# Charter Members: help me understand! Why do you pay? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592 "2009-12-09T15:13:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/61 "2009-12-10T06:28:06Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Eh, it’s not very much money, and I think of it as a small donation to sustain something that’s given me a lot of pleasure. Why not? This. I’m not saying I have no concerns or frustrations with the SDMB, but it’s home and the people who post the things I want to read are posting them here. I’m happy to contribute. ---
**Author:** ![Thalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@Thalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thalion)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/62 "2009-12-10T07:04:18Z")
I’m with the majority. I’ve been here a long time and this little community is really important to me. I feel good knowing that I’m contributing to keeping it alive. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/63 "2009-12-10T07:24:14Z")
Oops, I left out the important part: I’m not a Charter Member, I’ve just been sponsored by one. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/64 "2009-12-10T08:58:08Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I certainly rue the day I let mine lapse. As do I; I intend to pay the fee next time around. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/65 "2009-12-10T19:58:56Z")
> [@GythaOgg](#): > > This is kind of where I’m at with it too. I’ve been here a long time, even if I don’t post much, and I like having the title. I like having no ads no matter what browser I use or what add-ons it has. The SDMB is cheap in internet terms - I pay five times as much a year for no ads and extra icons on LiveJournal. You know, I’ve noticed that whenever we coax the long-time lurkers out, they almost invariably post something worth reading, with excellent spelling and grammar to boot. You guys are really keeping your talents to yourselves. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/66 "2009-12-10T21:16:46Z")
What? We don’t have to pay to post any more? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/67 "2009-12-10T21:34:12Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > What? We don’t have to pay to post any more? Yeah, but it also means giving up your key card to the Charter Member Lounge. Perhaps I’ve said too much. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/68 "2009-12-10T23:43:19Z")
I’ve spent lots more money on things I cared a lot less about. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/69 "2009-12-11T00:03:54Z")
I’m a very insecure person and I like to be a member of very exclusive clubs. I can’t seem to wiggle my way into Augusta National. The SDMB was the next best option. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/70 "2009-12-11T00:13:24Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Yeah, but it also means giving up your key card to the Charter Member Lounge. > > Perhaps I’ve said too much. No, I think the Charter Member Lounge is pretty common knowledge. Just don’t mention … well, you know. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/71 "2009-12-11T00:36:58Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > This. I’m not saying I have no concerns or frustrations with the SDMB, but it’s home and the people who post the things I want to read are posting them here. I’m happy to contribute. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/72 "2009-12-11T03:07:46Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > This is a difficult subject since many of my favorite posters here are “Charter Members.” I just don’t understand the motivation to pay for posting to a message board. To me, paying to create content on the internet just does not compute, like paying for a Google search or paying to watch a YouTube video. > > Is it not having to specify your location on every post? Although, it seems at least half of members put some sort of joke in the location line, so that can’t be it for them. Do you find people take you more seriously since you’ve actually ponied up some dough for the membership and they think you’re less likely to mess around? > > So what’s the deal, members? I’m very interested. > > As a side note, why is the “charter” part so important to many people? Surely, people can see your join date and see how long you’ve been in the community. I don’t get the cachet of having “charter” next to member. I’d be interested in any theories about this too. I missed the charter window. I pay because I believe everyone should pay their fair share for what they get. I am not paying for the right to post, I am paying for the right to read high quality posts. I understand that many others choose not to pay. That is fine for them. For me, I want to pay for what I get. That is important to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/73 "2009-12-11T21:12:36Z")
I started paying because the place needed financial support and I was happy to give it. I keep paying because I love the place. Plus free pizza! Right? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/74 "2009-12-11T21:29:19Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > … > My impression of the SDMB masses is a bunch of liberal, granola-eating cheapskates who don’t make enough money to pay for a little membership to a great board because they are but a disproportionate number of misfits stuck in their rooms gaming, watching “LOTR” and/or underachieving in some way, but blaming it all on our horrible country and government. … I’m not liberal, so I need to distinguish myself from the masses. Seriously? It’s worth it to feel like I am doing my bit to support the place, without having to see ads. And at least twice a week I read something that would make it a bargain at three times the price. Plus, you know **Arnold Winkelried** ’s portrait gallery? For Charter Members, they all appear naked. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/75 "2009-12-11T21:42:44Z")
I pay because I like the place and hope it keeps going. I wouldn’t see the ads anyway on desktop or laptop. My phone on the other hand (in the few days between my last two subscriptions) did a weird double load of pages, presumably loading from the SDMB server and then the ad server that was extremely annoying. I’d pay just to avoid that. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/76 "2009-12-11T23:35:37Z")
I like this place; I’ve been here longer on the web than I’ve been anywhere else, and it feels strangely like home. I started posting here my senior year of high school; I’ve gone through college, been married, and been divorced since then. It’s a constant, and I’m not willing to give it up. I could go free, but ads are really annoying. I also know people who’ve run content websites who defray their costs with advertising; I think that using AdBlocker or whatever other third party attachments are available isn’t much better than stealing. Whether that’s justified or not is anyone’s call. I like this place, and I’m willing to pay for it, so I do. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592/77 "2009-12-12T01:59:20Z")
Seven bucks and change is a small price to pay, in my opinion. I’ve learned quite a lot, I enjoy the sense of community, and I really am awed by how many times the many members of this board have stepped up to help those in need. I’ve met some of the people here IRL and someone here can always make me smile. Besides, the ads are annoying. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charter-members-help-me-understand-why-do-you-pay/520592.md?page=3)