Originally Posted by Mr-T
Bit of an overly strong response if I may say so.
The guy isn't forcing anyone to part with their money. Just asking.
By asking he has raised his head above the parapet. That means he had better be prepared to take whatever responses people offer. Just as he's "just asking" I was "just replying."
Originally Posted by Mr-T
A bit cheeky maybe, but if you don't ask you don't get. And as the guy says, they've done it before.
Just because they've done it before does that make it right? Actually have they really done it before? All we have is what this guy tells us, and as Jim pointed out, we have no way to verify what the guy is saying or where the money is going.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
So if you don't want to give then don't.
I won't.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
In principle I don't see any difference between this and a fundraiser to restore, say, an old steam locomotive. And I'm sure many would be happy to do that.
Typically those types of projects are taken on by local historical societies, town councils or clubs devoted to those particular vehicles. They aren't usually the projects of lone individuals who want other people to fund their hobbies.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
As an Alfa fan I'd like to see as many old and classic Alfas restored to their former glory as possible.
I like to see as many old cars preserved as possible. I just don't believe in doing so by begging other people for money.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
If someone has the initiative to get off their backside and the creativity with ways to make that a bit easier/less expensive/more likely top happen then I applaud it.
I wouldn't count asking other people to pony up cash on blind faith creative, but that's just me. Going out and setting up a real fundraiser and making this a legitimate cause that people can support would be creative -- at least to my mind.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
Has the guy said you can't ride in it, photograph it working and generally enjoy it, or even drive it, if you contribute? No.
I wasn’t actually disagreeing with Toronto.
Darn it. Here I thought I was getting myself into a good flame war. I haven't had one of those for a while.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
I wouldn’t contribute myself for exactly the reasons that Jim and you Mitch give.
I’m not stupid.
Well it's good to hear that your money is safe and that only your own Alfa will be making demands on your wallet.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
But if I had a friend or acquaintance in the same position and I could help out I certainly would.
I'd try to do the same. I think most people on the forum would do what they could to help out a friend, but then again, there's a difference between help and footing the bill.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
I just don’t think he deserves to be shot down in flames that way for simply having the front to ask. A simple 'no thank you, best of luck' would have sufficed.
I just gave him a mild warming. You should watch me toast somebody when I'm really trying.
I do strongly believe that when people make preposterous requests that they'd better be prepared for responses that point out the errors of their ways.
Originally Posted by Mr-T
And if he raises his $5k and gets his Spider fully restored while everybody else’s project is still struggling on who will be laughing then eh?
I certainly won't be laughing. I'll be crying. I'll also be raising my glass to Mr. Barnum and admitting that he was right yet again.
Originally Posted by Filbyman
We all have the right to ask for money, we all have the choice to donate or not, but is this forum the place to be asking for money?
The original posting has obviously started an interesting debate judging by the numbers who have been looking. If people think it is ok to ask for money on this sight, start up a new section called ‘Funding’ or something similar, but if people think it’s not appropriate they should say so and the forum should act accordingly.
I don't think there's a problem asking for money on this site. It just depends on the cause. I can easily think of a few examples where members asked the community for funds. In all those cases, the people were known to us and the causes weren't personal wallet-stuffers. The difference here is that some newbie in his first post popped in here, and then asked for cash for personal use. Now I'm sure somebody will say, "he wasn't asking directly, he only mentioned his donation site in passing," but forgive me if I take a sceptical view of the post. To me it read like he was trolling for donations.
Originally Posted by VeloceMitch
Classic car restoration has always been a private individual thing, we do it for our own ends, sure it doesn't stop people enjoying it even if you don't own it, but to ask for money for your own individual project is just ridiculous... the phrase only in America comes to mind .
I must admit the the first thought that crossed my mind after I read the post and looked at the information under the poster's name was: he's an American, it figures.
Of course I didn't want to say that as I don't want anybody to think I'd pick on our poor, defenceless neighbours to the south.
Originally Posted by VeloceMitch
It's also got the possibility of a con written all over it, anybody could find a load of photos, talk a lot of twaddle and then ask for money. Come to think of it, I've just bought an Alfa 33 Stradale, I found in a Barn on Wetwang, I need about 50 grande to restore it... anybody like to donate???
That must be the same barn where I found my newly acquired 1935 Duesenberg Roadster, so if anybody wants to contribute to its restoration fund, just let me know, and I'll promise you the first ride in it once it's on the road.
Originally Posted by RicksAlfas
Milk bottle tops on their way Toronto!
I'll give the mailman plenty of warning.
So out of curiosity, what is a bottle cap worth? I know how much an empty beer or wine bottle will get me, but these bottles caps seem to require a bit of investigation.
Hmmm. I've got to make a parts run on Monday. I hope that postie gets here soon.
--Toronto