Idea to raise money

[Charles]

Lawnsite could have a drawing every 6 months for members.
5$ gets you one entry. 10$ gets you 2 entries and so on up to 25$ so no one gets too much of an advantage.
1/2 the proceeds go to the owners of the site to spend as he pleases and 1/2 goes to a prize for those who enter the contest ie commercial lawn equipment or cash. The 1/2 money for the prize would have to include shipping and handling and use up all that 1/2 of the money. No money sent= No entry. Not enough money sent for decent lawn equipment the winner would just recieve a check for the 1/2 that was sent. This way no pressure to enter the contest.
Just an idea. To keep this from being a type of pyramid scheme instead of giving out a cash prize make it a gift certificate ie a nationwide chain store.

[Edited by Charles on 01-08-2001 at 10:43 AM]

[Administrator]

Better yet I might be able to get manufacturers to give up some power equipment in exchange for advertising exposure. Then give the equipment away.

Hrm.. sounds like an idea.. do you want me to move this to the commercial forum for better exposure?

Chuck

[thelawnguy]

In my state its near impossible to hold a raffle, with all the hoops to jump thru. Dont know what the obstacles would be for an interstate raffle like a lawnsite one would be.

[John DiMartino]

If the interstate hurdles arent to high,it sounds great.Good idea Charles

[LoneStarLawn]

I agree...it could help lawnsite.com in the future.

[Charles]

You know Chuck I was thinking the same thing after I posted this. About a sponser getting involved with the prize someway. I just know people like to enter contest for prizes. Contest dates could be May 21 and November 21. A legal way would have to be looked in on how to do this. I just come up with the ideas lol I am not good on the details. The winner could be announced on Lawnsite and promoed by the sponser. But it will work with or without a sponser. To save shipping charges, you could use gift certificate to local dealers or stores. Blowers, weedeaters,
even mowers, etc if enough money is sent in. if not much money is sent in that 6 months it go on the next or a gift certificate for oil, weedeater string etc can be the prize. Limit of 25$ is best because you dont want the individual money sent in to be more than the prize lol or to give someone too much of an advantage. Ya ,you can move this and see if the reponse is positive

[Ssouth]

sounds like fun. when can we start?

[TGCummings]

Off the top of my head, I'm thinking a contest given to paying participants might be tricky from a legal standpoint.

Any part-time lawyers here with some thoughts on the legality of it all? Is it feasible?

-TGC

[ronslawncare]

you have my 25.oo sounds great

[Charles]

It might make a difference legally that we are members of lawnsite.com and are participating in a private membership contest. No guest could play.

[Eric ELM]

Sounds good if we can get by the legalitys of this. I feel you should have to be a member to win, but not to enter. :D

[lawrence stone]

Chuck I don't see why they would not give up some slow selling units in exchange for banner ads.

For instance if they give new 36" gear drive worth $2k at the dealer you could sell it for $1k in a free drawing to be able to be the first person to buy the unit for $1k.
Maybe you could base the chances to win the "right" to purchase on total forum participation.

If that party decides to take a pass it moves on to the runner up and so on down the line.

I would think some of the smaller manufacturs would find this a way to drum up some interest and get some units in the field where they can be seen by other contractors.

[Charles]

Lawrence, how would money be raised for running the site by that method of a contest? More details, sounds good though. I was thinking of running it like publisher clearing house sweepstakes(they dont require you to buy magazines). You are giving the money to run the siteBeing a member and getting the benefits from that) and to get a chance to win a prize. Good deal to invest 5$ to win a 400$ blower etc.
But no one is required to play and no disclosure of perticipants names. Only the winners.
This will encourage more guest to join so they can play.
But it is not legal then a version of lawrences' idea can be looked at. maybe the sponsers will have to run ads for a certain period of time

[lawrence stone]

Chuck gets equipment in exchange for a banner ad, Chuck sells the equipment, Chuck makes money.

You have chance to win the "right" to purchase the unit based on how many posts your have contributed. If the winner of the drawing does not want or need that equipment it is offered to the runner up. No money from forum members is needed.

Most real LCOs would jump a chance to buy some equipment a 50% or retail.

[Charles]

OIC, Lawrence that sounds interesting too.

[guntruck]

Interesting concept Larry worth looking into.

[DMC300]

Administrator,lets get the ball rolling!

[Runner]

Whoa!!! Not to get off the subject here, but Chuck and Charles aren't the same person?!

[Charles]

No we not the same person lol. But Chuck(administrator) is interested in something like this. Thats why he moved the post over here to get more input from everyone.

[MOW ED]

Mayby we can get Phil and A-1 back to run it.

OK, sorry that was cruel. I think its a great idea. Mayby a Grand prize can be offered like a new 50 HP Chopper.

Lets do it.

[Eric ELM]

Runner, take a look at the poster's locations. This should make it lots less confusing. There is another Chuck too that is a Moderator of the snow forum, that is Chuck Smith, the Administrator and owner of this site is Chuck Keough, then there is Charles. There are several Erics too, but we are all from different places. I hope I unconfused you. :)

[double e]

I'm in!

[TGCummings]

If the legalities of this thing don't pan out, maybe LawnSite could sponsor a cause with the raffle earnings and still give prizes to the winner?

Might be easier to get a charity raffle to fly...

-TGC

[kutnkru]

As L Stone said the number of posts is a good idea. Obviously obtaining them should not be a problem. Well unless unlike myself (ahem) you are currently employed -- LOL.

Just my .02
kris