Amazon book token appeal closed

[BankFodder]

We have closed the Amazon book token appeal.

 

We'd like to say thank you to everyone who contributed.

 

We have a reservoir of about £150 worth of certs left and we are trying to identify more books on contract, DPA, disability discrimination and trusts which we think that we will need.

 

 

The book token thread is unstickied and is availbale for inspection by anyone who searches for it. However, it is locked.

We will post details of other books which we buy into the thread from time to time.

[Guest Lueeze]

Would you still like a donation? Perhaps for the costs of running this site?

 

Thanks

 

Lou

[BankFodder]

Well I have to say that Dave and I were discussing ways of funding it. The expenses have run up quite considerably and we have to recoup some of our outlay.

 

We certainly do need to get some cash revenue and in fact we have contacted an accountant who is prepared to receive money into a client account for us.

We still have the problem of showing people how the money is being spent but yes, donations would be useful and very welcome.

 

We are also considering entering some affiliate programmes whereby if people want to buy certain things and click through our site then we would get a percentage.

 

However, we want these things to be relevant, and not contrary to the spirit of this site.

However, we haven't fully decided how this would be done yet.

[woolfie]

Could you not set up a paypal account for donations? I know i would be quite happy to make a donation and to be honest, knowing the work you guys put into this site i wouldnt be bothered about seeing how the money was spent. I am sure there are far easier ways you could make money!!

 

You really are doing an amazing job and I think a mention in the new-years honours would be appropriate!! Arise Sir Bank Fodder!! Maybe HRH would like to get some of her bank charges back?

 

Woolfie

[Guest Lueeze]

Well if i gave you some money i wouldnt care how it was spent!

 

I can see the good work that is done myself!

 

Its obvious the donations will go on running costs...do people think this comes FOC?

 

Another forum im on has a special 'members lounge' that is available for people who have made a donation.

 

They do not say where the money goes, nor do another site that i know give explanations on the forum, we all assume its spent on running.

[woolfie]

How about T-Shirts and baseball hats etc etc I know i would buy one

[dave]

I like the idea of a donate button (into Paypal maybe).

 

I'm not too keen on the 'Members Area' though.

 

I think we would come to feel that those people deserve special attention, rightly or wrongly - and that would create a have-have-nots type situation which would go against the spirit that this site was set up with.

 

Secondly, that would be taking money from people who have already had enough money taken from them already by banks and big businesses, because they may feel that they would be getting a better 'deal' if they became a member.

 

The affiliates programmes look to be the best best, but not sure if they would actually bring any revenue in (or much in any case).

 

It does seem that the site is becoming more and more demanding (in no small part due to myself) - what with the new Newsletter going out soon. Our host will not allow bulk mailings, so I have set up my own mail server in my garage - there are running costs and software costs there, and as the newsletter grows, my bandwidth (normal ADSL) probably won't be able to handle the volume and we'll need to find a mail host for the bulk mailings, etc....

 

It seems never ending at the moment.

[dave]

How about T-Shirts and baseball hats etc etc I know i would buy one

 

I quite like that idea.

 

Not only would it bring in a bit of cash towards the running, it would also promote the site so that more people can get their money back - although, I doubt many people would wear them; they may feel embarressed about their situation and may not want to publicise it.

[BankFodder]

How about T-Shirts and baseball hats etc etc I know i would buy one

 

We might get around t that one day - but we have no time to divert to make those kinds of arrangements.

 

I can't imagine that the revenue would ever becoome significant but I was saying to Dave to day that if it did become big enough, the first thing we would do would be to hire some permanent secretarial staff - but at the moment, it owuld be nice just to cover the running costs.

[Guest Lueeze]

Alot of Forums have a donate button linked to paypal or worldpay!

 

No one objects to it!

 

Your growing so rapidly that you have to cover costs, or youll end up worse off...

 

Just till the other ideas get sorted through you could add a button perhaps, short term, at least you might get a few quid come in from it sooner rather than later?

 

Also I alswys have funds in my paypal as i sell on ebay so donating for me would be better cos that way it doesnt come from my bank balance so to speak!

 

Hope you find a solution anyway!

 

Lou x

[Guest Lueeze]

Can i be a secretary when it takes over the world? Lol!

 

:o

[BankFodder]

although, I doubt many people would wear them; they may feel embarrassed about their situation and may not want to publicise it.

 

They might do if the message was right:

 

I'm not an Abbey plucker

I'm an Abbey plucker's son

And I'll keep on plucking Abbey

'til the Abbey plucking's done

 

 

Might need a big T shirt, though 8-)

[Guest Lueeze]

PMSL like it!

[dave]

It may go some way to un'stigmatising' debt in this country - we could start a national debt-reducing-charges-got-back t-shirt wearing day.

 

(or something like that!)

[MondeoST24]

Dave I wanted to send you £100 in book tokens, how can I do that now. If you PM me an address I can send a cheque if you want?

[Guest Lueeze]

Thats really nice of you Mondeo!

 

(go on send em the cash! sod the books! LOL)

[Spiceskull]

Guys - we did suggest to you a couple of weeks ago that you set up an NPO (Not For Profit) and this would enable you to receive money donations that would cover costs in a legitimate and straightforward way. As with others, when I get my money from the bank, and subsequently donate a %age, I have no issue with how it is spent. I am confident that it will be spent wisely, and in a socially responsible/considerate way - and if it just ensures that this site is funded properly I would be more than satisfied...

[cakey]

I like the idea of a donate button (into Paypal maybe).

 

Not convinced paypal is the best option, they are as much of a rip off as the banks. Would think something like Nochex would be better! Many consumers have had huge problems with paypal.

[Bovvered]

How 'bout something more cryptic like 'Wunch' t-shirts?

[Suzy Q]

I'd be happy to donate! If it keeps the site up and running for people like me who are clueless and need the help that you guys offer, then it is well worth it. I mean think about it - how much would we get charged for a 'consultation' fee by a solicitor just to get us as far as making a first request for the refund? It would be a shame if this site had to close because it became too popular.

[jonni2bad]

Not convinced paypal is the best option, they are as much of a rip off as the banks. Would think something like Nochex would be better! Many consumers have had huge problems with paypal.

 

They have, but not in the way that this idea would work.

 

With this, members donate into the account, there is nothing that can be claimed as not being supplied, so CAG would have nothing to fear...

 

PayPal's problems tend to stem from it's inability to protect buyers and sellers, and the awful charge-back proceedures. Neither of these are issues that would affect CAG if it were to set up an account.

 

Which, by the way, I think is a great idea.

[woolfie]

I mean think about it - how much would we get charged for a 'consultation' fee by a solicitor just to get us as far as making a first request for the refund?

 

Just out of interest I phoned one of the many companies offering the service of reclaiming bank charges on the consumers behalf. They charge £75 per hour and would want 15% of settlement!!

[monkey_uk]

Personally, I think car window stickers would be a great idea.

 

We could get them designed and made, and sell them, thereby making money for the site, AND advertising the site!

[lois]

hiya guys

 

i would be happy to donate money in whatever way you would prefer, just let me know, its the absolute least I can do for all the hardwork that you put into this site and all the advice that you give etc, without you guys, I would never have attempted to recover the bank charges that I have incurred. You have put such an incredible amount of effort and work into this site, not to mention that you probably don't get too much of a social life with the work that you do on this site!! OOH, I could send you some beer/wine or something?!

 

if I can help in any way, please just let me know, I would be more than happy to help in whatever way I could and if you're ever looking for a legal secretary ...

 

many thanks, lou xx

[neilloffhagen]

I personally like the T-shirt idea. Alway looking for a different type of t-shirt to wear

Probably as it is the poster that soctia put together would be too wordy but you could certainly put the logo and the web site address on and maybe a few bits of text. Though getting them printed would take some effort, setting up online sales and distribution would take a lot of effort. Also, would take some money upfront to get them printed, which would be as problem too. So maybe a t-shirt is not such a good idea yet?

 

Just had a partial offer, so am hoping for the full amount soon, so would like to be able to make some contribution.

 

Neil.