Sorry GNHQ I don't like the Oldie Borum

If anyone from GNHQ reads this, has Cottages4you stopped being a discount partner on MN?

I remember paying a five pound optional sub to Mumsnet. It must have been quite near the start of it, before it really took off and the advert fees started rolling in. Of course, it'shuge now compared to here.

Does Mumsnet have difficulty funding its site? If it doesnt why do advertisers not want to advertise on Gransnet? Is it because they see us all as little old ladies just about able to manage with email and a very little safe internet searching with the help of our grandsons?

Could somebody remind them that many of us in were in on the start of the computer boom in the 1960s and 1970s. I have had a pc on my desk at home and work since the early 1980s, and I have always been an IT user, not an IT professional and like most older people I know I am extremely comfortable with modern technology.

Many, though obviously not all of us, have paid off our mortgages, dont pay rent and have occupational pensions and no dependents. We buy our clothes, shoes and household goods from the same shops as our children and can afford the holidays and cars that, with mortgages and young children they cannot. Since we retired when ever we go away on holiday we have found that whether travelling independently or with a group the majority of our fellow travellers are over 50.

In other words we are a good market and we want exactly the same goods as younger people, our shopping needs are not limited to zimmer frames, incontinence aids and the dreadful clothing in the catalogues aimed at older women.

JENI not really!!!!!!!!

Just popped in after a couple of days and it's all change by the look of it! We've been taken over!!!! It's taken me a while to suss out what's going on. Why can't the Oldie look after it's own Oldies if they want a chat or join in ours as individuals. I don't like it separated out. It looks like 'them' and 'us' and judging by the headings of the Active topics GNers are falling fast

Oh!

She does mean you jeni.

You brought it back today Carol! Look - previous posts were yesterday.

Norty Carol!

What has? Do you mean me?

Oh dear - it's come back again.......!

Frankly my dear, I couldn't give a damm! So long as gn keeps going, we can post when we want and ignore what we don't want! Same as usual really!

I too object to the patronising 'silver surfer' term and also to the phrase 'chat amongst yourselves'. They are clearly not on the same wavelength. The way they 'breenged in' with a series of questions (many of which were well covered on different threads) was tactless and intrusive. If this is how they introduce themselves then we can probably look forward to a lot more of the same attitude. I say again - let's ignore them and they may go away. I have read various explanations and apologies but do not feel the slightest bit happier about the whole ill-managed venture.

I think the lady on the front of the website is expressing an opinion, too. is it to us?

Jeni The financial bit could have been the same - we would never have known, just basked in the sunshine of fame.

Ooh, that sounds nice. I've had my dinner and I think I'm still hungry.

whotsit If the finances are not coping, there will have to be a charge of some kind. You either sell space to someone else to advertise on, or you sell the service you are giving to the customers - us.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Now I am going off to eat my nice cottage pie and baked beans.

elegran

Well said carol I agree we should wellcome them, but, without the oldie label! Also no duplication of threads.
Let's amalgamate without a takeover bid .

If it had been put the other way round - that the Oldie was going to feature Gransnet and show it on its online magazine, and people could join Gransnet from an Olldie page and read and send posts, what would the reaction have been then?

A £5 joining fee for all members?

Annually.

Yes, let's just diitch this Oldie label that has pervaded and carry on enjoying our chat, welcoming new members from wherever they come, and forgetting that Oldie Borum was ever thrust on us - we don't need that distinction to be able to integrate anyone who is interested in joining Gransnet. It just creates an artificial divide that we don't want or need. All Oldie readers are welcome, although I gather many are not grandparents, so they might only want to be involved with certain threads - that's ok.

I accept that GNHQ doesn't see that label as being divisive but we have said clearly that we do, so we'll agree to disagree.

It is noticeable that no Oldie Borum threads are currently running when I have just logged on. We were flooded with them and the consternation it caused was unpleasant.

I don't like it much either, it has injected a lot of insecurity into the forum and may send some people away.

BUT - has anyone any ideas of other ways in which GNHQ can make money to keep the show on the road? I am sure they would be grateful for any suggestions that we can come up with. If there are any substitutes for this, then it can be allowed to wither away.

If not ................the financial backing has to come from somewhere. How much would we be prepared to pay to subscribe to the forum? What does it cost to join a social club? A leisure class? How many people would leave and never return if it cost them something?

It has to be paid for though, doesn't it! Gransnet is not making enough money to cover it's overheads at the moment. This is a way to bring in some more cash.

The site will have to close if they can't get enough money.

Quite. You've hit the nut? On the head!

I missed most of this yesterday, but having read through the thread, I agree with all that has been said previously. I don't feel too comfortable with it.

I think that GNHQ have seriously underestimated the friendship,affection and support we all feel for each other on here, and have shown us a lack of respect by their disregard for our feelings.

However, I daresay everything will settle down and we can ignore the Oldie (horrible name) threads if we so wish.

I think we're much too young and frisky for them anyway!!