TOPIC: So paid membership AND sponsors now?

" How are you even complaining about this?"

I'll tell you how. There will always be people who just complain. I'm also a business owner and over the years I've learned that, it doesn't matter how good, how cheap or how valuable your services, there will always be complainers. Serious respect and thanks to S.O. and the moderators. Critiquing this site is not wrong, in fact, it's a very good thing, because that's how you get better. But this one is very ridiculous. If you are a grown adult, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to afford this site. Even a paperboy could afford this site. The only critique I would have is that doctors like Dr. C, who have benefited greatly from this site, should definitely provide a discount to members. This is just common sense. S.O. has plenty of leverage to make that happen. Dr. Oates is a good example, as he has provided a considerable discount to members from this board.

lengthordeath wrote: Oh, you won't let them on the site as they are proven butchers? what about when they start offering you a couple thousand dollars to gain a commercial stronghold on the biggest (and only, really) site based on Phalloplasty information, where they can start siren calling to men with their 2-3'' length gain from a simple procedure claims. (caution to everyone, don't believe them when they say that they have improved their procedures so they are now effective, that will just be so the mods and owner can now say "yeah their procedures were unsafe in the past, but they have greatly improved it now so it actually works and is safe"

PhalloBoards is on a fast track become surgical life enhancement 2.0

It is a real shame that this once great forum has now turned into nothing more than a money grab.

paid memberships are fair enough, but introducing commercial accounts is a low move considering how much you made yourself seem against it in the past.

I'll discuss this via PM with any of the mods or SO, but for complete transparency why not we keep it in this public thread for everyone to see.

To be fair, SO has already been put to the test in this regard. I banned Androfill literally the day after they agreed to a sponsorship (I don't know the details) with SO. Even before I banned them they'd mentioned to SO they weren't happy with the way I was critiquing them. Yet he never asked me to reign things in, even though it could have put them off paying for a commercial account and when I had reason the ban them, as soon as he saw the evidence, he didn't hesitate in acknowledging they had to go. As I said I don't know the details of the deal, as the Mods, as far as I'm aware, have no involvement, but I'm pretty sure it was a lot more than the average donation.

jogift wrote: SO, if PayPal will not pay to PhalloBoards do you have another email address? I could try that.

Or maybe, some of these ranters can offer to have us pay $5 each month to their email accounts then forward to you by google wallet - that's part of the "fraternity" one can expect from an "exclusive" forum like this ...







'

So is the problem that it won't accept low denominations like $5? Or it won't accept any amount period?

Sincerely thanks to everyone who's chimed in on this site's behalf.

What's ultimately lost in all of this is how in the end, this is my site and I can turn it into whatever I please. Like if I so-choose, this website will become a forum on pets, and we can discuss the whole dog vs cat thing. This sense of entitlement baffles me.

But I have obviously not chosen that route. I address things with Moderators who's opinions I value. I made this decision, and the monetary side of this site does not involve the other Moderators, only myself. And I have a simple reasoning behind why I provide Commercial Accounts. If & when (presumably) scrupulous and ethical physicians join our forum, we have no issue with it (example: Dr. Oates). But if they get to post freely, they are indirectly (or arguably even directly) advertising at this forum's expense. Given the audience they can reach in such a niche field, why wouldn't I collect for their "banner" space? So according to you, lengthordeath, this forum who really appreciates Dr. Oates input should just let him advertise freely? Yes, the membership system was to help fund the site while simultaneously avoiding the "pop-up ad" route. However, that doesn't mean that commercial interests can post here freely. This especially occurred to me when Dr. Oates reception was so good. Finally a no-B.S. medical professional joining the discussion. Everyone seemed to really benefit from the conversation.

Furthermore, the Commercial Account is afforded one "virtual ad"...it is just that, an ad. Can it be criticized, questioned, scrutinized, etc? Sure, start a thread in the General Phalloplasty Discussion and have at it. The idea that Moderators don't endorse or verify claims made by Commercial Accounts specifically apply to the virtual ad space, not actual discussion threads. I thought that was obvious, but I guess not. This is a hypothetical example: say Dr. Giunta wants to put up his own advertisement in the appropriate sub-forum. He can say you'll gain 2" x 2" all he wants, because it's simply that, an ad. That doesn't mean we can't discuss the legitimacy of his claims in the appropriate forums. You can highlight the absurdity of the claim and demand the doctor back up the claims found in his ad all you'd like. I make it very clear that these are sponsors and advertisements, if you have half a brain, you should be skeptical with any claims made. The great thing is, after reading an advertisement, you can actually search reviews of actual people having actual procedures done to determine how credible advertisement claims are.

And yes, there is a blacklist. There are physicians & clinics I will refuse to take any $$ from. I denied a handsome sum by Androfill when I could have tolerated their shilling attempts and turned a blind eye. There are physicians right now that I wont even return a correspondence to if they inquired about acquiring ad-space. So thanks, thanks a lot for comparing this site's endeavor to SLE 2.0. You've made a fan out of me.

But really, this is coming from a guy who's been registered for less than 3 months when this forum has been here 6 years. We've been through and seen a lot. Not sure you really value the bigger picture. I've bent over backwards for this forum, tell me lengthordeath, what obligation do I have to maintain or keep this forum running? I'm serious, please answer this question. I really have no interest in any other exchange until you can give me a damn good answer to this question. And an extension to this question, who do any of these Moderators feel the need to give and give? I know all of them to have taken phone calls (presumably at no cost, when their consultation is priceless), answered countless PMs & emails, and still stick around for guys like you. So answer these 2 questions please.

This kind of thread really ought to be in the Feedback Forum but I'll let it stay here for as much "transparency" (i.e. remaining visible) as we can offer.

You act like your a person of importance! Nobody owes you or any of the other "numerous members" you claim are upset, an explanation for anything. You don't like it here, GTFO.

S.O and the mods have donated thousands of hours. One of them went as far as speaking with me on the phone for a few hours and it was one of the more enlightening and enjoyable talks I've ever had with another person. This place has almost shut down because people refuse to freely donate. You won't even pay the small fee lololol.

This place has been giving and giving and giving for YEARS. Its not like S.O. is making bundles of cash off of here (and if he was, more power to him, he deserves it more than anybody)...He's trying to keep this place up and running without paying out of his own pocket (and countless hours of his time)...

This is the most whiny, entitled, ungrateful post I've ever seen....but at least it made me laugh.

Really good point about Dr. C...never thought about that. He seems like a capitalist at though and I don't see discounts in the future...(and theres nothing wrong with that, he has an excellent service and charges what he thinks he deserves. Obviously people pay it.)...but I can only imagine how much $$$ S.O. helped that man earn.

S.O. did the Doc give your any free sessions or anything last time you went or was this place not as booming back then? I know M8 and him are good friends. Miracle hasn't been around much lately. He's probably busy building his business. That guy is wicked smart. I don't think theres anything about penile anatomy or pmma or health in general that guy doesn't know. Like a damn physiology encyclopedia.

To everyone who has show support for SO and the moderators, thank you. SO (besides being the owner) and the moderators, have no need to be here. We are here to have a community where honest information is available. Many, many of you are not aware of the beginnings of this forum and the deceit, corruption and harm that led to its inception. We all have a desire to make sure that this forum is the place where that does not occur. Personally, I have no other reason to be here.

To those of you who question the integrity of this forum, you are free to not visit. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and making you type in the URL. Simple as that.
And on the integrity issue, if you really think that is an issue, why would SO or any of the mod team allow this thread to exist? We could have easily deleted it as soon as it was posted.

But I know for a certain fact that many, many men (including some that have posted in this very thread) have utilized this forum to gain information and have taken the step to have a procedure. Yet, they do not see any reason to donate to keep this forum alive. I fully support SO in his decisions. This is his site, after all. He seeks and allows input from the moderators, but if he decided to pull the plug tomorrow, that is his call. Let me ask you, where would you turn then? What other forum has the wealth of information and member support as this one? I actually encourage you to start your own site. Pay for it out of your own pocket. Make your own rules. Deal with the crap that goes on behind the scenes. Please, go ahead. I am pretty certain that you would not have the dedication and determination to have the site last a year, much less the length of time this one has been around.

I am sick to death of the entitlement attitude the abounds.

I've been following this website for many many years. My opinion is that you are keeping out ALOT of people that have had the procedure done lately, Myself included - along with about 5 people I know personally. Out of the 6 of us- no one can add their progress reports. This forumn I believe was intended to provide information to people who have had a procedure and to those who have not. I would be happy to provide my results and many complications so that others would be aware of what to expect.. As a multi- business owner my honest opinion is that advertising (to an extent) should be allowed to generate income for the website. However the thoughts of myself and others I have talked to are such that 1. why would we pay to tell others about our personal experiences with Girth enhancements, especially when everyone just wants to see Pictures of our penises. This is not a porn site- it's designed to help people make educated decisions about the procedure. 2. By charging people money - you are eliminating ALOT of people that may be willing to share their experiences with the forumn. If you look at the statistics - Dr.C does about 2+ new procedures a day... How many new faces are joining the "Pay " site just so they can share their experiences? Not many... So the question I have is- Do the moderators of the site honestly want to share experiences and learn , or is it turning into an income producing business. From a business standpoint - this is really not the way to build the website and gather new people and information.. Advertising is.

Hi skeptical one I would have to agree on dprice on this, while most people will say $5 or whatever amount to charge users to post is not much or users being cheapskate you have to look at other medical forums and other medical sites realself, health grade , other phalosites, etc... They don't charge users and hence the massive growth . Since information should be free

In regards to monetary I think the sponsorship should be great to an extent. My suggestions would be to charge surgeons to talk about their procedures and then do a q.a so for example Dr.elist which large amount of people hate, charge him and give him a chance to speak about procedure, complications, etc... And then let the users provide their reviews and questions which to the point dr elist might regret paying you lol if he is that bad of a doctor while majority of other doctors who are good surgeon will be comfortable writing new techniques and procedure. Possible have a poll and review system that is more organized as well so then users know based on other users experience to do surgery or not. It win/win since they get to advertise their clinic but at same it's the patients/users that have full control by reviewing if worth or not

In regards to other monetary like advertising viagra, Cialis, and other medical devices could be good way to get additional income plus have a section dedicated to it so people can review and advice on using them.
But Ofcourse not advertising scam pills

I'm sure if there is a technical issue SO can make it happen either way. I remember him saying if you have difficulties in seeing the forum email to .......... He is working to make this available to everyone at a very reasonable cost. Is it perfected yet probably not....a simple email stating the difficulty may solve the issue.

its not that he is trying to get money for profit here, he is trying to not come out of pocket any longer and I get it, its not a hard concept to grasp.

I've been around this forum almost 4 years. Lurked for about 6 months before registering. I can personally attest to the honesty & integrity of SO & moderators of this site. Mods and other members have messaged me responding to my inquiries and taken time out of their lives to help me. Information here is invaluable. I will, as pathetic as this might sound to alot of you, admit that this forum helped save my life at one point. S.O. has been very generous with his time and money keeping the site afloat. I will admit, I would not have to the patience to deal with the shit SO and mods deal with on here. When people are willing to pay to travel to a different country and pay up to $3k for a procedure, then bitch about donating to the very site that probably gave them all the invaluable info to begin with I say this:

To the "numerous members who wish not to be publicly involved with this discussion"- Go start your own fucking site and pay for it yourself with your own time and money

SO, if PayPal will not pay to PhalloBoards do you have another email address? I could try that.

Or maybe, some of these ranters can offer to have us pay $5 each month to their email accounts then forward to you by google wallet - that's part of the "fraternity" one can expect from an "exclusive" forum like this ...







'

@dprice

As a multi-business owner myself, why is the small fee of this site such a dilemma for you? Fueling up one of my work trucks cost more than a lifetime membership does.

I don't understand why people are acting like it costs a fortune.

For those that think SO "should" do something, change, modify things to their liking, etc - you're wrong. This isn't your board, and if he wants to sell his magic pet rocks on here, what is it to you?

The attitude portrayed by the original poster is ignorant and entitled. You have donated nothing, other than your little and loud opinion.

You want access to a knowledgeable community on what is undoubtedly a sensitive topic? Pay for it. Or don't, it's a free country. Websites aren't democracies.

And for those people who "can't" pay for a basic donation because of their severely depressed economic status, should never have the economic wherewithal to stomach a $3k tab for PMMA enhancement. So it's a moot point...unless of course, we change our discussion from ability to pay, to a question of financial priority.

If I see ads here, I'm going to click them - personally, I kinda want SO to be well-compensated for his time and effort. Those who wish to defy economic gravity and expect others to carry the financial brunt for their personal benefit, display a basic ignorance of economics and the incentives that drive them.

Shout out to the mods as well as SO for running, building, and continually donating to the community.

I know at one point SO made it to where if you posted in patient progress and 2 pages and pictures your membership was free.

So to those 6 guys who can't or won't pay, why didn't you take advantage of his free offer while it was available before the paid membership took effect.

If you were lurking for so long you would have seen that said........

Just my 2 cents...
And oh by the way I've had no procedures of any kind and I donated back in December and again in January $100 was well worth the damn info I got here.

So why you whining about 50 bucks when you got 100's of posts and 1000's of pages for free
BEFORE YOU SPENT MONEY ON YOUR Dick!!

ALL that knowledge, insight, progress reports for free. Any of you 6 could have started progress reports prior but didnt, now you whine..... I don't get it.

You didn't want to contribute then for everyone to benefit, but you complain when you can't partake for free....

Thanks to the mods, SO and the contributing members, your collective insight and comments helped me in my decision against Phalloplasty