selling the forum?

[Leon]

So I get an interesting email yesterday. Some guy asking me if I want to sell the forum. Says he wants to not "undo" what has been done but take it and make it much better. He says money is no object and this is a real email offer. So I call him. He says he has a financial partner that is the money and he would run the forum himself. I asked him if had experience in this hobby or industry. He said no but collected as a kid (as we all did). I told him I thought it would be rather difficult to moderate the forum with no hobby experience. Not to worry, he says......I told him I thought there was very little possibility of him being successful. And no, the forum isn't for sale....however, I guess anything is for the right amount. But it's not for sale....I just thought it kind of interesting that someone thinks they could run a forum like this with no experience. Maybe I am being naive? As one collector once said, anyone could do it. I don't think it's rocket science but I dunno....

[barrysloate]

Why would he want it? He must think it's a potential bonanza, I guess.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Why would he want it? He must think it's a potential bonanza, I guess.

He said he is a stay at home dad taking care of a spouse that is sick. And this investor of his likes to buy forums....sounded sort of crazy. Even though a few haters think this forum sucks I would not want to see it go to hell in a handbag with a D-bag running it, or someone that really had no clue...

[Jay Wolt]

Love the "money is no object" line.
Did he ever mention a $ figure?

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by Leon

He said he is a stay at home dad taking care of a spouse that is sick. And this investor of his likes to buy forums....sounded sort of crazy. Even though a few haters think this forum sucks I would not want to see it go to hell in a handbag with a D-bag running it, or someone that really had no clue...

Anybody who wants to run a hobby forum without experience in the hobby is a d-bag and has no clue.

[Wite3]

So you didn't even recognize Joe Orlando's voice? Leon you are slipping.

Joshua

"Says he wants to not "undo" what has been done but take it and make it much better."


If ain't broke, don't fix it. The forum is fine as it is, why change it?

[chris6net]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Anybody who wants to run a hobby forum without experience in the hobby is a d-bag and has no clue.

Why do you say this. I would never want to see this but someone I know who is not a d-bag makes his living buying a variety of websites that are basically forums for different groups and he has made a boatload of money on these purchases. Eventually this forum might be sold to an outside concern. I called my friend after seeing this post and he told me that he has no doubt that this forum will be worth a decent amount of money going forward.

[dlfallen]

Leon's integrity, expertise, and dedication are a big part of the success of this forum. Anyone who thinks he can do better is just plain nuts.

[Matthew H]

I don't know who they are, but I'm sure they'd destroy it.

If they put a bunch of money into it, there would have to be big changes for them to get it it back out... Unless this forum is already making you rich beyond your wildest dreams, Leon....... Maybe it is? You do have a nice collection

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Matthew H

I don't know who they are, but I'm sure they'd destroy it.

If they put a bunch of money into it, there would have to be big changes for them to get it it back out... Unless this forum is already making you rich beyond your wildest dreams, Leon....... Maybe it is? You do have a nice collection

I was fortunate to make ok money in outside commission sales for 20+ yrs until last year. This forum's yearly earnings won't make anyone rich....it's ok, but not enough to really live on. (unless you want to be poor)...He never mentioned money as that was not his role. And I think his term wasn't money is no object, as I said, it was something like it would be a serious offer and they had a lot of money...regardless, I think he sounded like a dingbat. He would get eaten alive on the forum.

[cardinalcollector]

Leon, if you sold it, wouldn't you miss all the fights...and babysitting...and more fights....and name calling....and making all those decisions....and banning a few people....and being diplomatic to idiots....and more babysitting?

How could you give all that up?

[Paul S]

Takes two equal components for a successful forum: those who post and the moderator...it's a symbiotic relationship, and the board as it is strikes a great balance. I'm sure moderation is not as easy as you make it seem to appear. It takes something both learned and innate. Just curious, but did the potential buyer say anything about HOW he would make it better, or what would the next level be? I couldn't imagine.
Oh yeah, is shilling allowed in the live auction?

[sycks22]

Did the guy have a trimmed Wagner for sale?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by sycks22

Did the guy have a trimmed Wagner for sale?

No, but I did see a pic with his underwear on the floor in the background...maybe we are onto something.

And thanks for the few kudos...certainly not looking for any. Just the participation on the board is enough for me. I couldn't imagine doing this if I wasn't a rabid collector either.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Leon

No, but I did see a pic with his underwear on the floor in the background...maybe we are onto something.

What?! I told him I'd be back for my boxers later!

[billyb]

Leon,
I think we are all glad you didn't sell, this is a very well run site. Some people may gripe, but you will get gripes no matter how well anyone runs a site. This is the best site out there, which consists of the most qualified collectors in the business. You assembled this cast of collectors, good job.

Buuuuuutttt......if we are bidding, I raise Peters bid to $10 and a stack of bubble gum from the old Topps 5 cent packs....lol


Leon, keep up the good work.

Billyb

[glynparson]

Don't want you to sell but if its enough $, take the money and run.

[EvilKing00]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Why would he want it? He must think it's a potential bonanza, I guess.

He would want it only for the fact that there is a nice amount of traffic here. He would begin to advertise and try to sell advertising here and or his own products. Like he said hes not into collecting he just wants the traffic.

What he dosnt understand, is that if he did do that, most here wouldnt like being emailed blasted every day and annoyed by pop ups and pop unders,someone here, maybe Leon would just buy a new domain, maybe
Net86baseball.com (mets won in 86) And everyone would just move over to the new forum.

Like leon said not gonna work unless you really know your stuff and can contribute as well as help the members.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

He would want it only for the fact that there is a nice amount of traffic here. He would begin to advertise and try to sell advertising here and or his own products. Like he said hes not into collecting he just wants the traffic.

What he dosnt understand, is that if he did do that, most here wouldnt like being emailed blasted every day and annoyed by pop ups and pop unders,someone here, maybe Leon would just buy a new domain, maybe
Net86baseball.com (mets won in 86) And everyone would just move over to the new forum.

Like leon said not gonna work unless you really know your stuff and can contribute as well as help the members.

Anyone with half a brain hopefully would insist that Leon sign a Non-Compete of considerable length if any serious money changed hands.

[EvilKing00]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Anyone with half a brain hopefully would insist that Leon sign a Non-Compete of considerable length if any serious money changed hands.

its a internet forum that can be open by anyone, (maybe leon couldnt) but anyone could and heve leon as a mod or admin etc, there is no way to protect against it. Basicly hes selling a domain name and the content of all the past postings thats it.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

its a internet forum that can be open by anyone, anywhere at any time, there is no way to protect against it.

You can't keep them from doing it, but you can go after them for it if they agree as a term of the sale not to.

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

He would want it only for the fact that there is a nice amount of traffic here. He would begin to advertise and try to sell advertising here and or his own products. Like he said hes not into collecting he just wants the traffic.

What he dosnt understand, is that if he did do that, most here wouldnt like being emailed blasted every day and annoyed by pop ups and pop unders,someone here, maybe Leon would just buy a new domain, maybe
Net86baseball.com (mets won in 86) And everyone would just move over to the new forum.

Like leon said not gonna work unless you really know your stuff and can contribute as well as help the members.

I would have to imagine there would have to be a non-compete clause.

I'm sure the traffic at Full Count, SGC and Collectors Universe would skyrocket.

[timzcardz]

Well, when you have a money making machine like this forum, it's bound to attract the attention of the big money.

Have you considered auctioning it off on the Buy/Sell/Trade Section?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by timzcardz

Have you considered auctioning it off on the Buy/Sell/Trade Section?

Live auction section.....Bidding starts at 1 dollar with 1 dollar increments..... free shipping but paypal gift only.

[ullmandds]

Well...things have been kinda weird around here lately...I'll bid $5!

[oldcardboard]

Net54 success starts at the top, BIG props to Leon and all he does.

[camlov2]

I would tell him to make an offer just to see how much your baby is worth. It would probably be insulting though. Great job by the way...

[Matthew H]

I was being an ass Leon. I have a pretty good memory, and you've posted about your career before, you've also mentioned how much banner ads cost, so I knew better.

[wolf441]

Thanks for all you do Leon and please don't sell this forum. For all the arguments and drama, this is still the #1 place for pre-WWII card enthusiasts to come. It is truly an enjoyable site to just hop on and see what some of the top hobby experts are thinking and to brainstorm ideas about how these cards were printed, distributed, etc, as well as to show off/view hobby rarities. The expert members make it worthwhile and you have just the right sense of when to let a discussion/debate continue and where to draw the line. Just wanted to get my thoughts out there as I've been hooked on Net54 since I discovered the site about a year ago. Thanks again, Steve

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by oldcardboard

Net54 success starts at the top, BIG props to Leon and all he does.

Ditto!!!

[deadballfreaK]

Maybe he's representing ebay. Then those fake alerts Net54 sends would disappear and we would get posts like "Hey guys, seen item #xxxxxxxxx ? Wow that is one great Babe Ruth item! Obviously genuine. I'd bid high!""

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by timzcardz

Well, when you have a money making machine like this forum, it's bound to attract the attention of the big money.

Have you considered auctioning it off on the Buy/Sell/Trade Section?

Leon - The way to go if you sell might be auctioning off each section individually in the Live Auction Thread. However, if you go this route, remember that being forum owner does not exempt you from the "Only 2-3 Open at Once" rule.

[T206DK]

he probably wanted so he could sell all our names to mass marketers