[wlug_org] Current Poll, Sales & Money

[Wood Brent]

--- Tony Wills <ajwills@paradise.net.nz> wrote:

> The current poll
> "If the lug had an extra pay service, which offered stuff like T-Shirts, 
> distros, would you be interested?"
> 

> Yes I would like to see the group use its bulk buying numbers to get good 
> deals on things to sell to members.

Difficult with a no advertising policy. I'm not sure enough members want the
same items to really offer any bulk buying power. Even Linux case badges would
only be a bulk purchase of $40 odd once every few months at best. Not likely to
save members much....

> No I don't think the group should use this as a fund raising exercise.

I don't see why the LUG shouldn't make a nominal profit, ie: ensure costs are
at leas covered, but no real profit margin. It strikes me as a very good answer
to Tony's dilemma, which is prob shared by many members. We'd like case badges
& stuff, but seldom make the effort as individuals to actually get the things.

To have a few badges/mouse pads etc available at meetings, at around cost (I
certainly don't believe the LUG should subsidise such things) I think would be
a "good thing" which would be taken advantage of by members.

If I bought 20 odd, & turned with them for sale at a minimal profit, I think
most would be happy. As the LUG has $$ to play with, I think using them to
provide such extras is a good idea. I'd sooner the LUG did this for members
than someone like me made a few $$ (or not). I think it is also better for the
LUG to be seen to provide this service rather than individual members, as such
things (IMHO) help raise the value of the group itself to the wider membership.

I certainly don't see it as the LUG getting rich from the poor destitute
members by charging horrendous margins.... 

> 
> ie I don't think the 'group' (whatever that is) should seek to make a 
> profit from such sales.
> That way
> 1) the benefit is directly to members in getting good value for money 
> (otherwise known as cheap ;-).
> 2) You don't have the hassles of worrying about should the group be paying 
> some sort of tax

With the volumes we are looking at, that isn't an issue- ask IRD's free help
line if you can wait a few hours to actually talk to someone. Covering costs
for the LUG, is no different to covering costs for the individual. As above, I
think it is a "warm fuzzy" thing to have the "LUG" seen as the provider, rather
than a member....


> 3) You don't have to think up creative ways to spend the money (the current 
> funds question indicates there is no pressing need for more money)

Nor a pressing need to spend it?

Anyone have a proposal for a LUG sponsored event???


Brent