I see a poll up top asking if people prefer notifications in their final journal or via email - why not just send both? Email is free. And YES, please YES find a way to institute an online payment system - for membership and for ordering a letter.
My guess is that part of the reason for the poll is an effort toward increasing membership retention. With that in mind, there is absolutely no reason I can think of why this website shouldn't have a members only section where members can buy and sell both LC Smith shotguns and parts. Yeah, yeah - you've discussed it in the past and decided not to offer such a feature. When will it be time to again consider the possibility of adding such a feature?
This benefit to membership is sorely needed.
Wouldn't you prefer to sell your LC Smith shotguns to someone you believe will care for them in the same way as you? Forcing potential buyers and sellers of LC Smith shotguns to the auction sites, and the brick and mortar gun stores, is a disservice to the LC Smith collecting community, and a detriment to the longterm conservation of the LC Smith.
Such a feature is also a great way for an enthusiast to better his collection, and will contribute toward the conservation of these fine guns by facilitating their transfer from one caring owner to the next.
This feature of the PGCA definitely helps to keep their membership hanging around their forum. The collectors don't want to miss the next bargain in the for sale forum. Not everyone is ready to sell one of their guns, but when a decision is made to sell, then the likelihood of that member offering their Parker Bros shotgun to the membership is significantly high. The same courtesy should be a possibility among our own membership.
The presence of a classified section would surely attract the interest of new members who have only joined because they inherited their grandfather's shotgun. Maybe they joined for a year and bought a letter, but what has that really done to increase their interest in collecting LC Smith shotguns? How many buy their one letter and never renew their membership again? Were there a classified section to peruse, some of those people would check back in more regularly, and perhaps see another Elsie of interest to them. Next thing you know that person will have two LC Smith's, and another addict will have been born. Yes, that's right - we need to get more people hooked on collecting LC Smith shotguns. I think one of the best ways to do so would be to create a members only section with the above features, among others.
Anyone who doesn't think such a feature would spur more interest in the LC Smith shotgun should consider my own story. I am currently down to 7 LC Smith shotguns, most of which have been acquired over the previous 6 years.
I've owned many others that I traded in and out of over the years, starting with my first which was a gift at the age of 12. My interest in the LC smith started at a young age, primarily because it was my first shotgun. In my mind, it was THE shotgun to own. Then 2 years ago I discovered and joined the PGCA, even though at that time I did not yet own a Parker Bros shotgun. The only reason I joined the PGCA was because I had decided I wanted to find a Parker, and wanted access to their members-only classified. That's the only reason I paid to join, but since joining I have now acquired 5 Parker Brothers shotguns over the past two years. There are surely others like me who are potential LC Smith junkies but just don't know it yet. I feel the LCSCA could be doing more not only to attract, but also to KEEP their attention. Thank you for reading, gentlemen.