To Renew or, Not Renew.....

[Ash944]

it was there for a month and NO-ONE even bothered to reply []!! I then put up a sarcastic post and one person had the decency to respond. This blinkered ignorance makes me SO Fcuking ANGRY []!! Iv'e had enough, and, for that reason.........I'M OUT!

Pete'.
[/quote]


I feel like that sometimes. Lol

 

[PAUL RUDDY]

ORIGINAL: tref

ORIGINAL: PAUL RUDDY

Best part of Porsche ownership so far was the Dinslaken trip which we organised ourselves for 2013 and have organised again for 2014 including our own FB page and soon a website.

Paul, can you keep me posted on that please? I am afraid I don't do Facebook, but there are a couple of us from Dorset planning on doing something for Dinslaken 2014. If you wish we might be able to work together, and bring over the regional gazebo/flagpole/blah, blah... could be useful if it is as hot as this year... or rains! R26@porscheclubgb.com

Tref.

Hi Tref, be good to see you over there again, we learnt a lot from this years trip so hopefully we have secured an infield pitch for 2014, we basically got in very early and secured our area on the grass this year by parking up and legging it.

We are not attending as a Porsche Club GB region as its unfair to advertise the clubs presence in Europe when its basically an independantly arranged trip, we do hope to have banners and regalia etc as a 'touring/visiting group'

I'm sure if you can let us have car numbers we can sort the finer details of the pitch size with the organisers and all park up together, maybe even squeeze the gazebo on somewhere, as you will have noticed this year space was at a premium.

Be nice to see a few more UK 944 owners over there.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Ex Skyline]

Yes Jon', and that is the main reason that i'm not going to rejoin. In a nut shell [8|].

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Although.. and I might not be popular for saying this.. I do think that perhaps a percentage of the revenues from club memberships should be provided to the local regions so they can have a kitty to spend on doing some things to actually make the local members feel like they get some real benefits from their membership, directly, which might make more members turn up to local meetings and events. Not sure how it would work, but it is just an idea, as I think the local regions and what they do, or do not do, make or break if someone is likely to renew or join.

Jon, they get exactly that. There were some interesting discussions last weekend about regions losing members to neighbouring regions who offered them a better service, and the money follows them.

I don't know what part of this is so hard for people to understand? You get a list of all the region and register volunteers when you join. If you don't feel you've got value from your membership, but haven't picked the phone up and spoken to anyone, I'm not sure there's anything anyone could possibly do. []

Pete, if you want to leave then please feel free. For what it's worth I think you've contributed more to the register with the Brighton meets and the forum posts than most people, and we need enthusiasts like you, but let's just say it's better to move on quietly than to try to stage some dramatic forum exit! [8|]

Andy? I'm speechless. Again, not once have you picked up the phone to suggest you're not renewing. You'd have been a huge help if you'd offered to work to improve things, but if that's via Tipec then fair enough. One thing I'd be VERY cautious of is your agreed value. I'm not allowed to do official valuations, despite some insurers being happy with my (limited) knowledge, as there are very strict agreements over who ALL insurers accept valuations from. So far as I'm aware Tipec valuations don't carry the same clout if it comes to a disputed claim, and your car must be valued at five times book or more? That could be a hundred year's of subscriptions, to put it in context.

Please. If you feel your region or register is doing something wrong why not tell someone? If you get no joy from the RO or RS, there are register and regional directors. If that fails, there is a Chairman who's home and personal mobile numbers are in Porschefile. There really isn't any excuse for not giving anyone any feedback for a year, then announcing you're leaving on the forum?

 

[George Elliott]

Pete,
forgive me if I derail this thread and try to convert it into a shining example of why this forum / club is so brilliant, - which is why we log in.

Today coming home from work, travelling along at 55/60mph my rev counter dropped to Zero for about 2 long seconds. And while i glanced at the instruments, I could see nothing else amiss. A few weeks back (within 1000 miles of now), a similar thing happened

I have done nothing to the car except routine servicing 4000 miles ago which incl a new DME relay.

I have not a clue what the cause is but intend to read up on the flywheel sensors and ignition switch. There must be a clue in the 0rpm position...?

I expect this good old forum will swing into action with the usual helpful suggestions and advice.

Please dont think I am taking anything from the comments made, I agree with much of it, but I still think PCGB have a great 944 forum.

George
944t

 

[andy watson]

Hi Paul,

For what it's worth I will not be renewing my BMW or 924 memberships there comes a time when things have to be reigned in.

There are no sinister reasons for not remaining a member, as they say, "a change is as good as a rest" Along with Glenn we are, and will continue to organise and promote 944 events as you know via the FB page and on both forums, that is where our passion lies, I will remain a forum member with enthusiasm and see no real change to my envolvement.

I am a member of a Porsche club, that's all my insurance requires of me to have a decent discount, I have an agreed value with them which I am happy with.

 

[ChasR]

I believe for some people it is not simply a matter of them being tight with their finances (although it may aid it). It is also to do with the perceived benefits that an individual may receive. For me for instance, PCGB related insurance co's. cannot match the quotes I can I get via searching (my age here admittedly does make insurance a complete lottery for me (less than 30)) in addition to me already being part of two other clubs (not far off £100 a year, with the PCGB that would easily double). Plus if I am honest, bar my daily and the 205 (which is shared amongst good friends) I go through cars quicker than women in all honesty (Between the last 2 years I have owned 4 classics before buying this Porsche)! Yes I could get an agreed value via PCGB but in all honesty I hardly own the best example of a 951... The 911 snobbery never helps either with a few of the local members I have met with often newer cars, especially with what some owners quoted others saying at track events etc.

Saying that, I have thought about joining one of the Stuttgart clubs recently, especially when I have gained a bit via the Stag club (for example, I found a trimmer who was unbeatable on quality and price for when it came to recovering and straightening my soft top/frame in addition to retrimming/repadding various parts inside (£600 all in vs. £1k via the rivals, that soon paid for itself it has to be said). That and one the mentioned clubs seems to have far too much bickering going on after a bulshy member had his posting priviledges restricted after offending club officers and members (a few often leaving due to him being 'paid up, and having the same rights as anyone'). Will I join? We shall see .

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline

Some very good points Ash and Paul. I agree entirely []. This part of the Forum is excellent (but, hey, you don't have to be a member to enjoy it) However, the rest is totally pro 911 and, sometimes, I get the feeling we are most definitely thought of as the "poor relations" []!! In addition to this (and I will probably be in the 5h1t for saying so) but, I have the bad luck to be in the most boring region of the lot, R23 []!! They do absolutely NOTHING as a group except, maybe meet up at a pub once a month and guffaw at each other or, maybe meet up at a Stately Home once in a while on a sunny day and, polish holes in their (911) bonnets [][8|]!! I posted a thread on R23 about Le Mans 2014 and, it was there for a month and NO-ONE even bothered to reply []!! I then put up a sarcastic post and one person had the decency to respond. This blinkered ignorance makes me SO Fcuking ANGRY []!! Iv'e had enough, and, for that reason.........I'M OUT!

Pete'.

This sounds alot like the Stag club meetings if I am honest with you. The occasional pint in the pub ain't a bad thing, but the rest?

 

[Indi9xx]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

Jon, they get exactly that. There were some interesting discussions last weekend about regions losing members to neighbouring regions who offered them a better service, and the money follows them.

I am actually quite impressed by that. What kind of things are they mandated to use those funds for?

 

[tref]

I also follow this with interest... primarily as a Regional Organiser, it is a struggle to think of new and interesting things we can do for the benefit of members. It must be far worse for a register, because at least for a region all the people are roughly in one place. Jon, you ask what kind of things are we mandated to spend money on... well I don't think anything we have wanted to do has been refused - the board want the members to benefit as much as we do. Primarily it underwrites and subsidises the kind of things we couldn't afford to take the risk on as individuals - in the past we have offered a years membership as a prize to non members coming to a concours, underwritten a karting event, booked Haynes test track (we are doing that again) the usual raffle prizes at other events, the list goes on... so far, only one year, have managed to overspend (I consider that a success!) Extra money is available if you come up with a particularly good idea - Goodwood which we are heavily involved with doesn't come out of our regional budget.

The club goes way beyond the obvious benefits. If I need a plumber, I know one. If I need a carpenter, I know one. If I need someone to give me a lift with something heavy, there is some-one around the corner... this comes from your local region, and isn't so good from the forum. Saturday I am have two appointments, in the region and a little time apart - I know someone well enough to invite myself around for a cup of tea... in fact, I know many people in the region well enough for that. As a result of the club, not the forum.

Many times I question "Why on earth am I doing this???", every time, karma turns round and bites me on the bum - in a good way. The more I put in, definitely the more rewarding it becomes - I don't understand it, but it just works.

If your region isn't working for you (well firstly come along to ours!), change it... the money is there, think of what you want to do, and the chances are some-one else will too. Go and organise it, and do it... Ever wanted to annoy the neighbours by filling the road with Porsches? We've done that in a few places in Dorset! But you can't change it from outside - you need to be a part of it to make it what you want it to be. I would absolutely love to hold an event in Dorset where 944s outnumber 911s.

 

[MartinRS2K]

ORIGINAL: tref

I also follow this with interest... primarily as a Regional Organiser, it is a struggle to think of new and interesting things we can do for the benefit of members. It must be far worse for a register, because at least for a region all the people are roughly in one place. Jon, you ask what kind of things are we mandated to spend money on... well I don't think anything we have wanted to do has been refused - the board want the members to benefit as much as we do. Primarily it underwrites and subsidises the kind of things we couldn't afford to take the risk on as individuals - in the past we have offered a years membership as a prize to non members coming to a concours, underwritten a karting event, booked Haynes test track (we are doing that again) the usual raffle prizes at other events, the list goes on... so far, only one year, have managed to overspend (I consider that a success!) Extra money is available if you come up with a particularly good idea - Goodwood which we are heavily involved with doesn't come out of our regional budget.

The club goes way beyond the obvious benefits. If I need a plumber, I know one. If I need a carpenter, I know one. If I need someone to give me a lift with something heavy, there is some-one around the corner... this comes from your local region, and isn't so good from the forum. Saturday I am have two appointments, in the region and a little time apart - I know someone well enough to invite myself around for a cup of tea... in fact, I know many people in the region well enough for that. As a result of the club, not the forum.

Many times I question "Why on earth am I doing this???", every time, karma turns round and bites me on the bum - in a good way. The more I put in, definitely the more rewarding it becomes - I don't understand it, but it just works.

If your region isn't working for you (well firstly come along to ours!), change it... the money is there, think of what you want to do, and the chances are some-one else will too. Go and organise it, and do it... Ever wanted to annoy the neighbours by filling the road with Porsches? We've done that in a few places in Dorset! But you can't change it from outside - you need to be a part of it to make it what you want it to be. I would absolutely love to hold an event in Dorset where 944s outnumber 911s.

BRILLIANT

What a reply Tref you should stand for PM or at worst your local MP (if your not one already) []

All that needed was some rousing patriotic music behind the words and we would all be jumping to action []

 

[pse_SC]

If/when you succeed don't let my wife hear the price , do they do pensioners discount...

Who needs a bus pass when you can indulge a second childhood?[8D]

This blinkered ignorance makes me SO Fcuking ANGRY !! .....

Appreciate the "˜blinkeredness' sometimes, from BOTH directions too, but it's not really necessary to include such (obvious) words in our written posts, please []

 

[tref]

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline

... but, I have the bad luck to be in the most boring region of the lot, R23 []!! They do absolutely NOTHING as a group except, maybe meet up at a pub once a month and guffaw at each other or, maybe meet up at a Stately Home once in a while on a sunny day and, polish holes in their (911) bonnets [][8|]!! I posted a thread on R23 about Le Mans 2014 and, it was there for a month and NO-ONE even bothered to reply []!! I then put up a sarcastic post and one person had the decency to respond. ...
Pete'.

Pete, Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't R23 without an RO at the moment? Surely rather than leaving this is exactly the opportunity to make the club into what we all want it to be? I know from the help at Goodwood that it is a region full of people prepared to get behind and help organise and run stuff, and your reputation has reached Dorset in terms of your skills... We need more pro-944 Regional Organisers[]

 

[Indi9xx]

ORIGINAL: tref

I also follow this with interest... primarily as a Regional Organiser, it is a struggle to think of new and interesting things we can do for the benefit of members. It must be far worse for a register, because at least for a region all the people are roughly in one place. Jon, you ask what kind of things are we mandated to spend money on... well I don't think anything we have wanted to do has been refused - the board want the members to benefit as much as we do. Primarily it underwrites and subsidises the kind of things we couldn't afford to take the risk on as individuals - in the past we have offered a years membership as a prize to non members coming to a concours, underwritten a karting event, booked Haynes test track (we are doing that again) the usual raffle prizes at other events, the list goes on... so far, only one year, have managed to overspend (I consider that a success!) Extra money is available if you come up with a particularly good idea - Goodwood which we are heavily involved with doesn't come out of our regional budget.

The club goes way beyond the obvious benefits. If I need a plumber, I know one. If I need a carpenter, I know one. If I need someone to give me a lift with something heavy, there is some-one around the corner... this comes from your local region, and isn't so good from the forum. Saturday I am have two appointments, in the region and a little time apart - I know someone well enough to invite myself around for a cup of tea... in fact, I know many people in the region well enough for that. As a result of the club, not the forum.

Many times I question "Why on earth am I doing this???", every time, karma turns round and bites me on the bum - in a good way. The more I put in, definitely the more rewarding it becomes - I don't understand it, but it just works.

If your region isn't working for you (well firstly come along to ours!), change it... the money is there, think of what you want to do, and the chances are some-one else will too. Go and organise it, and do it... Ever wanted to annoy the neighbours by filling the road with Porsches? We've done that in a few places in Dorset! But you can't change it from outside - you need to be a part of it to make it what you want it to be. I would absolutely love to hold an event in Dorset where 944s outnumber 911s.

That is actually really awesome Tref, I had no idea that your central offices supported you so well.

I have been an RO for TIPEC when the southern region first launched, and I absolutely admire anyone who can do that job, getting ideas of what people want can be like getting blood out of a stone, you have to take some leaps of faith that if you arrange something, anyone will turn up, it really is not easy, which is why I stepped down and let Gordon Collins take over and he really made the region fly.

I do think that for people to get the most out of club membership, they need to get into the social side of things, turn up to meetings, go to events, I think maybe I should make the effort.

I think I am fortunate in my part of the world, as there are some good local regions for both clubs, but I do hear what Pete has to say quite often, where they are made to feel unwelcome. I have never heard this from Tref's region, but I have heard it said about another very close region where customers have reported that it seemed very clicky and even a 964 owner was made to feel unwelcome because his car was the poor cousin of the 993 or the earlier air cooled cars. This particular chap also said that it even seemed like the 993 owners did not talk to the 911SC and 3.2 owners.. So god knows what they might make of a 924/944/968/928 owner, which is a real shame, but I have heard it said many times from people going along either with a view to joining, or had already joined.

Having said that though, I have never been to that region, and who knows, maybe the 964 owner (one that sticks in my mind) had walked in just as an argument about where to hold the christmas party had calmed down, and maybe the other customers who had gone there on other occasions expected champagne to fall from the skys as they walked through the door... Who knows.

I don't generally go along to club meetings, for my own reasons, I would really love to, but I feel that people look at me as if I am either there to generate business, or to be just the bod to talk to if they want a technical answer, so I do not feel welcome, when I would actually really like to go along as a Porsche enthusiast, with a collection of various Porsche and be looked at as another member, rather than as a predator or a visitor/speaker.

 

[Indi9xx]

ORIGINAL: tref

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline

... but, I have the bad luck to be in the most boring region of the lot, R23 []!! They do absolutely NOTHING as a group except, maybe meet up at a pub once a month and guffaw at each other or, maybe meet up at a Stately Home once in a while on a sunny day and, polish holes in their (911) bonnets [][8|]!! I posted a thread on R23 about Le Mans 2014 and, it was there for a month and NO-ONE even bothered to reply []!! I then put up a sarcastic post and one person had the decency to respond. ...
Pete'.

Pete, Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't R23 without an RO at the moment? Surely rather than leaving this is exactly the opportunity to make the club into what we all want it to be? I know from the help at Goodwood that it is a region full of people prepared to get behind and help organise and run stuff, and your reputation has reached Dorset in terms of your skills... We need more pro-944 Regional Organisers[]

Now that is an idea!!! Especially as you enjoyed arranging the 944 meet Pete, I think some different blood might wake up your region.. Do it!

 

[Christopher I Ralph]

ORIGINAL: PAUL RUDDY
club mag although well put together doesn't interest me as its 911 biased as is most of the club

I think that perhaps it would be more accurate to suggest that the magazine is new car biased rather than 911.

Having said that, once one gets away from the editorials and the new car (all models) reviews, there have been a good range of articles covering older cars and not just 911s, and regional meetings and longer trips, with reference being made to a wide range of cars including, of course, 944s, 968s and 928s.

Understandably most of us will look through the magazine hoping to find articles featuring our own model of car but it is The Porsche Club of Great Britain, not the 993, 944, or whatever club.

Apart from the editorials and reviews of new cars, the majority of articles come from the members so it is up to us to submit our own articles if we don't like those that are being published or would like to see a wider range of subjects.

Talking of new car reviews, there was a great article in this months magazine by Derek Sharp comparing the new Boxster to the 993 which helps bring the thoughts of owners of new and older cars together (well, it was interesting to me anyway!).

As has already been suggested elsewhere in this thread, attending regional events gives the opportunity to gain far more from the membership fee and I have rarely come across snobbery or cliquishness because I happen to own an older 911, and previously 944s.

 

[944 man]

Done up like a kipper Pedro! []

 

[pse_SC]

Message for Paul Ebbs i will be going to the nec on
The saturday will you be trying to talk me in to staying
In the club or call me a silly billy ???

My choice is to support what I find to be mainly an engaging, enthusiastic and friendly car club.
Your choice is entirely up to you - I can only offer my opinion, based on my experience of being part of it[] ...life's too short...........

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I have rarely come across snobbery or cliquishness because I happen to own an older 911, and previously 944s.

I couldn't agree more. In all my time in the Club I've met plenty of bores, snobs, fools and bigots. That's only to be expected when you meet thousands of people: something you tend to do particularly if you ever volunteer to man a gate for an event, or organise parking. I can honestly say that the cars never came in to it, they were just the minority you'd meet anywhere, and hopefully never see again.

Almost everyone you meet has favourable things to say about the older cars, particularly the front-engined. Just look at how many volunteers and Directors own, or previously owned, a 944.

I'd guess the 944 register makes up perhaps 5% of the Club, but they are still the most active group. I'd say they make up nearer 50% of the forum traffic, volunteers at events etc. I just don't see the 944s being somehow looked-down on by 911 owners, quite the opposite. []

 

[Melv]

Strange this perception that 944's are looked down upon.... like 993 owners are all bearded and wear sandals -where on earth did THAT come from??? my first Porker was an S2 -if that was a stepping stone to a 911 then so be it!![]

 

[vitesse]

And that's why you can drive that beast of a car so well,Melv[]