I realize why we don't want to require a vin number to be a member. Many people use this as a resource when shopping for their first Viper and members are more than happy to help. But my question is, at a certain point, when do we ask them to help support the process here. Lest we forget, this is a club. Peope, have the right to have no association with it and never visit the site if they so choose. But how long should we as a club allow someone to use our facilities and our community that we have created and maintain without giving back?

It also seems to me that the people who tend to post the rudest things and often times seem to be less neighborly are the enthousiasts. And what reason do they have to be a little nicer? This isn't their "neighborhood", so to speak.

I also understand that there are people in other parts of the world where they are the only Viper for large distances. Or they may be between Vipers while they build a house or finish helping a child through college or something like that. I absolutely understand. Is there anything wrong with asking them to get an "Associate Membership" or something to that effect? Basically, since hey have no region to have their money given back to, perhaps they shouldn't pay he same as those of us with active regions. But at least something to show they have some skin in the game. Maybe and enthousiast membership goes for 25 per year, more if you want the magazine.

This is a private club, but we allow those who aren't members to come in and get all the perks of being a member like tech help, opinions on modifications, reviews, and a number of other things that paying members put effort and money into doing, but they don't contribute. And many of them act rude in the process. Some of them even calling those of us who do pay "suckers" or "stupid" for paying. That is their opinion and they are entitled to it, but why are they entitled to it right here in our community? I can't think of any other private club where I can walk around and badmouth members and get all the perks of joining without ever contributing any dues.

I feel like if you are searching for a viper and are asking for some current owners help on that (which owners and members tend to incredibly graciously), 50 free posts sounds like plenty. After that, perhaps it's time to pony up and be a part of the club. The enthousiasts who have 400 posts and own Vipers are simply gaming the system and using the platform that we as a group worked hard to put together and keep a good place to be. Why should those of us who pay effectively have to cover their dues to they can be freeloading members?

I don't think this is excluding anyone. I understand not everyone can can have a Viper at every moment. But 25 dollars per year to participate on the forums or paying for the magazine only membership is completely fair in my opinion.

Does anyone agree?