Date:         Wed, 11 Aug 2004 23:26:20 -0400
Reply-To:     John Runberg <jrunberg@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Runberg <jrunberg@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: no

one rides for free (was Gerry)
Cc: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=A0\"Michael_S._Nichols\"?=" <msnichols@MINDSPRING.COM>
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Michael, Me thinks your missing the point of the list, the reason our vendo=
rs are in business, and perhaps list-servs in general.

I don't think any vendor (that I know of, at least) got involved with Vanag=
ons to get rich. They did it because they saw a need and had an interest in=
 the hobby. For them to post their technical advice, parts options and pric=
ing is more a service to me than anything else. Bar them and you might have=
 a *much* harder time finding what you need when it comes time to buy. At t=
he very least a ton of insight and experience would dissappear.

As for a vendor (or series of vendors) running the list? Disaster! They wil=
l potentially control the voice of the community and lose any respect and t=
heir objective position as a result. What makes this list successful is tha=
t the list moms have no financial interest in the direction of discourse on=
 the list.

Instead of trying to saddle the list on the guy w/ the biggest pockets (eve=
n though they're probably smaller than yours), perhaps a better model could=
 be found in the Type 2 list, where groups around the country hold fundrais=
ers and take donations for the mainteance of the server/bandwidth. This hap=
pens everyear at Everybus and countless other events -- and often vendors (=
even those not actively contributing to the list) donate as well.

Boy, I'm in a grumpy mood tonight!

> The large commercial and "hobby" parts sellers, what might they contribut=
e?=20
> Bus Depot is a successful concern, not just a mom and pop company.=A0=A0C=
hris at=20
> JordanWv, well, he advertises=A0=A0lots of parts, but only for a hobby.=
=20
> VolksCafe, Van-again, both for-profit concerns.=A0=A0Stan W. in Dallas, T=
exas,=20
> did I miss anyone?=20

john