Snap shot survey, your views welcomed?

[Lucan Unlordly]

We run a database for sports clubs that is used by those putting on fundraising events and those wishing to be invited to those events.
We have no direct and comparable competition. The clubs need us to function effectively and as such many have continued to pay their subscriptions, a sum that equates to less than £1 a week, as they, in their words, 'need you to be here when normality resumes'. Many others did not pay last year, on the basis that 'no events took place so we didn't need the service', but are now learning that subscription process shows them as being a year overdue and starting to kick up.

Whilst I concur with both views there is no parity between the thought processes of either party and I'm battling with inner demons and thoughts that are drawn from being too close to the situation and are as follows.

Thankyou for continuing to support us through difficult times. Your loyalty will be rewarded accordingly.

Your membership has still given you access to the membership directory - which is used by many for *telephone and email contact - , maintained your web presence - a *free club page - so it's not as if you've received nothing over the past year so pay up! *these are incidental benefits, not necessarily 'sold' as part of the deal.

We have overheads, rental, hosting fees, updates and have been investing in additional functionality which comes at a cost that you haven't contributed to so welcome back, the annual fee has doubled!

I don't expect definitive answers and have narrowed it down to......

Should we write off the past year, accommodate those who did pay offering to extend their membership free of charge and live to fight another day or....

Stick to our guns, 'your paying peanuts so cough up!'

 

[Newchodge]

I think you should consider writing off, while thanking those who paid and, possibly, offering them something special, not necesarily free membership

 

[IanSuth]

I would go the other way - do you have something that is of low/no cost to you but value to customers, if so offer it for free to those that had paid on time and say the deal is also applicable who bring any arrears up to date by May 31sy (or another applicable date)

 

[Fagin2021]

Dear Member
Last year was difficult for all of us and I'd like to thank those many members who've already paid their annual subscription. Your support has enabled us to keep going and make sure we're ready to provide the service you need as things return to normal.

If you haven't yet paid your subscription, I'd really appreciate it if you would bring it up-to-date. Our income has dipped but sadly, our costs have not and we need your contribution to maintain and improve the services we provide.

Thank you very much.

Or words to that effect. I wouldn't give anything extra to paying members or an incentive to non-payers.

This is one of those 'my gut tells me' questions, so there's probably no right answer.

 

[Chris Parkman]

I agree with Fagin2021, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer and a polite reminder to pay often produces results

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Dear Member
Last year was difficult for all of us and I'd like to thank those many members who've already paid their annual subscription. Your support has enabled us to keep going and make sure we're ready to provide the service you need as things return to normal.

If you haven't yet paid your subscription, I'd really appreciate it if you would bring it up-to-date. Our income has dipped but sadly, our costs have not and we need your contribution to maintain and improve the services we provide.

Thank you very much.

Or words to that effect. I wouldn't give anything extra to paying members or an incentive to non-payers.

This is one of those 'my gut tells me' questions, so there's probably no right answer.

Nicely worded, thanks...

Unfortunately it's unlikely to have much impact on many of our customers but with some adaptations could be utilised to deliver a planned price rise.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Could you afford to offer staggered payments for the next year (sorry I’m not sure what the amounts are here). Along the lines of;

‘we appreciate times are difficult for all, and for those that bring their accounts now up to date for the previous year we are offering to stagger payments for the forthcoming year over 3/6/12 monthly payments’

that could be something you also offer those that HAVE paid already as a thankyou for sticking by you so that nobody feels hard done by?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Could you afford to offer staggered payments for the next year (sorry I’m not sure what the amounts are here). Along the lines of;

‘we appreciate times are difficult for all, and for those that bring their accounts now up to date for the previous year we are offering to stagger payments for the forthcoming year over 3/6/12 monthly payments’

that could be something you also offer those that HAVE paid already as a thankyou for sticking by you so that nobody feels hard done by?

Currently 0.86p a week! Paid annually.

That's for the entire club. Some, commercially set up, some volunteer led with a business like approach and some who'd consider driving to town, paying £3 for parking so that they can get £1 off an item as a result

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Whoops, apologies - just reread the earlier post and saw you already said it was less then £1 a week. Forget that idea then