# Paid Subscriptions - What for? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 27, 2004, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367 "2004-05-27T16:39:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![wireless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@wireless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wireless)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/101 "2004-05-28T16:51:04Z")
Just an additional point re: the following - call it Marketing 101: > [@PorkChop47](#): > > You don’t care what a T1 line costs cause you’re being overcharged on this forum. You’re right I’m not going to stop someone from buying a $500 TV set, but if they’re grabbing their bloody ankles and just paid $700 for a $500 television set. I would certain drop a clue. That’s preceisly what’s happening here. …No one has directly addressed or even admitted that you’re being overcharged for the service. It’s called “market based pricing”, where the price of a good or service is set at a level _generally above costs_ but at a point on the price-demand curve where an “optimal” (defined by the seller) number of customers will pay. Some will pay, others will not. It’s the pricing strategy used by everyone from McDonald’s to Mercedes Benz. And it’s the pricing strategy that, as a rule, provides us with so much choice and variety in the marketplace. Choice is good. “Cost-based pricing” involves setting the price at cost _plus_, usually, a fixed profit margin or amount. This is used by very few sellers in a free market\*. Regulated industries (some utilities, etc.) often price this way, but pretty much everyone else has realized that it’s a less-than-optimal pricing strategy (yeah, yeah, I know, cite, cite, cite. Too busy/lazy right now.). But this seems to be what PorkChop is advocating The Reader _must_ do - without even the added margin. And if we suckers agree to pay it, we’re fools. What is a $500 TV? One that cost $500 to make? One that you, PorkChop, feel should be priced at $500? No, it’s one that’s priced at $500 by the seller and _valued_ (what a concept!) at $500 or more by those willing to pay that much for it. If I pay $50 or $700 for something and I’m _happy_ with what I got for my $50 or $700, then I’ve not been “overcharged”. Others may choose differently. And I also don’t need to be “rescued” from my decision (implied ignorance) about how stupid my choice (there’s that word again) is. What do you know about what _I_ value? Maybe I value my time over my money. Maybe I value being able to look like a big shot by buying a $700 TV. Maybe the salesperson is my friend and I want him to get the SPF. Who knows? Certainly not you. I paid my $4.95, I’ll reconsider at $14.95 and choose again. Don’t want to spend it? As so many others have said in this thread, you don’t have to. But please don’t presume to judge those who do. - reserving the arguement of whether we have a “free market” for another time. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/102 "2004-05-28T16:57:17Z")
OK. **PorkChop47,** I really think I addressed most of your points in my first post. Those points that I didn’t address have been subsequently explained by others. What is it, exactly, that you hope to gain from this thread? The way I see it, there are only two possibilities. First is the possibility that you started this thread honestly hoping to gain some insight into the board members’ decision-making when it came to paying to be here, and you really wanted us to “personally challenge (your) criticisms.” If that was your intent, it seems to me that you’ve behaved in a manner quite contrary to that intent in your followup posts. An honest inquisitor would hardly respond like this: > [@](#): > > Listen to you. “I’m getting entertainment and getting educated” no you’re not! You’re breeding ignorance in this community, you’ve not got great minds in here, you have the same train of thought, and follow each other. What now you’re going to scare me away from your boards for shedding some truth on the matter? after asking _specifically_ for board members to defend their community. With each of your posts, it seems less and less likely that you’re interested in what any of us has to say. That leads us to Possibility #2- to wit, that you started this thread as an embittered cry for attention upon the realization that your free lunch hour was drawing to a close. That you don’t care why anyone would pay to be here, because you’ve deemed this community unworthy, and you simply wanted to lash out at those who seem to thoroughly enjoy this board. Perhaps you’ve noticed that most of the posters in this thread jumped the gun on this one, and assumed from the beginning that you were a #2. This is because they have seen this before. The Straight Dope subscription plan is a _newly_ instituted one, as I said before, but you seemed not to notice the post in which I did so. Only recently, all the long-time members who thought, like you do, that this board should be free, had their memberships expire. This means that we have suffered from no dearth of anti-payment manifestos in recent months. You aren’t saying anything we haven’t heard. To death. Recently. The jury is still out on how many new members will pay the 14.95 to join an unfamiliar community, but we are hopeful. We’d gladly have you, and most of us, I’m sure, think that you would find this place quite enjoyable if you would just choke back the pompousity for a minute. What exactly is it that you want to hear from us? That you’re right? That we should all demand refunds because even though we _thought_ we were enjoying this place, you came along and informed us otherwise? Please, just tell me, without any more accusations of groupthink, what you want to know. Either that or just admit that all you want to do is rail at us, and give up the pretense of “truth-shedding”. That way we can all insult you, and you can babble on about “ought” and “hive minds,” maybe call yourself **PorkChop Lightbringer** or something, misspell some simple words, and probably compare us all to sheep. Then we’ll insult you again, you’ll leave, and everyone will be happy. ---
**Author:** ![P\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a587f6/32.png) [@P\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P_T)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/103 "2004-05-28T17:00:07Z")
> [@iampunha](#): > > Oh, bloody hell. I don’t suppose polygamy will be legal (hint hint: Utah had to ban polygamy before it could be admitted into the Union) any time soon. How would you feel about a lascivious and passionate affair/fling? > > Oh, I’m a guy too, so … yeah. I don’t suppose you’re into men at all… Well… no. But from what I hear it’s not the law you have to worry about in Utah, but whether they will look the other way or not. ---
**Author:** ![pahanka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d26b3c/32.png) [@pahanka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pahanka)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/104 "2004-05-28T17:12:04Z")
Really, Porkchop, they aren’t exactly going to be rolling in green for 15 bucks. It’s chump change, I spent more than that on lunch today (mmm, bacon). As you can see by the pathetically small number of posts, that I am really a lurker, not a poster. Reading this board, if I remember the rules correctly a while ago, is free, however I tend to expect to support the things I like. I’ll bet you don’t donate at the zoo either, shameful from someone so porcine… ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/105 "2004-05-28T17:21:43Z")
> [@pahanka](#): > > Really, Porkchop, they aren’t exactly going to be rolling in green for 15 bucks. It’s chump change, I spent more than that on lunch today (mmm, bacon). > As you can see by the pathetically small number of posts, that I am really a lurker, not a poster. Reading this board, if I remember the rules correctly a while ago, is free, however I tend to expect to support the things I like. I’ll bet you don’t donate at the zoo either, shameful from someone so porcine… Wow man, you been doing some serious lurking. Welcome to the boards 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/106 "2004-05-28T17:39:31Z")
**Pork Chop** : Heck, a lot of these members didn’t pay. Many of those who have proven worthy got theirs paid by other members who had the cash to spare. I sponsored SSgtBaloo, myself. You, however, are clearly not worthy. 15 bucks isn’t a lot to be a member of the best goddamn message board on the 'net. It is a bit too much to pay for a whiny bitch’s subscription, though. **P\_T\_** : Gooba gabba! Gooba gabba! We accept you! We accept you! One of us! One of us! ---
**Author:** ![01010000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/94ad74/32.png) [@01010000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/01010000)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/107 "2004-05-28T17:45:37Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > But we’re not. We’re being _undercharged_. The best guess estimate is that the Reader has sunk $100,000 into the board over the last five years. 3800 charter members @ $4.95 = $19,000, still under the average yearly cost of providing us this board. OK, next year - the charter members get 50% off the going rate as long as they remain member - $7.48 = 28,500. Aha, profit! At that rate it will only take 12 years for the Reader to recoup the money they’ve _already_ sunk into here. That’s discounting any upgrades they do make in the interim. Where are these numbers coming from? Best guess estimate? Meaning you don’t know, or better yet that you are ignorant of what the real cost was or is. Can anyone step up and take on the battle of fighting this particular brand of ignorance. Anyone??? ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/108 "2004-05-28T17:48:33Z")
Pork The Other Whine Meat. Ken Lurking and laughing for 1/25 of a Century, for only 4.95. Ass. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/109 "2004-05-28T17:51:32Z")
> [@01010000](#): > > Where are these numbers coming from? Best guess estimate? Meaning you don’t know, or better yet that you are ignorant of what the real cost was or is. Can anyone step up and take on the battle of fighting this particular brand of ignorance. Anyone??? Actually, we _do_ know. There are threads galore and stickies galore on costs and membership numbers. Check out ATMB for data. One thing you learn right away on this board is to be able to back up your figures. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/110 "2004-05-28T17:57:13Z")
I’ve been reading this thread and have come to one conclusion. Sounds like we’re dealing with a couple of refugees from the Church of Mykeru. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/111 "2004-05-28T18:00:15Z")
> [@PorkChop47](#): > > You sit there and calculate my errors per sentence, make fun of my name. Wow you go ignorance fighters. I suppose if someone of a diffrent culture or sexual orientation came up to you and said something you’d poke fun at their individuality? Yes. Yes, I would. Especially if they were Canadian. _Ha! Say “about”, motherfucker!!_ ---
**Author:** ![P\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a587f6/32.png) [@P\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P_T)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/112 "2004-05-28T18:01:14Z")
> [@Tentacle Monster](#): > > **P\_T\_** : Gooba gabba! Gooba gabba! We accept you! We accept you! One of us! One of us! Ah shit. That ain’t something I’ve got to memorize or anything is it? I’m not so good with the secret handshake thingy. ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/113 "2004-05-28T18:11:39Z")
> [@P\_T\_](#): > > That ain’t something I’ve got to memorize or anything is it? I’m not so good with the secret handshake thingy. Don’t worry, that’s just the HiveMind’s way of welcoming you. Soon you will lose all your individuality and become a dumb slave to the SDMB, where your consciousness will fuse with the collective brain of thousands of other mindless drones. You WILL pay $14.95…you WILL… Gooba gabba - welcome aboard! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/114 "2004-05-28T18:16:33Z")
> [@01010000](#): > > Where are these numbers coming from? Best guess estimate? Meaning you don’t know, or better yet that you are ignorant of what the real cost was or is. Can anyone step up and take on the battle of fighting this particular brand of ignorance. Anyone??? [Here’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=253095) one I was able to find right away. There are more, and I know there’s one out there somewhere that goes in the costs with more specificity, but I can’t come up with it right now. It’s the Reader’s best guess estimate. I trust them to have an idea of what they’re talking aboot. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/115 "2004-05-28T18:17:11Z")
> [@5que](#): > > Pork > > The Other Whine Meat. Very good! ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/116 "2004-05-28T18:19:02Z")
> [@Nightwatch Trailer](#): > > Don’t worry, that’s just the HiveMind’s way of welcoming you. Soon you will lose all your individuality and become a dumb slave to the SDMB, where your consciousness will fuse with the collective brain of thousands of other mindless drones…Gooba gabba - welcome aboard! “Gooba gabba”? Waiiiitaminnit…so then why have I been chanting “Owah tagoo siam” twice a day since last November? ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/117 "2004-05-28T18:19:10Z")
I’d just like to point out that in this thread we’ve had two extremes. **Porkchop** & **P\_T**. What’s that saying? You can catch more flies with honey then with vinegar? I can’t speak for others, but these days, I try to welcome every single person that plunked down $15. They are the people that will ultimately keep this board running. Someone really has to be an asshat above and beyond the call of duty for me to wish they wouldn’t join. Congrats **Porkchop** , you are that asshat. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/118 "2004-05-28T18:32:01Z")
> [@P\_T\_](#): > > Ah shit. That ain’t something I’ve got to memorize or anything is it? I’m not so good with the secret handshake thingy. Nah, it’s from Tod Browning’s [Freaks](http://freaks.cinephiles.net/) (1932). (I believe the gooba gabba song is depicted in the top right photo in the group of six below the intro paragraph.) It just means you have been recognized by us as a fellow deviant. Gooba gabba! ---
**Author:** ![01010000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/94ad74/32.png) [@01010000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/01010000)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/119 "2004-05-28T18:34:19Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > [Here’s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=253095) one I was able to find right away. There are more, and I know there’s one out there somewhere that goes in the costs with more specificity, but I can’t come up with it right now. It’s the Reader’s best guess estimate. I trust them to have an idea of what they’re talking aboot. From that thread I got the impression that nobody actually knew what the actual costs were and various things were thrown out in an attempt to justify what was done i.e. switch to paid subscriptions versus actually providing real information as to what the costs are. The typical thing that one does when one does not have a real answer or does not want to provide one. What was funny about the thread is **Lynn Bodoni** going on about the price of the software which cost 85 dollars a year. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2004, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367/120 "2004-05-28T18:34:59Z")
> [@P\_T\_](#): > > Ah shit. That ain’t something I’ve got to memorize or anything is it? I’m not so good with the secret handshake thingy. Don’t sweat the handshake. Just remember to keep you thumb tucked in. If you dislocate it, it makes weekly Bowling Night a bitch. 🆒 Gooba gabba! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-subscriptions-what-for/247367.md?page=7)