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Are you excited about the MERGER???

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Are you excited about the MERGER???

Old 07-07-2003, 02:10 PM
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MinnFlyer
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, go back and read the new yellow stickies at the top of this forum.

Personally, I think this site is going to ROCK!

Congrats to Marc and Mike for making it all come together!
Old 07-07-2003, 02:15 PM
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Default Re: Are you excited about the MERGER???

Originally posted by MinnFlyer
In case you don't know what I'm talking about, go back and read the new yellow stickies at the top of this forum.

Personally, I think this site is going to ROCK!

Congrats to Marc and Mike for making it all come together!
Personally I think it's going to be out of this Universe !! Pete
Old 07-07-2003, 02:37 PM
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Larry Eddy
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

You guys are both correct...........
Old 07-07-2003, 02:51 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Talk to me in 3 weeks! I'm still kind of shell shocked at what is available on the original site. Now there's going to be more. It's going to take a while to digest! BURP!

John
Old 07-07-2003, 03:15 PM
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Teachu2
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

I think it's a necessary step in order to make the site profitable. It's also the only way to insure the continuation of services at the level we expect. Without user fees, the site becomes 100% dependent on advertiser revenues, which can be really sticky when a company or product is getting bashed in the forum.

Those of us who were around in RCOnline's heyday remember the turmoil created when a site drains the owners resources. Edward (RCO site owner) proposed a number of ideas to attempt to cover his costs. As a result, several free sites sprang up - most of which have died away.

This merger will combine the resources of two major sites. An attempt by either to institute fees by themselves would have probably resulted in a mass exodus to the other. Now, that's not an issue.

Possible outcomes:
1) Users, ready for a stable environment, will embrace this enhanced site and gladly pay their small share. The site will grow, the owners will become dependent on the site for their livelihood, and we'll have a first-class operation, at least until/unless Ebay comes along and buys them out.
2) Users, being frugal to the point of cheapskates, will abandon the for-fee sections and complain about it in the for-free ones.
3) Someone who wishes to makes their hobby a website for others to talk about their hobby will fund another completely free site.

My prediction? ALL OF THE ABOVE. Time will tell. Will a used 40SF sell for enough more on Ebay to justify the double fees? Probably- idiots abound on Ebay. Here, the buyers will probably be better informed and won't pay retail or more for used stuff. Some users won't pay a penny to sell as long as they can post it somewhere for free. I expect views to increase at free sites that haven't been able to compete with RCU recently. And yes, someone will either upgrade an existing free site or add a new one to give away services RCU will be selling. All the successful sites - RCU included - start off free. Then they grow, and get expensive to maintain service on. Bandwidth, server and tech time all grow with the success of a site, and at some point the site has to feed itself.

Personally, unless I have a VERY rare item - like a Super Duelist 60 or a Hooty Toad Stomper - it's going to Ebay, where idiots abound and will pay top dollar for stuff I often give away to get people going in the hobby. Rare stuff will go here, as diamonds are harder to see among the rocks over there, and even if they sell for less here at least I think the buyer will be knowledgeable enough to appreciate what they're getting. Now where did I put that HTS120.......
Old 07-07-2003, 03:53 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

I can't wait for the merger. In my case, just being able to customize my view is worth it all.
Old 07-07-2003, 04:37 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

I don't know yet.

I did see mention of full-page ads. That scares me.
Old 07-07-2003, 04:44 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

No offense to RC Airport and it's personnel, but I'm not sure why this is so "exciting".

I was never that impressed with RC Airport (of course I was comparing it to this site). Personally, I don't see the advantage of the "merger"; the new site could have been implemented without RC Airport. I would imagine there are things that I don't know about or didn't catch from the press release that make it beneficial.

I am glad to see the fee based auction. I've always thought that was needed. Although it's nice to buy and sell for free, it's obviously one sided that way.

Merger or no merger, I'm glad to see Marc continuing his move forward with this site.
Old 07-07-2003, 05:03 PM
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Cdallas2
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

You're also kinda screwed from selling or buying if you don't have a credit card.

I don't know we'll have to wait and see.
Old 07-07-2003, 05:04 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

not being a butt, but when they tried to merge the swapshops it went over like a fart in church. rc airport is the most user UN freindly site i have ever been to, and when i had a problem i got no response from the staff. i have the highest regards for marc and what he has done here, but i think it is a huge mistake and a possible step back. but it is not my place demand otherwise and i hope for all involved it works, but not with me.---henry
Old 07-07-2003, 05:21 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Originally posted by Cdallas2
You're also kinda screwed from selling or buying if you don't have a credit card.

I don't know we'll have to wait and see.
Paypal can be set up to draw directly from a bank account. I have a free one at a credit union for that purpose.
Old 07-07-2003, 05:21 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

I agree with you Henry. I was never terribly impressed with RC Airport but I'm more than happy with the service Marc and his crew has provided us. Possibly, from a business stand point and operating costs, it makes sense but let's not forget to keep up the great service.

"I'll buy from you once because of price but I'll come back because of service."
Old 07-07-2003, 05:22 PM
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Steve Campbell2
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Henry, I too have a bit of concern over this. I understand nothing can be free forever, but this looks like a step into big-time commercialism. I guess time will tell ...

Trent, what are these costs you keep referring to? If I read the news release correctly, the only fees involved will be if one wishes to participate in an auction. A "basic membership" will still be free.

Or did I miss something?

Steve
Old 07-07-2003, 05:27 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Originally posted by Teachu2
Paypal can be set up to draw directly from a bank account. I have a free one at a credit union for that purpose.
No I realise that. What I was getting at was this thing where they use your credit card to guarantee where you are really located.

The costs is that It looks like you cannot sell something by auction unless you purchase a membership.

I hope it's for the best but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Old 07-07-2003, 05:33 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

It sounds to me like its going to be more of a business type atmosphere around here and not so much a fun friendly type place anymore. If thats the case I'll be gone. As far as the bidding deal goes....I wont get in to that mess. If I have something to sell I'll say what I want for it and we'll go from there. If it is going to bidding I wont even bother to look at those sections. I hate change and I would really hate to see such a great site go under like the last one that I use to frequent.
Old 07-07-2003, 05:38 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

I'm going to simply hold judgment until it's actually up and running. If my math is correct ~$20/year for unlimited classifieds/auctions is really good. There seem to be a TON of new features, but I just hope they don't get in the way of what people have come to enjoy in the current setup.
Old 07-07-2003, 05:53 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Originally posted by ParticleMan
If my math is correct ~$20/year for unlimited classifieds/auctions is really good.
I think $20 gets you 3 free LISTings/month. Additional listings cost more, and they take a portion of the selling price on all sales....if I read it right.
Old 07-07-2003, 05:59 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

I have a hard enough time with the selling stuff now,
man I cant wait for the new format! :stupid:
Old 07-07-2003, 06:09 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Originally posted by Teachu2
I think $20 gets you 3 free LISTings/month. Additional listings cost more, and they take a portion of the selling price on all sales....if I read it right.
Yeah, you're right, I was reading the "insertion fees" being free, I didn't realize there will be a ebay like, get a cut of the auction system too.
Old 07-07-2003, 06:40 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Guys,

If you love RCU and what I have done with it then you will love "New RCU" 100x more. I was intensively involved in the design of the site and its functionality. It is nothing short of phenomenal what has been put together. I'm not hyping either. I look at the beta site some days and just stare in awe. Then I have the developers and Michael tweak it more because I know what you guys want.

If you recall I've put many polls and threads in these forums over the past year. Many of those posts and notes everyone makes are aggregated and implemented in one way or another.

Ebay requires you to put a credit card and bank account in to sell something. We require a credit card for billing and security. No big leap there fellas. You can also become an AVB (address verified buyer) where we do an address check with your credit card (no charges placed on your card by the way) to make you verified as a buyer. It isn't foolproof but provides a much higher degree of security by far to what is in place now. Becoming AVB is optional. Read again, optional.

Last...RCU isn't going to become rigid and "business like" in its dealings like suggested above by jmulder. Those who run RCU are all avid modelers first and website owners 2nd. We are all obsessed just like the rest of you. Some of these changes are merely extra features and some are enhancements to ensure the scalability and functionality as RCU grows to 100,000 plus users.

We have invested heavily in this new site in both time and money because we believe it is needed by the modelers and the industry too.

RCU will always be a place to learn and have fun. I'm running the forums and sharing heavily in the joint responsibility of running the entire marketplace.
Old 07-07-2003, 06:57 PM
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mvigod
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Also...there is an official thread in the clubhouse for questions of which this is all answered if the FAQ wasn't clear or didn't address a concern/questions. please ask any further questions in there after you have read that thread and the FAQ as that is the only place I will be answering from now on so it is all in one spot.
Old 07-07-2003, 07:02 PM
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Default Crap!

I'm gone after the merger. The only "New and Exciting" thing about the merger will be the "New and Exciting feel of the owners' fattend wallets!. RCairport bought out the old RCONLINE then screwed it up. I LIKE the way RCU works now. I dont want to have to pay to post and ad. Free ad posting will not be an option as I understand it once this merger occurs. Please show me the door and say goodbye to regulars like me who liked the original RCONLINE and the old RCU. So now that RCU is defunct where is everyone else going? Point me to the new site and I'm there!
Jim Fender
Old 07-07-2003, 07:09 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Originally posted by Steve Campbell2
Henry, I too have a bit of concern over this. I understand nothing can be free forever, but this looks like a step into big-time commercialism. I guess time will tell ...

Trent, what are these costs you keep referring to? If I read the news release correctly, the only fees involved will be if one wishes to participate in an auction. A "basic membership" will still be free.

Or did I miss something?

Steve
FROM THE FAQs:

We are not charging for basic membership to the site. Basic members will have FREE access and be able to interact with:



Discussion Forums

Product Guide

Classifieds (to make offers and shop ads)

Auction (to bid on items)

RCU Magazine

Reviews

Event Calendar

Free Club Web Bases

New Product Introductions

Hellfire Video Game

Etc...



We will offer special membership upgrades at nominal rates and deliver to those upgraded members enhanced services, including "no-insertion fee" auctions and classifieds, free R/C magazine subscriptions (3 issues of your favorite magazine at no charge!), discounts on R/C merchandise, commission-free auctions, RCU hats, RCU decals and much more.
Old 07-07-2003, 07:09 PM
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Default Are you excited about the MERGER???

Marc, I say this out of sheer opinion and not trying to start a war. If its money, I would gladly pay a yearly fee to use this site. I feel the reason so many people are here is because of the quality of people here. Most of what is here for sale is just something that some old Joe wants to get rid of and get something different. Thats why people feel so comfortable with the system the way it is. On the other hand with the auction thing comes your Ebay crowd that are there to make a living selling. They sell whatever they can find to sell. They see $$$$$$. Thats all. I don't know whats going to come of this but I wish you luck. You have created a great site that we have grown to love. If it were just the users that are here now that would be using the auction it would probably be OK but what I am thinking about is the crowd that will be attracted when they find out they can come here and make money. Once again this is just the way I feel and I really and truly hope everything works out.............John
Old 07-07-2003, 07:18 PM
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fenderjw
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Default Crap!

Below is my interpretation of what was offered and what will change. This merger stinks. Dont DO IT!

P.S. I noticed several polls concerning an auction system and what we wanted and did not want. I NEVER saw a poll that asked whether we (THE MEMBERS) would support a merger with RCAirport.com. I guess you were afraid to ask that question huh?

Jim

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Teachu2
[B]FROM THE FAQs:

We are not charging for basic membership to the site. Basic members will have FREE access and be able to interact with:



Discussion Forums ----- You can ask/answer questions

Product Guide -- Never used it

Classifieds (to make offers and shop ads) ---- You can read ads amd make offers, but IT NOW COSTS MONEY TO PLACE AN AD!

Auction (to bid on items) --- Never used them/ Never will

RCU Magazine --- Looked at it once in a while

Reviews ---- Ditto

Event Calendar --- Never covered events in my area

Free Club Web Bases --- Never used it

New Product Introductions --- Never used them

Hellfire Video Game ---- Very simplistic and Boring

Etc... ---- Same old stuff.

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