2005-2006 Collectors Society Info

Continued from this thread

The Harbour Lights website has the information on the 2005-2006 Collectors Society.

www.HarbourLights.com/society/

I'm debugging the page that allows you to join online. Hope to have it working shortly.

I received my letter today, and am very disappointed at the discontinuance of the "Christmas Ornament" and the pin. Like a lot of people, I spent a lot of time when I first started collecting getting all the Legacys, Society pieces, pins, and ornaments. I hope this does not put an end to the regular Christmas Lighthouse Ornaments which have the last two years gone exclusively to fresnel lenses. I do like the fresnels but I also love the Lighthouse Ornaments!
Bob

I'll miss the newletter most. I like having the hard copy. As for the peices, although I like the skeleton tower, I'm not sure I want either being a "collect the ones I've seen" collector now. I just don't have the room. Not even sure I'll re-up my membership this year.

Mike

I renewed my membership yesterday and was also told about the items that were no longer going to be available. I will miss the newsletter in hard copy form, since I have kept them all in a folder in order for future reference. Sure we will be able to get it and print it ourselves, but what about the members that don't have computers. I did suggest that they get all the emails of the members so that they could send out a message when the newletter was available.
I have all the pins from being a charter member, but apparently for no good reason as it means absolutely nothing. It was a great selling point for joining when all these items were included with membership. So does that mean now it is not a great deal since they are no longer included? Slowly but surely things that we received and enjoyed are being taken away. What next?
Jakescol

I don't have a problem with HL trimming its membership packages...what I have a problem with is how BIG and FAT their lights are getting...why-oh-why don't they slim them down so that collectors can collect/display more?! Don't know how much louder we can all scream our common theme: "WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF ROOM!"

I've got a Harbour Lights Club thats been around since '99 and I've got to tell ya....they aren't happy about these cutbacks, one bit!
Last year it took some talking and understanding in order to explain the increase from $32 to $39 a year. It was finally accepted by everyone that an increase was probably overdue.
With that said, now HL comes back with these new changes and, of course, the $39 membership fees are still in place.
Lets just say that the combination of increase in dues (last year)and the deletion of the "offerings" (this year) isn't sitting very well with most of my members!

I agree with those of you that will miss the ornament and hard copy of the newsletter. Like Rock we too are running out of room and hope the larger size is not going to become the norm. Lets put things in perspective here though. They are trying to stay in business and we need to keep that in mind as these changes occur. I for one am happy they are still around unlike some of the other collectible companies. The membership is still a deal for a nice HL replica. The Youngers have spoiled us over these past years (look at all the feebies they give out at Reunions, events and to clubs)and if we want them to stick around, we need to try to remember they are in the business to make a profit!
Judy

I have to agree with Judy. The Youngers are doing their best to keep costs down as much as possible. The cost of their limited editions have virtually remained the same for the past 14-15 years. Their services have also remained top notch and their overall quality has increased while keeping the costs down.

The "free" lighthouse for the $39 dues is a bargain. If people are unhappy with the $9.00 increase in dues then tell them not to play bingo or the lotto or whatever they do just one time. The membership gift is a nice gesture by the Youngers so don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Be happy that your getting that as the Youngers don't have to do it at all. Tell these people to give up a movie and popcorn for one Saturday night or give up going out to eat one time and that will pay for the membership and free gift. People like to complain(I'm included in that statement) but let's be real and find something that's worthwhile to complain about. I don't think a $9.00 increase in dues once a year or the deletion of a pin and print will kill anyone.

I agree with Rich and Judy.

True, I will miss the Christmas Ornament and the Legacy hard copy. But the $39 for the "free gift" is still one heck of a deal.

Where I live, that $9 increase is equivalent to one breakfast (incuding tip). But I won't give up my breakfasts (the most important meal of the day) nor will I give up on Harbour Lights. I will continue to collect as long as they and/or I continue to exist.

bobo

I too am disappointed in the cut backs Harbour Lights has had to make; but I've wondered for a long time how they could afford to do so much with a membership fee of less than $50.00. It's too bad they can't offer more than one membership as so many other groups and companies do....more money gets you more.

Gayle,

According to a report by Dan from the St Augustine Regional the main reason for the dropping of the Society Ornament is that it didn't sell enough. They were giving away more than they were selling.

I imagine the cost of postage to send out literally thousands of copies of the Legacy did that in as a hard copy.

I'll miss both and will decide on renewing my Society Membership based soley on the "free" Lighthouse.

Dennis

In regards to next years society changes I am looking at it this way. In regards to Rich's comment about not looking a gift horse in the mouth, since we are paying $39 for a one year membership they are giving us a "free" lighthouse. Say that lighthouse would have a regular retail price of $60. The dealers would pay $30 for it and sell it for $60. If HL can sell it to the dealers for $30 and we are paying $39 a year for our membership, then HL is making $9 on each free piece.

Since we no longer will receive the Legacy in the mail or the free pin and print, our $39 membership will show a profit for HL. However, with our membership we are now entitled to purchase exclusive members only pieces from HL at an additional 50% profit per piece. Needless to say these exclusive pieces will undoubtedly show up on ebay for a discounted price where non-members can purchase them at a bargain.

Yes, I will probably continue my membership because I do feel a certain loyalty to HL after all these years of belonging but loyalty is a two-way street.

Tom

Just a thought.. Shipping?? I have not paid for it on a membership, I'm guessing that may be the $9.00.