desire to attract the largest possible audience to Auctions & Classified adds.
How about a $12.00 (or more) fee to Post an AstroMart add and access the Full News Articles, as well as the Forums & Articles?
That way Newbies could register as they do now and peruse the adds or buy equipment without making additional investment. The rest of us who want to list items for sale and access Forums & Articles could certainly afford $1.00/month.
Just my 2 cents. Clear Skies!

This post may get me in hot water with some folks but I will post it anyway...

First of all, Sam, there are other free sites... "Astrofieds" through Astronomics; "Astonomy-Mall", and "Cloudy Nights" all offer free Classifieds. Many years ago Astronomy-Mall and this site were about the same size in terms of classifieds... but this site has mushroomed in size since Mr. York took over.

BTW, I have used Astromart since long before Mr. York bought it/ took it over in the late 1990's. Don't know exactly what was involved when he took it over other than the original gentleman (whose name escapes me) found it took too much time to maintain any longer. I believe that maintaining this site is a full time job.

In the mid-90's this site was a lot simpler... less commercial and yet was still a very nice site. Since Mr. York has taken over he has changed many things, and IMHO many of the changes are good but some are not so good. I personally miss the simpler, less commercial version of Astromart where we were not ridiculed for not buying from one of the Astromart sponsors.

I feel that if Mr. York is not making enough money or losing money off of the roughly one hundered sponsors and several hundred individuals who financially support this site, he should start cutting back. I am not a finiancial consultant so I may not be best qualitfied to make financial recommendations but cutting back and simplifying seems a logical way to offer this site with the basics rather than all of the "special features" it now has.

I am fairly certain that if this site becomes a pay site the previously listed free sites will get a lot more traffic, which results in the opposite effect that Mr. York desires... less traffic and exposure.