| Xx D-MAN xX |
I'm not sure what it is this year but I can't seem to surf the boards without seeing either someone parting out or another lude for sale...
Many aquaintances of mine have decided to either revert back to stock or just sell their lude all together. I know most have either gotten tired of the whole Import scene or are moving to something more practical or better/faster.
Last year the EPC lost 19 official members and this year the head count so far is 16 but I expect that number to grow before the year is up. If this trend continues, there won't be enough members to keep the club going.
So what is it that the EPC can do to retain it's members? I'm having doubts about even continuing to have an official club any more. Is it worth it for those that are still considered apart of the EPC?
BTW, for those of that have expired memberships and would be interested in re-instating your official membership status, click HERE. |
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| 92_WhItE_H23 |
For me it wasnt so much the club as much as it is the car/scene.. i was spending 1300 a month on my car when i had the R. im 20 years old and im looking at getting engaged/married within the next 2 years and that kind of spending on something that is not going to yeild me a return is not feasable aha if i made the money you did darcy id have my lude and id be all over it. but i make like 15 bucks an hour right now and i have other priorities as is the case with alot of ppl selling thier ludes. the problem i had when i had my lude was it wasnt too pretty and i didnt see the point to dolling out 15 grand to make it worthy and then trying to sell it to get even just the amount i bought car for.
to keep the club going isnt to keep the original members as much as i would think it would be to attract those who are always buying the ludes ppl are selling. getting the word out is key..but thats as far as i can tell you because getting the word out i would have no clue how hah i like the club myself as you can see im pretty active and i dont even drive a lude anymore. but once i get my trade ticket im more then likely coming back to the scene and hopefully contending but i cant say when proly within 3 years or so.. but by then im hoping to be driving a turbo G35 ahha |
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| 2ndgenlude |
we just need to get the word out. ben is right. the club has been going downhill, but everything has its slow period. im sure new members will come, but you have to expect members to leave. personally i think the club is doing well, we can get 8-10 people to a friday/saterday night meet, cruise around and generally have a good time, which the club is about.
i don't think sheer numbers should dictate if the club stays or goes. as long as the members continue to show support, and do the meets, things should be fine.
its also near the end of the year,so people are starting to think about the upcoming season. this is always a shitty time of the year. i think the hardest thing to do is keep the club alive during the snowy parts of the year. we need to organize more winter meets/get togethers to keep our minds off the shitty weather. |
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| 303 |
| hey, i renewed my membership :). i feel bad for not having the time to attend more meets. unfortunately due to circumstances at my job i was forced to work late nights not giving me enough opportunity to get out very often. although now i'm working days, and of course its the end of the season. |
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| 2ndgenlude |
the club will continue to grow. we are just in a slow time. its shitty but what can you do?
since winter is approaching, we should plan a end of the year event similar to the BBQ last year which was a big success. |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
The club didn't really grow that much this year, not like previous years. I think 2004 was probably our best year with a huge amount of interest and alot of new members. This year we saw more people leave the club then new members signing up.
The lack of interest has a huge effect on the club, not just financially but also socially. You see less and less interest for those coming to meets, represent at events or just come out socially. Mind you, I'm one to talk who's been working like a $5 whore on a friday night and I really haven't been participating in club events other than the major car shows.
Yes, we need to spread the word but what more can we do that we are not already doing. We have business cards, flyers, posters, the web board, links on other websites, representing at major events, and of course word of mouth.
I get alot of people contacting me about joining but they never do...
I've also seen a decline of support from our affiliates. Early this year we provided our affiliates with the newly designed post card flyers and posters. I've visited 2 of our affiliates recently and I couldn't find any of our promo stuff. Not sure what's going on but it's pissing me off...
Next year I'll have to re-think the whole club idea. I may just dissolve the whole official member idea, get rid of the membership fee and just revert back to just a bunch of enthusiasts that meet up from time to time. The would be the end of the EPC as we know it today... |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by 2ndgenlude
we should plan a end of the year event similar to the BBQ last year which was a big success.
I just didn't have enough time this year to organize something.
I also didn't have a chance to organize another photo shoot this year, in which I was really looking forward to. I didn't have the time nor did I feel like spending my time trying to organize something that I felt would fail anyways.
I think I'm tired to spending all this time and money doing club stuff when I know in the back of my mind that it will bomb anyways. Man, am I depressed... |
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| ludakelv |
I'm pretty sure numbers will drop since the Prelude is now discontinued. Also, I'm sure newer members will be younger as Preludes become cheaper and cheaper over time.
I do hope that EPC can keep going strong though. It's great to have a community where Prelude enthusiasts can get together. It seems most of the other car clubs on this forum have less activity and the Prelude forum is pretty active. |
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| Shady_Pro |
| i think epc meets should be once a month like the necc cause it just holds more value like that...if it was once a month i would go outta my way to go...i went to united cycle almost every friday for a few min atleast...but im not gonna go downtown for 10 min to meet up with 3 guys esspically went the meets at uc were somenights had a really high turn out |
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| buh_buh |
| Why cant there just be a club without a membership/membership fee? Afterall it IS supposed to be just a group of enthusiasts with a common interest. Is there really a need to have memberships and membership cards so everyone feels more special? |
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| 1_Bar |
yeah, I would agree with ^^^ on that one. It kinda deters someone from entering a club w/ membership fees. I mean its only what $10 or something....yeah, not that much. But when someone brand new sees that and doesn't know neone in the club, why should they fork out $10 for something they don't what they're getting into.
I like hanging around other car enthusists, especially fellow luders cause it someone you can actually talk to, since most other rides are civics/tegs/b-series motors....etc just cause of they're sheer popularity. After shooting the shiet a bunch of times, then I wouldn't mind to support something that I feel of value.....
Just my opinion... |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by buh_buh
Why cant there just be a club without a membership/membership fee? Afterall it IS supposed to be just a group of enthusiasts with a common interest. Is there really a need to have memberships and membership cards so everyone feels more special?
That's the catch 22. If there were no membership fees, then there would be no club, just a bunch of prelude enthusiasts that meet up from time to time. Without membership fees, there would be no operating cost for the domain, email addresses, design work, business cards, flyers, posters, banners, stickers, th-shirts, hoodies, etc...
Also, official membership was to give those that joined special privleges, mainly receive discounts at our affiliated performance shops, as well as, to be belong to something unique.
I tried to make things a standard and a standard for everyone. Want to join the EPC, it costs a mere $10 and you get to take advantage of all these things or all this stuff that someone just off the street won't be able to take advantage of. I realize know that this probably wasn't the best route to go but what other option did I have, count on user fees or donations from those that can afford to?
I like the idea of only having only a monthly meeting but then there are those that want to do something every weekend. The weekly meets were set-up so that anyone that had nothing to do was to drop by. If you could make it great, if not, see ya next time. It seemed to work out well for the past year or so but I guess people just forgot about it all together or had better things to do.
Lots of things to consider for next year but right now things aren't looking very good... |
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| 2ndgenlude |
see how we do over the winter. see what the outcome is like for some of the pool hall meets/etc, and that should gauge how much intrest is still here.
or we could have a last meet of the season and see how many active members can make it out, and have a meeting on the future of the club. |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by 2ndgenlude
or we could have a last meet of the season and see how many active members can make it out, and have a meeting on the future of the club.
That sounds like a good idea. Set something up Tyler for the weekend of Oct 13 - 16. That's when I'll be in town next and will probably be the last time I'm in edmonton until spring. I plan to stay in fort mcmurray over the winter...
We could go to Pepper & Chili's on the west end for dinner on either the friday or saturday night, say around 6 or 7pm... |
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| bearinalude |
| though i've never actually come out to one of the meets, but i think this is by far one of the best clubs in the 780 tuner forum, as we can CLEARLY see how many ppl post here compared to the other club forums. i'm pretty sure it's jus the gayass weather that's sorta put out tje hype for now, come next yr spring, it'll be back up again!!! hehe and i might actually be able to make it to a meet. do u guys ever meet up on sat?? hehe work on fri is always till 10 :mad: |
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| 2ndgenlude |
| yep, saterday is our official meet |
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| underdog 23 |
| probably its just slow period, everything has slow season. clubs, organization etc.... keep in mind that most members are not teenagers that has plenty of time to hang around anytime anyday. most of us got bills to pay, like me:p saying that, i try to go out if schedule permits. |
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| mike3 |
| I've been going out to a bunch of the meets, but dylon and trav, didn't get there cars running really until summer, so thers two that missed a bunch cuz there no fun if you don't have your lude out, and then you've been hiding away at car shows and your wedding, and up in ft mac, and some of the members are in calgary and ft mac. I think the main reason no ones showing up to the meets is because of the weather, i don't know how many times the weekend would roll around and it would be raining. It was pissing me off, because id look forward to the meets, then it would rain. and then most of semptember-now has been freezing cold, and it sucks when its so cold. If we have anymore meets this year, i might not be able to make any meets in the lude this year...i kind of fucker her up |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by mike3
i might not be able to make any meets in the lude this year...i kind of fucker her up
Why, what did you do? What happened? |
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| mike3 |
| or it fucked itself up maybe? i dunno, it overheats if i drive it for like 5 minutes...i dunoo what the problem is...maybe the water pump, and fuck if im changing it before i park it for winter....waste of time/money |
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| 1_Bar |
| ^^maybe its just a bad signal from the thermostat...but if it heats up right away, prolly the water pump like you said.... |
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| mike3 |
| Well at first the fans wouldn't turn on...i thought it was the fan switch maybe, so i wired up the fans to the ignition(for the time being) then it was still over heating, i checked the rad hoses, and the upper one was cookin hot, and the lower was cool, so maybe the thermostat? nope, i changed it and its still doing it, so i said fuck it and im driving to work and back(cause its a 5 minute drive) for the rest of the week and i'll park it monday maybe...if my winter beater is ready to go |
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| buh_buh |
quote:
Originally posted by Xx D-MAN xX
That's the catch 22. If there were no membership fees, then there would be no club, just a bunch of prelude enthusiasts that meet up from time to time. Without membership fees, there would be no operating cost for the domain, email addresses, design work, business cards, flyers, posters, banners, stickers, th-shirts, hoodies, etc...
Also, official membership was to give those that joined special privleges, mainly receive discounts at our affiliated performance shops, as well as, to be belong to something unique.
I tried to make things a standard and a standard for everyone. Want to join the EPC, it costs a mere $10 and you get to take advantage of all these things or all this stuff that someone just off the street won't be able to take advantage of. I realize know that this probably wasn't the best route to go but what other option did I have, count on user fees or donations from those that can afford to?
So you have to have paying members to be considered a club? Do you really need the domain and email addresses? Flyers, posters etc should be absorbed by the head honcho if he wants to dish out for that stuff. I've been through the same thing, and I opted to dish out for that stuff because I wanted the club to have more recognition, etc. All stickers and apparel can be purchased by the people who want them.
Its not the $10 that I'm complaining about, it just seems like the attitude is "if you don't put money in my pocket, your not part of our club" even though we're all Prelude owners, enthusiasts, and all a part of the same community. It just seems really exclusive that you can only be "in" if you pay.
Just my 2 cents. |
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| Shady_Pro |
quote:
Originally posted by Xx D-MAN xX
I like the idea of only having only a monthly meeting but then there are those that want to do something every weekend. The weekly meets were set-up so that anyone that had nothing to do was to drop by. If you could make it great, if not, see ya next time. It seemed to work out well for the past year or so but I guess people just forgot about it all together or had better things to do.
As far as i know every friday there are meets during the summer that are organized by people on 780 and the epc fourm is based on 780.
Those are in place for the exact reason of wanting to just stop by cause you have nothing to do or just want to see what the general group of car enthusist are up to, not just the preludes. |
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| Shady_Pro |
quote:
Originally posted by buh_buh
So you have to have paying members to be considered a club? Do you really need the domain and email addresses? Flyers, posters etc should be absorbed by the head honcho if he wants to dish out for that stuff. I've been through the same thing, and I opted to dish out for that stuff because I wanted the club to have more recognition, etc. All stickers and apparel can be purchased by the people who want them.
Its not the $10 that I'm complaining about, it just seems like the attitude is "if you don't put money in my pocket, your not part of our club" even though we're all Prelude owners, enthusiasts, and all a part of the same community. It just seems really exclusive that you can only be "in" if you pay.
Just my 2 cents.
And honestly it seems the message that comes across from reading on our fourms and comming to the meets is a little "jahova witness" to me, |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by buh_buh
So you have to have paying members to be considered a club? Do you really need the domain and email addresses? Flyers, posters etc should be absorbed by the head honcho if he wants to dish out for that stuff. I've been through the same thing, and I opted to dish out for that stuff because I wanted the club to have more recognition, etc. All stickers and apparel can be purchased by the people who want them.
Its not the $10 that I'm complaining about, it just seems like the attitude is "if you don't put money in my pocket, your not part of our club" even though we're all Prelude owners, enthusiasts, and all a part of the same community. It just seems really exclusive that you can only be "in" if you pay.
Just my 2 cents.
I think the domain and email address are essential. I don't think promo stuff should be absorbed by one person, mainly myself. That's the whole idea of a membership fee/donation which is to raise capital to cover these expendatures. I treat the day to day runnings of the club like a business. That's the whole point of the promo stuff is to have more recognition, more public awareness, more advertising. Yes, all club apparel and decals are purchased from people that want them but there is inital costs that need to be covered and it's usually me that covers them...
Yes, the $10 membership fee was set-up not just to cover club operating costs but to add a little exclusivity to the club. Paid members would be eligable for certain privleges that the general public would not normally be able to take advantage of. Some people may think that's not fair but that's they way it is. I think every club has a certain exclusivity wether it be a "members only" section on their website, groub buys, etc...
If people think that I'm a money grabber and that the club is some sort of revenue maker, that's not the case. I put alot of time and personal finances into the club in which I hope others appreciate. All I want is the club to be professional, recognized, and to grow.
"And honestly it seems the message that comes across from reading on our fourms and comming to the meets is a little "jahova witness" to me". I find this statement funny but also true at the same time. If people really feel that way, fine, don't bother being apart of the club, I really don't care anymore. When I first started the club, I pushed it like I was selling vacuum cleaners door to door. Now a days, if someone is interested in joining cool, if not, no worries... If people don't want to renew their memberships (like so many have), that fine too. I don't think different of people from not joining or not renewing, they are more than welcome to continue to participate in our functions...
It's seems alot of people are stuck on this whole money issue, why? |
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| 2ndgenlude |
personally i couldn't care less about the 10 bucks for membership.
makes sense to me to cover the domain at least. |
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| buh_buh |
quote:
Originally posted by 2ndgenlude
personally i could care less about the 10 bucks for membership.
you mean couldn't care less?;)
Its not the $10 I'm griping about, it just seems as though the attitude is "if you don't have $10 for me, then you can't come hang out with us." And I'm not saying that is what your saying, that's just how the club comes off as.
For me personally, I've never heard of another car club where you have to pay a membership fee just to be in it. Yes, there are "benefits" I suppose such as discounts at shops, but pretty much any Joe Schmo who's a return customer at any shop can get that same discount.
And from an outsider's perspective, it does seem sorta Jehova's Witnessish....
The $10 is by no means a money grabber, but where's the money going just out of curiosity? There's currently 32 members in the club, and last year 48, and the previous year 67 (according to your numbers), so the memberships have generated $1470 in the past 3 years. So you've made almost $1500 worth of flyers in the past 3 years? I'm not trying to be a dick here, just trying to see what's going on. |
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| 1_Bar |
quote:
Originally posted by Xx D-MAN xX
Yes, the $10 membership fee was set-up not just to cover club operating costs but to add a little exclusivity to the club. Paid members would be eligable for certain privleges that the general public would not normally be able to take advantage of.....
I'm w/ buh_buh on this one. Roughly $1400 spent on operating costs?!? Flyers, banners, membership cards....I dunno what else is included in operating costs. There's no domain (yet) for the EPC, I don't know if you pay for enterance fees for shows....so I dunno...... |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by buh_buh
For me personally, I've never heard of another car club where you have to pay a membership fee just to be in it. Yes, there are "benefits" I suppose such as discounts at shops, but pretty much any Joe Schmo who's a return customer at any shop can get that same discount.
The $10 is by no means a money grabber, but where's the money going just out of curiosity?
There's currently 32 members in the club, and last year 48, and the previous year 67 (according to your numbers), so the memberships have generated $1470 in the past 3 years. So you've made almost $1500 worth of flyers in the past 3 years? I'm not trying to be a dick here, just trying to see what's going on.
Almost every local car club that I know of charges a minimal membership fee, wether it be a initial or reoccuring. Check out clubs like NECC and some of the other prelude clubs and you'll see they charge a membership fee. This isn't something new...
Our affiliates, wether they are a performance shop or honda dealership, have been selected to offer our club members with a haggle free discount on products or services. Our agreement is offered to all club members and is probably the same as if you were a preferred customer but it's definitely better than any price you'll get if you just walked off the street. That was the whole point of setting up affiliated vendors, offer new members or people new to scene a preferred place to shop and you know you'll get a discount, no haggling....
Want to know where all the membership fees go, click HERE. It's all spelled out in black and white and is stickied so that know one has questions on where the money is going...
The cumulative collection of membership fees over the past 3 years is at a mere $870. I can tell you where every single dollar was collected and when, as well as , where every single dollar has gone and when. In short, with every dollar that has been collected versus what has been spent, the club is -$84.11
I handle money for construction projects in the billions, I think I know what I'm doing with the club finances. If anyone has more questions or wants to see the clubs accounting books, I'd be more than happy to share them with you, just not on an open forum. |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by 1_Bar
I'm w/ buh_buh on this one. Roughly $1400 spent on operating costs?!? Flyers, banners, membership cards....I dunno what else is included in operating costs. There's no domain (yet) for the EPC, I don't know if you pay for enterance fees for shows....so I dunno......
I didn't realize you operated your own club or even a personal business. Do you have any idea on how much things cost?
Yes, the EPC does have our very own domain name (www.edmontonpreludeclub.com) and yes there is an initial set-up cost, as well as, a reoccuring annual fee. Since we don't have our very own website, this service is merely a forwarding service to the 780tuners forums. We also have unique email address for club administrators.
Like I said previously, I have tracked every single dollar collected versus what has been spent. Not by any means has the $870 of collected memberships has come even close to covering our operating costs over the past 3 years... |
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| 2ndgenlude |
| this conversation is a good reason to hold that meeting, get everything out on the table and discuss it. |
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| 1_Bar |
quote:
Originally posted by Xx D-MAN xX
I didn't realize you operated your own club or even a personal business. Do you have any idea on how much things cost?
Yes, the EPC does have our very own domain name (www.edmontonpreludeclub.com) and yes there is an initial set-up cost, as well as, a reoccuring annual fee. Since we don't have our very own website, this service is merely a forwarding service to the 780tuners forums. We also have unique email address for club administrators.
Like I said previously, I have tracked every single dollar collected versus what has been spent. Not by any means has the $870 of collected memberships has come even close to covering our operating costs over the past 3 years...
wow, no need to get hostile man. Just want to bring to light what I'm thinking. No, I've never owned a club, personal business, let alone handel billion dollar accounts. But hey, from the looks of it I guess its not just a burning question in my head.
Sure you can account for all the money and where it went. But allocating it effectively is an entirely different matter. It's just my opinion, but does the EPC need a domain that forwards to a 780 account? Does it needs flyers/membership cards? I dunno, but from my experience word of mouth travels faster and better then paper.
Perhaps a meeting in the near future would help iron out edges of the EPC..... |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by 1_Bar
wow, no need to get hostile man. Just want to bring to light what I'm thinking. No, I've never owned a club, personal business, let alone handel billion dollar accounts. But hey, from the looks of it I guess its not just a burning question in my head.
Sure you can account for all the money and where it went. But allocating it effectively is an entirely different matter. It's just my opinion, but does the EPC need a domain that forwards to a 780 account? Does it needs flyers/membership cards? I dunno, but from my experience word of mouth travels faster and better then paper.
Perhaps a meeting in the near future would help iron out edges of the EPC.....
I'm not hostile, for some reason I've had to put up my defenses. Why are you and Kevin all of a sudden sturring up shit. You both have at one time been an official member.
I do project planning/scheduling. Allocating resources effectively, controlling costs and budgeting is what I do and have been for the past 10 years. I think it comes down to has my decisions been in the best interest of the majority. Who knows... If people weren't so undecisive and could make a corporate type decision, then I would have left such decisions to the majority. But when few come out to such high level club meetings to discuss and make such decisions, I've had to make them myself. If I have made a bad decision, I sure haven't heard about it...
Have I allocated our funds effectively, perhaps. Did we need business cards and flyers to help promote awareness. Did we need banners to display at car shows. Did we need to have a professional trade-show style tent for major car shows. Did we need to get stickers, t-shirts, hoodies made. Did we need membership cards.
Perhaps I should have done absolutely nothing. I wonder what the EPC would be like today if I did absolutely nothing... |
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| 1_Bar |
quote:
Originally posted by Xx D-MAN xX
I'm not hostile, for some reason I've had to put up my defenses. Why are you and Kevin all of a sudden sturring up shit. You both have at one time been an official member.
Stirring up shit?!? I'm just giving you my $0.02 in the matter about the club. Sorry if it dosn't match with what you think. Perhaps if people were more vocal about the club and its interests, maybe it wouldn't have got to such a heated topic.
Your original post is what can you do to get more members, retain more members. Kev posted his opinion and I agreed. I don't understand where we/I grabbed the spoons and started to stir the pot.....had I posted something like 'your club sucks, that's why you don't have ne members....' then sure you have a valid point.
What I offered is constructive critisism, a view of what its like becoming/being a member, nothing more, nothing less....... |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
Chris, I value you your opinion, Kevins and everyone elses. This post got heated, I found myself being examined and I put up my defenses. I'm sorry if it got out of hand...
I think the $10 membership fee is only the obvious issue about getting new members or retaining current ones. I think the problem lies deeper than that...
It's easy for everyone that doesn't administor the club to see possible faults but everyone needs to realize that I have been doing what others have asked and what we set as a standard when the club first was established 3 years ago. Administoring the club is a juggling act of trying to make everyone happy, and with over 40 members at any given time, that's alot of people to try and satisfy. Perhaps things have changed and the club should change as well.
I still feel that revenue needs to be generated to cover club operating costs but I'll let the other members decide the fate of the club... |
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| mike3 |
| So Darcy should be putting all of his money into our club? That doesn't really make sense, if you don't want to pay the $10, don't worry about it. When i try setting up a meet i always make it clear that non official members are more than welcome to come, not official members can show with us at shows, non official members can still do a lot of things, theres just a few perks to being an official member, and paying the $10. For Gods sake, its $10. If its that big of a deal, don't worry about it. As for the domain name...if you didn't have one that would be lame. What would we say..check out our website, its on 780tuners somewhere...or on the business cards and flyers? "Go to 780tuner.com and look for us" Everyone isn't always going to have the same opinion, thats fine, you guys are making it sound like Darcy is taking $10 from everyone and buying shit for his car with it. What about the tent? the banners for shows? The BBQ we had last year...im sure most of us that attended ate our $10 worth, it was at Darcy's house, and there was tons of food. I know Darcy always pays a lot more than his $10 a year for everything. Remember the photoshoot? think all of that was free? or when we got to take home all the pics we wanted? yeah....thought so....and thats just my 2 cents |
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| Shady_Pro |
quote:
Originally posted by mike3
So Darcy should be putting all of his money into our club? That doesn't really make sense, if you don't want to pay the $10, don't worry about it. When i try setting up a meet i always make it clear that non official members are more than welcome to come, not official members can show with us at shows, non official members can still do a lot of things, theres just a few perks to being an official member, and paying the $10. For Gods sake, its $10. If its that big of a deal, don't worry about it. As for the domain name...if you didn't have one that would be lame. What would we say..check out our website, its on 780tuners somewhere...or on the business cards and flyers? "Go to 780tuner.com and look for us" Everyone isn't always going to have the same opinion, thats fine, you guys are making it sound like Darcy is taking $10 from everyone and buying shit for his car with it. What about the tent? the banners for shows? The BBQ we had last year...im sure most of us that attended ate our $10 worth, it was at Darcy's house, and there was tons of food. I know Darcy always pays a lot more than his $10 a year for everything. Remember the photoshoot? think all of that was free? or when we got to take home all the pics we wanted? yeah....thought so....and thats just my 2 cents
ill read this when its not one paragraph...
and as far as the bbq last year me and travis brought a cube of beer so not everyone is a cheap ass...
in darcy's defence, every epc gathering has been completly free to non members and no one has ever been excluded for any reason...
I don't think money has ever been the issue in my mind, everyone knows darcy does fine on his own and doesn't need to make an extra buck on a car club, and if he makes a bit here and there we'll he has brought a community of prelude enthusist together in a more extensive way then if no one ever stepped up.;) ;) |
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| white_rice |
my thoughts, take them for what they are worth...
1. i personally sold off my prelude for a few reasons... horrible experiences with honda, i got tired of the lame try-hard scene that i picked up on (not intended to trash anyone), the car no matter what u did to it... was a HONDA... i got bored and bought an STI.
2. i can't believe how many people are crying about 10 dollar fee
3. i agree that a reg. fee no matter how much seems to promote a bad vube
4 seems more to me darcy that you are just posting this hoping for some pity/sympathy... for a guy who deals with "billion dollar accounts" seems lame to me that u throw out comments like " i wonder what epc would hav been without me"
5. i personally wanted nothing to do with epc mostly based on the stupid petty shit like this... at the end of the day... i join a car cluib because i like driving and cars.. not business cards and flyers.
anyways... take it for what you think its worth.. not tryin to fuel your guys' fire or anything
b |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by Shady_Pro
I don't think money has ever been the issue in my mind, everyone knows darcy does fine on his own and doesn't need to make an extra buck on a car club, and if he makes a bit here and there we'll he has brought a community of prelude enthusist together in a more extensive way then if no one ever stepped up.;) ;)
Every penny that is collected, wether it be a membership fee, mark up on merchandise or gracious donation goes back to the club...
Yes, meets are always free and are open to members and non-members. I don't force membership on those that just show up to a meet or social gathering. I don't stand there with my hand out saying give me $10 or you'll have to leave. The membership fee started out as a donation and if you wanted to help support the club financially, then $10 was all that I asked for...
That's the whole point of the club, to bring enthusiasts together tha share a common interest, our preludes... |
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| RacerGirl |
not an EPC'er, but i have a couple comments D'Arcy.
I am sure you guys have your meets, but I don't see the club loyalty that I see with other clubs (dc5ab for example) It seems more like you guys are just a bunch or guys with ludes, instead of friends who go out and do the fun stuff. In the last page of threads, there was one thing about a meet, and you ended up at UC. Why not do soethign else, like wing night, or meet weekly?
The EPC website (www.edmontonpreludeclub.com) leads back to these forums. Since you're already paying for the domain, why not make it more for just you guys, have you own site, instead of bringing it to a portion of 780tuners?
Concentrate more of the club, and doing things more than cards and flyers eveywhere. it is obvious that it is not working, so try a different method. instead of promoting all the time, try doing stuff thats fun, and makes people want to be involved in the club.
Anyways, just my $.02 |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
Excellent comments everyeone. Keep them coming...
<white_rice> Bobby, I took the bull by the horns way back in Nov 02 to get the club started with a mere 7 people sitting around a table at Tony Romas. Someone had to take ownership and get things started. That comment was that if I didn't step up, nobody would have and there wouldn't be an EPC today, nuff said.
<RacerGirl> Crystal, thanks for posting especially since your outside looking in.
Yes, the club doesn't do as much "fun" stuff as say DC5AB. We are lacking our social skills. In no way is this my fault, it's the fault of our members. I don't know how many times I've tried to set-up social get togethers where either no one shows up or only a few. After awhile, it becomes pointless in organizing such events when you know no one will show up. Oh, they say they'll come but after the event and me waiting around for over an hour and no comes. I hear all the excuses the next day...
Our friday night weekly meets consisted of us gathering at Air Museum, cruisng to UC, then heading over to BP's on jasper for food/drinks. For some reason this year, when we get to UC and hang out for awhile, people just tend to go off on their own. Whatever...
I tried hosting a weekly wing night our first year. Myself and some times Eric would show up and that's it. Not really worth having something weekly when no one shows up...
Yes, our URL forwards to 780tuners. They have been gracious over the past 3 years in hosting our forums. Going out on our own costs money and takes dedicated individuals to set-up, update, maintain, and moderate our website. This has been brought up many times and the majority says stay put so we have... I'd like to have our very own website as much as the next guys but where is the money going to come from and whos going to run the website, no one in our club thats for sure...
The business cards are meant to drop on other preludes windows to make people aware that the club exists and to check out our forms. The flyers are used at shows to look more professional, advertise the club and help recruit new members or perspective sponsors/affiliates. They do work, just not very good. There isn't much else we as a club can do to help advertise the club.
Yes, I agree with the club getting back to our grass roots and doing just fun stuff. This is something I'm leaning towards for next year but if that happens, it won't be considered the EPC... |
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| 2ndgenlude |
ya, we do our weekly meets and what not, but it does get repetitive, especially when the same 2 or 3 people come out everytime. it would be a good idea to go out and change it up a bit sometimes like a wing night/ pool hall outings, etc.
might intrest more people then simply meeting up, and driving to another meet. |
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| buh_buh |
quote:
Originally posted by Xx D-MAN xX
I didn't realize you operated your own club or even a personal business. Do you have any idea on how much things cost?
Well, I do run my own club and my own personal business, so I have an idea on how much things cost. As far as these costs go, I guess that's how you chose to run your club, and how I chose to run mine.
And I apologize if Chris and I came off as scheming behind the scenes finding an opportunity to stir the pot. I admit there were a couple issues that were bothering me, but for the most part the intentions were to get these issues out in the open and in the end get to the bottom of why EPC was losing its members.
And as I've previously stated, its not the $10 that chaps my ass, its really just the principle. Yes, Prelude Online has the $6 membership fee, but they also have over 20 000 members, and the $6 is to help server costs, and to prevent the same fate as hondaprelude.com. Just trying to help get things in perspective here. |
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| luder |
Okay time for the ex-luders two cents......
First of all, this is a period in the industry where hondas are loosing the dominant position in the import market. Drifting, new options from the big 3, all sorts of things are contributing. It's going to get worse. Theres nothing you guys can do about that fact really. If it's bad now, just wait till the fast and the furious 3 comes out. All the trends are towards JDM, and well, the prelude in japan is regarded as more of an old mans car. All this is in comparison to the fact over there they have a variety of cheap 320 hp cars from various automakers......
Yeah I moved to a nissan, well because its cheaper, faster and rwd. But it's certainly not nearly on the same level of quality the prelude was on. Point is, if youre 16-17 looking for a car, see a 95 srv, or a 95 300zx, both about the same price, what would you go for? Memebership is going to drop, and as darcy said, theres not much more he can do to advertise.
If the epc wants to exist, it is going to have to move towards a more grassroots approach. Eliminate the 10 bucks, and formal club affiliation.
I'm now part of a new club, well mainly because I don't like the necc guys, and I can't really be a true part of this club. NLR as a club enjoys a lot of the benefits you guys in the EPC do. We don't have the affiliated vendors, but, we do have our webboard, which for god sakes we barely even use, and we have stickers and apparel. Who fronted the cost of these items? The individual member did, and the web board was donated to us.
It doesn't take money or a set structure to run a club. We don't even have official meets. If you guys are enthusiastic about your cars thats really all thats needed. Make a monthly meet, ask if you can keep your place on this board and work towards keeping relations with the affiliated vendors. If you really want to be core, you can keep a membership list and print out cards from your computer darcy.....
The epc will stay around if its members want it to exist. I know theres a few of you out there who are hardcore about the hondas, so why don't you as enthusiasts meet up. It can still be a club without the money. |
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| mike3 |
| I don't think its going to make a difference if people join the club, or leave because of $10. why is everyone being so cheap!?! |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
I still think that the whole money thing is just the obvious reason that people are pointing to.
Lets take the money out of the equation, what's the real reason? Let's also exclude people that have sold their ludes and have moved on to something else. Let's just deal with people that still have their ludes but have decided not to be apart of the club anymore.
I think it's a variey of things from people thinking that club is all about modifcations and that you have to have a done up car to be apart of the club. Perhaps it's that we aren't as active in the local scene as we should be like doing drag racing or auto-x. Perhaps it's because we pretty much do nothing socially like have a weekly wing night, have BBQ's, have install days, go to a movie, go for dinner, go camping, etc....
We have promoted the club to best of our ability other than getting our website. I've had so many people contact me about their interest in joining so I send them the information but I never hear a reply. Some join but the majority I never hear from again, why? Maybe it is infact the $10 that scares them away...
Even at meets, you get the odd newbie that comes out and then you never see them again. We aren't that unapproachable... |
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| 2ndgenlude |
maybe have a "trial" membership so new comers have a chance to experiance the club.
might not scare them away so fast.
more social events like a wing night would be beneficial especially during the cold months when the ludes are put away. gives us something to do and keep up on club issues. |
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| RacerGirl |
quote:
[i]
Even at meets, you get the odd newbie that comes out and then you never see them again. We aren't that unapproachable... [/B]
Ummm.... you guys don't exactly put on the friendliest faces at UC either Darcy. Speaking from an outsider, i have approached some of the EPC guys, and for the most part, I get completly ignored, even if I say hi. You are always chatty and friendly, but it is more intimidating coming up and chatting with the epc guys than some of the other people at the meets.
2ndgen: Why not use the wing nights, and meets as more of a fun social gathering, rather than talking about club issues? Heck, some of the club meets I have been to, cars are maybe mentioned twice the whole night. That from a couple different clubs as well. |
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| mike3 |
| There are a few of us...if people come around im usually talking to them, but I can see why people are intimidated. Its just a bunch of guys you don't know, and you go talk to them...i dunno, we try having social meets but no one ever shows up, i've tried wing night a new times, and Jeff, and I were the only two that went. It wouldn't be a big deal if people just said "no" to the whole idea, but a bunch of people say "yeah i'll be there" or "I'll try to make it" and never show up...sometimes they run into problems so they actually can't make it, but theres always excuses... |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by RacerGirl
Ummm.... you guys don't exactly put on the friendliest faces at UC either Darcy. Speaking from an outsider, i have approached some of the EPC guys, and for the most part, I get completly ignored, even if I say hi. You are always chatty and friendly, but it is more intimidating coming up and chatting with the epc guys than some of the other people at the meets.
Yes, I've heard that before. Mind you, UC is kind of intimidating for me too. I know quite a few people there so walking up to people aint no thang but if it was my first time there, I'd be intimidated. I don't normally walk up to people that I don't know and for the most part everyone kinda hangs out in their own little groups.
That's why we meet up at the air museum first, less intimidation. We are all preludes so it should be less indimidating for people to pull into the parking lot and approach us. I find that enviroment more appealing...
Most of our meets we don't talk about high level club matters. We may discuss up coming car shows or events but that's about it. The odd time we may talk about club issues but normally it's catching up with everyone... |
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| ibrake4skylines |
| i know im not "part of the EPC" and "nor am i affiliated" witch sum one RUDELY mentioned, but maybe if certain MEMBERS were a little more grown up and a little more polite i know a few more people who would have shown up to the meets, and maybe a few people who would have joined. |
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| ibrake4skylines |
quote:
Ummm.... you guys don't exactly put on the friendliest faces at UC either Darcy. Speaking from an outsider, i have approached some of the EPC guys, and for the most part, I get completly ignored, even if I say hi. You are always chatty and friendly, but it is more intimidating coming up and chatting with the epc guys than some of the other people at the meets.
thats what alot of other people have said too, that thier too "clique-ish" and not friendly |
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| luder |
quote:
I think it's a variey of things from people thinking that club is all about modifcations and that you have to have a done up car to be apart of the club. Perhaps it's that we aren't as active in the local scene as we should be like doing drag racing or auto-x. Perhaps it's because we pretty much do nothing socially like have a weekly wing night, have BBQ's, have install days, go to a movie, go for dinner, go camping, etc....
This is exactly what I'm getting at. You guys all have cars that are either babied, or not raced. If you're looking at attracting the grassroots member, he's probably 17 and got his prelude because its the closest thing to a race car mommy and daddy will let him have. Maybe you guys should try and get out to more of the race events. I get way more excited about a bunch of cars that are fairly awesome and racing down the strip/aut-x whatever than a car rolled in off a trailer to a show.
The ten bucks isn't a big thing, but the affiliated vendors bit isnt taken advantage of by the average member. They want to see what the necc gives them for the membership, track days, dyno days and the discounts.
You guys really have to get the point across that the club is for any sort of tune. Stock to 12 seconds it doesn't matter. Your members also have to show up for more events. I know dylan and trav were the only ones serious about racing for a while there. Its no fun going with your club, and being the only one who's racing.
You guys need to make a scene in the scene. Not just at car shows. Hell I'll come out to wings nights, I don't mind hanging out with you :asshole: 's as long as you can tolerate a nissan driver :rolleyes:
And remember darcy, your bb6 can pull a 15 at bud...... We just wanna see it do it man... :blue: |
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| 92_WhItE_H23 |
quote:
Originally posted by ibrake4skylines
i know im not "part of the EPC" and "nor am i affiliated" witch sum one RUDELY mentioned, but maybe if certain MEMBERS were a little more grown up and a little more polite i know a few more people who would have shown up to the meets, and maybe a few people who would have joined.
we are very easily approachable.. theres only one or two ppl in the club with very aggressive personalities who would turn ppl off from wanting to talk to us.. the reason we said that about you is because of the shit you have said in our personal forums.. your are not a member of the EPC nor do you own a prelude so there really is no other purpose for you to come into our forums and talk about useless things that have nothing to do with preludes as you have done before
good day sir |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by ibrake4skylines
i know im not "part of the EPC" and "nor am i affiliated" witch sum one RUDELY mentioned, but maybe if certain MEMBERS were a little more grown up and a little more polite i know a few more people who would have shown up to the meets, and maybe a few people who would have joined.
Correct, certain members. That shouldn't reflect on the whole club since the majority of us are very friendly, approachable and would go out of our way to meet & greet new people. I can't speak for everyone nor can I control everyones actions, especially when I'm not at a particular meet.
I have no problems with other car enthusiasts hanging with us, wether you drive a civic, integra type R, nissan 240, whatever... We are all enthusiasts and that is what I try to promote... |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by luder
You guys all have cars that are either babied, or not raced.
Maybe you guys should try and get out to more of the race events.
They want to see what the necc gives them for the membership, track days, dyno days and the discounts.
You guys really have to get the point across that the club is for any sort of tune. Stock to 12 seconds it doesn't matter.
Your members also have to show up for more events. I know dylan and trav were the only ones serious about racing for a while there. Its no fun going with your club, and being the only one who's racing.
You guys need to make a scene in the scene. Not just at car shows. Hell I'll come out to wings nights, I don't mind hanging out with you :asshole: 's as long as you can tolerate a nissan driver
Steve, I've just highlighted a few of your points to discuss...
Not all of our members cars are babied or not raced. Eric's car is babied but that's an exception. I think most of us baby our cars cause we like to keep them in excellent condition, including myself. But I don't hesitate at the chance to take it down the track. There are a variety of our members that are involved in all functions of racing, not just going to car shows...
It's tought to get more people to track events when only a few are interested and the majority feel there cars are slow and wouldn't do well. As for myself, my car is slow but I don't care if I get spanked all day at the track, I'm there to have fun...
I'd love our club to be more like NECC or DC5AB and have all these events but like I've said in the past, the club will only see success from our members. When there is little interest shown or only a hand full of people come out, it's discouraging to continue to put on events... I did a dyno day at PE tuning in 2004, I was the only one on the dyno...
That's what I have promoted from day one, all you need is to have a honda prelude (any year / any condition) and be enthusiastic about the car you drive. I make no mention that you have to have a trailer queen or a 12 sec race car...
Everyone was all pumped up last year about doing the friday night street legals. I went twice and I'm not sure if anyone else even made it out this year. With some of our members that were all pumped up last year, some of them sold their cars and some of them never even got their cars on the road...
Like I said, I'd love to organize more regular weekly social get togethers that are just plain fun. We just need to get more people committded in coming out. I know everyone has a life outside of a car club but we need to be more supportive... |
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| luder |
| I'll do what I can to help out. The epc of 2004 was by far one of the best car clubs if not the best one in edmonton. |
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| Shady_Pro |
quote:
[i]I know everyone has a life outside of a car club but we need to be more supportive... [/B]
i actually don't...my girlfriend will voche for that...my summer was a sacrifice...i learned first hand that its hard to do everything at once and to try things that haven't been tried b4 with my old 2L...but i think the epc will be alright as far as next year goes....i mean i don't care if the club shrinks but the guys that are involed are serious and wanna race and use there cars for what there were built to do...i mean we don't have one autocrossing lude...and there not drag cars thats forsure.... |
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| 92_WhItE_H23 |
| Im seriously debating starting a autox 4th gen project. but its going to depend on how soon i finish my trade school here...more money comes more toys =D but i do miss my lude =( |
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| Xx D-MAN xX |
quote:
Originally posted by Shady_Pro
i mean we don't have one autocrossing lude...and there not drag cars thats forsure....
Toby use to auto-x and I'm not sure if James still does. I'm pretty sure littledan is still into auto-x, not sure if he's gone out with the 5th gen yet...
Your right, preludes aren't drag cars by any means but I have way more fun attempting to drag race at the track. In addition, it's a safe enviroment and an alternate to those that go from stop light to stop light... |
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| BB6SE |
Well I gotta admit, back in the day I had a shitload of fun, 2004?
:thumbup:
Ben and I went out to so many meets, we always had a ton of fun, as did everyone. Then all the sudden the club died down, people stopped showing, so so did I. Ben eventually sold his for a R, and I sold my prelude for a good price.
My goals weren't feasable with the Prelude..the amount of money vs goals didn't work out. While I had it, it was a incredibly fun car, and interior wise I loved the SE.
I believe mostly because people just stopped showing/caring that I stopped coming out.
At track day last year, only Steve and I ran our ludes..we sure did have good runs between me and Steve though, so close haha.
If you decide to keep the club, I wish you the best of luck, I won't be coming back to the Prelude's unfourunately.
- Rob |
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| 92_WhItE_H23 |
| you bought a ford focus didnt you? |
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| Sxn |
| he bought a focus svt.. picking it up tmw |
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| BB6SE |
Damn rights I did.
Didn't you buy a corolla? :thumbup: |
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| 92_WhItE_H23 |
| yea but its the fast one..the type S. it even comes with custom body kit from the factory |
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| BB6SE |
I dunno..might have to get a GT-R sign..
I'll stop filling up this topic though, have fun with your type S :thumbup: |
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| luder |
Those races of 2004 at bud were so good. Damn you and your vafcII you had me by the tiniest amount hahaha.
I'll have to go for a rip against your new svt. |
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| BB6SE |
haha yeah..that vafc was good times..it was like 1 cm difference LOL
Lol nono, I don't have an svt lol. Wait for summer :thumbup:
Everyone had some damn good runs in 2004 man! |
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