Why do you not support Layonara financially?

[orth]

We have over 150 people that visit the forums fairly regularly and under 5% of them financially support the community and world in some fashion (donations or purchases). So what we want to know is what is stopping you from donating, buying from our store or buying from our affiliates.

If you do make online purchases but nothing Layonara has promoted appeals to you, where do you buy? For those of you who are willing but have yet to purchase anything, we really want to know how we can help you help us.

This is not a thread for those of you who have donated or made a purchase to let us know. We know who you are and we are very grateful for your support. More to come on that topic soon.

Thank you for your opinion,
orth

[jan]

I never purchase something online simply because ( no matter who tells me it is safe) i dont trust it.
Ed has send me a link to paypall a while back and i simply cant get myself to set up an account for this very reason.

Would be very willing to donate each month if i could get a accountnumber or something.

I dont use checks or creditcards and mostly handle my affairs with cash money except banking thing.

Jan A.K.A. Barion

[Interia_Discordius]

I'd donate once I'm older, but for now, I'm too young to even own a credit card, and my parents don't believe in any online purchasing. Sorry I can't be of much more help right now.

[ShiffDrgnhrt]

I'm in college and no exactly rolling in it, but I did donate some in Feb. I try to give when I can, but that isnt exactly often...

[Ozy_Llewellyn]

“You do not offer anything I'm willing to pay for” – Provide me with something I would pay for, and it will happen. However until that time, my money remains mine.

[Kindo]

Payments done on-line are not to be untrusted. Just make sure you are on a safe site, more often than not you are notified if the server is secure or not. On other places, such as Ebay and PayPal, they even offer free insurance, reimbursing the full amount if something goes wrong or if someone scammed you of your money.

I will postpone my voting in this poll, seeing how none of the options really suit me. I would answer something along the lines of: "I intend to, but I have not gotten around to it yet." I felt this way when I first joined this community, that so much effort and heart has gone into this, that of course you deserve my financial support, but I decided to wait a while until I was more integrated both in-game and out of character. I also wanted things to run smoothly, because when I first joined, the server really was not running well and during my own most active hours, the lag was a bit too much for my taste. That has all been taken care of now, and updates are applied quite regularly, taking care of bugs or inconsistencies very efficiently.

With the launch of Dogma Wear, I am thoroughly delighted to make a purchase as soon as I have decided which motif most suits me. On top of that, I will look into a way of making at least monthly payments as a thanks for how great this community is and all the hard work that is put into Layonara as a whole. I might start out small in the beginning, but I don't see why I would not be able to donate at least a significant amount every month.

So I suppose my excuse is that I have been putting it off for too long, but that will all change.

[LynnJuniper]

Originally Posted by Interia_Discordius

I'd donate once I'm older, but for now, I'm too young to even own a credit card, and my parents don't believe in any online purchasing. Sorry I can't be of much more help right now.

Likewise, Same problem. Almost. I don't have a job and therefore won't get a credit card. I do have some money but I dont have a way of getting it to you guys.

[Harlas Ravelkione]

What I personally buy online, when I buy anything, are books. I make purchases at Amazon.co.uk once or twice a year, but aside from that I do not buy online, since I am not seeing large savings nor products I cannot get in the stores.

If you can get a link to Amazon I will buy through that.


Harlas

[MJZ]

No credit card, at the moment. But I'm making a purchase through Kindo's soon. I'm not exactly in financial freedom, here, and I am working on starting a business, too. Once things even out financially for me, I do intend to make whatever monthly contribution I can. If everyone just gave one buck - that would be $150 just from the regulars, right? Better than nothing!

[diechotomy1]

I think I have just been lazy as of yet, and what I have beend doing is scouring the forums for new commers that have questions about technical issues and stuff and been trying to answer them, but I full hardly expect to give to the team in a dollar amount. I understand that recieving some reward for your work is very important and if was working as hard as you guys I would love to see some $$$ thrown my way, even if it was a little amount.

I do not mind online transactions, identity theft the thiefs probably would give it back after they seen my account! lol

[MJZ]

Die, I think before anyone on the team received any cash, it would go to cover vitals such as server costs first.

[diechotomy1]

Same difference, because I am pretty sure anything that the team has needed has came out of thier pockets to begin with it owuld be more like a reimbursement and shoot yeah I would want to get paid eventually personally myself for the work I had done, there is nothing wrong with the team getting some coke money, jeez

[darkstorme]

Precisement.

As L's often stated, he (and some others) pay several hundred dollars a month out-of-pocket to keep these servers running. So not only is the team not being paid for all their work, but they are actually paying for us to play.

I contributed in February, and as soon as I am employed, you can expect a regular contribution.

Edit: I should say, we contributed, as my girlfriend and I donated via the same credit card.

[Tialle Dianesis]

Originally Posted by Harlas Ravelkione

What I personally buy online, when I buy anything, are books. I make purchases at Amazon.co.uk once or twice a year, but aside from that I do not buy online, since I am not seeing large savings nor products I cannot get in the stores.

If you can get a link to Amazon I will buy through that.


Harlas

I second that whole-heartedly. Amazon.com is the only place I actually shop online and not even with my own credit card.
As for donations, I have no real excuse for not sending. It's just something I've had to push aside because of soon-to-come college expenses and the fact that I just recently joined the all-dancing-workforce-of-America, gracefully jumping from one job to the other. As soon as things settle down, and I'm employed again *crosses fingers* I'll be sure to borrow my brother's card to send a donation.

[twidget658]

Your 5% may be a little inaccurate. For example, a family that has more than one active member, but only make one payment from one of the members will drive that number down.

The merchandise, I think the clothes are outdated. They seem like the tube socks that have the color bands on them. I wore those in the 70's and 80's. I do not typically wear the type of shirts offered.

Now I have bought the coffee mugs. I would like to see the metal cups with a lid available.

I think I like the old logo a bit better. That may be a deterrent.

I don't mean to speak for others, these are my own opinions.

[LynnJuniper]

I'm also waiting for the books to come out. Like I said, limited income, and while I may want a Mist shirt, I want the books more and Im not really in the position to get everything I want right now.

[orth]

Originally Posted by twidget658

Your 5% may be a little inaccurate. For example, a family that has more than one active member, but only make one payment from one of the members will drive that number down.

I also didn't include all the people who don't visit the forum yet play, that's around 350 active players.

The merchandise, I think the clothes are outdated. They seem like the tube socks that have the color bands on them. I wore those in the 70's and 80's. From what I have seen, most of the Layo population is older and do not typically wear the type of shirts offered.

I don't understand this? The older generation doesn't wear t-shirts, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts? Or is it the style?

[twidget658]

Originally Posted by orth

I also didn't include all the people who don't visit the forum yet play, that's around 350 active players.

I guess I am just trying to justify such a low number. *shrugs*

Originally Posted by orth

I don't understand this? The older generation doesn't wear t-shirts, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts? Or is it the style?

*edits his comment about the older population and changes it to "I"*

And it is the styles, for me.

Are the patterns transfers or silkscreens?

[allneal]

SO far i'm still new too teh world and milti-player NWN. althought over all i like teh game/world there's much too be desired. RP is not my strong point, over all i enjoy the game however i do not love it. although i undertnad why many rules and regulations are in place i just don't agre with many of them. I could easily spare a few dollors a month i'm just not sure if i want too yet.

as for products if there was something i had an intrest in buying fromt eh merchants that give back too layo i would have no problem doing that i simply don't buy allot on line when i do i notmally go too e-bay too get eh cheapest price possiable. In fact that's where i got the NWN games i use too play layo.

I would be allot more inclined too donate regulary if i could play the PC i wanted teh way i wanted too play them. Not that the current system would prevent me from donating i'm just nto ready too go out of my way too do so yet.

[orth]

Originally Posted by twidget658

I guess I am just trying to justify such a low number. *shrugs*



*edits his comment about the older population and changes it to "I"*

And it is the styles, for me.

Are the patterns transfers or silkscreens?

Well we're not fibbing here about the low number We understand all the reasons, we're just trying to get a better idea of what the community feels about donating or buying.

Printfection uses a direct-to-fabric printing technology that gives an effect very similar to screenprinting and it does not use transfer paper.

I received my four shirts yesterday and each of them look great, and I'm not just saying that. We wouldn't offer this to our community if it wasn't up to par.

[Filatus]

Originally Posted by jan

I never purchase something online simply because ( no matter who tells me it is safe) i dont trust it.
Ed has send me a link to paypall a while back and i simply cant get myself to set up an account for this very reason.

Would be very willing to donate each month if i could get a accountnumber or something.

I dont use checks or creditcards and mostly handle my affairs with cash money except banking thing.

Jan A.K.A. Barion

I'm still guilty to that as well. I need to make an appointment at my bank to set PayPal up and it's kind of a big barrier for lazy old me.

Will get around to it eventually.

[Tialle Dianesis]

Originally Posted by Filatus

I'm still guilty to that as well. I need to make an appointment at my bank to set PayPal up and it's kind of a big barrier for lazy old me.

Will get around to it eventually.

Having to setup a PayPal account also serves as a lazy-barrier for me.

*points to the Shop Amazon button on top* That was fast. Thanks to who ever put that there. The convenience is appreciated and I swear you spoil this community.

[Laldiien]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Llewellyn

“You do not offer anything I'm willing to pay for” – Provide me with something I would pay for, and it will happen. However until that time, my money remains mine.

You have one of the oldest characters on the server and unless I am mistaken, the highest level. Something appeals to you. It could be role play, it could be the game, or it could be the fawning groupies, but something has kept you here. Isn't that worth a bit of consideration?

[Tanman]

Umm Laldiien, I don't think this is something actually appropriate to say...

Originally Posted by Laldiien

or it could be the fawning groupies...

[Ozy_Llewellyn]

Under my agreement with Leanthar, I won't answer that Laldiien till he has time to address it. However that time is twenty four hours, as of this post. After that, I will consider answering that in the same manner as it was posed to myself.

[miltonyorkcastle]

Point of Fact: If I had a spare 10 grand, I would give it to Layo to keep it going for at least a little while longer.

Point of Fact: I'm a graduate student who's amassed huge amounts of student loans over the years, who just got married, who's having my firstborn in April/May, and I really do sometimes live off Ramen just to keep my family in a nice apartment with good cars and to pay tuition. And worse, my occupation is a writer/teacher. I'll likely never be "rich."

Point of Fact: I do what I can to help out when I can. I have given money to Layo, albiet not much in the grand scheme of things. I also help out on LORE when I'm not just looking for some time to cool off from RL by actually playing in Layo.

Point of Fact: I care deeply about this world, and when the time comes that I have a consistent income I will be using the online stores available. Please hold out until then. =P

[Leanthar]

@Laldiien, I think we offer him (Ozy) something in game and a way for him to RP and have fun in a good community. I don't think he meant it as an 'don't have anything to offer in game', rather I think it is out of game that he is referring to (like the stores).

Could be totally off base though.

[Ozy_Llewellyn]

Absolutely correct Leanthar, the option I chose was “You do not offer anything I'm willing to pay for” (store I assume) right off the list of Orth’s. When you get the books, well maybe we will see if I can bring myself to trust my debit card number out on the net. Thus I considered it an insult and had to play that card I really hate to play 'Cry for Leanthar’. I could go on but I think we have heard enough gibberish from me for one day?

Edit: I uhh forgot the '(store I assume)' in initial re:

[Pseudonym]

I might be off base myself, but I assumed Laldiien's post was referring to donations? ie. Matching up what we all get in game (countless hours of fun, RP (I want groupies!)) with giving a little back in RL. Who cares if you'll never wear the shirt? I was kinda looking at it like I do a charity auction ... the cause is the important thing, not what one actually buys.

Anyway, I've never had a problem with Paypal in regards to fraudulent activity/transactions *touches wood* and I bet I am lazier than anyone on this server (ask my wife ... or Ed for that matter) and I still got round to setting up an account.

[pinkpowerbait]

For me, im just a space cadet. I cant remember to donate. I finally set up a monthly donation through paypal for my husband and I, only to lose my debit card--which of course I had to cancel. Ive been meaning to set up the paypal thingie again, just havent gotten to it yet... soooo much to do in a day and not nearly enough time to do it all *sighs*

[IceDragonDuvessa]

Being currently between jobs I don't have much money to donate anymore, I would tend to agree with twidget though in that the shirts aren't really of a style I would wear.

I love the artwork but if I were to buy a shirt with it Id like something smaller on it . They remind me of the shirts people wore in the 80's with the huge screen-printed wolf's on them. Id buy stickers or mugs though... the expense is lower and my friends won't tease me relentlessly about my nerdom for them...not that Im not a nerd but you know

[Falonthas]

maybe embroidered logo button downs or golf shirts

and bumper stickers for the car are always good
and free advertising to those who may not roam our sites often

i have one more student loan left to pay off,and then the new laptop
after that i will be happy to use the links and such,specially since you made one for my favorite place
tigerdirect.com

[lonnarin]

Up until now the only thing stopping me was that my credit card was unusable through Paypal as a result of accidentally putting in the wrong zip code one time trying to sign up to it. I tried calling their customer service and got fed up with how many hoops they wanted me to jump through just to get it running again. Perhaps if we had some form on non-paypal SLI web-based purchasing, people in similar situations could get around that, but then again it's fairly expensive to keep a subscription to such a service running for a long period of time. At least Paypal simply taxes the purchases on a case by case basis vs. a flat rate. I know I could just mail a check, but that takes effort... the pen and envelope are so very heavy, and the mailbox is guarded by this hideous orb of light that is oh so blinding.

I am looking forward to using the Direct2Drive services in the near future now that I have a suitable DVD drive to back things up with. And I just purchased the Pyrtechon & Corath T-shirts yesterday, the designs look sweet! I can't wait to be standing in line at the bank with the creeds on my back "Spread death and darkness, the only way to cleanse the world is through the fire of destruction and swarms of zombies, etc" staring at some poor person who would normally spend the half hour trying to tell me about their relationship with Jesus. I'm interested in more Tshirt designs like those, maybe a Sinthar, Milara and Broegar series. Who knows, maybe I can convince Matt to make us a limited edition Evil Count Czukay design, heheh!

Any chance you can find a similar merchant partnership with any concert & metal Tshirts? I would buy every Moonsorrow Tshirt in existence. I also really like the prices and equipment on sale throught that Music store running and will be using that for some of my not too distant shopping sprees. (one of those stratocaster sales has been visiting me in my dreams every night, haunting me).

I sit around bored at work a lot in between the online sales, so I'll be definitely using that PDF RPG site a lot as soon as more Shadowrun v.4 books start being published.

Overall, I'm fairly satisfied with the cross-promotional merchants that we're using on the site and will be steadily pumping funds through them to soothe my commercial addictions of games and death metal. I would definitely like to see some more DVD superstores and such, do all my Xmas shopping through Layo, and write off the expenses towards good karma.

[Chongo]

I do support Layonara, though frequently it hasn't been as much or as often I'd like. Though I'd contend it's still cuttin' the mustard. I've been spending a lot on travelling, and as much as I'd like to have great excuses like growing up in Sudan and paying for the one opportunity to attend a 'western' college by cutting down to one half a meal a day.... that obviously isn't the case. I quit my job because I didn't ethically agree with where I was pushing money, and now I'm trying to spend sparingly because my wife is making more then me, since I'm once again playing the broke but priviledged climbing guide, and I don't want the video game battle to erupt.

Anyhow, that's not why I'm posting.

I'm posting in regard to the t-shirts.

I think they're a great style. I'm no fashion expert but I live in a fairly hip little town, and lived in San Fran, Boston, and Stuttgart prior to that.... and it all looks like modern style shirts to me.

I hate to say it but the reason I'm going to refrain from buying one is because I won't wear it. Not because of the style or anything, but because I don't want to explain to people I know what "Layonara" or "Mist" means. It's a small town, and video games aren't necessarily the means of advertising to get ahead if you're moving laterally into positions where you're going to be in charge of the people you see in the coffee shop every wednesday. It ain' like living in the bay area where you can pretty much guarantee you'll only see one professional acquaintance a day.

I'm not saying video games are bad. And I don't have pride issues with where I spend my time. But I'm assuming that a significant percentage of folks with the financial capability to purchase these on a whim may not desire direct association with 'gaming'. So... my solution would be abstract references, or simply non-man-with-flaming-sword-on-dragon-back artwork. I think you may pick up some sales this way, but hey, I could be way off base.

I mean, in the small community I'm in, let's take just the local guiding companies, if you buy a sweatshirt down in Huaraz Peru, it will somehow be considered 'uncool' if it says 'Alpamayo' (name of a mountain) on it, but will somehow be considered cool if it contains some abstract and unidentifiable reference to it that nobody but someone who's climbed the mountain will understand.

And once I figure that one out I'll be the coolest kid on the block. <--self-deprecation.

Honestly though, there may be something to it.

[orth]

You know I had a pretty large message written out in response Chongo touching on quite a few things, but I think I'll just leave it at one of the finer points within.

Grandpa, who is Mist?

[pelordaes7]

You know what, I have a full time job now.....I am going to logon right now and donate 15 dollars.

You all are awesome! Expect more next pay day!

[Chazzler]

I would donate via Paypal, if Paypal would be as kind as to finally approve my bank account for use. I have not the slightest idea why it doesn't do it, I suppose it has been like a month now, and it still says "Checking Account".

But if people trust me, and are willing to give some other form of donating funds, like via bank transfer I would be happy to do so.

[Timmy0420]

why dont i support layo financially?
...
...
*pulls pockets inside out and frowns*
yeah i know you people are gonna give me the "youre a senior in high school and almost 18, you should have a job my now blah blah blah" thing. but you see
1. i have a complete aversion to anything involving work
2. if i had one of these 'jobs' people are always going on about, i wouldnt have time to play layo now would i? : D

[XBlade]

I think it's best to swing towards more ideas as to how the Layonara team can get money.

As to regards to the products, I think they're fine, some of the T-Shirt styles I would wear, the one with the Layonara logo, wouldn't really care what people think because I wear what I like. (And hopefully look good!).

For ideas:
Maybe a layonara board game, a pack of cards (Not Yu Gi Oh type cards -- Layonara I don't think is popular enough for that!) or figurines of characters/monsters. (Not sure if they were advertised, I had a brief look).
Maybe a layonara map, or a quest book guide. (But this could cause meta-gaming...) Or a brief history of Layonara would be good.
A DVD containing Layonara related things...like a brief history of Layonara using characters and DMs within game.

I'll try to think of a few more! Now time to think up of a character!

[pelordaes7]

I would buy a T-shirt with Czukay on it.
I think a few people would with the right catch phrase and image.
The image should be him in front of his living room cauldron
The phrase could be "The Lich made me do it"

Heh, j/k.....but seriously, I would buy it!