new meat site is up and running

[SueW]

How much was the old OIFC membership and what did people get for that?

SueW
http://www.KasimInfo.com

[Eva]

Originally Posted by SueW

How much was the old OIFC membership and what did people get for that?

SueW
http://www.KasimInfo.com

Membership in the US $ 19,50
Membership international $ 29,50

We got the website and 4 newsletter per membership year with mail.
Besides we got a very friendly support.

Love,
Eva

[Kai-H.]

O.K., joined the new club yesterday. Now I'm waiting for something ... maybe only fanclub members will able to get the rumoured Live-CD's from the CHSIB-Tour ?

We'll see ... and hope.

Bye from Kai

[Guppie]

Hi all,
Do I understand correctly that it's 40 dollars for me, plus shipment? And does anyone know how much shipment costs? I live in The Netherlands.

[Eva]

Originally Posted by Guppie

Hi all,
Do I understand correctly that it's 40 dollars for me, plus shipment? And does anyone know how much shipment costs? I live in The Netherlands.

Hi Guppie

I think the costs - $ 40 - are including the shipment!
That's how I understand that!

Love,
Eva

[Guppie]

No, it says: total (without shipping and handling). $ 40,00
maybe I should mail the support, and find out how much shipping and handling is.

[Eva]

Originally Posted by Guppie

No, it says: total (without shipping and handling). $ 40,00
maybe I should mail the support, and find out how much shipping and handling is.

Yes, please do it and let me know the answer!
Love,
Eva

[Guppie]

will do. :)

[KebLou]

Well I got to the end until it asked Credit Card.... and I put in Money Order to see if the end figure changes and its $40 including shipping.

[Guppie]

I got this answer through mail: "After placing an order, the system will display S&H costs relative to your country.."

Haven't decided yet if I'm gonna join. 40 dollars is a lot of money.

[KebLou]

Originally Posted by Guppie

I got this answer through mail: "After placing an order, the system will display S&H costs relative to your country.."

Haven't decided yet if I'm gonna join. 40 dollars is a lot of money.

Thats a bit off isn't that why we are paying more to have it internationally, anyway if that is true I will find a way round it.

[Biscuit]

I find it interesting, and rather confusing, that the "to have , or to have not" discussion surrounding fan clubs has come up now twice for me in the last year.

I won't say which artist I'm referring to, but there was a real stink with their fan base when they began their new fan club, run by their management.

1) The price - what's $30-$40 (I presume we're talking US). A couple of CDs, a t-shirt, a DVD? I don't think fans are quantifying a fan club membership properly. It's an esoteric thing, more than a piece of material merchandise you can hold in your hand. You get emotional benefits from being a fan club member, not so much material.

2) What's wrong with an artists management/hand picked team running a fan club? At least that way you know the FC is getting 24/7 attention from the artists team. No disrespect to the wonderful fans who have run Meat's clubs in the past, but they're only doing at as a labour of love. Also, the artist is not taking your money for his profit...Fan Club membership fees go to running the fan club.

3) On the net. Music fans (of any artist) have got off pretty scot free in the last few years, because the music industry has been very lax in tapping the internet as a profit resource. We have had everything for free - even if it's not pretty legit - including music, and mostly the forums, including where the artist themself may hang out.

Before the internet, the only contact Fan Club members had with their artist was Meet n Greets, concerts, letters/comments in newsletters - all priviliges you had to pay for. Getting access to an artist through the internet for free has created a society of gripers. "We've had him for free for the last few years, why do we have to pay for him now".

Simple answer. Get over it. Every fan club does it.

4) Can you blame Meat looking for a safe haven forum after the disrespect he's got in the last year? He's had his ass dragged across the coal by any loony who could pop into a free forum and have a go. Having a paid membership fan club forum gives Meat a controlled place to hang out with the people who care, not with the people who are only out to make trouble.

In conclusion, Fan Clubs for all artists have always had a paid membership. The only thing that's changed is the delivery. Get used to it, it's here to stay.

[Guppie]

Originally Posted by Biscuit

4) Can you blame Meat looking for a safe haven forum after the disrespect he's got in the last year? He's had his ass dragged across the coal by any loony who could pop into a free forum and have a go. Having a paid membership fan club forum gives Meat a controlled place to hang out with the people who care, not with the people who are only out to make trouble.

In conclusion, Fan Clubs for all artists have always had a paid membership. The only thing that's changed is the delivery. Get used to it, it's here to stay.

I think 4. is the main reason: a controlled place where only fans can post on a forum.
I myself have never been an member of any fanclub, so I'm not sure what the benefits are.

And sure: he can do whatever he wants, make the site accessable for fan club members only, make his own rules. He's entitled.

As well as I can choose if I want to join or not. :)
Haven't decided yet.

[KebLou]

Originally Posted by Biscuit

4) Can you blame Meat looking for a safe haven forum after the disrespect he's got in the last year? He's had his ass dragged across the coal by any loony who could pop into a free forum and have a go. Having a paid membership fan club forum gives Meat a controlled place to hang out with the people who care, not with the people who are only out to make trouble.

In conclusion, Fan Clubs for all artists have always had a paid membership. The only thing that's changed is the delivery. Get used to it, it's here to stay.

Sorry I don't agree with the safe haven part, say I'm a looney as you call them and I want to have a pop at Meat or any other artist I can still pay for there fan club and have a pop at them, also if they were then to ban me for it I would want my money back as I am then not recieving the priviliges for which I had paid for. Think about that one.
The fact is there are a lot of young fans and you are not providing for them, its like saying you can't appriciate(sp) music because you are too young. I know there are probably Meat fans who are a lot younger than me and their parents aren't going to fork out $30-$40 for a fan club to be part of a whole.
I have seen fan clubs who only ask that you send tiny amounts of cash so that keeps them going. $40 and then shipping on top you have to be having a laugh the main reason I thought for putting $10 on top was to cover the shipping costs.
No not everything should be free but there should be more access for those of us who have no way of getting money to them, or even coming up with that sum of money.

I will still have to think about it.

[Winston]

Originally Posted by Biscuit

4) Can you blame Meat looking for a safe haven forum after the disrespect he's got in the last year? He's had his ass dragged across the coal by any loony who could pop into a free forum and have a go. Having a paid membership fan club forum gives Meat a controlled place to hang out with the people who care, not with the people who are only out to make trouble.

All the Meat Police can stick together and throw flowers at him all day long. It's great to be able to read a forum where all the views are exactly the same......

[Guppie]

Originally Posted by keb

The fact is there are a lot of young fans and you are not providing for them, its like saying you can't appriciate(sp) music because you are too young. I know there are probably Meat fans who are a lot younger than me and their parents aren't going to fork out $30-$40 for a fan club to be part of a whole.
.

Well, I'm 43, but I can very well understand that $40 is not doable for young people and students and maybe others who simple can't afford it.

It's a shame that those people won't be able to get acces to the site, simply because they don't have the money

[Edit]

I fully agree, it is a lot of money, but also just how much fun is a controlled environment going to be?
Just because somebody wants to express their opinion, whether good or bad, should be allowed to do so.
A bit of constructive critisism never hurt anybody and even though Meat is a very sensitive person, there is a lot to learn from other peoples input.

I am not going to join - you can't even have a look at the subjects, how am I supposed to decide whether its a good community to join or not?

[DIZZY DRUMMER]

I was a member of the OIFC and apart from the induction pack - I received nothing

I agree that it is alot of money & what are they offering different to what you get on here?

I am not going to throw money at it just because Meat is posting on it. (sorry Meat)

I will bide my time - wait & see

[Kathy]

Originally Posted by Biscuit

"1) The price - what's $30-$40 (I presume we're talking US). A couple of CDs, a t-shirt, a DVD?"

I agree, Biscuit. I think twice before spending $40 too, but it's an easy decision in this case. Meat's my favorite artist and I want to belong to his fanclub. It's all about what you want - if someone can't come up with $40 then they're saying they can't buy CD's or a new pair of jeans or sneakers either - may be true for some but probably not most. And as far as "getting money to them", Keb, - that works both ways, lol, I had to jump through a few hoops to send UK pound notes HERE :) but it can be done.

Originally Posted by Biscuit

"2) What's wrong with an artists management/hand picked team running a fan club? At least that way you know the FC is getting 24/7 attention from the artists team. No disrespect to the wonderful fans who have run Meat's clubs in the past, but they're only doing at as a labour of love. Also, the artist is not taking your money for his profit...Fan Club membership fees go to running the fan club."

I think it's just absolutely great that he's having a new official site set up, and obviously taking such a personal interest in it. I'm looking forward to my membership there a lot. And I guess I would always put an "official" site first on my list of those to join. But there's certainly room for fan-run sites as well, and in fact the more of those there are just goes to show what a big fan base he has! Different groups of fans seem to have more in common with each other and like to hang out together, and that's totally cool.

Originally Posted by Biscuit

"4) Can you blame Meat looking for a safe haven forum after the disrespect he's got in the last year? He's had his ass dragged across the coal by any loony who could pop into a free forum and have a go. Having a paid membership fan club forum gives Meat a controlled place to hang out with the people who care, not with the people who are only out to make trouble. "

I don't blame him AT ALL. This way he has a place he can feel confident he's welcome - and after all it's his site and he can do what he wants with it. I think it's too bad anyone would want to pay to "have a pop" at Meat, but if that's what they want, they can probably find a fan-run site that allows it, and have their pop for free.

-Kathy

[Biscuit]

Originally Posted by keb

Sorry I don't agree with the safe haven part, say I'm a looney as you call them and I want to have a pop at Meat or any other artist I can still pay for there fan club and have a pop at them, also if they were then to ban me for it I would want my money back as I am then not recieving the priviliges for which I had paid for. Think about that one.

OK, when I mean looney, I mean the type that have not been fans, or previous members of these forums (well known) who have joined up specifically to stir.

If you're a resident poster, a resident FC member etc and prepared for the consequences of stirring under official guidelines, then all power to you. Constructive crit is fine, and within the controlled environment of the FC as Meat obviously wants, you'll be able to have that proper discussion.

Originally Posted by keb

The fact is there are a lot of young fans and you are not providing for them, its like saying you can't appriciate(sp) music because you are too young.

I'm sorry, but I don't accept that kids should get it easy for fan club memberships. If kids are given a good deal, then what's to stop the disabled, the single mums, etc etc demanding a hand as well?

Also, having parents monitor their fan clubs is good way to monitor them personally. And what's wrong with a kid earning their right to buy a membership? I remember as a teenager that if I wanted anything of my fave artist (merchandise, fan club, CDs etc) I had to work for it (whether by chores, or when I got a part time job).

Fan Clubs have always been a charge service since day dot of artists to idolize. If you were an Elvis or Beatles fan as a kid, I'm sure you paid something to be part of their fan club.

The ONLY thing that's changed regarding price of FC memberships is economy of scale. Inflation, whatever you want to call it, means that what you paid for a fan club in the 60s probably correlates to $40 in the 00s.

[Aus_loaf]

Originally Posted by Diane

I really don't understand why anyone is suddenly "surprised" that Meat's new club is a pay site. It is more than a website, it is Meat's new Official Fan Club and it's the norm for members to pay a subscription. This has been known and talked about for a very long time.

Diane

I agree that if it is a Fan Club, then a membership fee should be charged. I personally think that the MLUKFC allows non-members far greater access to the entire site than most fan clubs do. Most allow members only to access, for example, their forum. However, I was totally disappointed in Meat's new site - apart from the home page, there is virtually nothing accessible to non-members which begs the question, is it worth joining just to get to the rest of the pages? Anyway, all the info etc. I need is on the MLUKFC of which I've been a member virtually from its founding - as far as I'm concerned, it's by far the best ML fan club on the net.

Just mho...

Luv & Hugs
Marianne

[KebLou]

Originally Posted by Biscuit

I'm sorry, but I don't accept that kids should get it easy for fan club memberships. If kids are given a good deal, then what's to stop the disabled, the single mums, etc etc demanding a hand as well?

Also, having parents monitor their fan clubs is good way to monitor them personally. And what's wrong with a kid earning their right to buy a membership? I remember as a teenager that if I wanted anything of my fave artist (merchandise, fan club, CDs etc) I had to work for it (whether by chores, or when I got a part time job).

You have misunderstood what I said, I'm not saying give it easy to kids, but the price is a bit high. If I wanted to I have the money right now to join his fan club, but some child say two doors up who doesn't have as many privileges as me and may be an even bigger fan of Meat than me, and their parents may not be able to pay even if they do all the chores, cook dinner, mow the lawn. Also the only real job under-16s can get is to do a paper-round, and yeah I have said I would do one to get extra money and each time I do my nan gives me a weeks extra pocket money because she doesn't want me to do a paper round.
I have been part of a few fan clubs but this one will be the most expensive, and to be totally honest I can do a lot with $40 and money is money.
Yeah I may be a Meat fan but that doesn't mean every bit of my money is going to him, I have other hobbies.
Anyway we all have to our own opinions and I think we are just going to have to agree to disagree on this point.

[rockfenris2005]

You would never get this treatment at Steinman.com, and he's a thousand times more interesting than Meat Loaf. I only wish there were more people like Jacqueline....

[Pudding]

Just found this thread thanks to Ryan posting -yeah Ryan I just thanked you, I suggest you save it for a rainy day cos it won't happen often LOL.

What I find interesting with some of the posts is that some fans are justifying spending the $40.00 as gaining emotional support .Two things I find wrong with a statement like this is:

1. If you need to go to a website or forum to get emotional support then you need to get out more often and go to the pub.
2. If you have to pay to get friends and emotional support then you're the type of person who drinks alone at the pub.

Having friends and emotional support shouldn't come at any price, it should be free and anyone who actively encourages someone to spend money in getting their friendship or emotional support isn't a friend worth having in the first place.

Pud

[rockfenris2005]

Rainy day? What does that term even mean? I LOVE RAINY DAYS