Post Carlisle Changes

[lookforjoe]

Thanks for the thread.

Since I joined late last year, I have found this site to be mostly helpful - the only detractor has been pointed out - members who will rag on other's threads/ go waay OT. It's definitely a detractor, and sometimes hard not to feed into.

I drove to Carlisle with VS members, and hung out with mostly VS members. I didn't even go over to the VCOA.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with being "cheap" - in this day & age, anyway of getting what you want done at the best price possible is what makes sense, to me anyway. I guess there are plenty of people to whom money is no object, but personally, I have more admiration for those who try to work it out without just funneling buckets of cash into a project. That's definitely one of the attractions of this site.

[brick-a-brac]

I tend not to reply to posts at work, but this thread has raised a number of issues, one of which is near and dear to me and I am compelled to add my voice -- for better or worse.

I, too, was at the dinner Travis mentioned, and the upshot is that if things stay on their present course, VCOA will eventually cease to exist. Membership has been gradually declining with little in the way of new enrollment. Say what you will about VCOA: that it's for older people more concerned with vintage iron than performance, that it's more about social events than DIY -- whatever. The fact is that VCOA was formed as a reaction to VSA's 1800 bias, and their history of trying to grow with the evolving demographic of Volvo ownership speaks to this. What I heard at this dinner was an attempt at an outreach to all you guys, because those who gradually find themselves long-time Volvo owners are the future of this club. If there is no interest, there will be no national club for Volvo owners. Period.

Okay, the "Volvos at Carlisle" thing was a day late and a dollar short, but we're talking about a volunteer organization and I'm sure everyone here who does something else for a living (pretty much all of us) will appreciate how hard it is to always be an efficient communicator. I certainly speak for myself here.

You want to build exposure for this site, Chuck, and I can appreciate that. You've done a yeoman's work here, and as far as I'm concerned, VS is the best there is, which is why I support it and spend more time here. I've met some great people, received some solid advice, bought and sold a thing or two. But I also support VCOA. Occasionally, the discounts I get on parts when I have to go to the dealer more than pay for my membership. I've also met some great people from whom I've received guidance and advice, and bought and sold a thing or two through the magazine. If we continue to work at cross-purposes and find cause to throw verbal darts across the ether, nothing good will come from it.

[NEU]

I figure I'd chime in with my "O" pinion about VCOA. I join VCOA over a decade ago, I also joined the Washington Area Volvo club, to get local info on club stuff. One of the main reason I joined VCOA was to get the 20% discount off new part at my local dealer, first time I walked in and asked for a part the parts guy asked me if I got the club discount I said "no I wasn't in the club" and he gave me a application form, I figured 20% discount for $30 investment was a good deal. Well after 7 years when I found I could get used parts dirt cheap at my local junk yard I stopped going to the dealer. Most of the VCOA events weren't that great and the only good thing was the free BBQ lunches at Carlisle, which they don't do anymore. I stopped my membership with VCOA because they weren't keeping up with the times, I didn't have a p1800 and they hardly discussed performance oriented things. It seemed like it was about the guy with the 2 million mile p1800... I stopped my Washington Volvo club too, because that was worthless, always sending out there flyers 3 weeks late, missing any events they had and there web site I believe is still today the same damn thing from 1996! And VCOA website had no info on Carlisle

I rejoined VCOA last year at Carlisle only because I still get that 20% discount at my dealer and my v70R required lots of new parts! This year at Carlisle I never even stopped by there tent. I could care less about there events, there magazine or there members! The only thing I do care about is there discounts, cause I'm a cheap bastard! I enjoy being on VS and v70R because I learn a lot and get free info to save me money and help me solve my problems and meet and hang out with a bunch of really nice people. Bottom line if VCOA doesn't do something to change from the "Old Fart" crowd they aren't going to be around when I'm an Old Fart!

I do find it interesting the competition between the different sites and get a chuckle from the bickering that is going on about the different sites and what we need to sign up for at Carlisle, (I used VS), VCOA, SS, or this one was ridiculous Volvos at Carlisle. I mean who cares if Saab beats us again! What would we get IF we won? NOTHING!

Keep up the good work on this site...

[Che'_Moderator]

While I do appreciate the support I do not want this to turn on VCOA. I have NOTHING against them as far as what they stand for and what they have done. They are a great organization. I only meant to but an end to any rumors that I would not work with them on Carlisle or any other event. I was never even give the opportunity. Would be one thing if they contacted me and I took my time to get back to them or something. Then I could see them implying that I did not want to help. But to straight come out and LIE I am not going to put up with. As for discounts most of the dealers extend the 20% to Volvospeed members also. VCOA has done a lot. Thats why it sucks they are being undermined by a few... well lets just say it. Shady liars.

Off topic but I am also back at my desk a little more and plan to crack down on some of the moderator and member shenanigans. You all know who you are.

[NEU]

As for discounts most of the dealers extend the 20% to Volvospeed members also.

Unfortunatly my dealer wants to see my VCOA card, I don't think VS is issuing any? :lol:

[Che'_Moderator]

Unfortunatly my dealer wants to see my VCOA card, I don't think VS is issuing any?

Just tell them you want a VS discount of your leaving. Done it at several dealerships never had a problem. Other way is ask for jobber is usually closer to 30% off.

[64pvolvo1800]

Unfortunatly my dealer wants to see my VCOA card, I don't think VS is issuing any?

Kwitchyerbitching

BAN HIM CHUCK....I dare ya!!!!

Just kidding Neu. Did you get a corner socket /harness yet?

[HtownTurboBrick]

Wish i didn't live so far away so i could get the carlisle experience, maybe i can do the road trip one year.

VCOA is dying and they know it. The sub chapters like Texas' have lost their official sites and now rely upon SS for member interaction. Not only that but the majority of the VCOA members don't even use computers and still rely on snail mail notifications. I don't know about the other chapters, but Texas Chapter has dropped it's idealistic mantra of keeping it old school. Last year for the Texas VCOA fall meet, the TXC here in conjuction with the Texas Volvo Crew board which has membership of statewide members of VS, SS, TB, V70r, C30world and S40concepts reached out and attended the VCOA event. We pretty much tripled the attendance and doubled the cars. VCOA now welcomes us with open arms. George Dill the main organizer and a board member of TX VCOA events even offers anyone and everyone to cover thier first year membership fee out of his own pocket. It was a mashing of the young and the old, the wealthy, the middle class, the tuners, the restorers, men, women, fwd, rwd, awd, but all enthusiast. If all the other chapters could follow suit and allow the next generation to help, VCOA can stand a chance to keep going. Keep thumbing their noses at the next generation and the club will pass away along with all the members currently enrolled, morbid but true.

[Kibim]

Thanks for the feedback Chuck. I always feel like I miss out on the personal stuff because I can't come to meets. It's very frustrating to be a part of a community with whom I can't interact without the use of a keyboard, but still, many people, and mostly the mods have made my stay here a very pleasant one.

The feedback from events is always the most important stuff for me to read. I can't know that certain vendors are not playing ball if i haven't been there. This kind of post makes VS the most worthwhile forum there is out there. I have bought many $$$ worth of mods for my car from IPD/VIVA/Joseph and others over the years. All my transactions have been painless considering logistics. Even direct purchases from members have been fantastic. That being said, all of those transactions were reccomended to me by this community. How is it possible then that a supplier could slate a community who are SO generous with information and advice, and punt vendors like they do.

I think the biggest difference between VS and swedespeed and others i've tried is that VS is primarily a network of knowledge and friendships. I get no sence of community on other forums. I certainly wasn't welcomed in any way or form. Seems that all they're interested in is sales and forum discounts. Now who's cheap? (i might have this wrong as i'm 9hours away)

[0000]

i am still a member of VCOA....ends in june.... will not rejoin.. sadly... got a bad vibe form them this year at carlisle.... like a few people above me said that the cause and everything for that club is good for the "volvos"... just they seem anti-VS/ anti - any thing different ...... which is not fair.... but thats just my opinion ....

[FIORE]

Its funny because despite all your "bashing" you have done a lot to support the site.

So does this mean I can sell my left over stock of "Volvospeed.com Sucks" t-shirts and decals on the forum?

[Che'_Moderator]

So does this mean I can sell my left over stock of "Volvospeed.com Sucks" t-shirts and decals on the forum?

You can sell whatever you want on the forum as you are a supporting member. If you hate Volvospeed that much I encourage you to leave.

[theForgottenone]

Off topic but I am also back at my desk a little more and plan to crack down on some of the moderator and member shenanigans. You all know who you are.

I wish I could attend Carlisle but I"m too far away.

+1 to IPD at their annual sale and I had a good exception for the weather was being to nice.

There is a great wealth of knowledge here on this board and enjoy my time on here even though majority don't consider S40 as Volvo

I don't know how you still have time to manage this site on daily basis.

[Chilled man]

Who needs voca for the discount ?

I just call Jamie Putman or John Starnisky .

Get better pricing from either of them with out the discount then I do from my local one with .

And either can get parts to me next day.

[Fishey]

Damn, I bad mouth VS all the time and not even a mention? I figured I would have pissed someone off.