Posted by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 9:12am
Msg #235756

The missing "PURGE"

Might as well make another thread for just this topic.

My Opinion:
Basic Members can post, but do not come up during a search.
This would "motivate" the basic members to upgrade, and weed out the
non-committed members.

I wouldn't say that paying members need to update their profile, as they may have a profile already set up that suits their needs.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 2/18/08 9:41am
Msg #235759

"Basic Members can post, but do not come up during a search.
This would "motivate" the basic members to upgrade, and weed out the
non-committed members."

When I started with NotRot the Premium membership was $29.00 per year & then it went to $34.00 per year. It is now $139.00 per year for me to upgrade, with the downturn in business, I simply can't justify paying an additional $105.00 per year right now for a Premium membership. I am not however, a non-committed member of this site. I contribute information to signing central on G/B/U companies and other things.

But if the Premium members want to "weed out the basic members" as you put it, I will refrain from sharing any further information or making comments. Have a nice day.

How many other Premium members share this opinion?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/18/08 10:05am
Msg #235767

Barbara - the first year is quite costly but the renewals are lower priced. My renewal was $69. I am happy to pay for the premium membership because of the higher ranking in search, and also because I have saved thousands of dollars in uncollected invoices by knowing not to work for certain deadbeat companies, all thanks to this wonderful forum. I've also learned a lot from this forum apart from the deadbeat company reports. To me, supporting the site for the forum is alone worth it. Getting a higher position on searches is a bonus for me.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 2/18/08 10:22am
Msg #235784

It's nice that your renewal is only $69.00 a year. I was a Premium member until the fee went to $139.00 a year. I also have no guarantee that the fee won't be increased next year, it would seem that the Premuim membership fee is whatever NotRot chooses to say it will be for a member, there is not a standard fee for everyone that joins and nothing that says the next years renewal fee will be reduced.

It isn't beneficial when I put my next door neighbors address in the search that 6 other notaries come up before my name and the site says I'm .6 of a mile from the location. All I have to do is walk through the gate between our houses and the search says I'm over a 1/2 mile away. However, I have tried to contribute to the site, especially in signing central (when I can get the information to post).

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/18/08 10:33am
Msg #235789

Barbara - wow, if your renewals are $139 per year, I can certainly understand your position. I don't understand why some notaries would be required to pay more for renewals than others.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 10:35am
Msg #235792

$139...is one closing....maybe 2 depending on your fees.
over $365 days....I'd say everyone gets that from this site.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 2/18/08 10:41am
Msg #235797

I haven't had one new company in 4 years tell me that they got my name from NotRot. Mostly, it's a referral from another company or a very happy settlement officer from a Title co.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 10:42am
Msg #235802

Then what I propose wouldn't hurt you at all then would it?
You'd still be able to post, chat, etc...

You just wouldn't come up in a search.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/18/08 10:41am
Msg #235799

Barbara, according to this website, the fee for renewals does not exceed $69 per year. I paid $109 for my first year, but renewals are $69.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 10:44am
Msg #235805

I think my renewals or $59 or $69....can't remember what I paid initially.

Reply by Carmi/CA on 2/18/08 10:44am
Msg #235806

I paid $139 to upgrade but to renew, I only need to pay $69. I think the fee increases if you wait longer to renew your membership after it expires. Again, I'm not sure. We better ask Harry.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 10:27am
Msg #235786

Let me Re-Phrase that....

I'm not saying Basic Members are non-committed, many basic members on this site add a TON of useful information, and are helpful to all of us. I didn't mean to imply that at all.

However, if I still feel that the search feature should be for paid members only. In essense, I think we are paying for the search feature, not necessarily the higher placed listing.

Reply by Vince/KS on 2/18/08 10:37am
Msg #235794

For reason to clean - search zip 66226 and see basic members n/m

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 9:55am
Msg #235760

PURGE YOU!

Do you see all those members who post with their screen names in black and bold like mine. We are all Basic (free) members. Harry and Co. realized in their infinite wisdom that offering the Basic (free) listing would attract people to his site in order to make it the premier Notary site in America. And on top of that I would venture to say that all of us (with free listings) have got work from NR. I don't think this would be the right moment to just remove all of us as though we never existed or contributed great advise or funny comments and the like. And hurting some of us by reducing a way for us to receive work certainly wold not put you on our hit parade. I believe it's the population that makes NR what it is and reducing that population might reduce NR popularity (amazing how both those words are from the same root, isn't it).

In other words BAD IDEA
Now, weeding out those who have not updated in over a year or more might be a better way to go. (just an opinion)
All basic members have the option to upgrade and if they wanted to generate more business from NR would. But now is not the time for more expenses as the market sucks eggs. So why penalize us?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 2/18/08 10:00am
Msg #235761

Re: PURGE YOU!

I'm a premier member - premier members may also post in black and bold. I believe that both basic and premier members have the option of linking to their profile or not.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/18/08 10:01am
Msg #235762

Re: PURGE YOU!

I believe that the names in black are just not linked to their profile.

I just deselected link to profile to see how may name shows up.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/18/08 10:01am
Msg #235763

Re: PURGE YOU!

Yup - only shows in bold back when not linked to a profile

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 10:03am
Msg #235765

Re: PURGE YOU!

oops. See what happens when you assume

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/18/08 10:05am
Msg #235766

Re: PURGE YOU!

Incidentally I am a Basic Member. As I don't personally do signings anymore I selected to not have my name come up in searches.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 10:34am
Msg #235791

Think about it like this.....

As I stated, In my NOT SO HUMBLE AND RATHER OPINIONATED OPINION, Basic Members should definitely be allowed to post. Everyone contributes greatly to this site as far as knowledge and information goes, and that can't be lost.

But, I feel that if you are getting business from this site, you owe it to Harry to purchase a Premiere membership. Again, this is my opinion.

The only thing you'd lose by being a Basic Member is being included in the search function, you could still be a great part of the community.

Just my opinion.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 2/18/08 10:49am
Msg #235810

Re: Think about it like this.....

Actually, it would be the premium members that would lose out based on your suggestion. If you were to read something that one of us "lowly basic members" posted that was beneficial to you and you wanted to find it again, you wouldn't be able to search and locate the post if NotRot followed your suggestion. I love your good enough to give info, but not good enough to receive mentality. I believe that I also help Harry by having his website linked to mine, thereby directing traffic to NotRot.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 10:52am
Msg #235811

Re: Think about it like this.....

I am not referencing anything about the message boards. Your posts would be searchable.
I'm talking about the "Find a Notary".

Are you saying the people come to NotRot by using your personal website as a gateway?
Hope you have a lot of traffic.... I'm guessing Harry probably spends more money on SEO than
most on this board.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 2/18/08 11:04am
Msg #235815

Re: Think about it like this.....

As I said, I love your "give us info, but get nothing back" mentality. When the fees return to a set standard for everyone, I will consider becoming a premium member again. I'm not going to pay $139.00 for something that someone else is paying $59.00, $69.00, $79.00 or $109.00 for the same services. I'm done here. Have a nice day.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 11:06am
Msg #235817

Re: Think about it like this.....

Those are our renewal fees....I'm pretty sure we all paid the higher fee initially.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 2/20/08 2:53pm
Msg #236253

The current membership renewal fee for Premier Members

The current membership renewal fee for Premier Members does not exceed $69.

Says so here:
https://www.notaryrotary.com/library/memberships.asp?id=MOA7U7XH&sec1=1

Reply by CARID on 2/18/08 10:03am
Msg #235764

Basic Member

I am now a Basic member. And have been a Premier in the passed. I am very commited to keeping my profile up to date. I am sure that Harry wants to have as much coverage as he can in all markets. If he were to purge the Basic members so that they did not come up in the search. Would he have the coverage he needs to keep companies/people using his site for a notary search ????

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 10:07am
Msg #235770

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

stupid but I went to my profile and I just don't see it. Where is it??

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/18/08 10:07am
Msg #235771

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

See what????

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 10:09am
Msg #235772

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

deselect or select link to profile

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/18/08 10:11am
Msg #235774

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

Peter
When you reply to a message, or post a message look above the subject line, next to Author, there is a box you can check, says Add Link To My Profile. Check that box and your message will be linked to your profile.

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 10:13am
Msg #235778

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

Wow! I must have O'Deed on those stupid pills
Thanks

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 10:18am
Msg #235781

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

OK so I was wrong about the Black & Bold thing. But in regards to the original sentiment... No purging, purging bad, bad purging - bad purging. Leave the purging to Nicole.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/18/08 10:38am
Msg #235795

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

I would like to see the ones that have not updated for at least a year and/or have no contact information purged. Harry did this last year.

Reply by sue_pa on 2/18/08 10:43am
Msg #235804

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

...information purged. Harry did this last year...

that's the gripe of many of us - we were told it was going to happen and it never did.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/18/08 11:53am
Msg #235828

Re: Hi Sylvia: Maybe I'm just being...

I am in a low population area, therefore fewer notaries doing this, at least on Not Rot. I didn't have to look to hard to see the inactives that disappeared during the last purge. This was also during the period when he was dealing with the mandatory back ground check the NNA was touting. Harry was also setting up the certification and backgound check programs that are now available through this site.
I am not savy on what it takes to accomplish this purge, but I am guessing it is no easy task.
The sheer number of notaries listed on this site is impressive and an overwhelming majority are silent when it comes to posting. As with any organization, there are a majotiry of the membership that do not contribute to the site either monetarily or by posting. Coat tail riders.
What they do not seem to realize is the value of the networking. A lot of informartion is exchanged out side of the public eye between those that have gained some confidence in the members they have gotten to know here.
I am a premium member and have been for several years. It's a business expense that is well worth it. It's tax deductable. It is my #1 referal site with the state network coming in second. The state network involves a lot of work but on a much smaller scale than what Harry is doing.

Reply by Carmi/CA on 2/18/08 10:38am
Msg #235796

BASIC OR PREMIER MEMBER

IMHO, those members who are inactive, meaning, never logged in or never updated their profile or never did anything to this site, for let's say three months, should be sent a notice of some sort. If they reply, then we all know they are still in business. If not, then they can be remove from the list.

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 10:58am
Msg #235813

Re: Community my &$*$%&$ ^#%

_______________________________________________________________________________________
But, I feel that if you are getting business from this site, you owe it to Harry to purchase a Premiere membership. Again, this is my opinion.
The only thing you'd lose by being a Basic Member is being included in the search function, you could still be a great part of the community.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

The one and only reason anyone listed on this site in the first place was to get more business. Other than Sylvia; Who is on this site to just enjoy the wonderful commentary posted by all of us giants of literature. No listing.. WHAT'S THE POINT!

Anyone can set up a blog. There are quite a few.

P.S. I have received more than a handful of signings from NR and I personally feel Harry gets his payback from threads just like this one because without it NR wouldn't be as popular.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 11:02am
Msg #235814

Re: Community my &$*$%&$ ^#%

"I personally feel Harry gets his payback from threads just like this one because without it NR wouldn't be as popular."
------------------------------------

I guess you are right. Harry meant for this to a sounding board for all of us notaries.
It never occured to him to be a business venture. I mean, he wouldn't want to use this
as an income, after spending the money on Seach Engine Optimization, advertising, web
development.... Nah, he's using it as a tax write-off.... Genius!

A thread doesn't pay his bills.

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 11:09am
Msg #235818

Re: Community my &$*$%&$ ^#%

Then why does it exist if not to benefit the site as a whole?

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 11:17am
Msg #235819

Re: Community my &$*$%&$ ^#%

Here is my prima facie. I think the numbers site doesn't offer a free listing and it doesn't get nearly half the traffic this site does. I think that makes this site more popular. More popular, more revenue. TA DA! yes it's genius.

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 11:19am
Msg #235820

Re: Community my &$*$%&$ ^#%

and before you try, you have to buy their certification to get a free listing.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 2/18/08 1:20pm
Msg #235835

Re: Carmi

**IMHO, those members who are inactive, meaning, never logged in or never updated their profile or never did anything to this site, for let's say three months, should be sent a notice of some sort. **

W-H-A-T ??? It's posts such as this as to why MANY premier members never post or link their profiles to their posts. Just because one doesn't choose to post or link their profile, doesn't mean that they aren't paying PREMIER rates -- so who made you God or the NotRot police to decide which profiles should be removed or kept?

Reply by Carmi/CA on 2/18/08 1:38pm
Msg #235836

HA??? I don't see the connection.

What I'm trying to say is those people who were inactive should be given a notice just to check if they are still in the notary/signing agent business. Like your email accout, if you don't use it for quite some time your account will be deleted. I wasn't talking about people who don't post or link their profiles to their post. Geez, lighten up a little bit. Have a great day!

Reply by rengel/CA on 2/18/08 11:30am
Msg #235821

Basic members are living off

the Premier members paying to keep this site open. If you get anything out of this site, you should pay for it.
My .02

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 11:39am
Msg #235822

Re: I defer to these posts

Actually, it would be the premium members that would lose out based on your suggestion. If you were to read something that one of us "lowly basic members" posted that was beneficial to you and you wanted to find it again, you wouldn't be able to search and locate the post if NotRot followed your suggestion. I love your good enough to give info, but not good enough to receive mentality. I believe that I also help Harry by having his website linked to mine, thereby directing traffic to NotRot.

I am now a Basic member. And have been a Premier in the past. I am very commited to keeping my profile up to date. I am sure that Harry wants to have as much coverage as he can in all markets. If he were to purge the Basic members so that they did not come up in the search. Would he have the coverage he needs to keep companies/people using his site for a notary search ????

From the smart people who have a business sense.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 11:45am
Msg #235824

Settle Down Peter.....

"you wouldn't be able to search and locate the post if NotRot followed your suggestion. I love your good enough to give info, but not good enough to receive mentality. I believe that I also help Harry by having his website linked to mine, thereby directing traffic to NotRot."
-----------------
This is not the case..... Basic members would have full functionality on the message board...
Just not be located in the "Find a Notary" section.


" I am sure that Harry wants to have as much coverage as he can in all markets."
---------------------------
As is noticed by the TON of notaries listed in each area....I'm sure covered.

You can continue with your, "Give it to me free, because I deserve it mentality", I'll continue to pay for what I think is a great service.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 11:46am
Msg #235826

Couldn't Agree More!

If Basic members are getting business, a premier member in that area might even argue he is losing business for which he paid for.

I wouldn't, but I'm sure in a slow market, someone would argue that.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 2/18/08 12:11pm
Msg #235830

Re: Basic members are living off

You don't have that little gold box next to your name, so you either don't follow your own advice or you don't get anything out of this site.

Reply by NCLisa on 2/18/08 11:52am
Msg #235827

The idea is to PURGE those with empty profiles...

no phone numbers, no information, no email address, or non working numbers. Those of you that post on here probably have working phone numbers, etc. in your profile. Do a zip code search, and look at all the profiles that are empty. Why waste someone that is looking for a notaries time with empty profiles.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/18/08 11:58am
Msg #235829

Re: The idea is to PURGE those with empty profiles...

I did notify Harry of one such one in my area. I even know the notary and know she is no longer doing notary work. She even has a new email (her only contact listed and has remarried, changing her name. She is a basic member. There is another that has not updated since 2006. I have referred her and she turns down the business.

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 12:53pm
Msg #235833

Re: The idea is to PURGE those with empty profiles...

I most definitely agree with that.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/18/08 1:47pm
Msg #235837

LET ME RESTATE - THIS WAS MY OPINION.....NOT HARRY'S

Since this thread already has gone far deeper and crazier then I imagined it would
I'll restate I was posting my opinion.... and none of this is apparently going to happen.

(end disclaimer)

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 2:35pm
Msg #235843

I don't know if you realize how incredibly...

funny that was... But it was very funny. Look at how long this thread is and BAM
________________________________________________________________
Since this thread already has gone far deeper and crazier then I imagined it would
I'll restate I was posting my opinion.... and none of this is apparently going to happen.

(end disclaimer)
________________________________________________________________

And then it hit me "Like a wall" I just came back in and had to log back on to NR and there it was... shinning like a light from on high, it came rushing towards me like a wave of ... well you get the idea. Here it is ladies and gentlemen... Notary Rotary the Premier Web Site For Professional Notaries... drum roll please... HAS A STORE!!!

And so there for, you are right! It's never going to happen. TA DA!

Reply by PeterRado/FL on 2/18/08 2:37pm
Msg #235844

Or therefore n/m