What's with all the Amazon affiliate links in signatures?

[Amail]

Just noticed - every thread has at least one post with an Amazon widget thingy. Is this new? Does this serve any purpose?

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

Does this serve any purpose?

Yea, to pay for the forum you use FREELY.

Or, would you be happy to pay $10 month to have them removed? I'd be happy to oblige you that opportunity.

 

[DeletedUser394]

I just clicked through from one of those amazon links to buy a dvd (to support the forum and all). I failed;


'Due to location restrictions we cannot process your order. Amazon Instant Video customers must use a US credit card and billing address.

Orders can only be completed by US residents while inside the United States - the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia. '

I tried..

 

[Amail]

Just me, or everyone else too? Just kidding.

I get the desire to further monetize the site. But I wonder if there's a less intrusive way? Of course it's your forum and we're all obliged to play by your rules. It just feels somehow cheapened, that's all. My opinion, for what that's worth.

How about a fee based subscription subforum? I'd pay for that. I'd also consider a low-cost sponsorship, if that were available.

 

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[The-J]

Just me, or everyone else too? Just kidding.

I get the desire to further monetize the site. But I wonder if there's a less intrusive way? Of course it's your forum and we're all obliged to play by your rules. It just feels somehow cheapened, that's all. My opinion, for what that's worth.

How about a fee based subscription subforum? I'd pay for that. I'd also consider a low-cost sponsorship, if that were available.

Almost all of us would pay for the forum. I'd pay for it. Thing is, we get to access the information for free and charging a fee to keep this forum sustainable would kinda be missing the point of having the forum in the first place.

Or that's just how I see it.

 

[Rain]

How about a skyscraper Amazon ad? It's the best of both worlds: the ad stays, but it's not a huge box that covers 33% of the post.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Almost all of us would pay for the forum.

What people "say" they will pay for, and actually "do" pay for, are TWO different things. Trust me.

Anyhow, I'm in the exploratory stages of having a subscription based membership here with an "ad free" version -- so for those of you who want to see the ads disappear, it will be an option for you. (I actually had someone request this, so the vocal demand is there, as for real demand, guess we will find out.)

Just me, or everyone else too?

It will be an option, if implemented.

How about a skyscraper Amazon ad?

Sure, I'll give it a run tomorrow! (PS: All the ads are considered experimental anyway and not permanent.)

 

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[Amail]

Just curious about the "Experiment and Tweak" side of it - how long have these been up? Has it been long enough to compare its effectiveness versus the skyscraper ad approach?