dues to high

[lvlninety9]

I applaud the ECA for finally deciding to incorporate consumer membership. To me that is a step in the right direction towards getting us into a more unified status. I just hope that the membership fee isn't outrageous. And I'm hoping that the BOD is looking into making things easier for the suppliers to support the ECA. Maybe with the addition of consumer membership the supplier fees can come down some. I might just be a consumer now, but I have a tendency to voice my opinions very loudly. I like to take stands for the little guy. That's just my way. If I have in any way offended the ECA for the comments that I made that was not my intention. My intention was to help voice the opinions of a lot of those business that feel the dues are to high. Which I myself think they are also to high. If I were a supplier I definitely would not spend the $800 to become an ECA member as it would take food and clothing away from my children. The decision wouldn't be because I don't believe in the cause and don't want to support it, but because of the fact that I have other priorities that need to be taken care of first to ensure that my family is provided for and that my business doesn't overtake that.

[nycsublimegirl]

ECA Membership Special: Until July 31st, 2009 the ECA Membership application fee is reduced by 50%, to $250. This is also the cut off date for any companies wish to obtain “Founding Member” status. Visit ECA Membership for more information about this special and how to become a member of the Electronic Cigarette Association.

[AnglVapin]

The concern of the suppliers involved is to focus on the task at hand, and when we have some breathing room we will be adding many features...such as incentives and consumer memberships.

Please pardon my ignorance in advance....
It seems to me, without the consumer, there really is no task at hand to fend for. Without the consumer, what difference will all of this make?

Yes, I know that consumers aren't going to quit buying from suppliers overnight...I'm just making a point about how IMPORTANT the role of consumers ARE and why they should be considered more in this process.

How does the ECA know that as a consumer, I couldn't donate $1500.00 a month to a cause I deemed so worthy. At this juncture, I couldn't even be a member, so what's my incentive?

How do you know "consumers" wouldn't also bring some doctorates to the table to help in the daunting task?

And lastly, I ask that the ECA remember, regardless of the headache, power often comes in numbers.

Again, please pardon my ignorance, as I'm sure somewhere there is a village missing their idiot. LOL

[nycsublimegirl]

It was posted earlier we are in the process of rolling out consumer memberships... please remember it takes time to create and run an association and we are only a few months old... we will get there i promise.