Quick to Remove MORC Label

[jzipfel]

WoW. I just got my PM that my membership expired on Friday and already the MORC logo is gone from my name. You don't even give me a chance to send in the $$. I guess it doesn't matter what level you pay for, it doesn't give you any leeway does it?:confused: FWIW it was more than the individual membership to say thanks for the trailbuilding.


If only you we so quick to get it back up.

Oh well, I'll send the money in this week. I would really like to see a pay with Visa option, I hate PayPal.

[gopherhockey]

WoW. I just got my PM that my membership expired on Friday and already the MORC logo is gone from my name. You don't even give me a chance to send in the $$.

We originally were going to wait 30 days before removing the logos of expiring members, but someone must have gotten trigger happy. Please don't be upset, we're really working on this process and don't mean to upset anyone. It takes a lot of time to maintain the membership database and get the online forums members in sync - we're all doing our best and never mean to upset anyone.

In theory you should have gotten a few renewal messages or notifications to help pre-warn of this, but we're working on that process as well.

If ya renew just email staff@morcmtb.org and he will get your logo back on for ya.

[jzipfel]

Please don't be upset, we're really working on this process and don't mean to upset anyone. It takes a lot of time to maintain the membership database and get the online forums members in sync - we're all doing our best and never mean to upset anyone.



I know and I really do appreciate the work everyone does. I was just in one of those moods since I'm working tonight and not relaxing.

Thanks John.

Now go to bed or go have a beer, it's Saturday night.:banana:

[Nickel]

I think with the Paypal you can use your Visa and it is just the middleman....or are you just interested in a Visa-only type MORC back-end shopping cart? You don't need a Paypal account.

[jzipfel]

I think with the Paypal you can use your Visa and it is just the middleman....or are you just interested in a Visa-only type MORC back-end shopping cart? You don't need a Paypal account.


MORC shopping cart would be great, with direct Visa payment. NO PayPal middle man.

I don't want to set up a PayPal account.

[Nickel]

Heh, read what you quoted from me. ;) Someone please correct me but I am pretty sure that you do not need to sign up for a Paypal account. They are just providing the secure transaction between you and MORC.

From the membership application site:

If you do not have a Paypal account you can still join without having to sign up with the Paypal service.

[chiquito]

I just noticed that my membership is expiring this month, so I better hurry I guess. :)

[Shorty]

This is from the online membership page:

Note: Online payment are only accepted via Paypal at this time. If you do not have a Paypal account you can still join without having to sign up with the Paypal service.

That first sentence probably scares a lot of people away... they read it and hit the back button.

Maybe some different wording?
You DO NOT need a Paypal account to buy a MORC membership. Paypal is simply the credit card service provider... MORC doesn't own a credit card machine. Simply choose the credit card option and you won't need to create a paypal account.

[jzipfel]

Everybody calm down:crazy2: (Me Included)

I think everyone mis-read what I was trying to say. I just don't like PayPal. I know I can send in my membership via mail. In fact as a memeber for about 4 years, this is the way I have always done it. Fill out the form, send in a check, get card in mail. Yep, got it.


All I was saying is that it would be nice to have an online option that does not include setting up a PayPal account.

It's not that big of a deal, it is just a personal preference. I have been doing the mail route for years and will continue. I will also continue to send in a higher amount every year since family and work obligations prevent me from trail work.

PS.
Why are so many people reading the MORC board on a Saturday night? My excuse is I'm 40 , with kids and clients that need work done.:laugh:

[seberly]

I'm sure you all know that MORC get's the most money from a direct cash (or check) payment - credit cards require the largest fee - which MORC would be required to pay. With PayPal I think MORC get's the entire amount - or maybe there is a small fee but it is smaller than a credit card.

Just another perspective.

[bigwheel]

IWith PayPal I think MORC get's the entire amount - or maybe there is a small fee but it is smaller than a credit card.

Edit: Deleted because I posted incorrect information. :)

[gopherhockey]

We did some research on this. The issue is that setting up a merchant account online can actually be more costly than Paypal, as well as much more complicated. Its one thing to accept credit card payments, then another to process them. Each takes a bite. We don't do the kind of volume that would get us much of a discounted rate either.

Paypal is actually very slick and people shoudln't be scared of it if you don't have an account there - as it says, you don't need one.

Having Paypal has made my life much easier. If you ever do anything on eBay its basically required these days. I couldn't live without it and can't see how so many have gone without one. If I could find a reason to do it, I'd have two. :D

Tangent: personal checks... ought to have been banished back in the 90s. Instant check card, direct withdrawl, credit card, paypal... they are all good. Stop making us wait in line beind you at the supermarket while you take 15 minutes to scribble out your worthless check. ;)

See what you did now? hehe....

[trogolodyte16]

A few years ago I used PayPal to sign up for my MORC membership. I waited and waited and the riding season nearly ending, nothing arrived in the mail. That year MORC was the sponsor at the 24 Hours Of Afton. When I approached a young man, representing himself as part of the MORC organization, and asked why I hadn't received my membership information when I had paid it three month's previous, he simply blew me off. Repeated requests asking to speak to someone who truly represented MORC at that race were also ignored....my point, my PayPal payment was processed but I never received my membership materials, bad taste #1; then this series of frustrations dealing with someone who claimed to be part of MORC and was unable to answer my questions (as noted above) bad taste # 2....now as I sit overseas I wonder if I'll risk the membership fees when I get back or will that ignoramus (I spoke with few years earlier) still be a part of the membership equation fail to register my payment? Hmmm....:cool:

[gopherhockey]

, bad taste #1; then this series of frustrations dealing with someone who claimed to be part of MORC and was unable to answer my questions (as noted above) bad taste # 2....now as I sit overseas I wonder if I'll risk the membership fees when I get back or will that ignoramus (I spoke with few years earlier) still be a part of the membership equation fail to register my payment? Hmmm....:cool:

Sorry to hear of these troubles as well. All I can say is that the processing of memberships has been improving over time. Recently we added a paid staffer to take care of this (among other things) and so we are doing much better now.

There are a lot of MORC members out there, but few that should have said they knew anything about the membership process. Likely you got a member but they figured out quickly by your question they didn't know the answer. Their heart was in the right place, they just got into an area they couldn't help with. (speculation) Sorry that happened! Its no fun to get a bad experience like this when joining such a great organization that does so much.

Please, everone, remember that we are a growing organization with a lot of people volunteering their time to take care of all these things. Often its a lot to ask of any one person. Now that we have Brandon on board as a staffer things *should* be looking up. (and I believe are!)

If you have questions about memberships (even bad experiences from a while back) email staff@morcmtb.org and you will hear it directly from the guy who knows. He will make things right.

[Shorty]

Everybody calm down...

I think everyone mis-read what I was trying to say. I just don't like PayPal.

All I was saying is that it would be nice to have an online option that does not include setting up a PayPal account.

Jeff,
Are you saying that Paypal is so bad that MORC shouldn't have an account with them to process credit cards? As stated before, it is MORC's easiest and cheapest option.

Or are you saying you don't want to create a Paypal account for yourself?

If that's the case... and I am not using bold and caps because I am mad or fired up, I am doing it so people read it (it has already been said a couple times here):

You DO NOT need a Paypal account to buy a MORC membership. Paypal is simply the credit card service provider... MORC doesn't own a credit card machine. Simply choose the credit card option and you won't need to create a paypal account.

[mtnbykr]

I just don't like PayPal.

seems he doen't like paypal. caps or not, i got it....

[jzipfel]

OK I'm an idiot.

Maybe some re-wording is in order on the page. The way I read the renewal was that you needed a Paypal account. That's all I know of Paypal.

So gues what I did, I did the Paypal thing and what do you know? NO Paypal account needed. I just paid by credit card. Just like I wanted. Sorry to cause such a stir, it was Saturday night, I was working and it was just another frustration.

Maybe something for indiots like me that says:

Hey dummy, you can pay directly with your credit card through Paypal. No Paypal account needed.


Yeah, something like that might work.:banana:

[gopherhockey]

seems he doen't like paypal. caps or not, i got it....

I think people are just making sure he (and others) has all the facts.... (see his message below) if people know they can use paypal and not have to sign up for it yet still don't want to use it, thats totally cool.

Perhaps others might be helped as well.



Maybe some re-wording is in order on the page. The way I read the renewal was that you needed a Paypal account. That's all I know of Paypal.



Yup, we will have to look at that and make it more clear.. thanks everyone for helping point that out!

[Brick]

Note....PayPal does not work well from a SW Asia commercial circuit.

Hour of my night wasted......

like I really had anything better to do.......:eyeroll:

[TrailPatrol]

I just noticed that my membership is expiring this month, so I better hurry I guess. :)

Ditto..."they" zinged me last year, and even after they got my MORC thingee back on there, it took an e-mail to the Lord High Webmaster :D to get "NMBP Regional Rep." back on there.

IMHO, given the system they have to work with, they are, as John put it "trigger happy". Anybody remember the old Chuck Connors TV series "Branded!" The theme song went, "What do you do when you're branded...and you know you're a man?"

What do you do when you're branded...and you know you're a rider?

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[bpblondie]

PM Sent....


WoW. I just got my PM that my membership expired on Friday and already the MORC logo is gone from my name. You don't even give me a chance to send in the $$. I guess it doesn't matter what level you pay for, it doesn't give you any leeway does it?:confused: FWIW it was more than the individual membership to say thanks for the trailbuilding.


If only you we so quick to get it back up.

Oh well, I'll send the money in this week. I would really like to see a pay with Visa option, I hate PayPal.

[bpblondie]

First of all, I would like to thank Jeff for bringing this topic up.

It's hard for me to know what is and isn't working w/ the renewal process if I don't hear from you the member.

I would like to clairify when we remove the "MORC Member" logo below your avatar.

The renewal system consists of sending an email reminder:
1 month before your membership expires
1 week after your membership expiresFinally, I send out a final email/ PM and will remove your "MORC Member" logo:
30 days after your membership expiresEmail renewal notices are the most cost effective for us, but we are now starting to send out paper renewals to those that have been expired for 3+ months.

The problem with email is we don't know if:
You actually check that email account on a regular basis
They make it to your INBOX or are caught by your SPAM filtersThere have been rumors that a few emails have been caught as SPAM because of the attached membership application and links to the renewal page. I have tried to adjust the content in an effort to get the emails to your INBOX.

So, when you renew please provide us with an email account that you actually check. If you change email accounts let me know I will be more than happy to update your information in the database. Just email me at staff@morcmtb.org.

If anyone has additional questions feel free to ask. Either post up, send me a PM, or email me at the addres above.

Thanks,

Brandon
Staffer, Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

[TrailPatrol]

The renewal system consists of sending an email reminder:

1 month before you expire
1 week after you expireFinally, I send out a final email/ PM and will remove your "MORC Member" logo:

30 days after you expireThanks,

Brandon
Staffer, Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists

Uh, I hate to quibble, but wouldn't that be phrased better if it was, "before/after your membership expires"????

Know what I mean?
Hans

[gopherhockey]

Good post Brandon.

You bring up a very good point. SPAM. Even my blocker was catching "@morcmtb.org" messages. I finally just added the domain itself as being "safe" and haven't gotten any SPAM as a result. Eventually it might not be good to have the whole domain flagged, but certain emails are probably important.

staff@morcmtb.org and administrator@morcmtb.org are good ones. I think administrator is what sends out most of the forum related notifications, like forums you are subscribed too for notifications, password changes etc.

Actually I think some of those notifications might come from my usa.net email address as well. I should probably fix that if its still the case.

As for trigger happy... in the past we really only brought the actual members database and the forum MORC membership group in line every... oh... maybe 6 months or even a year. Its not easy to do and its also not fun. I remember pulling people's logo who were expired for almost a year. On many occasions they then noticed their membership was expired and renewed. Long story short, the membership icon sometimes helps people realize their membership has expired - OR - it gives them that last little push ;)

Brandon's doing a great job now with all of this... until we get some automated system in place he's all we got, so treat him with care and kindness... :p

[steef]

You bring up a very good point. SPAM. Even my blocker was catching "@mormtb.org"

Probably because you let "@morcmtb.org" through and not mormtb.org . ;)


1 month before you expire

Sweet, someday I'll get an email giving me 1 month to live.:jumpy:

[bigwheel]

Anybody remember the old Chuck Connors TV series "Branded!" The theme song went, "What do you do when you're branded...and you know you're a man?"

Hans, you are showing your age. "Branded" was on TV before most people on this forum were even born. There are probably only a few that even know who Chuck Conners is. BTW, Chuck expired in 1992, so he doesn't get a MORC member logo.

I remember there being other words to the theme song:
"Stranded
Stranded on the toilet bowl
What do you do when you're stranded
... and you don't have a roll"
Anyway, there were a couple more verses that I have long since forgot.

[Danimal]

Here's my favorite photo of chuck.

[trogolodyte16]

I received an OUTSTANDING reply PM from Don (DmacBmac) and his positive message insures my renewal when I return from this nasty place!
Thanks -

Thanks,

Bill :D

Sorry to hear of these troubles as well. All I can say is that the processing of memberships has been improving over time. Recently we added a paid staffer to take care of this (among other things) and so we are doing much better now.

There are a lot of MORC members out there, but few that should have said they knew anything about the membership process. Likely you got a member but they figured out quickly by your question they didn't know the answer. Their heart was in the right place, they just got into an area they couldn't help with. (speculation) Sorry that happened! Its no fun to get a bad experience like this when joining such a great organization that does so much.

Please, everone, remember that we are a growing organization with a lot of people volunteering their time to take care of all these things. Often its a lot to ask of any one person. Now that we have Brandon on board as a staffer things *should* be looking up. (and I believe are!)

If you have questions about memberships (even bad experiences from a while back) email staff@morcmtb.org and you will hear it directly from the guy who knows. He will make things right.

[TrailPatrol]

Here's my favorite photo of chuck.

I like this one...
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/chuck-connors-b2.jpg
Now how do I get the theme song from Branded to play on this silly thing?

Hans

[transplant]

Anybody remember the Chuck Connor's song "I Like Beer"? Anyone?

"I like beer.
It makes me a jolly good fellow.
I like beer.
It helps me unwind and sometimes it makes me feel mellow."

Another successful hijack brought to you by "Beer". :crazy: