Some food for thought

[GRANGER73]

Currently neither club is positioned to handle the future of Viper ownership. If you look at the VOA forums it is quite obvious they are skewed to the Gen5. I'm not suggesting that this is a bad thing; only stating the obvious. Gen5 traffic on the VOA forums is on the order of 6-8 times that of the Gen1-2 and 3-4 forums. It's just the opposite at the VCA. Less action for the Gen5, and much more for Gen's 1-4. Additionally, the VOA principals have never been advocates of maintaining the Viper legacy.
Right now both clubs are trying to appeal to the same market segment: Gen5 action. But with that narrow focus, eventually there will not be enough folks out there to keep two clubs alive. Likely not even one if production really does cease.
The club that puts forth the most effort to provide a platform to maintain the legacy of the marquee will likely survive in the long run. As new owners enter the market, they will likely be purchasing the Gen1-2 cars for many reasons; price being the primary one. These folks will need somewhere to go and with the history of the Viper secure in the vaults of the VCA it should be the preferred choice.
Will the two clubs merge? Only if required by economic necessity. There is only enough room for one club to continue to court the track guys; the ACR guys; and the super car wannabes. The other must seek different segments to insure survival. The key to success for the future will be the inclusion of all Viper owners.

 

[Free2go]

Did you cross post at the other site? Would love to see the responses there.

 

[Free2go]

Currently neither club is positioned to handle the future of Viper ownership.

It's a war of attrition now. The club with the most creativity will survive, and I'm not seeing a lot of creativity around here. I will support this club to the bitter end, but if it winds up being absorbed by the other club, a new club will be built....

 

[broomrider]

Granger here is some good for thought from a Gen 5 owner. Every time this subject comes up one complaint is that basically the gen 5 owners are going to or are
Dropping the ball at keeping the magic of viper alive. I bought my car a 2014 GTS in July, I joined this forum because I enjoyed what it is. A great place to learn
And have fun. That being said, I have noticed a divide if you will amongst the previous gen vipers and the gen 5 owners. It almost seems sometimes like
There is more expected out of our ownership responsibilities. You might be correct or you may not in the statement that eventually the two clubs will have to
merge however No one knows that for certain. So moving forward, as a Gen 5 owner I take the spirit of what the Viper is and hold it dearly. Most have forgotten
That this car regardless of Gen started out a kick *** balls to the wall hell of a good time. That's the one thing that should be the tie that binds us all. Not who
screwed who over or even who ultimately dropped the ball at keeping the spirit going. The latter rests on us all.

 

[Free2go]

Don't take it personal Broom. Everybody knows your the freshest breath of air around here.....

 

[broomrider]

Don't take it personal Broom. Everybody knows your the freshest breath of air around here.....

No no no Free, I haven't taken it personal it's just I never realized how one person can cause such a rift to the point of extinction of a car and club.
FREE for President! Thanks for the complement

 

[GRANGER73]

Did not post at VOA. I believe they are doing a great job and I have no issues with how they operate. Very well managed/organized and serving the more active of the newer car owners. However, I think more could be done to support the owners of the earlier cars. VOA has the bulk of the Gen5 owners and frankly I don't believe the VCA can compete with the "product" that the VOA offers. I think the VCA needs to re-assess their mission and consider some of the alternatives available to them.

 

[ViperJeff]

I have no interest in that other club to be honest, I still have splinters in my ass from the rail they ran me out of town on. I gave "gave" two lists to people who are members there with the understanding they would share as vipers are found....... Crickets. And the really bad part, I really don't care. People only have their word as their mark of honor. Regardless of how they got their membership or how well they are run or all the other measurable items one can count......

Their "word" falls short

So for that reason...... I respectfully decline the offer to be part of that other organization

 

[broomrider]

I don't believe the VCA can compete with the "product" that the VOA offers. I

Ok so on that note, I'm gonna call bullsh** because if the VCA wasn't a threat, then the the folks that float over to make trouble and criticize
Wouldn't bother doing so. Nothing personal just calling it as it is. I hope the two clubs don't merge. I would hate to bring this club down by
doing so.

 

[Bobpantax]

The following was posted a week ago in the Ask VCA Headquarters Forum. It is relevant to this thread.

Post:

Since the new Union contract has now been approved, per that contract, Viper production will end in 2017. As is the case with any car site where the car goes out of production, the historical database of this site will continue to have value but participation will gradually fall off. The same will be true for the other site - perhaps even more so since this site has far more data regarding prior generations and the other site has more data regarding the Gen V.

Neither club or site will survive on its own in the coming environment because funding will fall off. Unfortunately, vendors will also be affected. ( For an example of this phenomenon, take a look at the history of the Ford Lightning site, etc.)

A significant number of Gen V owners have to have the latest and greatest car. They will sell their vipers and move on to something else. Particularly those who are early adopters of new tech as opposed to those of us who are dinosaurs and late adopters of new tech.

With that said, the Viper is, and will always be, a very special car to millions of people who do, and will continue to, go nuts when they see one.

There is just nothing like it in its price range. In fact, it could be said that there is nothing like it at any price.

I will be keeping mine for many years.

The bottom line is that the clubs should seriously explore puting their assets together in some fashion to maximize the probability of survival in the future. Even if this happens, there will have to be significant austerity measures taken with respect to any and all club expenditures to allow the continuation because after Viper production ends, the possibility of new Viper raffle cars is eliminated. So a business model based on new Viper raffle or "door prize" events will not be possible.

I know this is a bit painful but it is what it is.

 

[GRANGER73]

Duplicate post.

 

[GRANGER73]

Ok so on that note, I'm gonna call bullsh** because if the VCA wasn't a threat, then the the folks that float over to make trouble and criticize
Wouldn't bother doing so. Nothing personal just calling it as it is. I hope the two clubs don't merge. I would hate to bring this club down by
doing so.

Call it bull**** if you like, but I'm just stating the obvious. The critical period during the club transition gave the advantage to the VOA. They developed a product that offers many things that the VCA is unable to provide, at least for now, regardless of the reason. That in no way diminishes the great job the current management has done, but the Gang of Four left them at a tremendous disadvantage.

 

[Bobpantax]

What are they providing that the VCA does not offer? The VCA database is far deeper and broader for Gen I through IV. Both clubs do magazines. The VCA has raffles that, minimally, allow someone to win a substantial amount of money even if enough tickets are not sold to award the car. And even then, if the car is not awarded, the dealer providing the car has allowed the net winnings to be used to buy the same car. In the last raffle, the winner got a very hard to get Hellcat Challenger at MSRP using his net winnings as partial payment. But for the raffle, he would have either had to pay a large premium over MSRP and/or wait many months to get the car and probably still pay a premium. The winner got a fantastic deal.

The VCA has 20 years of past magazines. There is still a considerable demand for VCA products. A VCA teeshirt is still a pretty cool item. So are the leather jackets that were sold out of the Connor Avenue Plant. In fact, I believe they have become collectable.

 

[GRANGER73]

database........for sure
Magazine........Really? VOA clear winner
Raffle/door prize......VCA 40K in cash. VOA latest year Viper
Bob, I admire your dedication to the VCA, but It's time to be realistic. It's really a huge stretch to say they are on equal footing. Aside from the data base, I would give the edge to the VOA. With that said, there are a few directions that the VCA could examine to see if there is a better "fit" for their mission. Head to head is not a good strategy. I just think it's time to reconsider an approach that will best utilize the assets and the community of the VCA.

 

[Free2go]

database........for sure
Magazine........Really? VOA clear winner
Raffle/door prize......VCA 40K in cash. VOA latest year Viper
Bob, I admire your dedication to the VCA, but It's time to be realistic. It's really a huge stretch to say they are on equal footing. Aside from the data base, I would give the edge to the VOA. With that said, there are a few directions that the VCA could examine to see if there is a better "fit" for their mission. Head to head is not a good strategy. I just think it's time to reconsider an approach that will best utilize the assets and the community of the VCA.

Granger, good to see you're a member again. I agree with most all of your assessment. Head to head is not the way to go as the two clubs are different animals. Your last sentence rings true and I firmly believe two clubs are necessary to facilitate all the differing personalities.

 

[Free2go]

FREE for President!

I'm far from "presidential" darlin. I'd much rather be on top of a building with 50 cal. M82

 

[ViperJeff]

I'm far from "presidential" darlin. I'd much rather be on top of a building with 50 cal. M82

If Hillary gets elected, you may have no choice

 

[ROCKET62]

Also amounts to which club has an active region as well. I can't even tell if/how many local VCA members are still around. AZ VOA has a very active chapter with 50+ members, a good number of cruises, and a great holiday party. Regional Bucket list events looked pretty cool. NVE2 in New Orleans supposedly has 400 sign-ups already in only 4 days.

database........for sure
Magazine........Really? VOA clear winner
Raffle/door prize......VCA 40K in cash. VOA latest year Viper
Bob, I admire your dedication to the VCA, but It's time to be realistic. It's really a huge stretch to say they are on equal footing. Aside from the data base, I would give the edge to the VOA. With that said, there are a few directions that the VCA could examine to see if there is a better "fit" for their mission. Head to head is not a good strategy. I just think it's time to reconsider an approach that will best utilize the assets and the community of the VCA.

 

[Free2go]

NVE2 in New Orleans supposedly has 400 sign-ups already in only 4 days.

That's because they have to get down there early to start building the float and get everyone through hair and makeup.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Bobpantax]

You are making the door prize equivalent to a raffle. It is not equivalent at all. The door prize was only available to those who paid for the event ( I think it was $500)and attended the event. All members did not get a chance to participate equally since the economics of paying for the event and attending it varied widely depending on what part of the country a member was from. The VCA raffles give everyone a chance at the same cost per ticket with no travel, room and board expense. A VCA member does not have to be affluent to participate. But for some VOA individuals going on various sites and trashing the VCA and its raffle, the Hellcat raffle probably would have been far more successful. Lastly, not everyone is rich and many would feel very, very lucky to win $40k as opposed to winning the car and having to pay a tax on its value.

As for the magazine, the VCA magazine, if compared based on its production cost with the other clubs magazine, is extraordinary. Take a look at the amounts spent to produce the other club's magazine including travel expense, etc.

The original, initial budget for the other club called for a minimum of 1800 members to make it viable. Do the Form 990 figures indicate that many? Then? Now? The magazine cannot go on at the same cost level going forward.

The VCA was forced to get lean and mean when the secession occurred. Valuable lessons were learned. Lessons that if implemented by an entity that combines the key assets of both clubs, stands a better chance of surviving after the demise of the Viper.

As for Regions, I do not think most Regions really care that much about National. One of the busiest Regions of the other club has a strong demand for VCA branded goods and little demand for the other.

This makes sense since the VCA was sponsored by Chrysler all through Gen I,II,II and IV and the VCA and those Gens have a strong tie to each other. The other club is new as of the end of 2013 and really only has an identity for the Gen V. But the total number of Gen Vs absent a significant increase in sales, will be dwarfed by the total number of prior Gens.

There should be a way found to combine the assets of both clubs. With a new President soon coming in at the other club, perhaps reason will prevail and that will be accomplished



QUOTE=GRANGER73;3275891]database........for sure
Magazine........Really? VOA clear winner
Raffle/door prize......VCA 40K in cash. VOA latest year Viper
Bob, I admire your dedication to the VCA, but It's time to be realistic. It's really a huge stretch to say they are on equal footing. Aside from the data base, I would give the edge to the VOA. With that said, there are a few directions that the VCA could examine to see if there is a better "fit" for their mission. Head to head is not a good strategy. I just think it's time to reconsider an approach that will best utilize the assets and the community of the VCA.[/QUOTE]

 

[GRANGER73]

Door prize..................raffle. Provide same reward.
Magazine...................No contest
Members....................not an issue for them.
Regional activity..........VOA fully staffed. VCA....not so much.
Most dominant Gens?..I agree
Combine assets?.........Ain't gonna happen.
As surmised by one of the VCA's most masterful sages:
"I know this is sinful, but it is what it is."

We can argue all day long about who's best at what, but in the final analysis VOA for the time being at least, have the upper hand. If thev VCA continue to attempt to match their offerings. I think the best option going forward is to repurpose. Jmho

 

[ViperJeff]

Granger, there is no honor in the way the other site was built.... (just an opinion)

 

[FrankBarba]

What are they providing that the VCA does not offer? I can access all information on their website, (Here i can not access all of the web site),
I can place advertisements (FOR FREE) - Here i can not...​ I

 

[ViperJeff]

What are they providing that the VCA does not offer? I can access all information on their website, (Here i can not access all of the web site),
I can place advertisements (FOR FREE) - Here i can not...​ I

wow.... something new, I didn't know the other site let business sale there wares for free

 

[broomrider]

With all the demise talk and gossip, I thought this clip was a great summary
https://youtu.be/FXHkFZ-nG4Y

 

[Free2go]

We need to stop for a minute and take solace in the fact that our very existence has chapped many a stretched butthole.

 

[ViperJeff]

We need to stop for a minute and take solace in the fact that our very existence has chapped many a stretched butthole.

To ********* yep, this is ok also

 

[GRANGER73]

Granger, there is no honor in the way the other site was built.... (just an opinion)

Agreed. From Cheerleaders to finger pointers. The old saying, "There's only two things I don't like about this guy/gal; his/her face, fits a bunch of those involved. But let's face it. The VCA brought it on themselves. There absolute refusal to change their methods was a slap in the face to every VCA member. First thing I would do is purge the HOF. Just Sayin'.

 

[ViperJeff]

Agreed. From Cheerleaders to finger pointers. The old saying, "There's only two things I don't like about this guy/gal; his/her face, fits a bunch of those involved. But let's face it. The VCA brought it on themselves. There absolute refusal to change their methods was a slap in the face to every VCA member. First thing I would do is purge the HOF. Just Sayin'.

I can't fix the past, it's our history.

I can only work on the present and some days, that's pretty hard. People asking for censorship, when we are trying not to. People believing the past is the present, when it is not. Holding on to the ills of the past and not seeing the gains that have been made.

 

[Free2go]

As surmised by one of the VCA's most masterful sages: "I know this is sinful, but it is what it is."

In the grand scheme of things who really gives a $hit. I like a lot of people here so I come here. Good for them if they build a better mouse trap. That being said, if any members in the North Texas area would like to wolf down some wings and beer while checking out some collegiate ass, just pm me. I'm not interested in large gatherings that cruise around sampling wine and the like.