posted 08-20-2003 18:57               

quote:

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Originally posted by texxxxxxxxxx:
Oh yea, did I forget to mention that I already voiced my intention of joining TUG to him OVER TWO WEEKS AGO, and that I was simply waiting for my RCI acct. to be set up so that I would always have the yearly fees for both re-occur at the SAME TIME????????????? Thereby having only to remember one date instead of two.

If you don't believe me ask ED, he has far more principles than some here will ever know. He was willing to protect me and others on the PRINCIPLE of the matter, when he very well could have shown you the e-mail that I wrote to him.

AND not that it is anyone's business (which I believe is what Ed was tring to point out), but my renewal date for RCI will be Sept. 1 (I believe that was the date). I just found out yesterday that the acct. is now active.

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Well, Tex, I do. [deleted - mean-spirited and unnecessary - Ed] TUG and RCI coming due on the same date. Boy oh boy! Better make sure all my "timeshare" stuff comes up at the same time. Wait until you have to start dealing with maintenance fees that are all over the map. I wonder what you'll do then...

posted 08-20-2003 19:49            

Here is a question for the members.

If non-members are not allowed to visit certain areas because they haven't paid for them. Why would you lose sleep over the fact that they are posting in the open/free forum? As long as they behave themselves in a civil manner, why would you care???

Can sharing a few computer tips or recommendations for a good grill really wreck this board?

I have noticed in my short time hanging around that the moderators make sure that any "sensitive" information is properly squirreled away from non-paying eyes. I have no problem with that.

Bill very likely knows that the longer folks hang around the MORE likely they are to join. I'm betting that he is not taking to kindly to you turning away POTENTIAL $$ in his pocket so that you can keep TUG "your little secret" and protect your Aunt sally's BBQ recipe when there is every possibilty that that person you are talking down to may join tomorrow.

Also, you never know there might be people here on the board (you know those despicable non-member types). Who might be able to give you a tip that helps you out someday (not that you would admit it...I mean can you imagine getting good advice from a...non-member..eeeeeewwwwwwww)

You are still getting the "cream of the oreo". Why begrudge others some of the crumbs?

(For those not reading me...you are getting the members areas that the non-members cannot get their good-for-nothin-filthy-freeloading-grubby-little-paws on.)

Here's another suggestion. If you don't like them (you know who) don't answer their questions! AND don't browbeat the people (member types) that do! Some folks like to help because they can...no strings attached. They just like doing it (the sickos).

Some folks just take a litle longer to come around than others. But I would NEVER kick someone out of my store because he wanted to hang out and chew the fat. But hey, its not $$ coming out of your pocket right?

So there's that. (as a wise man once said)

Tex

posted 08-20-2003 19:51            

They DID explain their position. Evidently you came in with your remarks at the tail end of this discussion without reading previous posts?

Actually, they didn't need to explain their positions, as the TUG BBS is free to anyone who wants to read or post.

I don't understand what the big deal is. I never even look to see if someone is a member or not.

I am here to help people who are interested in the topic of timesharing, period! It's Bill Roger's place to keep up with the paying Tug's bills, not mine, and he makes the rules.

posted 08-20-2003 20:21            

Well, Tex, I do. [deleted original comment - Ed] TUG and RCI coming due on the same date. Boy oh boy! Better make sure all my "timeshare" stuff comes up at the same time. Wait until you have to start dealing with maintenance fees that are all over the map. I wonder what you'll do then...
----------------------------------------------------------------

[behavior lecture - deleted - Ed]
So, I'm going to say this politely.

How I choose to handle my affairs is my business, I really don't care how someone I've never met (and likely won't) over an internet chat room chooses to feel about my life.

I knew the 2 dates would be close, so that's how I CHOSE to set it up. I also plan on paying my maint. fees a year in advance. BOTH on the same date. Guess which date I chose.

Yep, Sept. 1, they can send the bill whenever they get around to it, but each year....on SEPT 1....I will pay RCI, 2 MF, and TUG. If the payment gets there early, then its early.

It's not a matter of losing $$ in my bank acct because I paid my MF to soon and lost out on the 2% the bank was paying me. It's a matter of I don't play games with dates. I don't have the time. So this year while you are trying to figure out which of YOUR bills is due, I be playing with the kids and not worrying about it because I CHOSE to plan ahead.

Tex

[deleted - mean-spirited and unnecessary - Ed]

posted 08-20-2003 20:26               

[This message has been edited by buff (edited 08-20-2003).]

posted 08-20-2003 20:27               

There's the rub, the difference between being a spectator(hanging out) and being an active participant (dues paying members).

We don't expect the retirees (on fixed incomes and dealing with health care issues/medication costs,etc.) to be able to afford the exhorbitant club fees and they don't expect to play 18 holes without membership. Simple. They are sideline guests.

I know that when you use tongue-in-cheek adjectives to describe
non-members that it's all in fun. Personally, I rarely notice who's a member or not. I like most everyone on TUG, but I do respect those who step up to the plate.

Re: the test drive scenario; 5,50 or 500 test drives - fish or cut bait.......

posted 08-20-2003 20:29            

Cus' ya donts judg us.

I'd come o'er thar and kiss ya for them thar kind words if the missus wouldn tan my hide fer it.

posted 08-21-2003 00:43               

WRONG...I read ALL the posts..THEN came in "with my remarks"..FYI!

THREE....THREE explained, of all non members.. THREE
OU812: said maybe it's because of this....or maybe it's
because of that...never gave their reason.
Tex: explained that he is waiting for a certain date.
Don: explained that he felt no need to pay a bribe in
order to be in good graces with anyone and that he
was put off by the ill will of some folks.

Actually, they didn't need to explain their positions, as the TUG BBS is free to anyone who wants to read or post.

We know it is free...LOL.
OF COURSE, they don't NEED to explain their positions.
Non members can answer or not.

I don't understand what the big deal is. I never even look to see if someone is a member or not.

There IS no "BIG DEAL"...other than some members
being curious & others feeling that is is unfair.

I am here to help people who are interested in the topic of timesharing, period! It's Bill Roger's place to keep up with the paying Tug's bills, not mine, and he makes the rules.

This is not about you. It is about non members.

Wish we could hear from more non members.

Anne

posted 08-21-2003 05:02               

Perhaps, if some of the non-members spoke up as to why they choose not to support this organization financially, we might even consider/be able to respond to their concerns and issues in a way which would prompt them to become supporters.

I must admit that I also tend to pay very little attention to the membership status of posters with two small exceptions, posters who are argumentative and contentious and posters who rack up an inordinately large number of posts. (Note that I may pay some attention to these people, but I try NOT to let it affect my response to their participation publicly.)

I am completely in support of Bill's policy that this is an open forum and that it should/will remain that way.

Perhaps, our paying members should also speak up and ask how the site/organization might be enhanced to make their investment seem more worthwhile (if that's not a joke, I don't know what is). If all you ever do is to read the BBS, then I could understand why you might resent others getting the same privilege for free. If the reviews, database, etc. are not sufficient for you to feel like you are getting more for your support than the BBS users, perhaps something should be done in that vein.

Just an idea or two.

posted 08-21-2003 06:28               

As I said earlier; if the guy who owns the site doesn't require people to pay for general access why on earth are some members getting so heated about it?

------------------
Regards

posted 08-21-2003 07:04               

quote:

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Originally posted by TTom:
Here's a novel concept.

Perhaps, if some of the non-members spoke up as to why they choose not to support this organization financially, we might even consider/be able to respond to their concerns and issues in a way which would prompt them to become supporters.

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Been here, done that, but just cuz I like you guys I'll answer again in the interest of 'research'

I choose not to support TUG for a few reasons:

1) I do not own timeshare, and rarely take advantage of my travel benefits through work to exchange into timeshare. I have little need for most of the members only services.

2) When I respond to a post, it is nearly always in response to questions posed by members about how timeshare works or the resort area I work in. I get paid to answer these types of questions all day, but I do it here for free. When I initiate a post, with one exception that I can remember, it is always a posting of information I think will be helpful to timeshare owners/users or 'insider' information you may not get elsewhere(see my recent posting in Travel of info I received in an industry professional magazine for example).

The exception to this, of course, is The Lounge. Yes, I post in the Lounge. Yes, it's fun. No, I would never claim that my posting there 'helps' members in the least. Why do I do it? Because I can I guess. If you made it off limits to non-members, I'd still come and post on the t/s related topics.

3) Go to the Buy/Sell/Rent board or the Newbies on any given day and the biggest piece of advice you'll see there is "Rescind, Rescind, Rescind" (ok, maybe 2nd biggest, biggest is probabl "No Upfront Fees"). Let's face it, you're resale advocates - PERIOD. That's ok, I'm a K-Mart Blue Light Special kinda gal myself - but it's NOT ok for someone who works for a Timeshare Devloper to formally associate themselves with an organization that is pretty obviously anti-timeshare developer! I'm not in the mood to commit professional suicide today, thanks.

All that having been said - Reason #3 is probably the only reason that KEEPS me from joining. I'd probably join despite #1 and #2 if #3 were not an issue.

By the way, I have never tried to access a member privilege, asked a member-friend to do it for me, or asked a question on the BBS that could be answered with members-only privileges (at least not knowingly!). I resent when non-members do that myself, because I don't think it's right. You're not a member, you don't get to have ALL the fun. I live with it - you live with it too! If you want all the fun, then yeah, pay your $15 like everyone else or live without it.

posted 08-21-2003 07:10            

Keith, I'm gonna faint and fall out that we actually agree on something . I, too, joined when I needed to get into the databases, a member's only area, even though I suffered much grief and harrassment from some members of Tug beforehand. I stood my ground, ignored the intimidators, and followed Bill's rules until I needed to access the databases.

If there's one thing I've learned on Tug it's to NOT let others intimidate you. This is just a BBS, nothing more, nothing less. I will never meet most of these people, and if I should, I would completely ignore the members who harrassed me for not joining sooner.

posted 08-21-2003 08:45               

quote:

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Originally posted by retailman:
W C Fields wrote I WOULD NOT BELONG TO A CLUB THAT WOULD HAVE
HIM AS A MEMBER. Maybe this is the case here.

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"I would not belong to a club that would have "me" as a member"

Feel free to check but I believe thats correct

posted 08-21-2003 09:25               

Was this a jab at my member status, or am I just paranoid after reading this post?

posted 08-21-2003 10:54            

[ditto - Ed]

To those who have responded [ditto - Ed]:

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to gain from your vast knowledge on TS and other areas of interest, such as where to get a watch fixed (or computer). I'm sure there is nowhere else on the web that any of us could have gotten that same information.

To those who have responded and are indifferent to the whole situation:

Thank you for not being judgemental about the reasons non-members are non-members. (whatever reason that might be) You are the reason we are still hanging around.

I hope EVERYONE (yes, even you member types) has a great day!!

Tex