Thanks everyone for a great April Fools Day! It was really quite touching to see how many people were willing to pay for a membership to help support CAG. I received at least 20 emails with rsvp's for Platinum level memberships. Despite the interest from the CAGs, I do not have any plans, nor any desire to ask the community for money. I'd much rather have you support the site (and me) by continuing to shop through the CAG affiliate links.
Looking foward, I think everyone is going to be completely blown away when we launch CAG 2.0 in the next few months. I'm really looking forward to seeing the community's reaction.
Thanks for your continued support!
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Here's a great IM conversation I had with a CAG regarding the PIMP program. I'm posting it with his permission. He's the guy who made this awesome Halo 2 video.
Spoiler
rywateska: quick question though
CheapyD: yup
rywateska: cag premium...the free spot is going to kill the community with how limited it is
CheapyD: really, you think so?
rywateska: I'm down for giving some money, but since it's still early yes sooo much so Think of all the random deals that occur from unheard of members its not like every seasoned vet is the only source of information
CheapyD: hmmm
rywateska: a lot of coupons and random "xyz store coupon code or sale" come from them. and one post is very limited in answering quesitons that may pop up because of it
CheapyD: I think people will step up when people pay for the membership, they will work harder
rywateska: very true, but its very limiting to new members Ive only read what you put up, and my viewpoint is "I just want my Monopoly heads back" and all...but I'd open up a discussion or two to see how the opinions end up going
CheapyD: Well, paying members can get Monopoly heads too i'm sure ill think of new things to add
rywateska: Hahaha, all right Just for people cheap as shit, $100 is somehting they have to weigh against getting $100 in extra savings in the coupons and private deals I would try and throw in some type of game incentive or something of a gift card of a small denomination to amazon of maybe $20 or so. Try to balance it out so they can talk themselves into "well at least I get an on-sale greatest hit"
CheapyD: But how else can I keep up my internet space pimp lifestyle? You know i have a talking bathrub right? that shit aint cheap
rywateska: Hahaha, I believe it I'm not against making money, I'm against not making enough money
CheapyD: I want to upgrade my toilet...I want one that analyzes my shit
rywateska: You want to peak out your money in the right way, and by excluding too much of the base you'll make less in the long run
CheapyD: Also, I like to get handjobs in Shinjuku...those are expensive.
rywateska: Not to be a negative buddy, but I just simply think anything close to a retail game is steep. It's CAG, try and find a way to hand off incentives that's all This is a great way to weed out and save the deals to those who will get the best use out of them, no doubt. You'll make some good money too. Just try to find a perfect medium of most users so that you get the most money
CheapyD: Ya know what else is expensive?
rywateska: big ass chains?
CheapyD: Calendars CheapyD: Do you have one? rywateska: negative I cant afford one
CheapyD: I can tell
rywateska: i just buy them in october when theyre cheap all right, enough of my useless suggestions. i've been knee deep in business school exams for two weeks and majoring in ebusiness and entrepreneurial management classes makes it seem like I will one day know something
CheapyD: Since you don't have a calendar...I'll give you a freebie rywateska: I hope it goes well, and I'll be happy to hand over some decreasing dollars when the time comes around
CheapyD: todays date is April 1, 2008
rywateska: ahhh my life
CheapyD: LOL
rywateska: haha totally thought it was cag 2.0 no joke
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In an effort to create a more tightly-knit community and to cover escalating server costs, I'm excited to announce our new Premium Insider Membership Program. I believe this move will help eliminate some of our less-desirable members and bring the community closer together. The program will kick-off next week.
Accessing the site will still be free for all, but we will now have different tiers of membership. Each tier will have accompanying benefits as outlined below.
Guest (Free)
Can read the site, create one topic, one post, and one private message per day
Private message box limited to 10 messages
Silver ($10/year)
Can create unlimited topics, posts, and private messages
Private message box limit raised to 250
Gold ($50/year)
Can create unlimited topics, posts, and private messages
Private message box limit raised to 500
Can upload and attach images to posts
Can have avatar and signature
Site is advertisement free
Platinum ($100/year) All Gold benefits, plus:
Private message box limit raised to 1000
Private deals and coupons from your favorite retailers
Custom avatar drawn by WhipSmartBanky
Immunity from infractions/bannings (some limitations apply)
Be a Forum Guide in the forum of your choosing (optional)
Can download CAGcast 2 days early
Access to private forum for Platinum members only
CheapyD autographed photo
1 day tour of Tokyo w/CheapyD (airfare and accommodations not included, scheduling conflicts may occur)
Platinum memberships will be limited, so please contact us to reserve your spot. No deposit is required at this time.
When you and I discussed this months ago, you assured me that Platinum Membership would be $500/year. I just double-checked the e-mails, and you definitely said $500. I have this IN WRITING. Now I'm seeing $100. This had better be a typo. A contract is still a contract. You will definitely be hearing from my lawyers.
You forgot about the titanium membership which involves sleeping with Wombats or your wife and then a threesome with the shipwrecks. No strings attached!