Joined the VCA, 3 weeks later received nothing???

[jpa99acr]

Aren't I suppose to get some sort of Viper Club "kit"? What exactly do I get for $100 besides 4 issues of the mag? Thanks

 

[Steve-Indy]

Welcome to the VCA. At this time of the year, as EVERYONE is renewing for 2003, VCA HDQ may be a little behind. I would suggest that you contact YOUR Regional President ASAP so that he can get syou enrolled on their mailing list, and include you in the upcoming activities. It is true that Nat'l Business Office will send your name to the Regional Pres...but this is usually done on a monthly basis. Again, welcome to a great group of folks !!!

Steve Fess Sec. VCA Ind/Ky, Region, Inc.

 

[Steve-Indy]

P.S....here's a partial answer to the benefit question as posted in a recent thread by Past President Steve Ferguson:

" VCA-
1- Regional and National membership
2- Viper Magazine
3- VCA Notes newsletter
4- Regional and National Events
5- Local newsletters
6- Discounts with vendors
7- Event Liability insurance
8- One-of-a-kind Viper raffles
9- Custom Membership cards
10- Whatever goodies each individual region offers it's members.
11- Viper headquarters to answer questions.
12- Programs like the cert, special financing and factory pickup.

Steve Ferguson"


Hope this helps !!!

 

[Mike Brunton]

I corrected Steve on this earlier, but it should be noted that the certificate program had NOTHING to do with VCA membership. Certificates were given to people who bought their car new and still owned it.

I received a cert, but I am not a VCA member.

 

[Matt M PA]

Hmmm .another post about "what ya get for $100". Wonder how long this post will last? (Anyone remember mine?)But to answer your question in a tangible way...once you get your membership card you got it all.

 

[Ron Hickey]

National HQ is usually notoriously slow in producing the new ID cards. One of the reasons for that delay is that they need to do them in batches. I wouldn't expect to see your new ID until February at the earliest.

I've got to agree with Steve above -- if you just joined the VCA (by phone or mail), contact your regional President ASAP and let him (or her) know your mailing address, email and phone numbers. He'll put you on the list, and you won't miss any events while you're waiting for your membership packet. If you join near the beginning of a month, your regional president won't receive notification until about the third week of the following month. (We're all hoping to reduce that lag this year.)

The same applies for purchasers of new Vipers (who get a free membership). Call your regional president immediately. Notification takes an even longer time in this circumstance.

(The following is not directed at any individual.)

The VCA represents a unified voice for Viper owners. The VCA provides this message board. All the VCA regions sponsor Viper events where members can get together, swap stories and tips, and in general have great fellowship. Even if you don't want to or can't attend VCA events and you don't give a rodent's rear end about "fellowship" with other Viper owners, you should consider supporting the VCA with your membership because its existence is a good thing for Viper owners.

It amazes me how often we've seen posts on this board lately about "what do I get for $100" and "I disagree with your moderating policies", etc. If you honestly believe you're getting nothing for your $100 membership, then I would like to challenge you to swear off visiting this board at all for a couple of months. If you want to have a Viper question answered or spout off about some theory of yours as to why supercharging is inferior to turbocharging, I'm sure you can find some other venue on the Internet to satisfy your appetite. After all, the VCA -- who provides this board -- doesn't do anything for you. You don't need the VCA, so, as a person of principle, you shouldn't need to use the forum the VCA makes available to its members. There are other auto forums on the Internet -- try them.

If you take my challenge and discover, probably after a few days, that you really can't stay away from this board, your "I get nothing from the VCA" argument has just gone down the toilet. You now have to admit that this board (again, provided by the VCA) is giving you a considerable amount of knowledge and certainly a lot of entertainment. The next time you have a question or problem about something related to your Viper, this message board will be the first place you go. When you decide to sell your Viper or some parts, I bet you'll get a friend who is a member to post your ad in the Classifieds on this board, so you don't have to pay anything. So the real reason you're not a member has nothing to do with not getting any benefits -- it's just that (and I'll try to put this delicately) you won't pay for something when you can get it for free. Just spare us the "I don't get anything for my membership" BS.

(Disclaimer: The opinion stated in this post is that of the author and should not be construed as an official opinion of the VCA.)

 

[Wing King]

Jacob.... what everyone else said, and a bit more. When new members join the club at this time of year, generally what they do is to go ahead and add you to the roster for the remainder of this calendar year, but you are probably going to be given credit for the full new year of 2003. Don't expect a membership badge for 2002. You will most likely get your first one sometime in January or February that says 2003. If you are REALLY nervous about whether they received your application, just call VCA Headquarters at (800)998-1110. Best regards, and WELCOME to the VCA. In my lifetime I've belonged to probably more than 20 car clubs or business associations, and NONE of them even come CLOSE to the comraderie and enjoyment the VCA will provide for you....... if you PARTICIPATE! Attend the activities provided by the VCA and its regions, and you will develop a whole new list of friends. ENJOY!

 

[NJVIPER]

Hey Joe Houss!!!!
A formal heads-up!!!!!
I just sent my VCA membership money in this past Friday for my New Jersey membership.
Just meeting people like you, my good friend Joe Belon, Paul, Scott and Kevin from Buhler Dodge, Lee Dove, Jon from Parts Rack and I could go on and on...is worth 10 times the price.
Let's be thankful we have such friendly and talented people to draw from and call "friends" and stop whinning folks!!!!

 

[Stiffler]

Has anyone received their new badges for the new year yet?

 

[Joseph Houss]

Great Responses All!

Jacob, you'll be getting your ID cards soon, but if you would like to confirm that your membership has been processed, please call Kim at 800-998-1110. She'll have the latest list at her fingertips to check your status.

Welcome Aboard!

 

[joe117]

I think the VCA is worth the cost of membership. That being said, let me ask a question.
Who pays for the one year free VCA membership for new Viper buyers?
If the VCA is paying for it, why don't we give a free year to any first time Viper buyer new or used?
It would seem that any first time Viper buyer would be a likely candidate to become a paying member. Why leave them out?

 

[Joseph Houss]

Great question Joe117! Our friends at Dodge subsidize a new owner's membership.

A terrific gift, and a great way to get a new owner to enjoy ALL the benefits of Viper ownership!

Your idea about first time pre-owned Viper membership is well taken, but would be incredibly tough to administer, and heck, most Viper owners would trade their cars every year just to take advantage of the offer!

 

[joe117]

Well, perhaps the VCA could offer reduced price for a year to first time used Viper buyers. The offer would be on this site and they would have to supply a VIN and a purchase date. I guess they could cheat but it could be checked out if need be.