40 replies to this topic

[flash]

The time has come for me to move on. After 11 years, I've planted my flag on the mountain, and there is nowhere to go from here. I've discussed this at length with Jay (as well as a number of others), and we are in agreement that the time has come.

968Forums has become the largest, most active, and most complete website in the world for the Porsche 968. It has a huge active membership, focused on a great car and enjoying it, and that is what has made it great. I have personally met countless members, and made a lot of friends. I plan to maintain relationships with many of them.

The site will be getting a software update shortly, and I'll spend some time sorting out a few things so that the new owners can walk into a fully functioning resource that they can enjoy, and profit from.

On the subject of profiting, this site has the ability to generate a lot of revenue. We didn't pursue that, purely due to the fact that we didn't need to. Jay and I both felt that as long as it took care of itself, any other revenue was unnecessary. However, there is a fairly long list of directly related companies that would step up and want to advertise on this site. It would not be difficult for the site to quickly generate over $10k per year, without cluttering the site up with too many ads.

We would be happy to discuss the terms of sale with anyone interested. We hope that a group of members will join together to buy it, thereby helping to maintain a balanced and pleasant operation. We will be screening potential owners, to ensure that the stewardship of the site goes to somebody who will maintain it essentially as it is now, continuing to be free to members, free of spam, and as always open to free and open discussion, without the bickering and nonsense seen on other sites. For us, it's not about the money, as much as it is about maintaining the site and its mission for posterity.

Basically this site has become the greatest place on the planet for the Porsche 968 Enthusiast, and we want to keep it that way.

For those who just have to ask the question, we will sell the site for $15k.

[ds968]

Although I have neither the time, the interest, nor the ability to take an "active" ownership role in this, for whatever it's worth, I will commit to continue ( at the very least.. ) my annual donations which I believe to be an invaluable investment vs the benefits the forum offers, and would encourage all other members to do so . Furthermore, absent any unforeseen circumstances , I may contemplate even a more significant contribution, as a "silent" sponsorship member, depending on whether or not I feel the new owner(s) are committed to maintaining the site with an operating model and philosophy that is consistent with its current principles.

[flash]

our hope is that there will be a group of like minded members who get together and share the responsibility of ensuring the future of the site. it's a great resource, and we don't want to see it go away.

i'm just not able to do what is needed anymore, and in fact am moving on completely from the 968. i've thoroughly enjoyed the last 11 years, but this "hobby" has become far too much of a distraction, and i can no longer dedicate the time and energy. on top of that, as i am moving away from the 968, and given how OCD i am, i need a clean break. if i were to remain involved, it could result in me second guessing my decision, and that never ends well.

my further hope is that some new blood might bring about more energy and enthusiasm toward what is a truly great car.

[Rap]

Ditto Ds

[Ab54666]

Thats a shame Flash but good luck with the sale,

Not sure about over in the US but certainly in the UK less and less 968's exist now having been crashed/broken for parts, used as a race car etc so the forums become even more important.

[flash]

exactly why we want to ensure that whomever takes it over is going to keep it going.

[Ed Russo]

Thank you Flash and Jay

.

[nibn968]

Thanks for all your efforts!

[kzem1]

Thanks for all you have done Flash. And of course for all the great 968 parts you designed!!!

[plittell]

Serendipitously, or actually the opposite of that, I just tuned in to see what was happening on the site. I've been largely inactive and very preoccupied with other things. I'm REALLY SORRY to see you go.

This is the passing of an era. You and the site have been a great source of tech help and [even for me, occasional ] camaraderie for about 10 years. It started with a chassis brace for my 944 cab. And a free used windshield -- thanks again, Bob.

Then, when I saw the SC, I had to have one. Got one. Then all I needed was a 968. so after a year or so, I found one the would serve as a suitable platform.

It's taken years of on-again, off-again effort to bring my 968 to perfection, and it's just now coming together. So it's a great irony that your moving on just as my car is coming up to speed.

As has been said many times before, your dedication and the results of your efforts for the 968 and for the group have been unparalleled.

THANK YOU.

[ds968]

So there is no hope we'll hear you, and / or Bob ever say .https://video.search...-hrtab-901&tt=b ??

[flash]

nope - that already happened about a year ago

[Cloud9...68]

So, are you going to put your 968 up for sale when you get your Targa?  Will you stay active on the forum until then, or are you looking to moving on to other things once the forum sells?  Best of luck with everything either way.

[flash]

I just wanted to update everyone here on this, as things are taking a bit of a different turn.

 

We are going to hang onto the site, largely because we are not comfortable with the level of confidence in anyone else being able to maintain it as we envision the site to be.  I was trying to achieve a clean break, but with D1R staying open, and the firm determination to maintain this site for posterity, it seems impossible.

 

That being said though, I am personally not going to be around all that much going forward.  LOL - This should make a few people very happy.  Basically, my priorities and interests are shifting, as well as the reality that a lot of outside projects are going to be placing large demands on my time.  

 

At this time, since I won't be around to watch things, we would love to see a few members step up to become Moderators, just to keep things on track, and protect the integrity of the site.  We would also consider bringing in ownership partners.  Anyone interested should email the admin at 968forums@gmail.com.

[Rap]

ROI ?

[flash]

we have been operating so as to not have profit, and we expended any revenue on events and such, so no ROI.  that doesn't mean that we can't change that.  it would really depend on what new parties wanted.  there are certainly sponsors out there.  i haven't spent any time seeking them out, purely because the site didn't need to make more money, and i didn't want to spend time like that for the small amount it might make.  the site is easily capable of making $20k a year, but that amount isn't worth my time.  somebody else would have to do that.

 

this would be more of a situation of somebody having the satisfaction of owning a piece of the largest, most complete, and most active 968 site in the world, and a real voice in determining its future.

[Rap]

So the existing structure is designed to use whatever incoming revenue covers yearly operational expenses? Are you looking to sell shares and is there a limit to the overall percentage of ownership? Just a couple of quick questions to flesh out some points of interest!

[flash]

yes, the incoming revenue has been sufficient to service the site's liabilities.

 

we could sell shares.  no single person would be allowed to own more than 30% as long as either jay or i are owners.  i would remain the admin as long as i remain an owner, or such time as i determine that there is an appropriate replacement.  once i sell my shares (and there is no current plan to do that) then somebody could own more.

 

at this time jay and i have determined that a 1% share would be $150

 

if this becomes of interest, we would flush out the paperwork needed to ensure continuity and prevent the site from digressing from its mission statement, without running afoul of "dead hand control"

[94SilverCab]

That said, don't all you smart asses try to buy 1% each, the paperwork would cost more than the investment...

Jay

[flash]

i thought i would revive this thread, as things are progressing to the point where i am really going to have very limited time.  my blue car is gone, the white one will go away in the not too distant future, and i am going to close down D1R when i run through the current inventory.  my focus is on other things now.

 

that being said, we are still looking to have this site land in the hands of someone who will take care of it, and has the same vision we do.

 

i agree that likely it would be a group that would probably work best for a number of reasons.  that's why i initially brought in partners when i bought the site from eric.  having other minds to bounce things off of helps a lot.  it also spreads the workload.

 

something that should be considered is that this site can easily make money.  sponsors are not hard to come by.  we already have a number of leads.  we have not done it, because we didn't need to make money here.

 

we could work out terms for the purchase too, depending on the deal.  it's not about the money, as much as it is providing for posterity.

 

so, contact me or jay.