i voted no i like tn uk cuz its free i no longer work so any money coming into my house is already spent so the muted 20 quid subscription im afraid could be spent more wiseley in my house.
perhaps the answer is to find support from a company that needs the input of drivers.
this could take the form of a trucking magazine but that would or could lead to the magazine losing it’s own advertisers to a site that can change overnight it’s adverts and not over a month etc.
another form could be a truck and van or car accessory manufacturer/sales outlet, eg. kuda/roadpro/cdc etc. or perhaps a number of suppliers that are able to supply various accessories, wheels, spotlights, curtains, electrical items etc.
then there are a few other sponsors which don’t rely on drivers for their turnover, used truck sales (independant) that sell a variety of secondhand trucks.
and as has already been suggested, one or both of the main transport unions but that could still lead to problems regarding the users of the sites opinions on unions.
it’s a dilemma and not an easy one to fix, i wish rikki and lucy all the best with trying to find the right way forward but i feel sure that a membership fee is not the answer for using the web site, perhaps if a club was formed in the background with a private forum on the site and a membership fee for the club and access to the private forum, would people join club trucknet and what would club trucknet offer those members?
I use another website forum and a few months ago they had a problem with something technical, power cut or blown fuse or something too technical for me 
Howevever an appeal was put out around a local area by pm asking for donations. From this there was a list published with the amounts that were given. and everyone who donated has the title “sits sponsor” under their avatar.
What happens now, is if a sponsor doesnt like something, posts are removed and edited to suit them.
Everything on this site is equal, some people are more equal than others though 
I like Pigs, Pigs look up to us, Cats look down on us. Dogs just accept us for what we are
Rob K:
I do not see why it has to be a profit making site ? Unless I’m missing something major, the only income you “share holders” have is split between from the sponsors/ads. What is the problem with a free and ad-free site, that is a non-profit making organisation? Why does it have to be a business?
Rob you obviously do not understand the logics of Business, the whole idea of a business is to make a profit, which in return gives the investors a return on their investment which in turn gives them an additional source of income for their initial gamble in giving the initial funds to get the site going in the first place.
Trucknet is a business, and ALWAYS has been, at present it appears no-body is getting a wage dispite putting a lot of time and effort into running this site.
Rob K:
As an example, the owners of Online Truckers and Truckersworld are simply bulletin boards, there are no ads. Why can’t Trucknet be just the same, or is it that the “share holders” want the site to be profit making and not actually care what the membership wants? As far as I can see, the membership couldn’t give a toss about the ads, sponsors and the rest of it, they (we) just want somewhere to talk, discuss, argue, share thoughts etc, free of charge.
Firstly, Online Truckers does carry Ads which were paid for (And not cheap either), but I’m not going into details of that, both the owners of the sites will openly tell you that they are currently also having to fund the costs themselves, this is their decision, but before making out that 2 other people can run a site free of charge, GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT.
Rob K:
I could quite easily host and run the site from a financial point of view without needing to pass on the costs to anyone else, ie. the membership. The only problem I can see are the “share holders”. Correct me if I’m wrong ?
Okay so why have you never got round to it? Your forgetting that this site has always relied on sponsorship or revenue from Adverts etc, if your opinion is correct then I think it’s very kind of Rikki and the others to advertise T&D and ERF etc etc etc etc
Somehow you just dont look at the overall aspects of any business, you hate the idea of anyone making a living Full Stop.
I voted no.
I don’t want to be a subscriber. I post on several sites, to which I have never been asked to pay, as they are sustained by advertising. If a site is truly worth anything, then the industry it serves will put it’s hand in its pocket to advertise its wears to the members of the site. If advertisers cannot be found, the question has to be why?
Davey Driver:
Rob K:
I do not see why it has to be a profit making site ? Unless I’m missing something major, the only income you “share holders” have is split between from the sponsors/ads. What is the problem with a free and ad-free site, that is a non-profit making organisation? Why does it have to be a business?Rob you obviously do not understand the logics of Business, the whole idea of a business is to make a profit, which in return gives the investors a return on their investment which in turn gives them an additional source of income for their initial gamble in giving the initial funds to get the site going in the first place.
I understand that perfectly well, but you haven’t answered the question - why does it have to be a profit making site ?
Trucknet is a business, and ALWAYS has been, at present it appears no-body is getting a wage dispite putting a lot of time and effort into running this site.
Right, well if it’s done so badly and over those 5 years that Rikki’s had it he hasn’t been able to make any profit out of it - not for the want of trying of course - then the sensible thing to do would be to say “hey, this isn’t working, stop trying to squeeze non-existant money out of it” and make it a non-profit making site.
Rob K:
As an example, the owners of Online Truckers and Truckersworld are simply bulletin boards, there are no ads. Why can’t Trucknet be just the same, or is it that the “share holders” want the site to be profit making and not actually care what the membership wants? As far as I can see, the membership couldn’t give a toss about the ads, sponsors and the rest of it, they (we) just want somewhere to talk, discuss, argue, share thoughts etc, free of charge.Firstly, Online Truckers does carry Ads which were paid for (And not cheap either), but I’m not going into details of that, both the owners of the sites will openly tell you that they are currently also having to fund the costs themselves, this is their decision, but before making out that 2 other people can run a site free of charge, GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT.
So what are these “costs” you are talking about then? Surely not the same web hosting, domain name, server costs and maint costs that I’ve already said aren’t a problem ?
Rob K:
I could quite easily host and run the site from a financial point of view without needing to pass on the costs to anyone else, ie. the membership. The only problem I can see are the “share holders”. Correct me if I’m wrong ?Okay so why have you never got round to it? Your forgetting that this site has always relied on sponsorship or revenue from Adverts etc, if your opinion is correct then I think it’s very kind of Rikki and the others to advertise T&D and ERF etc etc etc etc
Somehow you just dont look at the overall aspects of any business, you hate the idea of anyone making a living Full Stop.
What the [zb] ? What’s that got to do with anything? If you haven’t got anything constructive to say then button it Dave. 
The reason I have “never got round to it” is because it’s not my site to do so. Rikki has allus wanted to make a mint out of running the site and he’s now proved that it can’t be done - without major help from people in the sales and marketing business.
Therefore, I refer you back to my original question :
I do not see why it has to be a profit making site?
As far as I can see, the membership couldn’t give a toss about the ads, sponsors and the rest of it, they (we) just want somewhere to talk, discuss, argue, share thoughts etc, free of charge.
Tramper:
If advertisers cannot be found, the question has to be why?
It’s pretty straight forward really
Low wages, higher interest charges = less spending in ALL areas at present (Hence the reason for the last interest cut)
Less spending = less sales = cut backs in advertising revenues for companies until the slump ends, they wont throw money away trying to attract sales when they know the advertising will be wasted.
Any driver making delivery’s to shops only needs to ask how business is, and the reply will be a definite “Sales are down” I’m aware of a number of companies who are really feeling the pinch at the moment.
I wholeheartedly agree that advertising is the best way forward, unfortunately getting companies to sponsor with advertising at the moment is difficult in any area let alone in the transport industry.
Another way forward is for the Directors to call a shareholders meeting with a view to increasing the number of shares available in Tnet UK raising funds that way.
RobK
The site is a business not a toy, it was never intended as a toy, the rights were purchased from the USA these costs have to be recouped, hence the shareholders, as normal, you expect eveyone else to pay for your pleasure and begrudge anyone making a living from something, get real and accept the fact, if you aint happy dont participate. unlike other sites this site is not a hobby run by a few, it always was started as a business and therefore needs to make a profit. Whether you or other users like it or not I agree fully with the Directors, there should be scope for someone to recieve a wage out of it along with all bills being paid.
Maybe you should try running a busy website for 12 months and see just what is exactly involved before spouting pathetic criticism and crap about how cheap it is
they (we) just want somewhere to talk, discuss, argue, share thoughts etc, free of charge.
And that is what we supply… If I can also make a living from that whats wrong with that ■■, we are not taking money out of your pocket 
Rikki-UK:
they (we) just want somewhere to talk, discuss, argue, share thoughts etc, free of charge.
And that is what we supply… If I can also make a living from that whats wrong with that ■■, we are not taking money out of your pocket
Just answer the question : Share holder’s aside, why does the site have to be[/b] profit making ?
why does the site have to be profit making
Because this site costs money to run,
Because people have invested their money in it
Because I need an income to support my family
Because it is a business, not a hobby… if you prefer a hobby site then by all means set one up.
Rikki-UK:
Because this site costs money to run,
Because people have invested their money in it
Because I need an income to support my family
Because it is a business, not a hobby… if you prefer a hobby site then by all means set one up.
Sorry Rikki
Just thought I’d Re-iterate it a little Clearer for him
Rikki-UK:
why does the site have to be profit making
Because this site costs money to run,
Because people have invested their money in it
Because I need an income to support my family
.
Because this site costs YOU[/b] money to run, not necessarily to others.
Because people have invested their money in it - buy them out then as it’s not making any money and make it non-profit making (not that it was making any before 
)
Because I need an income to support my family - but you’ve just said you can’t make any money out of it hence the necessity to pass it on to someone else, so this factor is irrelevant. The person you pass it on to might want it to remain a website for driver’s (remember that ?), not a profit making business.
Because it is a business, not a hobby… if you prefer a hobby site then by all means set one up - it doesn’t have to be a business!!! You’re not looking at the big picture .
but you’ve just said you can’t make any money
I said**… I** havent the sales and marketing skills to make enough money out of it,
The company makes a small profit even with my poor skills, bringing in the sales and marketing skills to the company it needs could probably make all the diffrence 
robk, trucknetuk is a little different than truckersworld and online truckers.
the 2 other sites were set up by the owners using their own funding and choice of names for the site.
trucknetuk is a franchise of trucknet and i would guess that just to have the title for the website carries a franchise fee and a number of rules and regulations as to what can and cannot be done under the banner of the trucknet name.
if you read the mart papers they all offer some sort of franchise deals, wheelie bin cleaning, car valeting, weight loss products or kleeneze products and they all require a franchise fee, this sometimes takes the role of the purchase of stock or equipment/tools to do the job etc, with trucknet you would get the trucknet name/advice and technical support, i have no idea what the charges would be but they will not be free.
i know for a fact that rikki has spent all of his free time managing this site and making it what it is today, the lack of sponsorship is by no means a slur on rikki or his ability to procure sponsors but times change and at the moment the transport industry is struggling, ■■■■■ strings are very tight and it really is like getting blood from a stone.
you say you could do it, this is your chance - rikki and lucy have tendered their resignation, contact trucknet usa and enquire about taking over from them, it doesn’t have to make a profit after all, if someone is prepared to stump up the fees from their own pocket.
anyone can have a website and host it but not anyone can have the biggest name in transport in the world or the support of the biggest transport website in the world.
investors want to see returns on their investment, if you put £5000 in an investment fund you would expect a good return after 5 years on that £5000, you would be a little miffed to find that your return is less than the stake you put in.
Before I get politely asked to refrain from useing strong language and drag
this debate about this subject in areas where we would not wish to be,
Rob k some times you do not know when to temper your words,yes of course you can have and state your veiw but please young man think
about what you wish to post deeply and soundly before engageing
the movements of the keyboard into the post that you wish to present
as of course people may reply with their views which may or may not be completely different,
and Rikki & Lucy with the other participents who originated this FORUM ,have with theit hardwork and enthuisium ,produced a place where we could contribute and learn and flourish,YES i know the members count as well but the foundation must be first of all be SOUND as
other wise it would have all collapsed along time ago.
Some of you older members might remember me, for those who don’t I was admin here for about two years.
I had to give this up due to business committments.
I have voted no to subsciptions, this site has been built on the ethic that it will be free to drivers, in my opinion the work of every mod and admin over the last five years will have been in vain if subscriptions are introduced.
The answer■■?/
Well for a start off, how many of you that have voted for subs have purchased anything from the online store■■?
Has every one got a TruckNetUK T shirt , mug etc etc■■?
If I ask Rikki how many shirts have been sold will he say thousands■■?
Probably not.
So stop wittering on about I would /wouldn’t pay, if you want things to stay as they have been stick your hand in pocket and BUY SOMETHING!!!
The worst that can happen is you will have something that in years to come will be a collectors piece, but you might actually help keep TruckNetUK the way it should be.
Finally when I started reading this and other related threads I knew there would be one who just had to argue the toss just for the sake of it and at the risk of getting my first (ZB) RobK [ZB]
cheers
STEVE.
Edited for personal attack
This site is succesful because of the members, no other reason. Without controversial views it would end up like the rest of the trucking sites on the web,
Sites like UK hauliers forum, various msn sites that promote transport.
Without all the members, not the ones who’s views suit the advertisers, but the members who are willing to stand up and question things.
I am not and dont need to mention any names, but without them, this site died ages ago.
Im not sure why one of trucknets advertisers is having a go at a member who posts a lot of knowledge for free, therby bringing new members to a site he advertises on.
I know what I mean, if no one else agrees
Rob,
I run a very basic and simple website; it is in fact about the simplest and cheapest I could find!!! It still costs me money. I am also a ‘Tight Yorkshire Git’ but couldn’t have hosted and produced my site for any less. I just can’t see how you would be able to make a free site. 
This site is excellent. It is a testiment to all those behind the scenes and the obvious amounts of hard work that has got it where it is today. The only ‘free version’ I can imagine would be along the lines of (i.e.) Yahoo Newsgroups, which do fine for most needs but lets be honest, they’re CRAP.
As for Rikki working for nothing; fine if it was just an hour or so per night and it was his hobby, however, I get the feeling that Rikki is probably putting in longer days than many of us and he isn’t supporting his family while he is doing it for free!
How many of us would put ourselves in that position?? To my mind it is obvious why the site has to provide a living for the person that makes the site live!!
If this site doesn’t find a way to move forward/continue and you do go ahead and set up a replacement, keep us all informed as I for one, will be there contributing. I just hope it can be half the site this is … but i doubt it.
Another point; I feel guilty about posting a ‘please stay on Rikki & Lucy’ type comment because there are loads of selfish reasons for it i.e. I’d miss TNUK. However, having a young family myself, I know the costs of looking after them properly and it just isn’t right that anyone works as much as R & L for nowt!!
have just sat here and wrote a full length feature on the vertuse of owning a website in answer to robs postings and thought bloody hell what a supurb advert for my site !! .so i deleted it before lucy does,just to say,rob ill send you the bills when they come in,admitingly they are not over expencive but they do come in when there’s nowt in the kitty
JIMBO
So rather than look at the problem, when a member asks a question the response is a personal attack by an ex mod
Finally when I started reading this and other related threads I knew there would be one who just had to argue the toss just for the sake of it and at the risk of getting my first (ZB) RobK [ZB]
Edited to remove personal attack from quote
the voting is now going in the not pay direction