Pay
Pay.
Pay. I get my money's worth.
Pay. I like getting info and it is easy to check someone out.
Pay - Even with York 2000 miles away, it is worth it for the Quarterly and being able to associate with my local Desert Division friends.
Pay.
Pay
Eric Hofberg
TCA, LCCA
Guys and Gals,
PAY!
I'm glad the majority of you want to see the dues increase go through. I do too. The fact of the matter is that the TCA is doing a terrific job with keeping those of us who are members in touch with each other, even if it is only through the snail mail. Keep up the good work fellas and gals who do the gruntwork for the TCA! We think you have done a GREAT job.
Here's a hint: next time don't be so bashful about asking for a dues increase!
That this OGR forum exists is great for near instant feedback as well for that I am supremely grateful. Informal surveys are great! Three cheers for the starter!
Mike Maurice
Pay, I'll just take the increase out of the budget somewhere else.
DROP OUT
Originally Posted by Dale H:
Due to the dues increase a forecast of a 10% drop in membership was predicted by the newsletter.So there is the benefit of the increase minus the drop in membership. the increase of a bit over 2 members will be cancelled out by 1 member dropping out. I am still considering renewing.
So please if you are a member will you drop out or pay the increase? Please answer simply "pay" or "drop out" or "undecided"
Dale H
Pay. Two main reasons for me.
1) I'm another "Only in it for York" member, and it's still worth it.
2) The ads in the back of the National Headquarters News have saved me a lot more than $50 in the past.
Likely I will pay.
Pay.
George
Pay.
-Dave
PAY!
Pay.
I'll be more than happy to pay the extra 4 cents a day to continue my membership.
Pay. No problem. 
Bob
Worth it if just for the trains and comradarie at York.
Originally Posted by Allan Miller:
Originally Posted by Dave Allen:
I just wish I could pay. The TCA seem to be unable to accept my credit cards due to something wrong with the people who clear payments for them. I have continually asked them to fix whatever is wrong, to no avail.
I trust that someone in an official position with the TCA will see your post here, Dave, and look into the matter (and get it resolved). Your continued membership is surely valued, as are memberships from all no matter where they live.
It's very frustrating Allan. It's been an issue for a few years. I have written via email to head office a few times, they just don't seen able or interested in finding what the problem is. They say that my address does not match with the cards. They can't tell me exactly what doesn't match. I've had the same home address for many years, nothing has changed, my bank has the correct address, so go figure. As it stands, I assume my membership has expired again. If I go to York again it will be as a visitor.
Was considering becoming a member for what-it's-worth - but at $50, I frankly don't see the value. Of course, I didn't see it at $35 either!
Pay--no problem. I enjoy the TCA.
Renewed just under the wire so I have a year to think about it. 
pay
Pay.
Originally Posted by Farmer_Bill:
Renewed just under the wire so I have a year to think about it.
Ditto for me, so I'm covered for two more York's at the former rate. 
After that, we'll see. So call me UNDECIDED. But I will say this, if the new rate were $75 or $100, I'd just respectfully suggest that the TCA pack it in right now, turn off the lights, and close the doors. At $50, I'll see how I'm feeling in mid-2014. York is losing its relevance for me, since there are other shows and forum get-togethers that address the "social element" of catching up with friends in the hobby. Just being honest.
David
Undecided.
Updated April 2014: Did not renew.
Originally Posted by Farmer_Bill:
Renewed just under the wire so I have a year to think about it.
If they lose more than 10%, what then? I'll wait to see what comes out of the oven.
Its not always a matter of dues...
I let my TCA membership lapse and from a practical point of view, I simply could not justify the expense as related to distance, lodging etc to go to York as I preferred to spend that amount in other ways toward the hobby. So that left the quarterly magazine, as a benefit, which I enjoyed to varying degrees depending on the content, but with only four issues a year, it sort of faded into the background. And, of course there are other large shows. Now add a dues increase to this, with a nearly negligible benefit, I doubt I will renew. The conventions keep me pondering whether to renew..but, all of them so far, would have made the expense of York pale in comparison. The closest local chapter is five hours away..so I am ambivilent about it.
Originally Posted by lionelbob:
If they lose more than 10%, what then? I'll wait to see what comes out of the oven.
Probably nothing. As it is with other aspects of the hobby, what you read via Internet discussion groups (polls or otherwise) should never be considered as representative of the hobby as a whole. And that is possibly nowhere more true than discussions of the TCA on a forum like this one, participation on which should certainly not be construed as representative of the train collecting community as a whole.
My guess is the vast majority of current TCA members will renew their memberships without so much as a whimper.
Even if someone was a member of TCA just to go to York twice a year, the extra $15 annual dues,($7.50 per York) is insignificant compared to the cost of travel, lodging and food.
Gas price fluctuations from York to York can have more of an effect that the additional $15 dues.
I'd rather not see the increase but it's not the end of the world.
i'll pay. I primarily belong because of York.
Would like the TCA should present to the membership what services they provide and what the membership values. Was a survey ever performed?
I am sure that there are some items they do that no one really cares for that could be cut. I'd like to know that the TCA is managing itself to stay to stay current with member needs and not just layering funding to keep supporting legacy items and values that no one longer wants.
Steve
PAY!!!!!
PAY. WHY? Because it's worth it.
Bob
PAY
PAY... because of the value the museum brings to the hobby. If 1 out of 500 non-members who visit the museum gets interested in trains as a hobby, it's worth it. Especially if it's a young person!
Ed
... or you could look at it as a $7.50 per York ticket increase - York costs about the price of a movie ticket. For York, that's a deal! And, my wife gets in for free! Try that at the movies.
a big UNDECIDED
- walt
Originally Posted by 3rdrailMike:
Paying only gets me to York and seeing my friends and enjoying my hobby with them, but that is worth every penny I spend. So $50.00 is more than worth it.
I'll pay, but I want them to pass a rule banning silly hats!
Pay
Pay.
