Donations (Again)

[Kiros]

Now that there are even more expenses to keep Virtual Teen up and running, why not have donations? It would be fairly simple for the administrators to setup, and it would be completely optional; it would be for those that want to and can afford to.

The thing is, it would have to be worth setting up.

As an example, [-]if the administrators gave contributing members improved settings (like a bigger PM box and some other stuff)[/-], would you feel like donating $5, $10, or more each year? Because even little amount like that could help the administrators keep the site running.

Please check the poll and vote on which amounts would be the best to choose from!

For those that are just jumping in the discussion, please look at this: http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?p=480024#post480024

[Aηdy]

Well on another forum I go on (car owners' club) I pay an optional £10 a year which gets me a bigger PM box, access to members only forums, ability to upload more stuff and a letter with the club sticker included.

I think it's a good idea to make donations. And providing at least one or two advantages would be good.

[Bobby]

Well, I don't see a poll but I totally support this.

[IAMWILL]

I would love to donate to this site!!!

Problem 1 though.

Most teenagers here parents don't know that their sons/daughters use this site, so paying with a credit card would be hard.....

I still like the idea though.

[Kiros]

Okay, I just got the poll up, so please vote!

[Mzor203]

I would be willing to donate on a yearly basis, but I think the PM box is already fine, and another thing is that having donations where the donators get special things could sometimes pose... problems. So I don't think that there should be too many things that only donators get, as the majority of teens don't have a way to donate anyways, which would leave a lot of people out.

But I think some sort of donation system wuold be good.

[Θάνατος]

I would be willing to donate too. This is a great site I have gotten a lot of good friends from here.

This site has helped a lot of people so I think it would be nice for those people to give back to this site in the form of a donation. It is a donation to a fee to join the site so it is totally done by volunteering.

[Underground_Network]

I don't know how I would donate, but I would love to. My mom knows about this site to the extent that she knows its a forum and I've made friends on it, but she doesn't know about the puberty or psych ward sections. I could probably set up a paypal account, but I'm just too lazy to deal with that stuffz...

[theOperaGhost]

I tried a paypal account for a different site and it wouldn't allow my debit card, so I have nearly no way to donate. I have a checking account which will work however the statements are sent home and not to my current address, meaning my mom will see them. The statements for my debit account are sent directly to me, but it won't work for some reason.

[Whisper]

I'll donate
i'm tight right now allot of bills...
But in may i should have a brand new student loan LOL

[Kiros]

Alright, well it looks like no one thinks poorly of it :canadian:

[ShatteredWings]

There is a 'but' here.

I don't think donation should give members any "privlages" that are too obvous or titles

So, like more PM space sure, but extra forums/title.. er no.

That just kinda seems like it'll cause issues

[Oblivion]

I don't know...
Honestly, I don't like the idea.
First, it creates a kind of... Paid favoritism I would think. People will get upset if they think they are treated less equally because they didn't pay up, or people will get upset, and say they should get treated better because they payed...

Secondly, and less importantly, in my mind it kind of ruins the idea of this great site- kind of an unpaid safe house for teens. I don't know, that's just my opinion there...

[Sapphire]

I'm really undecided on this.
I agree that it could cause a divide in the members of the site (those who have paid v. those who haven't) but I also see how it could benefit the admin.

I will say this though - if you set donation increments that are unrealistic for a large portion of the members then you'll get less individuals who can feasibly do it.

[theOperaGhost]

I don't know...
Honestly, I don't like the idea.
First, it creates a kind of... Paid favoritism I would think. People will get upset if they think they are treated less equally because they didn't pay up, or people will get upset, and say they should get treated better because they payed...

Secondly, and less importantly, in my mind it kind of ruins the idea of this great site- kind of an unpaid safe house for teens. I don't know, that's just my opinion there...

Nick makes an excellent point here. I still have voted for this idea, but Nick has at least swayed my thoughts a little bit.

I was never for the idea of special privileges for those who donate though. That is just a BAD idea.

[Atonement]

I believe that donations are anonymous and charity, not as if buying or receiving anything. It is supporting a cause, I don't support the idea of giving more privledges because some people just can't donate, I know I would, but I don't have a way to. Though, donations are a great idea for the site and I support donations, not the privledges.

[Mzor203]

If nothing else, make donations available, with no extra privileges or anything, and make them anonymous. There should be SOME way to donate, regardless.

[AllThatIsLeft]

honestly i think it is a great idea to do it anonymously.
not all of us can provide with donations even if we wanted to.
It would help the Admin though,
and i think that if there are willing people to do it, then it would be great.
of course the privilege and recognition i find it unnecessary
because that would give people a sense of superiority
and i don't think this website is about how much cash you provide
as how much help.
I would hate if this turned out as a money-driven website.

[Kiros]

I never suggested that there should be a special recognition. I'm not sure where some of you got that from. I'm sure that the administrators would prefer to keep things anonymous.

I'm not sure why there is all this hype over the suggestion of improved settings. The improved settings, if any, would be a "thanks" for those contributing members. This isn't buying special privileges; it's donating. Many sites that have a donations system also show gratitude like this.

Hmm, it's actually irking me that some of you are thinking, "Favoritism?! Nooo!" My god. We're not speaking of a large money-hunger corporation. We're talking about Valerie (a teen) and Anthony (also a teen) who run this site for YOU. Do you really think that they'll play the favorite game? Do you really think that the purpose of a donations system is to buy goodies from the administration?

Get a grip.

[theOperaGhost]

I never suggested that there should be a special recognition. I'm not sure where some of you got that from. I'm sure that the administrators would prefer to keep things anonymous.

I'm not sure why there is all this hype over the suggestion of improved settings. The improved settings, if any, would be a "thanks" for those contributing members. This isn't buying special privileges; it's donating. Many sites that have a donations system also show gratitude like this.

Hmm, it's actually irking me that some of you are thinking, "Favoritism?! Nooo!" My god. We're not speaking of a large money-hunger corporation. We're talking about Valerie (a teen) and Anthony (also a teen) who run this site for YOU. Do you really think that they'll play the favorite game? Do you really think that the purpose of a donations system is to buy goodies from the administration?

Get a grip.

I'm personally not thinking favoritism will occur, what I'm worried about it people who donate and expect something in return. There would be people who would think they deserve something in return if they donated. I personally wouldn't mind donating. It would be difficult for many of the members to donate though. I'm not against the whole idea, I just think some people would abuse it, and I'm NOT talking about the admins, because I highly doubt they would. Donations would be easier if this were an adult site, but it's not.

[AllThatIsLeft]

i was not referring to the admins what so ever,
i was talking about members and jealousy.
something to avoid. Nothing else.

=|

[Oblivion]

I'm personally not thinking favoritism will occur, what I'm worried about it people who donate and expect something in return. There would be people who would think they deserve something in return if they donated. I personally wouldn't mind donating. It would be difficult for many of the members to donate though. I'm not against the whole idea, I just think some people would abuse it, and I'm NOT talking about the admins, because I highly doubt they would. Donations would be easier if this were an adult site, but it's not.

That's what I was saying. Not that it would occur, rather that many would expect it (on both ends).

[The Batman]

I like the idea and I support it fully. With the availability of Debit Cards anyone can donate that has money it's just the thing about if you want to. I like the anonymous idea with improved features that only the donator can see that way no one will know who donated and if they said they did(like trying to brag) there is no way they could prove it. Also if they did try and brag they would have their money refunded and their privileges taken away. Also for those who do get jealous about it they can grow the hell up in my opinion.

[Kiros]

The thing is, no one has to worry about the donations if they don't feel like donating or if they don't have the ability to.

Also, if a member donates and expects to get treated like royalty from everyone, then what? Nothing. Life goes on. A donation is a donation and Virtual Teen is legally safe. Nothing could happen. After all, what could some unsatisfied contributor do?

Destroy the site?

Stop you from using the site until they get their way?

No. Administrators run the site; not greedy people that give only to get more in return.

But do you guys want to know the best thing about a donations system?

*giggle*

It can be disabled if there is ever a problem! :D

>> *gasp* Really, Ben?

Yes, really, fellow member.

>> So if like... All hell breaks loose and someone makes a frowny face...

Yes, the payment script can be disabled, and you won't have a thing to worry about. But don't wait to not be worried! This worry-free lifestyle can be yours for no money down, with payments as low as nothing each month. Act now, and I'll throw in happiness and ease of mind for free!

[MysticalBurrito]

Im sorry
but I personally dont think that is a good idea i understand that Val and Ant have to pay for this site
it just doesnt sound good for some reason
it's like what if facebook started charging or asking for donations?
i came here because i was thinking "oh wow finally i found a free place"
because the last places i went to charged me so i left there and came here i just dont like the idea of donations
Please dont derep me for this but if the site is starting to drain their pockets why do they keep this site?

[Aηdy]

Nobody is forcing you to pay. The site would still be free to join and use. But for members who wish to support the site by giving donations then they can. It doesn't change anything.

[theOperaGhost]

Donations are not a mandatory part of being a member of this site and only people who volunteer to pay will have to.

I for one would volunteer to donate, however there are still some parts of it that I could see going wrong.

[Maverick]

I can understand some of the concerns brought up in this thread. I've thought of them as well and has made me second think this idea.

On the flip side though, it costs money to run a website, especially a site as big as this one. As the site grows it will become expensive to run this website ad-free or donation-free.

When we were on the free hosting, people complained about the constant server overloads and limitations the server had. So in response to that, Ben and I moved the site to a VPS to combat the server overloads. Luxury has a price though.

So if you like the current speed VT has now, its going to have to be paid for. If people are that much against any kind of advertising or donating, we can go back to the days when the site didn't have as many costs, and deal again with the high server loads and hours of downtime like before.

We just can't have it both ways. We can't want a fast reliable VT yet only chose to fund it through my wallet.

[MysticalBurrito]

True ok
maybe donations is a good idea when i think about it

[Oblivion]

Eh, personally I like small ads better than donation, but it's true that you need to have it payed for somehow. It's not really fair to have it come from your paycheck.

I'm good with donations, as long as they are discrete, and are given out of good heart, not for rewards.

[Underground_Network]

I would donate all I have to VT for nothing; VT means that much to me. Anyone who donates with the intent of being treated specially should be banned and have their money thrown back at them. VT doesn't want money for those reasons; VT doesn't "want" money period... But they'll accept donations (potentially). I think its a good idea, and I know for a fact there are people on here who would donate (myself included) without the intention of a reward of any sort for the benefit of the site. This is not a bad idea, its not even a good idea, its a great idea.

[redcar]

When I was administrator I was always against the idea of donations in any way shape of form. That being said expenses were not too much, and any of them that came up were covered by one of us fairly easily, like I dont remember any big expense. All that aside things change and as a site gets bigger, expenses increase as well, and I am not in a position to comment on expenses anymore because I dont know what they are.

If you were to have donations I think there should be nothing attached to it, like I dont think people should get any perks for it in any way shape or form. I would consider it giving back to the community. I would nearly consider it a charitable donation. When I give money to charity or do volunteer work I expect nothing back and expect no recognition.

The place has got bigger and it could ease the burdon.

On a slightly more boring note, the accountant in me is saying it, if you were to have donations, you need to keep a good paper trail on what exactly was taken and what it was spent on. I know it common sense, but I was the Finance Officer for a society and you have no idea the complications that happen when someone wants to know where €X was spent and you dont have a receipt or didnt write it down. All avoided with good bookkeeping... sorry I am such a geek. :P

[Antares]

Well, I can understand the "paid favoritism" issues that are arising but if you are taking money from yourself to donate to a website that is supposed to be free for it's services, I think it is fine for that website to give you something back. More practical things anyway like increased PM space, more space for attachments and signautres, etc.
I am not necessarily for the special forums and the special avatars, etc.
I think that if we gave more fuctional capabilities that would be best.

I like the idea overall. I would accept it even if they had the special forums and such.

SO YES!

[MysticalBurrito]

Well, I can understand the "paid favoritism" issues that are arising but if you are taking money from yourself to donate to a website that is supposed to be free for it's services, I think it is fine for that website to give you something back. More practical things anyway like increased PM space, more space for attachments and signautres, etc.
I am not necessarily for the special forums and the special avatars, etc.
I think that if we gave more fuctional capabilities that would be best.

I like the idea overall. I would accept it even if they had the special forums and such.

SO YES!

No I DO NOT like that idea
VT started free and everything like that
IF people want to donate that's their desicon
I don't like the idea of special privleges
I understand how Val and Ant might need help with money on this site but special privaliges is just not a good idea
Donations should be made to help!
not get some special stuff

[Bobby]

Honestly, I don't think rewarding people is necessary. I want people to donate who actually care, not people who want privileges. You don't do community service for the physical rewards do you?

[MysticalBurrito]

Yes I agree

I volitere it a nursing home every three days of the week i dont get paid
because the knowledge of helping other people is better than that!

[The Batman]

I don't see anything wrong with the idea of special privileges as long as it isn't something big.

[AllThatIsLeft]

Isn't that what a donation is?
You are donating - without expecting anything back.
The idea is great. But the thing isn't even established and the privilege thing is already causing problems.
I honestly don't care, i just want to avoid what happened above.

[Maverick]

Well to clear it up, should a system be enabled, there won't be special privileges.

[Antares]

No I DO NOT like that idea
VT started free and everything like that
IF people want to donate that's their desicon
I don't like the idea of special privleges
I understand how Val and Ant might need help with money on this site but special privaliges is just not a good idea
Donations should be made to help!
not get some special stuff

Umm, the fact is, VT is free for its services but its NOT free to maintain. Especially when its one or two people trying to pay for it on their own time and money.
I say if you wanna donate then so be it. If you wanna get some extra PM and sig space then so be it. I mean, why not. It has never been your "responsibility" to pay. If you don't want it then don't accept it.

Its just a donation, not a paid membership.

[-Silence]

If I wasn't so far down the hole, I would donate, maybe when I'm not and it's set up, I will.

This place has helped me for 5 years now, it deserves something.

Now, I know Ant just ruled this out, but the special priv. things sound kinda cool.
It just got me thinking of ClubPogo, I'm not sure how many of you people play it or whatever. But the site is free, you can play games and such, but, if you subscribe, you can play more games and there are alot of added things that the free version didn't have. If this site had some kind of privileges they should be anonymous though. Other members shouldn't be able to know.

But overall I think donations are a good idea, this site costs money and it's not fair to have it coming out of only a select few teens when so many people use this site.

Edit:
Now on the poll, I voted Yes; $10, $25, $50, and $75 per year would be good options, because to me, thats right in the middle, below it seemed to little, like it wouldn't help enough, and above there wasn't really much of a diffence, but I don't know what I'm trying to say. lol.

[Atonement]

Or instead of subscribing will there be an option of a flat out donation? Like, maybe someone wanted to donate $25, but not subscribe, would they be able to?

[-Silence]

Or instead of subscribing will there be an option of a flat out donation? Like, maybe someone wanted to donate $25, but not subscribe, would they be able to?

Yeah, sorry. My post was confusing, thats how Pogo does it, it's a subscription.

By what I understand VT would be donations.