Modelling pay sites?

Post by **BlackSheep1** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 4:40 am

I'm curious, how many modelling pay site are there?
I know of two and .........well I'm not going there again.
But I would like to know how many are there and where are they?

Post by **latkin** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:56 am

Heres one I subscribe to. I quite like it and its only 1 pound a month ( haven't got the pound symbol on my computer). I know of the site you had problems with although I subscribe to that one as well. I would be quite happy to pay a small monthly subscription to this site as well. The cost to subscribe to sites is quite a bit cheaper than buying a modelling mag each month. Thats the sites address below. Hope its OK to post links to a pay site.

http://www.scalemodellingnow.com/

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:12 pm

I will just say please take care as to whats posted here. We don't want this to descend into any attacking of pay sites etc. It would seem they do have a place in the modeing world so we should respect that.

Cheers guys

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:37 pm

I do understand the need for sites to help cover the costs of video/photo equipment, severs/hosting etc and everyone has different ways of getting that.

I don't pay any myself but IMO if you personally think the content is worth paying for then its worth it.

Post by **EpoxySniffer** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 1:12 pm

For me the decision about whether I would pay to access any web site, modelling or other genre (and I don't mean the booby sites), would depend on what each particular site had to offer for the subscription cost being asked. If it had some content I wanted at a reasonable and fair price then I would pay for the content. We have to remember that everyone has to make a living and running a web site and providing content costs money so there has to be some form of revenue stream to keep the site going. Maybe ISM will have to find some form of revenue stream in the future if it continues to grow which could be subscription, advertising or sponsorship but I will leave that decision in the capable hands of Lee and Paul though.

Post by **Paul** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 2:00 pm

EpoxySniffer wrote:For me the decision about whether I would pay to access any web site, modelling or other genre (and I don't mean the booby sites), would depend on what each particular site had to offer for the subscription cost being asked. If it had some content I wanted at a reasonable and fair price then I would pay for the content. We have to remember that everyone has to make a living and running a web site and providing content costs money so there has to be some form of revenue stream to keep the site going. Maybe ISM will have to find some form of revenue stream in the future if it continues to grow which could be subscription, advertising or sponsorship but I will leave that decision in the capable hands of Lee and Paul though.

Although charging money for a forum when be an easy way of making some money, myself and lee said from the start we would never charge people for the use of the forum.

What we did say though is at some point we may offer means to make a donation to the site to contribute to it's running costs.

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 2:37 pm

I know, for myself, a donation system is something that I'd be more inclined to use.
I like the idea of being able to contribute what I think if a fair and honest contribution.
Not everyone's idea of fair and honest is the same, but I think that most folks would be ok with a voluntary system of a donation once a year or once a quatre or what ever.
But that's for this site alone, and I'm openly biased. It's no secret that I love ISM and I'll do what ever I can to give it a hand.
I can't speak about other places though. I've never encountered one really other than the one that shall not be named.
I would be turned off automatically by a registration fee at the start for pretty much anything on the internet.
I'm one of those open source weirdos.
haha

Post by **EpoxySniffer** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 2:58 pm

Paul wrote:
EpoxySniffer wrote:For me the decision about whether I would pay to access any web site, modelling or other genre (and I don't mean the booby sites), would depend on what each particular site had to offer for the subscription cost being asked. If it had some content I wanted at a reasonable and fair price then I would pay for the content. We have to remember that everyone has to make a living and running a web site and providing content costs money so there has to be some form of revenue stream to keep the site going. Maybe ISM will have to find some form of revenue stream in the future if it continues to grow which could be subscription, advertising or sponsorship but I will leave that decision in the capable hands of Lee and Paul though.
Although charging money for a forum when be an easy way of making some money, myself and lee said from the start we would never charge people for the use of the forum.

What we did say though is at some point we may offer means to make a donation to the site to contribute to it's running costs.

I admire how both yourself and Lee have set ISM up as a not for profit hobby site but at the end of the day it will cost some money to run and you will need a revenue stream to help with the costs as the site grows. I don't think any of us can expect yourself and Lee to meet the costs out of your own pocket.

So just for the record, if you need cash to keep ISM going then I would be happy to make small donation to help toward the costs as the site grows in members and size.

Post by **Paul** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 3:01 pm

EpoxySniffer wrote:
Paul wrote:
EpoxySniffer wrote:For me the decision about whether I would pay to access any web site, modelling or other genre (and I don't mean the booby sites), would depend on what each particular site had to offer for the subscription cost being asked. If it had some content I wanted at a reasonable and fair price then I would pay for the content. We have to remember that everyone has to make a living and running a web site and providing content costs money so there has to be some form of revenue stream to keep the site going. Maybe ISM will have to find some form of revenue stream in the future if it continues to grow which could be subscription, advertising or sponsorship but I will leave that decision in the capable hands of Lee and Paul though.
Although charging money for a forum when be an easy way of making some money, myself and lee said from the start we would never charge people for the use of the forum.

What we did say though is at some point we may offer means to make a donation to the site to contribute to it's running costs.

I admire how both yourself and Lee have set ISM up as a not for profit hobby site but at the end of the day it will cost some money to run and you will need a revenue stream to help with the costs as the site grows. I don't think any of us can expect yourself and Lee to meet the costs out of your own pocket.

So just for the record, if you need cash to keep ISM going then I would be happy to make small donation to help toward the costs as the site grows in members and size.

That's a very generous offer thanks mate

Post by **ForbesHutton** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 3:34 pm

I won't be joining a pay site. I do see a difference between a site like that and a forum. In the site's case one (or two) people are providing the information, if they choose to try and make a profit from their knowledge that is between them and the payer. Not much different from paying for a magazine or book.
On a forum such as this it is all (well, most...okay, SOME) of the members that provide the knowledge that makes it a worthwhile place to spend time here (for the record, I'm here to sponge information, I don't consider myself a contributor to the knowledge). If the owners of a forum wanted to charge or ask for donations to re-coup costs I'd have no problem with that, but if they started to profit from it I'd find that unfair, they would be charging for knowledge that others would have contributed.

Post by **Lysion** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 4:01 pm

Paying subscriptions, no thanks.

Options for making a donation once in a while when I can afford it? Sure!

Post by **BlackSheep1** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 5:46 pm

YIKES!

This thread really deviated from the original question.
I did not mean to start a debate to judge if paying for a modelling site is worth it or not.
I just wanted to know how many pay modelling websites are out there as I only know of two and both are in the UK.

Post by **Colin** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:09 pm

I only know of the one pay for modelling site but I've subscribed to pay for sites for other hobbys in the past and dont mind so long as there is value for money, also made donations occasionally to help a sites running costs.

As regards Modelling sites I'm a member of three just now for different dedicated areas of modelling and happy with that

Post by **modellingmadness** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 5:46 pm

I used to use florymodels but imo the content really was not worth paying for and usubscribing took quite a while too. I think paul and lee have the best non pay forum on the internet when you think about the community aspect compared to florymodels

Post by **Colin** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:25 pm

modellingmadness wrote:I used to use florymodels but imo the content really was not worth paying for and usubscribing took quite a while too. I think paul and lee have the best non pay forum on the internet when you think about the community aspect compared to florymodels

Agreed, also the way micro management (we want you to display pics professionally) and introduction of lots of un-needed (IMHO) rules led to discontent on my part on that site, it was time to move on from there ... I still think it was due to influence from another mod, but ill never know.

But am really happy here now

PS: sorry for flogging dead horse.

Post by **BlackSheep1** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 7:07 pm

modellingmadness wrote:I used to use florymodels but imo the content really was not worth paying for and usubscribing took quite a while too. I think paul and lee have the best non pay forum on the internet when you think about the community aspect compared to florymodels

That "gentleman" is now know as Voldemort (he who must not be named).
And his site is the Deatheaters Society.

Post by **Coen** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 7:33 pm

We're starting to get a little bit close to bashing here fellas.
Lets take a breath and keep it a little less bitter eh?

Post by **Tiger131** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:04 pm

if people want to pay and people can make a living from doing models im all for them good luck i would love to get paid to build ..oh and i'm back from my honey noon look forward to catching up tom

Post by **ccc1970** » Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:05 pm

i am a paying member of 2 separate sites and its well worth the $9/mth i think it is for both together.. for me its a very minimal amount of money to have high quality build videos.. i watch the videos all the time and my wife thinks im crazy... lol .. to all their own of course but more power to the people that can make a living doing what they love.

Post by **BlackSheep1** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:38 am

ccc1970 wrote:i am a paying member of 2 separate sites and its well worth the $9/mth i think it is for both together.. for me its a very minimal amount of money to have high quality build videos.. i watch the videos all the time and my wife thinks im crazy... lol .. to all their own of course but more power to the people that can make a living doing what they love.

What pay sites are those?
That was the objective of this thread.
To list all the pay sites.

Post by **BALTA1** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:35 pm

I subscribe to two sites that I feel is worth the few bucks a month. It's not everyone's cup of tea but not everyone drinks tea

. Cost is only an issue in the absence of value. If you want to spend the money then go ahead, it's noboby's beeswax but your own.
Here's the list of the two:
http://www.florymodels.co.uk/
http://www.genessis-models.co.uk/

Post by **Lee** » Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:59 pm

I was a member of a pay site for awhile until I realised that, when I thought about it, I wasn't actually getting anything for my money and nor was I gaining anything I couldn't find for free elsewhere! I realised I was watching and learning more from youtube and free forums that I really don't see the need for a pay site in this hobby. Yes, it's good if you can make a living from your hobby and fair play to them, but sit down and think about how much you're learning from that site compared to youtube and free sites, you'll be surprised

Post by **gosselin2112** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 7:06 pm

By being a subscriber to Finescale Modeler and an active member of ipms usa, I have access to their forums. I don't really use them enough to say much about them. I prefer reading the Finescale magazines. IPMS USA. . . well, that's a BIG organization. The forum has more than just model building on it. Lots of organization stuff. But I use them once in a while. Lots of good stuff on there!

Oh, and there is Missing-Lynx. It's more of a discussion group rather than a forum, but it is excellent. I highly recommend it. All armor.
If you want aircraft, go to Hyperscale.

Ok, I tried my best to not "muddy the waters," as we say in the States. I understand that there is a growing rift in the model building community (one which I wish would not exist) between different types of model builders. We are all model builders. Enough said.

Russell.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 7:28 pm

There's a rift?
I actually didn't know that.
A rift between whom?

Post by **BlackSheep1** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:23 pm

I haven't seen a rift at all.
I find all genres of modeling interesting.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:28 pm

Why did you mention The Rift....?

The GODs and Demi-Gods... from other forums !

Post by **gosselin2112** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:46 pm

schweinhund227 wrote: Why did you mention The Rift....?

The GODs and Demi-Gods... from other forums !

That's really funny, Norm!
I was panicking after I made the comment. I don't know. . . I dislike it when different model groups/communities slam each other. Either as a group or as individuals.

So, I guess I just need model building therapy? ISM is a good place to get good and healthy support. Thanks guys!

Gods and Demi-Gods - I'm still laughing

Russ

Post by **mac1785** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:54 am

I also subscribe to both Flory Models and Genesis sites. To me its like paying for cable TV I'm happy to do it because I enjoy watching people build models simple. Trust me I think I would not be alone in watching a program on TV about our hobby so as far as I'm concerned its all entertainment to me.

As for rifts its hard not to see one when people are happy to throw around negative comments about other people and sites to go back to the TV reference if you don't like it don't watch it simple. '

Post by **latkin** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:36 am

I have been following this topic since I first posted an answer to BlackSheep 1 and it has been interesting to see how the topic has moved well away from the actual question BlackSheep 1 asked. It is quite a hot topic about the merits of belonging to a pay site or not. It really is a matter of choice and is about as individual as what is the best hamburger, Karls Junior for me, and I certainly for 1 respect all opinions expressed. As it should be in life, each to their own. It would have been interesting to see what would have developed if the question had been "what do you think of pay sites"?
Somehow I don't think Blacksheep 1 is any the wiser as to what other pay sites are out there. I know of 4. I wont put a link, they are easy enough to Google.

Flory
Genisis
Finescale
Scale Model News

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:19 am

Finescale is a paysite? I've been a member for 5 years now and I don't pay anything for my membership.
They've never asked for money either.

I have a subscription for their magazine for over 20 years... maybe that gives ya free access to the site.

Flory I've heard of because of this thread, the other's I've never heard of myself.

Wandering off topic happens sometimes in a conversation.

I think that through the course of this thread several paysites have been mentioned by name, so for the most part Blacksheep's question has been answered.
It just took a while for it to happen.

Post by **Paul** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:26 am

Topics going off topic is part of forum life, as coen said it creates conversation, the original question has been answered in one way or another, also we have heard others views on the subject as well as other factors.

If we just answered the questions it would be a rather boring forum

Post by **Lysion** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:10 pm

Entry to Finescale Modelers forum can only be gained by paying the magazine subscription.

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:50 pm

Ah... I see. I've had the subscription for so long I guess they didn't bother to tell me.
Haha. I just signed up one day and that was it. They must have known who I was.

Post by **Lysion** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:59 pm

Coen wrote:Ah... I see. I've had the subscription for so long I guess they didn't bother to tell me.
Haha. I just signed up one day and that was it. They must have known who I was.

Actually I am wrong. It's a free forum, no subscription needed. You had right

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:04 pm

Shhh.... I won't tell anyone

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:24 pm

Awww Coen, are you not as special as you thought you were now?

We need a crying face smiley!

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:59 pm

I'm not special Gav.. I wear diapers just like the rest of you.

Post by **Paul** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:04 pm

Coen wrote:I'm not special Gav.. I wear diapers just like the rest of you.

Yeah but we all manage to poop in them

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:33 pm

Oops... crap... THAT's what they're for.
Damn!

Post by **WebbyNZ** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:39 pm

BlackSheep1 wrote: Another one run by a guy who can't even get the names of the manufacturers
right (but claims to be a professional modeler)

Anyone else

when certain manufacturers are mentioned.
Granted there is some debate about certain names but if it's your living your are kinda obligated to get it right.
Except dee cals vs dec alls. That will never be settled

Post by **latkin** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 5:02 am

Thanks Coen about Finescale, always thought it was a pay site, shows what I know.

Post by **Coen** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:32 am

Me too. I didn't even know that there were pay sites until I saw some of the fellas talking about it on here.