My Recent Post...
 

Thanks again for all who responded. Some of you thought it was smart to ask for input. Others (many others) asked, "What are you doing? Are you okay?"

Indeed I am okay. The company is okay too. This forum is a unique and intrinsic avenue to solicit opinions from people - as someone pointed out, an opportunity not available to many other businesses. I'm a straighforward guy - I lay the cards out on the table. If I want honest answers from people, then I need to also lay out the facts on the table.

Thanks again everyone, I read through each and every post (haven't gotten quite to the email yet) in the post, and I have come away with many, many good ideas which I have wrtten down on many, many post-its attached to my computer. I will go through them again on Monday and put them in a formal list.

One note though - I don't plan on charging for the BBS anytime soon. Thank you for all who said you would be willing to pay to support it - that was and is very kind. However, other BBSs that have adopted this particular model have had problems. One big problem is that charging for access discourages new members (new people who just bought cars, or are researching info on cars they are about to buy). I think I will expand the site to incorporate more advertising from other companies that don't compete with Pelican.

I also thank everyone for their words of support! With excellent customers like you guys, combined with some of these excellent ideas, I feel confident in the future success of the company!

Thanks again!

-Wayne

bravo...maybe not a fee for the bbs, but what about the "donation" button idea?

Wayne,

I'm not kidding, I don't know what I would do without your site. Thanks for everything!! I'll continue to order as much as I can from you!

"I think I will expand the site to incorporate more advertising from other companies that don't compete with Pelican."
Let me be the first to sign up. PP and everyone on this board has been very supportive to me and my business. I'd be happy to advertise here.

Happy to read this most recent post, Wayne!
You have a very good sense of your business, and a great attitude toward making it grow. I have great respect!
I have spent (too) many hours of enjoyment being enlightened by the experts and comedians on this BBS. It's a great resource.
That said, I will do my part by placing an order, in the next two days,for much needed supplies for the new "E" in my stable.
Thanks for doing what you do so well. Mike

Me too! I learn something new almost every day here!

-Wayne

Thanks for all the work and the place to "hang out" Wayne. We appreciate everything you do for us. And parts for our cars, and tech articles. Geez, is a good thing...:D Thanks WayneSmileWavy

I used to hang out on the Rennlist email list and was even a paying member. At some point I was unable to access the email list during the days and went looking for something else to occupy my time. I tried the Rennlist BBS and here. Both are good, but this is the one that really gave me what I was looking for. I'm strapped for cash, and no longer own a Porsche, but anytime there is anything that I can get from you for my miata I'll be right here, brake fluid, tools, whatever. I still come here pretty much daily almost a year after selling my 911, buying some stuff from time to time is the least I can do.

Thank you Wayne for this site and Pelican Parts (my once exclusive parts depot). If anyone can make this thing continue to work it is you.

it really can't go, i have very little else.....

If you were considering charging, maybe you could give 50 free posts for new members. If they like it, (and they should), then would pay to continue.

And how about a grandfather clause for anyone over 1,000 posts!! :) :)

I like this board a lot so in return for Pelican hosting it, I buy all my stuff through them. I don't even think about shopping around.
Thanks a bunch Wayne and crew.

Wayne,

I like the bulletin board donation idea. I've gained invaluable information from this site. More importantly, I have shared this site with my wife who, after loving reading the stories and seeing the pictures, will allow me to keep the car that I just bought. Now, she is excited about the restoration - sometimes, I catch her on the site without me! Let us know what we can do to help.

One idea may be, in addition to the how-tos on the site, add a link for the parts required to complete said "how-to" in the instruction page.

Well, that would certainly apply to me, but I would think the high posters would be the first people to step up and want to pay.

I don't know what I would do at office without your site
thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The fact that you can accept criticism and even occasional arguments from the likes of me on this board, and be smart enough to be able to separate the cyberworld from the real one when we hang out speaks volumes about you, Wayne. I'm glad that I know you and extremely grateful for this forum. Thanks a lot. :cool:

Why not charge people to advertize their stuff in the classifieds?

I am like many others on this board and I visit Pelican BBS several times a day,the imformation and expertise available is priceless.I also am guilty of purchasing elsewhere and as I sit here typing I can't come up with a good reason why,almost everything I need is available here and your recent post has made me rethink my future purchases,I will buy from Pelican more often.I don't know where I would go for the imfo I need that is so easily obtained here.In addition I have been able to sell many items in the classifieds and have saved myself money by purchasing from the classifieds.Thanks Wayne for a great website,good luck in the future!!!

Good to hear you sounding a lot more optimistic now Wayne.

Ive said it before and I will say it again, I would not be able to afford my car if it werent for the this resource.

I have to second PG79's statement. Because I found this board, I realized I could do most of the maintenance work myself and finally buy my dream car. Since I got the car, I have made all of my purchases at Pelican. So, in a way, this BBS is a revenue source for the main store. I wouldn't think of purchasing Porsche parts elsewhere, and I recommend the site to everybody!