GStwin should have better links

[South East Rocket]

Hey guys, I don't wanna to trash talk this wonderful website!  This is simply a suggestion:


-I'd like to see something in the "link" section that would resemble this:

Popular mods:

-V&H exhaust  --> buy from www.somewebsite.com
-Prog. springs --> buy from www.prog...com
-K&N filter      --> buy from www.somewebsite.com
-Jetkit            --> buy from Dynoject.com

I'm just suggesting this because I'm going through my research and shopping for my GS christmas list and I'm having trouble locating all her toys....

[octane]

The corporate website is usually not the best place to buy things - and if John isn't getting a commission from sales, why should he go through the trouble? John's gone out of his way to keep the site clean and uncluttered, which is one of the reasons it's such a nice place to visit. The last thing we need is pop up ads and those crazy shakin' banners! I realize that's the extreme, but that's my .02

[glenn9171]

Octane is right.  If you bought all of your accessories and add-ons from their respective corporate sites, you would be wasting a large chunk of your budget.

[Kerry]

I agree about the corporate sites, but SER has a good point.  It would be nice to have a page with links for "Where to buy (or at least compare prices for) _______"

I also agree that this is probably too much for John to do.  I'm willing to take a shot at assembling and maintaining some simple pages in my webspace.  Then John could just add a link on GStwin.com.

My plan would be to list retailers with links to their websites, and actual part numbers.  I'll have to think about whether to show prices or not - that could be a maintenance nightmare.

I would need help on items that I have no personal interest in, and everybody would need to be patient as the info slowly grew....

[john]

What I think really doesn't count.  But what Octane (our beloved $hit eating tampon face) said might possibly be the very reason.  Seeing he also has a site bike related it doesn't surprise me he'd get it.

I really don't want to get into all the reasons I keep the link page sparse but where to buy links won't be appearing anytime soon.  If I were desperate for the money I might do it but so far with a few donations, a few manuals from Amazon.com, and a few magazine subscriptions from Amazon I have been able to defray expenses for GStwin site and hosting for this forum (at the current bandwidth).

I could probably make some good $ opening up a store front (I know a couple dealers that would kick me back $ for items ordered through a store front but somehow I would feel like selling out to the people who come here.  It would then become more about making $ than creating and maintaining a site for people who own(ed) a gs500 like me.

AM I crazy?  Some people have told me I am crazy and I shouldn't feel guilty about making money but I kinda do.  So thats why there are no links to where to buy links.  And creating those links for no kick back ain't gonna happen because then I would be inviting complaints when service goes bad or parts don't fit and I don't have time to deal with that stuff.

Hope this answers your complaint/suggestion.

[octane]

For the record, I don't think you should feel guilty about making money, but I really respect (and appreciate) what you do here. That said, I do understand your concerns with vendor links and the feeling of being responsible for any bad experiences your site users may have with those companies - and having to deal with the site as a business. The storefront is an element you can't control and unfortunately is often more trouble than it's worth. I think a big part of what makes this site such a pleasure to visit and such a community is that fact that it is NOT a business, but something you do because you enjoy (most of the time...right?!). So cheers John. If I ever find myself in Massachusetts I'll be sure to stop in and buy you a beer or five.  

[john]

mmmmmmmm...beer

[Linh]

Hey John, please let us know when the amazon comissions aren't covering enough of your expenses.  I think most of us wouldn't mind sending in donations when needed to keep the site going.

I don't shop amazon that often but when I do I will try to remember going through the link on the main page here.

[bob]

My understanding is that if we buy a GS500 manual from Amazon, the site gets a commission.  Since I already have a manual, I thought this wouldn't apply to me.  But, am I mistaken?  Does the site get a commission if we buy anything at Amazon as long as we link through the site?  John, lemme know the details - I don't buy stuff through Amazon very often, but when I do & if it helps the site, I'll make sure I make my purchase in whatever way I need to to make sure the site gets the credit.

[Casimir]

I think there are enough referrals in the general and for sale forums to find out where to buy product. I can really see John's point about being reluctant to endorse a particular vendor. The first time someone gets bad service or finds a better price, it becomes an issue.

I'm more than happy to send a few bucks a year as a voluntary donation to keep John from losing money on the board. I know that I have gotten more out of this website  than any other source on motorcycling or the GS500. I don't buy anything or do any mod without first reading about the pioneers that have gone before.

[JBix]

I agree with everybody!  Though there may be a few things some of us would like to add to the site, it probably won't be worth the downs that come with the ups.  The site is great as it is, and I have learned more from this site and all the friendly members than I would anywhere else.  Cheers to John for what he has done with the site!

[john]

Thats what the "make a donation" link is at the top of the page.  You can donate $3, get a decal and know that you helped out.  That link is for people who want to help out.  Hey, we aren't fussy.  You want to send a dollar?  Go ahead.

If you click on the big green amazon thing on the left side of the main gstwin.com page you can navigate through Amazon, buy whatever you like and GStwin gets a small %.  On occasion I see music or a bestseller get purchased through Amazon.  Actually you can also click on the repair manual link and still navigate through Amazon and we'll get credit for the purchase.

As far as the financial aspect of GStwin.  It is treading water.  There isn't much in reserve though I wish I had a year or even two of expenses in the till.  The reality is some times its on the + others not.  As was said if this were a business it would have gone chap 11 a long time ago! lol!

Hey, I/we really appreciate everyone who helps out.  Whether its buying a manual, magazine OR making a donation it HELPS.  Be assured of that.