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Post by darkstar on Sept 16, 2006 12:11:24 GMT -6
I will like to know if there will be an online payment system to facilitate the membership process. I think that would be a good thing although I don't know how expensive that will be.
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Post by I AM the Way on Sept 16, 2006 16:05:38 GMT -6
it's been discussed a little. something like Paypal would eat up 4% of the money and i'm not sure how much overall hassle it is... but many places use it, so i assume it's not that bad.
as of now, money order or cash is the preferred method of payment, but that might change next year.
there's also the question of whether it's wise to make membership too easy. if just anyone can click a button to send money and breeze through the application, then who knows what kind of short-term people we might get? obviously not everyone who officially joins the Cult of Cthulhu will be to everyone's taste, but i think we'd all like to see more serious-minded magicians and less jump on the bandwagon types.
Venger Satanis Cult of Cthulhu High Priestwww.CultofCthulhu.net
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Post by Yevathik on Sept 16, 2006 16:22:23 GMT -6
Darrick's right. The proverbial hole can't be too short, otherwise everyone will be able to jump over it. The fee (and the chance that said fee may not get to its intended destination) is there to make you seriously sit down and make a conscious decision (which is in and of itself a pretty good thing). It's basically a way to filter out the people who go "Sure, what the hell" rather than "I'm absolutely certain I want to do this".
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Post by stretloth on Sept 16, 2006 16:22:26 GMT -6
I agree with the system of money orders or cash,like you said if it is too easy then what kind of short term people will we facilatate? and its not like there is a big deal behind going out for a money order...Im just saying that if we accept 'jonney come lately' system of payment then we are certain to atracct non-serious magicians...(like you said before about the whole money system,if it is free then you will under-value its significance)... Getting the cash to CoC should be a easy task for someone who is serious about this cult...
anyways thats just my 2cents
Stretloth, Herald of the Old Gods (and damn proud of it)
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Post by darkstar on Sept 16, 2006 18:32:48 GMT -6
Well I think one can make the subscription by invitation only. So you have to use a special password Darrick gives you to be able to subscribe. That would make thinks less messy I think and would avoid the hassle we have now to send it.
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Post by iandiabhal on Sept 20, 2006 21:48:53 GMT -6
I would like to think I had my own part in helping to bring some of this to fruition, and I agree with Darrick..not just because he is HP..but his point is well taken. There are some other points in what everyone else said, but I think that the requirement of having to get a money order etc...and get an envelope, simple as it is, can be challenging depending on your schedule. I laugh because I have taken a long time sending my membership money in, not out of reticence, but just being distracted with other mundane tasks and work and other projects. In my own case, I found it a lot more meaningful to go get a money order...type out a letter and then hand address the envelope..than just to zap it on the ol credit card. Personally I think requiring a little bit of thoughtfulness about affiliating and making it somewhat challenging is a good thing..on the whole. Many other occult/magical orders require you to send membership fees/applications via snail mail as well, for the reasons mentioned as well as the logistical reasons.
In any case just being able to send money online makes it "too easy" and will hasten to attract people who arent serious and are here today gone tommorrow. In truth, it takes enough extra effort that at least it might cause some thought before just pressing the "paypal" button, and being an "instant member"..Going via snail mail also has that element of unpredictability and suspense, but conversely when your acceptance letter and membership package come in the mail it is much more of a "surprise" and one of those 'happy times' at the mailbox when it isnt filled with just circulars, junk mail and (ugh) bills. Makes your day sort of..you want to hasten in the house and open it up and enjoy reading..
Technology is great, but it does tend to trivialize.
Ia! Ia!
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Post by darkstar on Sept 21, 2006 12:02:55 GMT -6
Thanks Ian for the explanation. I was not aware of other occult orders getting their money by snail mail, now it makes sense. I feel a little worried by the fact i was asking for something that would downgrade the seriousness of the CoC membership.
But I don't give up that easily, that's why I propose another idea. Don't charge any money for membership, let it be free, instead promote contributions by pay pal, helping know in what things money is needed so there will be direct involvement with the contributions. If my idea is well implemented, the money that will be colected will supass by far that of the regular membership revenues. So remember a bad idea can be converted into a good one with a little imagination, so don't give up your bad ideas.
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Post by I AM the Way on Sept 21, 2006 15:56:27 GMT -6
i agree that ideas which seem unworkable at first can be made workable.
for the first year and a half, the Cult of Cthulhu membership was free. however, there was nothing to distinguish the members and non-members except their individual efforts which no one could see. the outcome was sadly chaotic and unproductive.
paying a contribution or fee of $30 will hopefully create a feeling of investment. the Cultist has symbolically invested a part of himself into this organization/paradigm. the money is a sign that a Cultist has sacrificed something of value in order to attain a level of status and power.
if someone wants to contribute more money, then all they have to do is send an additional money order. even though it's appreciated, it's not necessary. you never know, i might decide to include a paypal contribution button for the next website update. we shall see...
Venger Satanis Cult of Cthulhu High Priest[/b] www.CultofCthulhu.net
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Post by gwydionhp on Sept 25, 2006 19:36:54 GMT -6
Ave All, Darrick its a pleasure to be here. I would only add that the addition of a fee makes people value the information or experience more. There are many ways that you can slow down the process and make it more of a challenge for someone to get to the paypal button. Accepting payments by snail mail does indeed slow the process but not everyone is online I would say accepting payments offline and online can be of benefit. if properly positioned it can be of great value. All the Best, Gwydion www.brotherhoodofsatan.com
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Post by hiqconsoul on May 6, 2008 11:43:49 GMT -6
Ave All, Darrick its a pleasure to be here. I would only add that the addition of a fee makes people value the information or experience more. There are many ways that you can slow down the process and make it more of a challenge for someone to get to the paypal button. www.brotherhoodofsatan.comCreate a page where you gotta fill out a load of stuff and answer special questions in order to get to the paypal/instant membership. This will force people to read up on things and think up answers based on the read material.. ?
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Post by saxo on May 6, 2008 14:02:30 GMT -6
Its difficult to people in other countrys send money to the cult. But like Satanis said, he need serious wizards.
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Post by professerackley777 on May 6, 2008 18:21:15 GMT -6
I also would like to see a paypal type system. Maybe Venger could raise the price slightly. I would pay a little extra for being able to make an online transaction. Although, I do understand Venger's point about needing serious Cultists, there's pretty much nothing I hate more than people not taking things seriously when they should be.
IA!
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Post by I AM the Way on May 6, 2008 23:05:32 GMT -6
a friend of mine has paypal. he can't take a credit card transaction, but i believe you can transfer money into his paypal account. if anyone would like to do this, then let me know by email or p.m.
VS
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