No More Patreon–Hello, GRM+

Tom
By Tom Suddard
Apr 8, 2021 | GRM+

Almost exactly one year ago, we published one of the bleakest updates on our industry we’ve ever written. A few weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, the motorsports world was frozen, and institutions we’d always known seemed to be circling the drain.

That included our own company.

As a small, family-owned business, we’ve been able to avoid some of the debt-laden pitfalls of our corporate competition. But that independence also means there’s no mothership to watch over us, and no Scrooge McDuck money pile to fall back on when the entire industry is threatened at once. A budget forecast with “nothing” in every single month tapers to zero remarkably quickly.

So we reached out, asking our community to #SupportMotorsport and to support us, too, via our online store and print subscription sales. Within a few days of posting, we received so many requests that we eventually set up a Patreon page, too, where readers could pledge recurring monthly support for the content they loved.

Put simply, the response was overwhelming. April 2020 was our busiest month ever for both merchandise and subscription sales, and that support continued in the form of the user-requested Patreon page. To this day, a loyal part of our community has continued to pledge a few dollars per month to support us.

The economic realities of niche publishing are still painfully true: All this support still hasn’t been enough to offset the advertising revenue we lost when the pandemic hit. But it has been enough to retain every one of our employees on staff with their full salary and benefits, to ensure that every issue of the magazines leaves the printer on time, and to keep our website full of new content every day.

It’s also been enough to show our advertisers the passion (and value) of our audience, and we’ve seen that side of our business slowly trend toward normal as the world reopens. And every time a vaccine goes into a staff member’s arm, we feel closer to the end of the wildest time in our company’s history.  

We’d be lying if we said we didn’t feel guilty about all this. COVID-19 has killed nearly 3 million people, with nearly 20% of those deaths occurring right here in the United States. People we used to share the grid with have lost jobs, loved ones, and their own lives.

We’ve managed to avoid most of those misfortunes, and that wouldn’t have happened without our community’s support. From every staff member, many of whom are also family: Thank you. You’ve changed our lives, and we’ll never forget that.

There is one thing we are ready to forget, though: The Grassroots Motorsports Patreon page will be shut down today, and none of our supporters will be charged again. COVID-19 isn’t over yet, but we feel confident that we’ll survive it without asking for any more of your donations.

However, all that support did help us to realize something: We might not need to base our website on the world of banner advertising and all its associated pitfalls. Members of our community seem more than willing to support the things they love, including our digital content and the forum they visit daily. And thanks to the free time we’ve had while the tracks were closed, we’re now ready to embrace that energy to help these things grow.

Today we’re launching GRM+, our new digital subscription product designed for everybody who loves what we do but doesn’t necessarily want to express that love by ordering a tree be cut down, made into a magazine, and mailed to their house every few weeks.

And this isn’t just us asking for a donation: Every GRM+ member will receive unlimited access to read every past and present issue of the digital edition of the magazine online. They’ll also see drastically fewer ads on every page of the website, creating a browsing experience that’s a huge upgrade from what’s currently available.

We know that forum titles are almost as important as dyno numbers for our community, so every GRM+ member will also receive a special designation on each forum post they make. We plan to add more benefits in the coming months as we become more familiar with the GRM+ audience. And if you’ve been a Patreon supporter in the past, check your email for a coupon code that will ensure you get to experience GRM+.

We’re not sure what GRM+ will look like in 10 years or even 10 months, but for 37 years–through one crisis after another–we’ve shown that a passionate community is enough to beat bigger companies with deeper pockets every single time. We’re excited to be back on track–in several different ways. Thanks for being here with us, everybody.

GRM+ costs $3 per month or $30 per year, and you can click here to start your subscription.

Join Free Join our community to easily find more GRM+ news.
Comments
View comments on the GRM forums
ultraclyde (Forum Supporter)
ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) UltimaDork
4/6/21 5:42 a.m.

I normally hate the idea of website subscriptions, but there's no question in my mind that GRM is worth supporting financially. Even if you ignore the fantastic dead trees you guys send me monthly, the community and knowledge base you've created online is well worth the price of a large coffee every month. 
I'm looking forward to being a part of whatever coolness this becomes. 

gumby
gumby GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/6/21 6:25 a.m.

Done

Thanks GRM!

Done. I look forward to what this becomes. Thanks for everything you guys do!

Sk1dmark (Forum Supporter)
Sk1dmark (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand New Reader
4/6/21 6:41 a.m.

Loving that I can still have ample opportunity to support. Just went to get the subscription to GRM+ however and my webpage returned an error:

 

{"error": "get() returned more than one User -- it returned 2! It is possible you share an email with more than one account, which is not supported"}

 

Not sure how to recitfy, but once it is I'll be right back in line!

alfadriver (Forum Supporter)
alfadriver (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
4/6/21 7:17 a.m.

I'll add the + later today, but are you ending the Patreon thing?  So that will stop all by itself?

BTW, the ads here are not bad at all, so will there be a way to keep more ads so that you guys can get a few more pennies from my looking around?  Whatever ad system you use, it has a fraction of the effect of other pages, so it's not bad.  

Done

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 7:34 a.m.

In reply to Sk1dmark (Forum Supporter) :

This should be fixed. You might have to log out and then log in again for the fix to take effect.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 7:44 a.m.

In reply to alfadriver (Forum Supporter) :

Yes, Patreon is on its way out. We'll be shutting it off later today. There doesn't appear to be a way to retain our ability to message Patreon people without also charging them, so this way they'll have a day to read our post announcing GRM+.

At this point, we're more focused on launching the program, squishing bugs, and thinking of other cool stuff we could add, and less focused on more precise control over showing more ads to GRM+ members. We want you all to have the best experience possible.

WonkoTheSane (FS)
WonkoTheSane (FS) GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
4/6/21 7:47 a.m.

In.

Done, love the idea.

New York Nick
New York Nick GRM+ Memberand Reader
4/6/21 7:55 a.m.

Done. Thank you for captaining this ship, this is a great community of people. 

Sk1dmark (Forum Supporter)
Sk1dmark (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand New Reader
4/6/21 7:55 a.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

Perfect! All fixed and got my subscription. Thanks so much!

alfadriver (Forum Supporter)
alfadriver (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
4/6/21 8:04 a.m.
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to alfadriver (Forum Supporter) :

Yes, Patreon is on its way out. We'll be shutting it off later today. There doesn't appear to be a way to retain our ability to message Patreon people without also charging them, so this way they'll have a day to read our post announcing GRM+.

At this point, we're more focused on launching the program, squishing bugs, and thinking of other cool stuff we could add, and less focused on more precise control over showing more ads to GRM+ members. We want you all to have the best experience possible.

Sounds good.  I'll bring up letting the ads run in a few months when things are smooth.

Woody (Forum Supportum)
Woody (Forum Supportum) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 8:20 a.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

I fully intend to subscribe to GRM+ and support the GRM world in every way possible, but just to clarify...

Does this mean that the Dead Tree format is going away?

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 8:21 a.m.

Oh absolutely not. The print magazine is still growing and here to stay. This just means we might be able make the website make financial sense someday.

Woody (Forum Supportum)
Woody (Forum Supportum) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 8:28 a.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

Cool. I'm on board. 

Stampie (FS)
Stampie (FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 8:30 a.m.

I think us Florida residents should get GRM++ since we have to pay 21 cents more.

Woody (Forum Supportum)
Woody (Forum Supportum) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 8:32 a.m.

In reply to Stampie (FS) :

That's to subsidize the convenience of having the Challenge in your own neighborhood. 

JAdams
JAdams GRM+ Memberand New Reader
4/6/21 8:33 a.m.

I don't typically go for these types of things, but I will totally be supporting this! I was super worried when you guys sent the distress call in 2020 and, like many others, hurried to support GRM. Thanks for all the awesome content and the continued support of this awesome automotive forum!

spacecadet (Forum Supporter)
spacecadet (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 8:55 a.m.

Done, Happy to support this stuff especially when it's value added for us.

Gimp (Forum Supporter)
Gimp (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 9:15 a.m.

Way in.

Gimp (Forum Supporter)
Gimp (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 9:25 a.m.

I had a yellow box and "GRM+" for a moment and now it's gone.  How will people know I'm cool now?

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 9:32 a.m.

Sorry about that! Looks like you and Stampie both had that happen. We're fixing it now.

Placemotorsports
Placemotorsports GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/6/21 9:34 a.m.

Done as well

Gimp (Forum Supporter)
Gimp (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 9:37 a.m.
Tom Suddard said:

Sorry about that! Looks like you and Stampie both had that happen. We're fixing it now.

No worries and take your time.  Love this, by the way.

bmw88rider (Supportive Dude)
bmw88rider (Supportive Dude) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 9:44 a.m.

Done and done. This has to be one of the best communities on the web so $30 a year is like nothing to pay to support it. 

mdshaw
mdshaw Reader
4/6/21 9:53 a.m.

Trying to do the GRM+ but get the error & then an error when trying log out. 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 9:57 a.m.

In reply to mdshaw :

Should be fixed now.

Robbie (Forum Supporter)
Robbie (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 10:01 a.m.

If we sign up, does that impact our paper copy subscription (GRM and Classic)?

nocones
nocones GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/6/21 10:03 a.m.

When does the sitcom set in the GRM Cinematic Universe premier on GRM+?  

WonkoTheSane (FS)
WonkoTheSane (FS) GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
4/6/21 10:07 a.m.
nocones said:

When does the sitcom set in the GRM Cinematic Universe premier on GRM+?  

Is it called "Keeping up with the Nelsons" ?

Jesse Ransom
Jesse Ransom GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/6/21 10:21 a.m.

Groovy. Done!

EDIT: Hrm; I had a GRM+ tag and a note in my profile or dashboard that I was subscribed, but now both are gone and all I've got is an invoice in my inbox, and the dashboard is offering me a subscription. Guessing this is the same issue a couple above have had and is still being hammered out? I've logged out and in...

EDIT+: And deleted cookies, to no avail.

EDIT++: Hey, this post has the GRM+ tag now! Woohoo!

captdownshift (Forum Supporter)
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) UltimaDork
4/6/21 10:24 a.m.

Plus me down on the list of people being good with seeing ads while being a GRM+ member. We're a niche market, the majority of ads target our niche. I've both made purchases and sought and learned information from GRM website advertisers and I go to 3-4 links per a print issue, including back issues when I've purchased them (although 6-10 links on back issues as many small super niche companies for long dead platforms can no longer afford to advertise, but if you want specialty bits for a merkur or first gen neon, they're out there). 

 

Now can we talk about GRM+ boxers, there's more inside. 

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 10:35 a.m.

Tried to sign up but am getting the same error Sk1dmark reported. And yes, that was after signing out and signing back in again.

BA5
BA5 GRM+ Memberand Reader
4/6/21 10:45 a.m.

I'd be fine with still having ads while a GRM+ member.  You guys gotta make your money, and I've never found the ads to be bothersome on this site.

mdshaw
mdshaw Reader
4/6/21 10:48 a.m.

Mine's fixed, thanks Tom.

grouperalley
grouperalley GRM+ Memberand New Reader
4/6/21 11:04 a.m.

Done

ShawneeCreek (Forum Supporter)
ShawneeCreek (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/6/21 11:05 a.m.

In. Happy to see you all made it through and continue to adapt and survive.

ShawneeCreek
ShawneeCreek GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/6/21 11:20 a.m.

Tom, another bug to add to your list. I successfully signed up for GRM+ and it linked to my account for the post above with a yellow box and such. Then I went into my profile and removed " (Forum Supporter)" from my preferred username. (The yellow box is enough for me). Now neither the yellow box or the GRM+ text appear. I cleared my cookies and signed in again and that didn't fix the issue. Don't worry about rushing to fix it; I'm just informing you of the bug.

-Sean

Tim Suddard
Tim Suddard Publisher
4/6/21 11:23 a.m.

Thanks to all who have joined.

And thanks Tom Suddard for spearheading this program.

To clarify a few points... Print subscriptions are at an all time high so we have NO INTENTION of moving away from print.

We have just realized that our digital audience is largely separate from our print audience, so needs to be treated differently. And to provide the service and build an editorial team to provide that service, we need to monetize the website and forum a bit better. 

I don't think there is a media company yet, that has figured out how to survive on banner ad sales alone, although we have certainly brought a lot of our long time, as well as new partners, into this medium with us.

We just had a meeting on what additional benefits we can offer our GRM + members, once we get this program ramped up. 

Bottom line... I think those who subscribe, will be very pleased in the coming months, as we ramp up this exciting new part of our company. As always, when we get an extra nickel, we tend to give back at least a dime, to our growing list of loyal customers.

Gimp (Forum Supporter)
Gimp (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 11:23 a.m.
ShawneeCreek said:

Tom, another bug to add to your list. I successfully signed up for GRM+ and it linked to my account for the post above with a yellow box and such. Then I went into my profile and removed " (Forum Supporter)" from my preferred username. (The yellow box is enough for me). Now neither the yellow box or the GRM+ text appear. I cleared my cookies and signed in again and that didn't fix the issue. Don't worry about rushing to fix it; I'm just informing you of the bug.

-Sean

I'm all fixed up, but for the purpose of troubleshooting, this is exactly what I did.

ultraclyde
ultraclyde UltimaDork
4/6/21 11:24 a.m.
ShawneeCreek said:

Tom, another bug to add to your list. I successfully signed up for GRM+ and it linked to my account for the post above with a yellow box and such. Then I went into my profile and removed " (Forum Supporter)" from my preferred username. (The yellow box is enough for me). Now neither the yellow box or the GRM+ text appear. I cleared my cookies and signed in again and that didn't fix the issue. Don't worry about rushing to fix it; I'm just informing you of the bug.

-Sean

Same exact thing for me. But Since clearing cookies didn't work for the other guys, I'm not going to attempt it. I like cookies. 

yupididit
yupididit GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/6/21 11:26 a.m.

I forgot about the Patreon lol

thatsnowinnebago
thatsnowinnebago GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 11:28 a.m.

In reply to yupididit :

Haha, same here. Maybe I should check my credit card bill more closely...

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 11:30 a.m.

Devs are hard at working figuring out the bugs, everybody. Sorry about that, but that's why we haven't bought the "GRM+" Billboards yet, and why we were willing to wait when Kyle Busch said he needed a few weeks to get his car wrapped in our livery.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 11:31 a.m.

In reply to BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) :

Your account should be fixed now.

thatsnowinnebago
thatsnowinnebago GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 11:38 a.m.

Looks like I'm having the same problem, where I deleted the "forum supporter" tag and my fancy gold box disappeared. I did clear my cookies and restart my browser. 

No big deal, just mentioning it as another data point for y'all. 

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 11:48 a.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

It is, thanks.

captdownshift (Forum Supporter)
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) UltimaDork
4/6/21 12:04 p.m.

In reply to Tim Suddard :

With regards to creating a digital editorial team, would that include freelance professionals? Don't worry, I'm not inquiring with regards to myself, but I know some talented individuals who are currently in similar roles who I could steer to the proper towards the proper channels. 

 

 

LifeIsStout
LifeIsStout GRM+ Memberand Reader
4/6/21 12:31 p.m.

Done and done, I haven't subscribed to paper for a long time, so happy to support this way.

I would love to have targeted ads based on my current garage, that would be a great thing!

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 12:42 p.m.

Ok, the missing memberships bug is now fixed. Thank you, ShawneeCreek, for the helpful details!

If you've paid for a membership but don't have your benefits, let me know.

Antihero (Forum Supporter)
Antihero (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/6/21 12:52 p.m.

Mine went thru with no problems.

 

With my luck with technology I am genuinely suprised

ZOO (Forum Supporter)
ZOO (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 12:54 p.m.

Done!

And since I now have access to digital archives I can do some more "decontenting" of my house!  20 ish years of GRM is a lot of magazines to have in storage.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 1:02 p.m.

What kind of weirdo subscribes to a website?

captdownshift (Forum Supporter)
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) UltimaDork
4/6/21 1:08 p.m.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

If you want to watch in car livestreams of my crapcan enduro adventures, you have to subscribe to my onlyfans. 200tw tires get better and better every year, but they aren't getting any less expensive. 

ZOO (Forum Supporter)
ZOO (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 1:10 p.m.

Now I am in the rabbit hole of digital archives.  Fun, but entirely useless fact.  I drove my 1982 VW Rabbit that was as "tricked out" as I could afford to Daytona Beach in 1990 or 1991 during Bike Week.  I had no idea you folks existed then . . . but I plan to read the issues from that year.

I'm sure you folks noted my beige four door, no bumpers, Kamei air-dammed 70 horsepower VW, right?

Marjorie Suddard
Marjorie Suddard General Manager
4/6/21 1:12 p.m.

In reply to ZOO (Forum Supporter) :

That was you??? (Actually, we would've absolutely noticed that. Always had a thing for those... hence the one we recently bought.)

Also, thank you, thank you, everyone. It's pretty heartening to see your support. We will work very hard to deserve it and make this worth your while.

Margie

Tim Suddard
Tim Suddard Publisher
4/6/21 1:17 p.m.

In reply to ZOO (Forum Supporter) :

At some point we will probably have all 37 years of back issues available to you. The early ones will have to be scanned.

 

Tyler H (Forum Supporter)
Tyler H (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/6/21 1:28 p.m.

Done.  Much rather contribute directly to GRM.  When my wife sees random Patreon stuff on the credit card statement, she starts to think I'm on OnlyFans or something.  When she sees GRM, she just thinks I'm a dork.  laugh

tb (I support things)
tb (I support things) GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/6/21 1:31 p.m.

Done. I am reading and writing in the forums more now than in the last couple decades combined and am happy to chip in a few dollars.

 

Robbie (Forum Supporter)
Robbie (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 1:34 p.m.

Tried to sign up got the following error:

{"error": "get() returned more than one User -- it returned 2! It is possible you share an email with more than one account, which is not supported"}

 

A long time ago I setup a second user to try and pull together a list of all challenge builds in progress... that user can be deleted if it is the issue. 

Done. Glad to see your business grow, and thanks for giving us great content and a place to hang out!

dj06482 (Forum Supporter)
dj06482 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 1:46 p.m.

Thanks for providing this option, my wife will appreciate the availability of the digital archive!  On a side note, I'm having issues in Chrome on my iPhone XR (running 14.4.2).  Basically the your comment box is not available. Are others seeing this issue?

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 1:53 p.m.

In reply to dj06482 (Forum Supporter) :

Hmm, sounds like a cache issue. Try clearing it and see if that helps.

 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 1:53 p.m.

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

This should be fixed now.

Vajingo
Vajingo HalfDork
4/6/21 2:01 p.m.

There should be a referral program. I can't tell you how many people I've directed to this website. Might be fun if, when they sign up and list you as the drug dealer, you get a GRM sticker. And then we can have a "whose got the most refers?" Thread. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
4/6/21 2:09 p.m.

Yes, thank you, everyone, for the support. 

captdownshift (Forum Supporter)
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) UltimaDork
4/6/21 2:18 p.m.

In reply to Vajingo :

Getting them to the website is one thing, getting them to purchase your incomplete project car after checking out the website is a completely different tier. 

Driven5
Driven5 UltraDork
4/6/21 2:19 p.m.

Will this cover any Classic Motorsports content as well, or is that being kept separate?

dj06482 (Forum Supporter)
dj06482 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 2:20 p.m.
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to dj06482 (Forum Supporter) :

Hmm, sounds like a cache issue. Try clearing it and see if that helps.

 

Thanks, Tom - that fixed it!

bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter)
bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 2:33 p.m.

Done. I am a plus. Plusser?

Lof8 - Andy
Lof8 - Andy GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
4/6/21 2:36 p.m.

This is the only forum I visit anymore, and its for good reason.  The people and content here are the best.  I'm happy to support it!

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 2:36 p.m.
Keith Tanner said:

What kind of weirdo subscribes to a website?

Hmm, it's almost like someone is trying to build a list of these weirdoes and validate it by accepting payment .

Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 2:41 p.m.

I didn't like Patreon. I prefer to just pay once instead of having an ongoing monthly expense.

Maybe this means I can clean up years and years of back issues without worrying about needing an article from 5 years ago a week after I gave the print copy away. 

Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 2:43 p.m.

It's worth noting that some of the fishing/boating forums have had a forum supporter level for a long while- mainly to support image hosting. I'm kind of surprised GRM held out as long as they did.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 2:56 p.m.

In reply to BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) :

I'm gonna call Flyin' Miata and offer them access to this exclusive list.

 

(kidding, we don't share any info with people)

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 3:08 p.m.
Driven5 said:

Will this cover any Classic Motorsports content as well, or is that being kept separate?

For now at least, we're keeping things separate and focusing on GRM with this.

Wait, I thought that said GRM PLUSH! Like we were getting our own Champagne Room or something!

Antihero (Forum Supporter)
Antihero (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/6/21 3:13 p.m.

In reply to Tyler H (Forum Supporter) :

You can't be both ?!?!?

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 3:25 p.m.
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) :

I'm gonna call Flyin' Miata and offer them access to this exclusive list.

There's probably a big overlap between their customer list and yours already.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 4:22 p.m.
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) said:
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) :

I'm gonna call Flyin' Miata and offer them access to this exclusive list.

There's probably a big overlap between their customer list and yours already.

There have been times when you'd get a copy of GRM with your order ;)

ultraclyde
ultraclyde UltimaDork
4/6/21 4:27 p.m.
Keith Tanner said:
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) said:
Tom Suddard said:

In reply to BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) :

I'm gonna call Flyin' Miata and offer them access to this exclusive list.

There's probably a big overlap between their customer list and yours already.

There have been times when you'd get a copy of GRM with your order ;)

Now we all know how Keith will be disposing of his stack of back issues once they are available digitally...

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 4:30 p.m.

I used to keep all issues of magazines. Then I started just keeping the ones that had cars I liked in them. Then I started just keeping the ones that had MY cars in them.

I still have a lot of GRMs...

dyintorace
dyintorace GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/6/21 5:39 p.m.

Just signed up! Great idea and happy to support the company!

Jordan Rimpela (FS)
Jordan Rimpela (FS) Dork
4/6/21 6:12 p.m.

OHSCrifle
OHSCrifle GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
4/6/21 6:30 p.m.

Like Toyman's pup. Worth it. 

alfadriver (Forum Supporter)
alfadriver (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
4/6/21 6:31 p.m.

Done.

PMRacing
PMRacing GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/6/21 6:53 p.m.

Done.  Thanks GRM Crew!

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 6:53 p.m.

Tom. Just sent you a PM. 
 

Oh as a + member can I not have to sign in every 24 hours?  Maybe once a week?  That alone would make a plus membership worth it. ;-)

Robbie (Forum Supporter)
Robbie (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 7:07 p.m.

In reply to dean1484 :

I think it's only every 30 days... Might be a different problem for you?

JeffHarbert
JeffHarbert GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/6/21 7:12 p.m.

Easy decision. Done.

Awesome; happy to subscribe for quality content! I'm also stoked that I can free up some space by ditching the paper. Thanks, GRM!

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/6/21 7:16 p.m.

In reply to dean1484 :

You should be able to stay signed in basically as long as you want. Do you have really restrictive privacy settings on your browser or something? A lot of stuff meant to prevent tracking actually prevents, well, tracking, and makes it tough for the site to remember you. 

Matthew Kennedy
Matthew Kennedy GRM+ Memberand Reader
4/6/21 7:33 p.m.

Done! Was about to re-up the dead tree subscription, but this is even better!

ggarrard
ggarrard GRM+ Memberand Reader
4/6/21 7:54 p.m.

Subscribed....

Gordon

 

CJ (FS)
CJ (FS) GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/6/21 8:01 p.m.

Done.  You guys are great - spend way more than $30 a year on movies (normally, anyway), and GRM is way better than most of the movies I have seen!  wink

Mark L (Forum Supporter)
Mark L (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand Reader
4/6/21 8:12 p.m.

Done.

 

GTwannaB
GTwannaB GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/6/21 8:18 p.m.

I'm in. I like the once a year payment better than the $3 /month 

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/6/21 9:12 p.m.

Done!  Thanks, ya crazy kids.

I've always been plus-sized, but never GRM-plus.

newold_m (Forum Supporter)
newold_m (Forum Supporter) Reader
4/7/21 1:24 a.m.

No brainer indeed.. However, I can't seem to be able to do it.

Running Safari on iPad and when I enter my credit card info and hit the 'Subscribe to GRM+ Now' at bottom nothing is happening. Well, technically the large button turns into a smaller one but that's about it. Already tried refreshing the pager and entered information twice and got the same result. 

OHSCrifle
OHSCrifle GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
4/7/21 6:20 a.m.
newold_m (Forum Supporter) said:

No brainer indeed.. However, I can't seem to be able to do it.

Running Safari on iPad and when I enter my credit card info and hit the 'Subscribe to GRM+ Now' at bottom nothing is happening. Well, technically the large button turns into a smaller one but that's about it. Already tried refreshing the pager and entered information twice and got the same result. 

Did you see the prompt for the billing zip code? (It was very small and I missed it the first time)

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter)
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/7/21 6:55 a.m.

It also took a little while, at least on my computer, from the button turning small to something actually completing.

Done. 

Quick question? Is there a way to opt-out of the paper version of the magazine. I'd be happy to just read it online and save y'all the printing and postage. 

Marjorie Suddard
Marjorie Suddard General Manager
4/7/21 8:32 a.m.

In reply to Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) :

Not without a phone call--sorry! Our subscriptions are handled by an outside fulfillment agency, so you'd need to call them at 877-677-6878 and ask them to switch your subscription to digital only.

Margie

paddygarcia
paddygarcia GRM+ Memberand New Reader
4/7/21 10:25 a.m.

Awww, man. I got a receipt that says my head's on straight any my booty body's ready for the GRM+ funk, but nobody can see it. And on mobile I can't log out of the site anymore, just get an error.

 

Fixed!

 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/7/21 11:10 a.m.

In reply to newold_m (Forum Supporter) :

Looks like your credit card company won't approve the payment. Maybe give them a call? Or make sure you're entering everything correctly?

RacetruckRon
RacetruckRon GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/7/21 1:01 p.m.

I'm in. This is the best car (and non-car) forum on the web.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/7/21 1:34 p.m.

Thanks a ton for all the support, everybody. It's been overwhelming! To the future!

Javelin (Forum Supporter)
Javelin (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/7/21 1:42 p.m.

Subscribed to GRM+ and renewed my print subscription for 2 years. Passed on the GRM boxers... for now.

William
William New Reader
4/7/21 2:28 p.m.

I already get both rags digitally, so....

How is this going to be different?

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/7/21 2:33 p.m.

In reply to William :

The adds in the forum are gone!  That alone to me makes it worth it.

Shadeux
Shadeux GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/7/21 4:37 p.m.

In reply to dean1484 :

This is the way. I pay for an add-free experience = Awesome.

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/7/21 5:13 p.m.

So that you can get a feel for ad free GRM.

gunner (Forum Supporter)
gunner (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/7/21 8:18 p.m.

What a great way to end the patreon support. I had let my print subscription lapse because I was stacking up unread issues that only stayed in one room. I started the digital subscription so I can read the magazine anywhere and it's been awesome. Now I'm getting all the back issues as well? Super! I'm all signed up!

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/7/21 11:48 p.m.

The back issues are a big reason I signed up.

newold_m (Forum Supporter)
newold_m (Forum Supporter) Reader
4/8/21 1:32 a.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

I have double checked everything and entered all the fields including the zip code but no luck. It's a card I use all the time so not sure why there will be an issue for this. Anyway, will try again later this week. 

I'm not getting an error or anything obvious. Click on button, it becomes 'smaller' if that makes any sense and that's it. Nothing else happens which is why is was asking if this could be a browser compatibility issue. 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/8/21 9:48 a.m.

Hmm, we've tested your configuration just now and aren't finding any issues. Maybe try a different browser just to be safe?

Marjorie Suddard
Marjorie Suddard General Manager
4/8/21 9:53 a.m.

Hi Newold, thanks for your patience. Most likely a missing field, since you'd get an error message if your card was declined. Maybe fresh eyes on a fresh day will help--sometimes that's what it takes for me. (Flashback to the Christmas I spent a good hour trying to send overpriced Williams-Sonoma sticky buns to out of state family without success... only to realize the next morning I hadn't checked a box saying I understood it was nonrefundable. And before you mock me too hard: Those sticky buns are damn good.)

Margie

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/8/21 10:09 a.m.

Gotta admit, I'm still getting used to not having the banner ad at the top of the screen. I've almost picked the wrong place a few times. But this is a good problem to have! smiley

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter)
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/8/21 10:22 a.m.

I'm in.

 I get a lot out of GRM. Just like when I volunteered at the last Challenge, I'm happy to have a way to contribute. 

singleslammer
singleslammer GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/8/21 10:30 a.m.

Sold! My paper subscription had lapsed anyway. I may call to remove the paper part as I am running out of places to store old mags. 

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/8/21 9:04 p.m.

PDF magazines, awesome!

Tim Suddard
Tim Suddard Publisher
4/9/21 6:36 a.m.

In reply to Javelin (Forum Supporter) :

I am pretty die hard (obviously) but am going to skip the boxers as well. Now if they were Boxsters, that would be a different story.

Marjorie Suddard
Marjorie Suddard General Manager
4/9/21 6:44 a.m.

Welp, there goes that Father's Day idea.

Margie

914Driver
914Driver MegaDork
4/9/21 7:59 a.m.

Morning all,  I'm having trouble getting my credit card # in, keeps telling me to go back.  Can I phone it in?

Last year when the call came for donations, I pulled $150 out of my Sock Drawer Car Fund and sent a check to GRM.  A few weeks later I didn't see a new subtitle next to my name, so I called GRM Headquarters to confirm the check arrived.  Nice young lady said yes, thank you very much, but we didn't know who to apply it to as there was no email address on it.  (screen name in one corner)  Never did get the special notation,  but I have to compliment our little GRM community.

By outward appearances I'm a cheap SOB.  I have to applaud that there were no whispers, sidelong glances or poking of ribs because I'm always here, always using the service, but never ponied up.  Thank you.  You people are the best.  

 

Dan

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/9/21 11:09 a.m.

Hmm, sorry about that Dan. I'll get the devs on it.

infinitenexus
infinitenexus Dork
4/9/21 11:10 a.m.

I've definitely received more than $30 worth of advice on this forum so I figured the least I could do was support something I care about.  Glad to be a GRM+ member.

914Driver
914Driver MegaDork
4/9/21 11:32 a.m.

Thanx Tom, gonna sign up but card won't go.  Can I call?

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/9/21 12:43 p.m.

Sorry, but we don't have any way to entitle your account for GRM+ over the phone. Could you email me a screenshot (tom@ this website) with what's happening?

Thanks!

Stampie
Stampie GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/9/21 12:45 p.m.
914Driver said:

Thanx Tom, gonna sign up but card won't go.  Can I call?

I'm bored sitting in the pick up line at school.  If you want you can call me and I won't even ask for your credit card.

914Driver
914Driver MegaDork
4/9/21 1:07 p.m.

WAS a screen with a Promo Code slot and Subscribe button. Tried putting CC# in promo slot.  NG.

Trying to contact Stampie (thanx for your offer) and another screen popped up.  Looks like I'm in.

Thank you, computer dinosaur leaving the area hot & fast... 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/9/21 1:19 p.m.

Great, glad you got it figured out. Thanks for subscribing!

Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter)
Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/10/21 12:10 p.m.

..and done.  Happy to support this place!

yupididit
yupididit GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/16/21 7:41 a.m.

I did the GRM+ back on the 6th. I'm not seeing any changes though. All see ads etc. 

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/16/21 7:51 a.m.

Hmm, let's see what's going on here.

 

yupididit
yupididit GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/16/21 8:10 a.m.

Also,

I checked to see if I had did the GRM+ correctly,  I did and got an email invoice. But, I see now that there's a yearly subscription, I only had the option of monthly so that's what I picked. Can I switch to yearly?  

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/16/21 9:13 a.m.

Okay, your account should be fixed! And unfortunately we haven't finished the upgrade/downgrade option yet. Right now, to switch to an annual subscription, you'll need to cancel, wait until 5/6, then re-subscribe. Sorry about that!

yupididit
yupididit GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/16/21 10:12 a.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

Thank you! I'll upgrade next month. 

fe1rx
fe1rx New Reader
4/20/21 11:55 p.m.

Love the print magazine so I paid for GRM+ with eyes wide shut.

Having arrived, I am underwhelmed.  What exactly did I pay for?  I certainly can't read the back catalog.

jh36
jh36 GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
4/26/21 7:58 p.m.

Hi there...I'm getting the same error as mentioned on page 1....I've logged off/on a few times and shut down/rebooted. 
Thinking I will wait for the early May upgrade and try again. 

noddaz
noddaz GRM+ Memberand UberDork
4/28/21 9:04 p.m.

Done!  I have paid.

Continue on GRM!

Scott

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/28/21 10:23 p.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

Clicked on "subscribe 1 year" and got this:

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/29/21 7:51 a.m.

Sorry about that! Give it another try and let me know how it goes.

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/29/21 9:47 a.m.

Thanks Tom! Subscribed. I figure you hosting my build threads is worth $30 a year.  :-)

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/29/21 10:04 a.m.

In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :

Perfect, thanks a ton!!

thedoc
thedoc GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
5/2/21 5:32 p.m.

I am trying to sign up as well.  I keep getting an error message that I share my e-mail, which I do not believe I do.

Do I wait for whatever May upgrade I read about?

Wondering,

Doc

Coder
Coder GRM+ Memberand New Reader
5/6/21 4:11 p.m.

I wanted to say that I'm new here.  I'm not very interested in racing or going fast.  I love quirky, home made, DIY things and for me, that's the draw of GRM.  I spend a lot of time on the build forums reading through posts about body swaps and abulance camper conversions.  The people here are great and offer something I haven't found anywhere else.  That's why I became a member today.  I'll probably never read any staff articles.  But I want to support the people that foster the culture that I love so much.  Thanks for making GRM a thing!

Ray

Seems like the kinks are out.  Received an e-mail from GRM, subscribed, done deal.  Glad to be a part of all this.  Thanks to the Staff, and all the Community.

sleepyhead the buffalo
sleepyhead the buffalo GRM+ Memberand Mod Squad
6/9/21 8:59 a.m.
canoeingonmetal said:

[Ouch!  This metal canoe seat is really hot!]
This post is really interesting and amazing I really enjoyed this forum.

thanks, don't let the paddle hit you on the way out

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
6/9/21 9:01 a.m.

Was that a medical implant canoe?? Those companies need canoes??

sleepyhead the buffalo
sleepyhead the buffalo GRM+ Memberand Mod Squad
6/9/21 10:24 a.m.
Tom Suddard said:

Was that a medical implant canoe?? Those companies need canoes??

I believe so, yes

I assume that's how they're transporting their stock across the great garbage patch.... east-west

Barb_Dwyer
Barb_Dwyer New Reader
7/23/21 7:09 a.m.

In reply to Tom Suddard :

GRM is without a doubt worth supporting financially, despite my dislike of subscriptions to websites. It is definitely worth the price of a large coffee each month, even if you ignore the wonderful dead trees you guys send me every month. 

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