Lotus 7 Club - is it worth it?

[sjmmarsh]

I'd happily pay the membership just for access to Blatchat alone - although I acknowledge that there are other websites that do similar things, there are none that have the depth that BC covers. I also think you get out of it what you put into it, so if all I wanted to do was search the archives it may seem less good value.

However, that is not all I get from the membership:

The trackdays that Geoff organises are great and there is something more enjoyable about a track day when it is 7-only as you get a better idea of whether you are driving well or not

The magazine is great, although I have yet to get round to contributing to it. (I just need a good idea!)

I have used the discounts regularly, mainly Halfords that saves me about £20 a year.

Basically, it works for me!

Steve

[Smollet]

I've been a member since I got my car in April 2008. Money well spent. The possible discounts alone should offset the majority of the cost but if you're quibbling about spending less than a £ a week then I wonder why you bought a 7 in the first place as you won't find a better website for the car.

[Aeroscreens]

All of the good reasons posted above probably explains why I've been a member since 1998 some 11 Months before I purchased my 7. I still have that 7 (well parts of it )

[orangeknight]

So there are broad spread of views on the club then - thanks for the input guys.

sjmmarsh said:

I have used the discounts regularly, mainly Halfords that saves me about £20 a year.

So what are the discounts that are available to members? the link on the homepage "Discounts with several companies" is obviously only accessible as a member - just wondering where I can expect to save money.

O.K

[anonymous-user]

130g said:

Crossflow Kid said:

I can go to the same pub, on the same night, and sit at the same table, for free.
I can go on the same blats, on the same day, to the same cafe, for free.

And this does not seem the least bit wrong you to?

Which bit? That I go along, that these things are essentially cost-free, or that they're often cited as a benefit of paying a membershup fee?
But fair enough, next time I'm down at the Frog and Sprocket with a few mates in their Sevens I'll tell everyone who isn't an L7C member that they must leave the premises.
What do area meets/blats cost the club and based on that what am I evading/avoiding, and based on that what's wrong with it?
That's right......nothing.

Or are you suggesting I shouldn't have gone to Brooklands on New Years Day because "the club" had advertised the Seven presence on Blatchat at which point it became an event and location over which "the club" holds some kind of rights?

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 8th January 15:55

[coppice]

Look- many people who own Sevens- and some who don't - are in the Club . They join for lots of reasons and get different things from it- trackdays, social stuff , sprints , magazine/website etc. It has members across the world and for many has become a surprisngly valuable part of their lives- new friends, big tours etc.

I fully understand why somebody doesn't want to join and there is no stigma attached to not being a member - or to being one. It's run by volunteers , it costs less per annum than filling up a tin top and whether you join is really up to you alone.You will be welcome as a Seven owner by nearly every other Seven owner, club member or not.....

Edited by coppice on Tuesday 8th January 18:03

Edited by coppice on Tuesday 8th January 18:03

[Keep it stiff]

orangeknight said:

As the title really... I've been thinking of joining but fail to see any major benefits of doing so other than 10% or so off here and there and magazine and £50 is pretty steep! - can anyone convince me otherwise

O.K

As a Caterham novice I was asking myself the same question.

I have been a PH follower for a few years and I enjoy the forums, both on car specific issues and on more general subjects. Sat inside over the Xmas period, with little else to do, I have to say that I was surprised at how quiet the PH Caterham forum was, indeed on some days there were no posts at all.

I took a look at Blatchat, it is completely the other end of the scale, busy is not the word, it seemed to me that every seven owner and his dog subscribe with contributions coming in as fast as General Gassing on PH!

I’m going to sign up, better to taste and then decide if you like it rather than be put off by the menu.

[orangeknight]

Keep it stiff said:

I’m going to sign up, better to taste and then decide if you like it rather than be put off by the menu.

I think you're right.... see you on the other side!

O.K

[Gingerbread Man]

Orangeknight, I noticed that you are local to me in Basingstoke. If you fancy a run out when we get a nice sunny day, drop me an email.

[Steve Campbell]

Been a member for years but now asked the question I can't really put it directly as to why.

I guess the main reason is the "opportunity" to take part in club run things...which I actually do very rarely..and things like Halfords discount which "tooled" me up in the beginning (waited for Halfords special offer on stuff like the Professional tool kits then used the club discount to get vouchers which easily paid for the 1st couple of years membership overall)

The idea of try it and see is a good one (£50 is only 2/3rd a tank in my tintop unfortunately..but puts it into perspective !)

It's a broad based club run by volunteers...so it has it's faults but overall..I think it's run well and I'm happy to be part of it.

Am also a member of Lotus On Track but really only for Track Days in France..which they do very well (have done Abbeville and Le Mans trips with them).

[130g]

Crossflow Kid said:

130g said:

Crossflow Kid said:

I can go to the same pub, on the same night, and sit at the same table, for free.
I can go on the same blats, on the same day, to the same cafe, for free.

And this does not seem the least bit wrong you to?

Which bit? That I go along, that these things are essentially cost-free, or that they're often cited as a benefit of paying a membershup fee?
But fair enough, next time I'm down at the Frog and Sprocket with a few mates in their Sevens I'll tell everyone who isn't an L7C member that they must leave the premises.
What do area meets/blats cost the club and based on that what am I evading/avoiding, and based on that what's wrong with it?
That's right......nothing.

I have no problem with people who don't fancy the kind of things that the club provide, each to his own. But whats wrong is that you obviously like to participate in the events that the club organize (or at least some of them), but do not have the decency to support it. I know it sounds like something your parents would say, but imagine if everyone did like you, then there would be no one left to arrange these kinds of things.

[orangeknight]

130g said:

Crossflow Kid said:

130g said:

Crossflow Kid said:

I can go to the same pub, on the same night, and sit at the same table, for free.
I can go on the same blats, on the same day, to the same cafe, for free.

And this does not seem the least bit wrong you to?

Which bit? That I go along, that these things are essentially cost-free, or that they're often cited as a benefit of paying a membershup fee?
But fair enough, next time I'm down at the Frog and Sprocket with a few mates in their Sevens I'll tell everyone who isn't an L7C member that they must leave the premises.
What do area meets/blats cost the club and based on that what am I evading/avoiding, and based on that what's wrong with it?
That's right......nothing.

I have no problem with people who don't fancy the kind of things that the club provide, each to his own. But whats wrong is that you obviously like to participate in the events that the club organize (or at least some of them), but do not have the decency to support it. I know it sounds like something your parents would say, but imagine if everyone did like you, then there would be no one left to arrange these kinds of things.

I see the point being made. By the look of things many of the events that are arranged such as 'meet at a pub, go for a drive' doesn't cost anything to arrange? a good FB group can achieve the same thing and doesn't cost 50 quid either.

O.K

[130g]

orangeknight said:

I see the point being made. By the look of things many of the events that are arranged such as 'meet at a pub, go for a drive' doesn't cost anything to arrange? a good FB group can achieve the same thing and doesn't cost 50 quid either.

You are absolutely right, all of the events could be arranged in a number of ways other than the L7 club. And I believe that there are other communities that does that for free (don't live in the UK so I don't actually know ).

[sjmmarsh]

Companies offering discount through the club:

2gether Insurance
AA
ACS Hearing Protection
Adrian Flux Insurance
Alexander Calder
Audicator
Autobulbs Direct
Battery PitStop
Beech Meadows
Belle Maison
Bespoke Driving Tours
Bespoke Seven
Best4Glasses
BHP
Big Yellow Self Storage
Biker-Bitz
BookaSpa.com
Brakes4u
Bridge Tyres & Wheels, Taunton
Brise
Bryans Motor Cycle School
Camskill
Chalet Shenavall
Championship Power
Chateau Marotte
Concept Financial Planning
Cotswold - Outdoor Clothing & Equipment
Cottages & Classics
Darnall Tools
Demon Tweeks
Dog Cam Sports
E Tyres
Fairsharemusic.com
Fancy Lighting
Footman James Insurance
Glen Yr Afon Hotel - Usk
Golfbreaks.com & Teeofftimes.co.uk
Gorsebank - Camping
Gorsebank - MTB offer
Gourmet Society
Halfords
Hello Turtle
HotelDailyDeals
HotelStayUK
HotelStayUK, CottageStayUK & Hotel Voucher Shop
LEISURE TIME SOLUTIONS
LeisureTime Solutions Ltd
Lets Subscribe
LUCAS OIL
Marine & Industrial Mouldings Ltd
Midtown Cottages - Lake District
MOT-Reminder.com
MSAR
Neil Garner Engineering
Oil-Spy
OpenRoadHire
Opie Oils
Park Lane Self Drive
Peak RoadSport
Permafast
PILOTI driving footwear
Pink Angels
Pizza Hut
Powervamp Racing
Premier Paint Guard
Premier Wheel Repairs
Pro-Shift
Puddle Pet Care
QRS-Quantum Racing Suspension
RAC
Race Lubricants
Raceaways
RadTech
RBS Ltd (GPS Tracker)
REIS - Insurance for Sevens
Rendezvous Hotel - Skipton
Riverside Cottage
Roverlink
SAMMY MILLER MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM
Scenic Car Tours
Shake Consulting
Shock Absorbers On Line
Skytag
Softbits for Sevens
SPAX
T&W
Tecstar Intercom
The Signet Group - H. Samuel, Ernest Jones & Leslie Davis Jewellers
The Wheel Specialist
Theatre Tickets
Think Automotive
Three Salmons Hotel - Usk
THUNDERSPORT
Transband Motorsport
Treat Me
UK Eyewear
Ultra One
Western Motor Homes
Wicked Wheels
Winston&Harry.com
Woof-TMT

Discount is typically 5-10%. I saved £30 last year just with stuff I bought from SBFS.

Steve

[orangeknight]

thankyou

[Smollet]

Crossflow Kid said:

And unless you're self-employed/small business prepare to be labelled as some sort of work-shy sponging layabout.

Don't forget the right to get indignant for someone else who couldn't care less if they're ginger or not.

[Risky]

Let's make a point. Events are not cost free - someone has to devote their time to arrange these things. Time is money as they say.
Why pay bus fare? The bus was going to that destination anyway. It costs the bus company no more to run the bus with you on it.

Being a member of the L7 Club makes you part of a like minded community. The ability to mix with others who are willing share advice, offer practical help, loan of tools, parts and equipment.
There are many events where the Event Support Vehicle or Event shelters are present to provide a focal point, shelter, seats tables, hot drinks, BBQ etc. There are discounts, bulk buys, Get to know your 7 events. Special reduced prices for national events run by others. Magazine, Christmas meals, track days, Sprint Championship, Blatchat. The list goes on.
If you want any of these things, pay your subscription and enjoy. If you don't want them then don't bother, but don't expect to get any of these things for free.

[halstock]

+1 for what Risky said

[130g]

Could not have said it better myself

[anonymous-user]

Risky said:

Let's make a point. Events are not cost free - someone has to devote their time to arrange these things. Time is money as they say.
Why pay bus fare? The bus was going to that destination anyway. It costs the bus company no more to run the bus with you on it.
.

Oh right. So the club reimburses AR's ad the like for their time? Thought not.
Whereas your bus scenario has genuine, physical running costs, what's the actual cost of someone saying "this pub, this day, this time" on the Internet?