I think your doing a grand job thus far

Sorry to sound like a right leftie but I would hate anyone to feel that they're not welcome because they're not a Premium geek or that they're not part of 'the gang'. There are some geeks who are struggling to make ends meet and they need this site not just for the education but also the community and support that they get.

Not trying to take anything away from your good intentions Collin, I promise you. xxx

Being a prem is a personal choice.. but it doesnt make anyone superior..
agree with the queen on this one..

BUT

I heart you colin and this thread.. generating alot of new premium members who may feel a little more confident with it.. I know the feeling of giving back made a difference for my confidence on here..
but spare a thought for the strugglers.. some are just making ends meet ya know?

Couldn't agree more...this is simply about freedom of choice however in order to do so you need to know that there is the choice in the first place and further more how to actually do it

Like me there seems to be some Geeks that either wern't aware or were not sure they could take the option up because they were new or for whatever reason and hopefully this has enlightend them

Indeed there are many who "sail close to the wind financially",god knows weve all been there at some point and like us all they also have freedom of choice without the need to feel guilty.

However to put the costs into perspective I really dont think we are actually talking about costs that are going to break the bank now are we..I bet more is spent on a good Friday night out than the numbers involved here..and all without the hangover

Clearly it is entirley up to the individuals freedom of choice and hopefully the awareness of this option is a little more raised now.

Happy geeking and keep spreading the

I agree that business life is tough for some if not all of us but from experience it has shown that there is always money for the things we don't really need but have to have?

Also a minimal amount to support the site and show dedication is not asking too much - I feel that if people could come onto the salongeek free of charge for a trial period or just to read but not post and to have a look around and see how positive and beneficial the site and advice is then I am sure that they would be happy paying a small amount (maybe something like £12 pa) which is not asking them for much but would enable them to share their views, opinions and professional advice with all of us.

If they are then wanting to take it a step further it is up to them to become a premium geek. Unfortunately nothing in life is free and you get what you pay for......A fantastic and hi reputable site like salongeek with all the valuable advice that will actually pay off for anyone taking and giving serious and - more importantly professional - advice also comes at a cost.

By offering a smaller level of contribution the geeks could help the site and themselves enormously and I am sure everyone can afford something like £12 a year for something that is worth far more!

To be honest - and I might be stirring up a hornets nests here so forgive me for that - it might not be the worst to "filter" the geeks that are actually serious about their profession and passion and that are dedicated and determined to make it work and are willing to give and actually listen to valuable advice from those ones who are only half heartedly doing this to kill the day and give advice without having the knowledge and thus encourageing others to mix and match things and therapies and try things without being trained....which could work out very dangerous for the client and more than damaging for all of us and the industry we work in......

Afterall everyone using this site - no matter what profession or whether private or professional - benefits from the advice and we all seem to enjoy the chit chat and happy banter so why not contribute something to keep it going and growing as we would with every other club we want to be a member of?

I think in all the years that this site has been running no-one has ever been made to feel unwelcome because they didn't pay to be a prem, cant see any reasons for it to start happening now.

and hey...check out the new link in my signiture....

I think there is a clear misunderstanding here - it is not about making anyone feel unwelcome - rather the opposite. I think it is a fantastic site and everybody should be made welcome - as we all do with newby geeks - I just feel it doesnt hurt to put something back into it?

If you want to be "member" of a club you can decide which level you want to be part of and it could be the same here. You would be welcome as a newby geek whether you just want to have a look around or actively contribute - but you can actually decide how far you want to go with giving advice and contributing to the geek.

Whilst I am sure Sam is very grateful for the support this thread is generating, we need to remember that it was Sam's decision to allow free access to the site and he is more than happy to do so out of his own pocket. It was never ever his intention to make any money from the site fees.

The site has run along very happily for several years as it is and I am starting to feel that some people might feel shamed into subscribing and I know this was no one's intention.

Can we now please keep this thread along the lines it was started, information giving - rather than the slightly pushy and shame inducing that is slowly becoming.

Thank you Fiona ..quiet why some threads turn into something they are not simply baffels me sometimes

This is mearly about awareness for those (like me) that may not have reolised this additional facility was available to either newbie or us slower geeks that have been kicking around for a while.

If the by product is that more have signed up then Yippie

However if you now are aware of this function and your entitlement to either take it up or not is entirley up to you.... no one will think any better or worse of you either way.

Hoping it has been informative to some Geeks who may find the added benifits of some use

happy and fruitfull geeking folks

how much is it to become a premium geek. Sorry to ask such a basic question but I don't know where to find it. It has taken 6 months to learn how to pm someone!!!!!!!!!

look at my signature.....and click the link x

Wow thanks for your helpfull link Angie

I've subscribed! Sorry I would have done earlier had I realised.
thanks heaps,

lou xx

hi Lou and welcome to Salon Geek...cool avator..now you can have one that jigs about

thanks Collin