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The future of OTF
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It seems like every pay option is going to take a piece of the pie, so the question would be easiest for all involved and smallest piece of the pie. I have Paypal set to Autopay with The Blizzard for my sub. I don't know if there is a way to set that so the person paying pays the fee. If not, then if Paypal is used, some rounding up would have to happen to cover Paypal's fees.
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OK, I'm paying monthly through PayPal and just thought it was a direct debit.
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Originally posted by Antepli Ejderha View PostWould WSC be willing to let us use their direct debit path or are we going to be parting ways completely?
The annual costs that Snake mentioned in the other thread seem to make it a conversation worth having.
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That's adding another administrative overhead.
Don't bank accounts allow standing orders any more? I know mine does.
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Would WSC be willing to let us use their direct debit path or are we going to be parting ways completely?
The annual costs that Snake mentioned in the other thread seem to make it a conversation worth having.
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I must say, I'm pretty surprised at how few people have been contributing, given how many were definitely, definitely going to when the subject came up last time.
I feel like a bit of a chump having been banging in a fiver a month and actually feeling guilty about how low that was because I was out of work until recently.
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Originally posted by Sporting View Post
True, and even those who did donate might prefer to remain anonymous.
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You don't need to be set up for Direct Debits directly, do you? You can use something like GoCardless or whatever. Again, it's a service that takes a cut, though.
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All of which leads me to believe that the commission taken by Patreon and similar organisations is worth it in these circumstances
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Originally posted by Sits View PostPerhaps it will be possible to set up direct debits, so we don’t have to remember. For those who chose to do so. That’s what I find easiest (Spotify, Netflix, Graun, Wiki).
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The other place that I'm using a model has a separate subforum for members that is mainly used for paperwork in running the Co-op behind it - posting of yearly accounts, notification of committee positions/elections etc. People who give money are given the choice of becoming a member and having access or simply donating the money and not.
I can, if people want, use custom titles to identify those who donate/subscribe. I do wonder if it should be opt-in though.
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Perhaps it will be possible to set up direct debits, so we don’t have to remember. For those who chose to do so. That’s what I find easiest (Spotify, Netflix, Graun, Wiki).
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I check my emails about once a month if I am expecting something.
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Originally posted by danielmak View PostIf the email is monthly, I don't think anyone would care or treat that as SPAM.
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The problem with the public list of who donated is that those who couldn't donate might feel uncomfortable (to the point of not even logging on at all) and I think any model that potentially excludes people (especially on the grounds of financial wherewithal) is to be avoided.
I think some combination of a regular committed payment (perhaps monthly or annually depending on the person) plus Wikipedia style periodic funding drives is the best way to go
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Originally posted by Capybara View PostBut of course I'd be prepared to cough up something for this place. But then we've had this debate before and people said they would donate then and now they are admitting they didn't. And neither did I. Donations shouldn't be compulsory either - we said that before as well - but then how do we ensure the money that is needed gets paid? It's a problem I don't have an answer for.
Another move that would not have the same wall of shame function would be an auto-generated email with a subject line that is very clear that the total contents of the email relate to donating. Then those of us who had donated, just delete the email right away. Those of us who couldn't donate in the past but could now, would hopefully get on it. Those of us who forgot, ideally get on it. If the email is monthly, I don't think anyone would care or treat that as SPAM. I get weekly emails from an independent record store. Mostly I delete, but I'm not annoyed by the email because I like the store.
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I've not read through the thread so apologies if I'm repeating anyone's point.
Is the idea that OTF is cast totally adrift from WSC? I hope that even if WSC is not paying for, nor administering ,OTF then they would still point people in this direction. Incidentally, I once suggested that there should be a link from here to the WSC site but it didn't materialise.
I actually don't know what I pay for WSC; I just renew when they ask me to, every three years, I think. But of course I'd be prepared to cough up something for this place. But then we've had this debate before and people said they would donate then and now they are admitting they didn't. And neither did I. Donations shouldn't be compulsory either - we said that before as well - but then how do we ensure the money that is needed gets paid? It's a problem I don't have an answer for.
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I'm by no means a prolific contributor and if it wasn't for some of the Music threads my visible presence would be relatively negligible, but I check in here most days just to see what's going on and I would miss OTF hugely if it were to disappear. I'd be perfectly happy to contribute towards the running costs - a monthly sum would be preferable to an annual subscription - and I agree with the consensus that this should not be mandatory. I initially found OTF through WSC but although I haven't purchased the latter for many years (or any other magazines for that matter) I think it would be good to preserve at least a token link between the two as a nod to the past.
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Originally posted by Jobi1 View Post
I've been locked into a sub deal for I think at least 20 years that sees me pay even less than that, which made me feel slightly guilty and is why I was happy to join the WSC Supporters Club when they launched that last year. It all starts to add up, but I'm sure I could find another couple of quid a month to direct towards this.
Also echo E10's comment above.
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I've only just seen this. I'd chip in a monthly amount, and wouldn't be averse - maybe cos I've just got used to it at the Guardian - to a more upfront begging-bowl approach being splattered all over the site. Preferable to ads and to mandatory subs.
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Originally posted by Jobi1 View Post
I've been locked into a sub deal for I think at least 20 years that sees me pay even less than that, which made me feel slightly guilty and is why I was happy to join the WSC Supporters Club when they launched that last year. It all starts to add up, but I'm sure I could find another couple of quid a month to direct towards this.
Personally I'd balance my contributions between the two (sorry WSC), so while I guess not everyone here is in the WSC club could membership also confer a percentage towards OTF.
Or, and a big ask, but WSC manage the funds as they do now but give the option of supporters club membership including a percentage towards the upkeep of OTF or offer a subscription towards the running of the board but a percentage goes towards WSC. I don't know how these things actually work, but maybe even a sliding scale so the individial can balance their contributions between the two.
Keeps the historical links as well.
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