Would you spend a little more on your accessories to support AC?

[jean15paul]

I come to AC almost everyday for my Android news. I love the podcasts. I've found lots of help in the forums. Generally I get a lot of value out of the site, and I want to see it stick around.

I just got a new phone (a Sprint GNex), and needed accessories. I figured I'd consider buying from Shop Android to support AC. When I did the price comparison, I found that Amazon was generally about $5 cheaper than Shop Android, and I get free shipping through Amazon Prime, but I decided tobuy from Shop Android anyway. I spent an extra $15 on $60 worth of accessories, but I feel like I'm supporting AC. Just wondering how you guys feel about doing the same thing?

(I might be feeling generous because Sprint gave me the GNex for free, but that's another story.)

 

[anon(94115)]

Re: Would you spend a little more on your accessories to support

I would if the difference was $5. Small price to pay for the features you mentioned

 

[Johnly]

Re: Would you spend a little more on your accessories to support

Sometimes good service is worth the extra buck. I remember some forums with "supporting member" badges....ewww, that is throwing money away, at least you are getting stuff! And they do run sales, that is the time to buy.

 

[3rdpig]

Re: Would you spend a little more on your accessories to support

Yes, up to to 20% more if the service matched the other place, which in my case is usually Amazon. Unfortunately unless it's on sale here the typical price is often half again to double what I can get it for on Amazon.

It's hard to compete with a retailer like Amazon, they provide good service and low cost. And to those that have bought into Prime, free 2 day shipping.

Personally I think what AC should do is create a premium level of service and use a set amount in store purchases to get a "free" one year membership to the premium services (as well as selling yearly memberships for a set cash price). Bonus podcasts, tech articles, breaking news, email address, contests etc.etc, could all be part of the premium service. Keep the current content, or at least the great majority if it, free.

 

[jean15paul]

Re: Would you spend a little more on your accessories to support

Yes, up to to 20% more if the service matched the other place, which in my case is usually Amazon. Unfortunately unless it's on sale here the typical price is often half again to double what I can get it for on Amazon.

It's hard to compete with a retailer like Amazon, they provide good service and low cost. And to those that have bought into Prime, free 2 day shipping.

Personally I think what AC should do is create a premium level of service and use a set amount in store purchases to get a "free" one year membership to the premium services (as well as selling yearly memberships for a set cash price). Bonus podcasts, tech articles, breaking news, email address, contests etc.etc, could all be part of the premium service. Keep the current content, or at least the great majority if it, free.

I understand where you're coming from, but I disagree. I really appreciate that AC/Mobile Nations provides all of their content for free. Because of that, I'm happy to support them by buying accessories, and I even click on banner ads sometimes. I'd probably be less likely to use the site if they charged a membership fee. And I don't need accessories every year when I'm locked into a phone for 2 years. A lot of people would probably buy accessories for the membership and then just sell them on Ebay. There are so many other sites that provide much of the same information for free (even if they are not as good), that I can't see a model like that being successful. AC would probably loose many of their 400,000+ readers.

To me it seems that what they are doing now is very successful. Provide high quality content and the people will come. While they're here they will look at ads and buy stuff. (Just one man's humble opinion.)

 

[12youngjedi]

Re: Would you spend a little more on your accessories to support

hmm... i think it's a good idea.. maybe i should consider that too..