Donations, Advertisements and General Site Expense Info

[Jr.]

Here is my shameless plug to support the site.
The X is a endless source of the most up to date info for stand-up watercraft there is. First & foremost, support those who support the site!!!!
Last week I sent a mass PM to all shop owners who regulary post on the site. only one signed & is in the process of having a banner made.
(Watercraft Factory)
When you call your favorite vendor or shop, ask them why they don't support the place that supports them? (If they are one of those who don't advertise here) I know from personal experiance that it works!!!
Having multible outlets for parts is good. The consumer, then has a choice.

Help the sport grow! Help the X grow!

Those intrested in supporting the X, can contact , SuperJett , Big Kahuna , or myself

 

[waterfreak]

Here is my shameless plug to support the site.
The X is a endless source of the most up to date info for stand-up watercraft there is. First & foremost, support those who support the site!!!!
Last week I sent a mass PM to all shop owners who regulary post on the site. only one signed & is in the process of having a banner made.
(Watercraft Factory)
When you call your favorite vendor or shop, ask them why they don't support the place that supports them? (If they are one of those who don't advertise here) I know from personal experiance that it works!!!
Having multible outlets for parts is good. The consumer, then has a choice.

Help the sport grow! Help the X grow!

Those intrested in supporting the X, can contact , SuperJett , Big Kahuna , or myself

Now, that's what I'm talking about!!!!!:biggthumpup: :arms: :woot:

 

[john zigler]

Here is my shameless plug to support the site.
The X is a endless source of the most up to date info for stand-up watercraft there is. First & foremost, support those who support the site!!!!
Last week I sent a mass PM to all shop owners who regulary post on the site. only one signed & is in the process of having a banner made.
(Watercraft Factory)
When you call your favorite vendor or shop, ask them why they don't support the place that supports them? (If they are one of those who don't advertise here) I know from personal experiance that it works!!!
Having multible outlets for parts is good. The consumer, then has a choice.

Help the sport grow! Help the X grow!

Those intrested in supporting the X, can contact , SuperJett , Big Kahuna , or myself

hmmmmmm,

paul, with alll due repect;

1. i never got any PM. i have a legit shop here in WI. Rock co. Jet Ski.

2. it wasn't that long ago, I took it upon myself to contact darin, ( maybe that is why i did not get a PM) about supporting the X. i was asking about donations, and banner ads. honestly a banner as is expensive. but i did not rule it out.

3. i was told by darrin, the X is doing great money wise, and he made it sound like, at the time he didn't even want any donations. ( sorry man, i hope i am not going to get you in trouble now. lol)

i do want to help the X grow, in anyway i can. i like it here, and i want it to be around for a long time.

zig

 

[Big Kahuna]

Hey Paul, how you forget about Ziggy?????

Ducking and Running!!!!!!!!!!

 

[crammit442]

Here is my shameless plug to support the site.
The X is a endless source of the most up to date info for stand-up watercraft there is. First & foremost, support those who support the site!!!!
Last week I sent a mass PM to all shop owners who regulary post on the site. only one signed & is in the process of having a banner made.
(Watercraft Factory)
When you call your favorite vendor or shop, ask them why they don't support the place that supports them? (If they are one of those who don't advertise here) I know from personal experiance that it works!!!
Having multible outlets for parts is good. The consumer, then has a choice.

Help the sport grow! Help the X grow!

Those intrested in supporting the X, can contact , SuperJett , Big Kahuna , or myself

Shameless indeed! Are you suggesting that a company is obligated to support this website? Are you suggesting that members here do not buy parts from those who don't "support" this website? Seems a bit like a shake down to me. Many of the best shops around are busy building motors and boats and do not use the internet much. Some of these companies have been around a long time and do not require much advertising. This message sounds almost like a threat to those who might not choose to purchase advertising here. Seems a friendlier approach might draw more "supporters". Just my opinion, but I'd be turned off with an approach like this. You also have to ask if a company would want to advertise here when free for all slamming is allowed unchecked when a customer isn't happy with a product.

Charles

 

[Jr.]

hmmmmmm,

paul, with alll due repect;

1. i never got any PM. i have a legit shop here in WI. Rock co. Jet Ski.

2. it wasn't that long ago, I took it upon myself to contact darin, ( maybe that is why i did not get a PM) about supporting the X. i was asking about donations, and banner ads. honestly a banner as is expensive. but i did not rule it out.

3. i was told by darrin, the X is doing great money wise, and he made it sound like, at the time he didn't even want any donations. ( sorry man, i hope i am not going to get you in trouble now. lol)

i do want to help the X grow, in anyway i can. i like it here, and i want it to be around for a long time.

zig

Sorry John, I know you have been in contact with Darin, I'm sorry I didn't include you in the list. I'll be in touch!

 

[john zigler]

no worries, i have now been talking with the BIG K too.

zig

 

[Jr.]

Shameless indeed! Are you suggesting that a company is obligated to support this website? Are you suggesting that members here do not buy parts from those who don't "support" this website? Seems a bit like a shake down to me. Many of the best shops around are busy building motors and boats and do not use the internet much. Some of these companies have been around a long time and do not require much advertising. This message sounds almost like a threat to those who might not choose to purchase advertising here. Seems a friendlier approach might draw more "supporters". Just my opinion, but I'd be turned off with an approach like this. You also have to ask if a company would want to advertise here when free for all slamming is allowed unchecked when a customer isn't happy with a product.

Charles

Charles, Yes I agree it is Shameless, But I thought long & hard about it before I posted it. This is no way a Threat, or anything like it!

This site is part of an ownership between, Darrin, Harrison & Myself. We all own it as enthusists. LPW has no part in it. I actually pay for my advertising here! In order for the site to move foward, it must be funded. Heck, nothing in this world is for free! We have a very large list of donations we have recieved from the membership. That shows us everyone here cares about its future.

I personally have been in this sport since 1986. I have been in the industry side since 1988. I saw it as big as it ever could be, I also saw it on the bottom. Right now it's showing a comeback. For a company to give back, shows it's commitment toward the future. Helping a site like this grow out of it's inception is a worthy proposition!

I look at the industry a little differant than most. I saw how the racing sector made it great, then all but killed the aftermarket with rules. We now have freeride. No Rules!!! The motor & Hull builder has free reign. The aftermarket will start to prosper. Give back & move foward! You get what you give! Any way you want to look at it, the sport will gain momentum from the site growing.

I did not set out to offend anyone here. I was just hoping to get some help!

I know we as owners, need to keep an eye on the bashing of products/companies. There is a fine line between speaking freely & controlled moderation. PWCT had great issues with this a few months ago. We don't want to go there. Behind the scenes, there are PM's sent to offenders asking for them to stop. A few bannings have happened. Our goal is to keep it about the sport. I feel we are doing ok at this point.

Thank you for bringing this up. Maybe when some others see what this is about. It will be taken a little differently....

ski ya, Paul

 

[SuperJETT]

Shameless indeed! Are you suggesting that a company is obligated to support this website? Are you suggesting that members here do not buy parts from those who don't "support" this website? Seems a bit like a shake down to me. Many of the best shops around are busy building motors and boats and do not use the internet much. Some of these companies have been around a long time and do not require much advertising. This message sounds almost like a threat to those who might not choose to purchase advertising here. Seems a friendlier approach might draw more "supporters". Just my opinion, but I'd be turned off with an approach like this. You also have to ask if a company would want to advertise here when free for all slamming is allowed unchecked when a customer isn't happy with a product.

Charles

There is no threat in that message.

We have tried the friendly approach, so far nobody has signed up except Watercraft Factory and Zigler.

Our monthly costs are $180, we currently have 3 paid advertisers at $25/month which leaves us $105 short per month. So far, the members have stepped up to keep the site running.

However, there are several companies that do post here frequently and we'd like to see those companies step up to keep x-h2o running. It would show that they are willing to give back to the site that is bringing them money. $25/month is a pizza and some beer.

I had hoped from the beginning that we'd have enough advertisers to cover our monthly running costs plus some, and the extra would go to food/t-shirts/etc for the freeride events. That hasn't happened unfortunately.

I guess we will just have to go back to our $10/month crappy host and let everyone suffer.

I actually get a little irritated at stuff like this because I spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME working on the site for free and when we ask for something everyone gets ticked off because they misread something. Heck, because of that, I get disqualified from winning the hull that is being raffled off in Daytona. I move on.

I'm out, gotta work to pay my bills.
Darin

 

[Freestyleriverrat]

Hey Darin, where is the link that memebers can donate too? I have been meaning to make a contribution

 

[Takeastand SJ]

Our monthly costs are $180, we currently have 3 paid advertisers at $25/month which leaves us $105 short per month. So far, the members have stepped up to keep the site running.

However, there are several companies that do post here frequently and we'd like to see those companies step up to keep x-h2o running. It would show that they are willing to give back to the site that is bringing them money. $25/month is a pizza and some beer.

I actually get a little irritated at stuff like this because I spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME working on the site for free and when we ask for something everyone gets ticked off because they misread something. Heck, because of that, I get disqualified from winning the hull that is being raffled off in Daytona. I move on.

I'm out, gotta work to pay my bills.
Darin

Short $105 a month, between 3 of you $35 a month is strapping you? I do this because I love the sport, I have spent over $5,000 out of my own pocket this year traveling to freeride competitions. If my hand wasn't broke I would be in Brasil right now even though I can't afford it, I'd borrow money or figure something out. We all appreciate the work you guys put into this site, but stuff like this can easily be taken the wrong way.

 

[crammit442]

Short $105 a month, between 3 of you $35 a month is strapping you? I do this because I love the sport, I have spent over $5,000 out of my own pocket this year traveling to freeride competitions. If my hand wasn't broke I would be in Brasil right now even though I can't afford it, I'd borrow money or figure something out. We all appreciate the work you guys put into this site, but stuff like this can easily be taken the wrong way.

Exactly.

Charles

 

[WaveDemon]

Short $105 a month, between 3 of you $35 a month is strapping you? I do this because I love the sport, I have spent over $5,000 out of my own pocket this year traveling to freeride competitions. If my hand wasn't broke I would be in Brasil right now even though I can't afford it, I'd borrow money or figure something out. We all appreciate the work you guys put into this site, but stuff like this can easily be taken the wrong way.

I don't see where you are coming from. my understanding is that site revenue goes back into the site and the events. why should we ask paul darren and harrison to pay for the site for us to use?

X-H2O is a not for profit site. We exist by the riders & for the riders.

Our main purpose is to supply a viable window into the world of freeride watercraft. In this world, nothing is cheap & the site has bills like everyone else. The revenue from all the advertisers is to ensure the continued growth of the site & freeride events in general. As we grow, & more dollars become available, there are many new fronts we would like to address. One of the big things is to give back to the membership by supporting freeride events, the communities that host them, and the members themselves. [/B].

 

[WaveDemon]

Exactly.

Charles

I don't see where crammit and take a stand are comming from.

 

[Jr.]

Short $105 a month, between 3 of you $35 a month is strapping you? I do this because I love the sport, I have spent over $5,000 out of my own pocket this year traveling to freeride competitions. If my hand wasn't broke I would be in Brasil right now even though I can't afford it, I'd borrow money or figure something out. We all appreciate the work you guys put into this site, but stuff like this can easily be taken the wrong way.

Yup, $35 a month? sure not much. But ask yourself why we do it?

Ok, You are a good rider. You spend $$$$$ for the love of what you do.
All 3 of us are good riders & spend $$$$$$ enjoying ourselves at freerides & races. Should we spend extra on a not for profit site also. or should the love be spread around?
None of us are journelist (sp) or anything near that. we all do it for the love!

Those of us that make part of our livings off the very same site.
all we are asking is to share that very same love. I do?

I'm sorry if you feel there is a ton of $$$ to be made in this sport currently.
maybe 5% of my total work/income is done thru freestyle/freeride work.
The vast majority comes from regular maintaince work on sit-down craft from the guy down the street who doesn't even know this site exists.
ask anyone who is in this game. All we are asking is to share the love.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Short $105 a month, between 3 of you $35 a month is strapping you? I do this because I love the sport, I have spent over $5,000 out of my own pocket this year traveling to freeride competitions. If my hand wasn't broke I would be in Brasil right now even though I can't afford it, I'd borrow money or figure something out. We all appreciate the work you guys put into this site, but stuff like this can easily be taken the wrong way.

$35.00 @12 months is $420.00 each............ Could I pay it, sure, But we dont get paid for this, dont recieve a dime back, heck, I cant even enter to win a Hull at Daytona..... What we do is listen to people bitch and whine over everthing, every choice we make, everytime we try to calm a situation down usually someone gets pissed off......... Is it worth it?? Not really, So all we ask is for some members to freely donate some money to help with the cost and for companies to also purchase banner ads, they are really cheap compaired to what Rob was charging on PWCToday for the same banner ads.
Not to be rude, not my intention, but we have been free advertising for them, All Paul, Darin and I have asked for is a little return., not for us, but for each and every one of you, or would you rather we all go back to PWCToday???

I have been afraid to total up what I have spent in expenses, my race partner bailed on all but 1 race this year.(and got pissed when I drummed up a small amount of cash sponsorship, we had always said we would split any cash, well, I had no choice but to break that deal......... I raced 11 times and went to 3 freeride events.

Daytona - January [10 hour drive]
Galveston - March [10 hour drive]
Orange Beach (Rd1&2) - March
Lanier - May
Myrtle Beach (Rds 3&4) - June [10 hourdrive]
Lake Norman (Rds 5&6) - June 2 weeks later [ 8 hour drive ]
Tupelo Ms (Rds 7-8)
Nationals
Panama City Beach (Rds 9-10)

Only one of those I split cost with. the rest was me an my wife. (which she did get pregnant at the Myrtle Beach race!!!!!!! woo hoo...... who needs throphy's when you are getting a kid!)

 

[waxhead]

Can you guys please make it clear as to who you are talking to in this thread

Say some names so i know if i am one of them

 

[Big Kahuna]

you guys are assholes.

knock it off.

 

[WaveDemon]

knock it off.

edited. sorry.

 

[sjetrider]

Here is my shameless plug to support the site.
The X is a endless source of the most up to date info for stand-up watercraft there is. First & foremost, support those who support the site!!!!
Last week I sent a mass PM to all shop owners who regulary post on the site. only one signed & is in the process of having a banner made.
(Watercraft Factory)
When you call your favorite vendor or shop, ask them why they don't support the place that supports them? (If they are one of those who don't advertise here) I know from personal experiance that it works!!!
Having multible outlets for parts is good. The consumer, then has a choice.

Help the sport grow! Help the X grow!

Those intrested in supporting the X, can contact , SuperJett , Big Kahuna , or myself

I agree and have put a thread out saying exactly the above. Support the companies supporting this sight. It is insane for a company in this line of work not to have at least a BANNER on this sight.