Would rather that than the subs go up tbh so no probs here!

Lee, this is just fine, no problem! Please enjoy some real quality time with your family.

I always try my absolute hardest to participate in the draws but have difficulty because of school work and many other commitments.

It looks like you have our full support! If you need any remote help, do not hesitate to ask!

🙂

Lee,

I joined 'Beoworld' over two years ago as a 'Gold' member and since then have found the thoughfulness and generosity of the members almost astonishing.  The site has been a source of amusement, information, cameraderie and indeed friendship, as it has introduced me to a number of people I would never have met.  In some ways, it has even changed my view of the world, as so many people willingly give their time to help others.  These 'random acts of kindness' are what make us truly human.  If my continued subscription helps to maintain a site with such displays of altruism, I will willingly continue to pay regardless of whether there is a monthly, quarterly or even no prize draw.

As someone who has seen a number of relationships collapse under the pressure of work, I fully understand and support your decision.

Cleve

Lee,

I am a new "Gold" member but I didn't do it for the prize, although of course I'd be happy bo be drawn from the hat!

I did it because everybody here is so nice and friendly that I wouldn't want the site to close its doors... and the information is so precious!

So yes a quarterly draw will do just fine. One's family is indeed the most important thing in life, and it does come first.

I am currently doing a job that puts me in the exactly the same situation and I am doing everything I can to change job asap. Lee, do not wait a year to implement the change - that's a year of the most important aspect of your life lost forever. If you get the odd member leave because that's not what they signed up for ( I would imagine this would be a handful) - so what?

Another option would be to delegate the task to a volunteer who is local to you - maybe someone who is retired?

Cheers

Nigel 

Cleviebaby wrote:

Lee,

I joined 'Beoworld' over two years ago as a 'Gold' member and since then have found the thoughfulness and generosity of the members almost astonishing.  The site has been a source of amusement, information, cameraderie and indeed friendship, as it has introduced me to a number of people I would never have met.  In some ways, it has even changed my view of the world, as so many people willingly give their time to help others.  These 'random acts of kindness' are what make us truly human.  If my continued subscription helps to maintain a site with such displays of altruism, I will willingly continue to pay regardless of whether there is a monthly, quarterly or even no prize draw.

As someone who has seen a number of relationships collapse under the pressure of work, I fully understand and support your decision.

Cleve

Cleve's words could be mine, quarterly draw and higher membership fee no problem, I lost one family working my but of and forgetting what family is about, so Lee just do it.

Søren

Dear Lee,

I can only second what has already been said here... I for my part have no problem with quarterly draws or a higher membership. When the reduced number of draws contributes to put Beoworld on a more solid base, even better.

But most important: Family comes first!

Foxtrott

You need to give a whole year's notice? People will have forgotten about it by then and your kids won't know who you are.

I suggest do it from Jan 31st 2012 and change the Gold membership benefits from monthly to quarterly straight away. If anyone wants a refund, offer them a refund of £2.50 per month (2.50 x 12 = 30) they have left running on their memberships. I'm sure not many will complain.

Personally, not sure why we need a draw at all. Or if we do, just have one decent item once a quarter or something.

The way I see this is that most of us are in the privileged position where we can generally afford B&O products, so I find it somewhat of an irony that we have to give away products each month to justify getting users to pay for the forum.

One of the reasons I stopped my gold membership was that I simply do not need the prizes. I dropped out to allow users a fairer chance of winning. My assumption is that there are a lot of users paying for a gold membership who do not need the prizes and do not bother to come online for the prize draw.

If it was me, I'd:

1) Drop monthly prize draws from 31 December 2012, giving away between one and three prizes a quarter

2) Consider a slightly smaller membership fee to encourage everyone to pay their way (including me)

moxxey wrote:

The way I see this is that most of us are in the privileged position where we can generally afford B&O products

I think you'll find you are incorrect. Some might be in that privileged position but most are mid earners who save up to purchase new, buy second hand or just enjoy the vintage products.

You could still be a gold member and support the site & I'm sure Lee would allow you to opt out of the draw as he has done for another (very generous) member.