$$$$ THE BUCK STOPS HERE $$$$

TO DONATE OR NOT TO DONATE, THAT IS THE QUESTION?

I rarely come to the blogs any more - too much childish drama if you ask me. And, as the mother of 4 boys, I have enough of that already, thank you very much.

I do pop in from time to time, and that's really all I need - the topics don't change, just the faces.

So, "Hi" to any new faces, and "Glad to See Ya" to the old.

But, I digress. A recent post got me to thinking (which is rare), is it "tacky" to donate to a seemingly self-reliant website?

Well, if Google told me that they needed donations to keep their website going - I'd donate! If amazon.com told me they needed donations to keep their website going - I'd donate! (Not so sure about ebay, they get enough money already) Or Digg.com, if they asked me - I'd donate! And Craigslist - how could I survive without them?

Well, they don't need to ask for donations - not now. But, I'm sure there was a time when they did. Was that bad business? You be the judge of that.

Personally, it's my choice to donate. I donate to the little Cub Scouts outside of Kroger. I donate to our local athletic teams when they are on the street asking for donations. I don't feel offended by any of this.

And, if I choose to donate to a website that I enjoy, that's my business. I do it because it makes me feel good. I do it because someday, that little site might "make it big." It makes me happy to know that I might have helped make that happen.

Okay, back to the games ...

Take care peoples!

 

madcat1010
Hi buck! Hope you're doing well!
Oct-09-07 12:25:33 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Hi madcat! Doing great. Good to see ya!
Oct-09-07 12:26:08 PDT Report this comment
chapsrosestxk
hugs and blessings always prayers...Aloha from Hawaii Chaps
Oct-09-07 12:26:25 PDT Report this comment
beadsandme
I happen to agree.
Oct-09-07 12:27:30 PDT Report this comment
crazyjeans12000
Hi Buck. Sometimes I wonder why I'm still in here. I must have missed the exit door. Aside from the drama there's actually some truly wonderful people and posts and I guess I'm just stubborn enough to remain and watch for them. I've already expressed my opinion on making donations to a website. I personally don't have any problems with it and if it perpetuates something good, then I'm definitely all for it. Hope you're having a lovely day :-D
Oct-09-07 12:27:46 PDT Report this comment
9239kathryn
I will 2nd that buck! It is where I can have some good clean fun, without all the drama! Can chat with some pretty nice folks too!

PS I stay away from here too, for a long time now! Kat
Oct-09-07 12:28:06 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Hi crazy - so good to see you!
Oct-09-07 12:28:14 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Thanks beads - power in number eh?
Oct-09-07 12:28:33 PDT Report this comment
barca-fan772
I'd rather donate to something more worthy, like abandoned animals or starving and abused children.
Oct-09-07 12:28:37 PDT Report this comment
crazyjeans12000
lol....I think I'm going over to Steve O Meter to hide out shortly. *waves*
Oct-09-07 12:28:51 PDT Report this comment
sams-my-pegasus
hi, you should help and donate if it feel right for you, it has nothing to do with anyone else, good luck!
Oct-09-07 12:29:07 PDT Report this comment
qmbridges
Hey Buck,
I've donated to more that one website in my time. I start to feel guilty if I'm having a lot of fun on somebody else's dime. Where I choose to spend my dough is my business.

Nice to see you!
Oct-09-07 12:29:32 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Prim and shappy - that is awesome! The key is, we get to choose what we donate to. And, thank you for popping in! I donate to many other causes as well. I have an autistic son, and I donate a great deal to them!
Oct-09-07 12:30:07 PDT Report this comment
qmbridges
Oh, and I also give to charity.
Oct-09-07 12:30:17 PDT Report this comment
jcarolek
Wow~ Long time no see. (Go nols, etc. etc.)

Completely agree. And, most of ths sites that have a donation button offer TONS of free stuff for those who actually come to their site. Let's face it, they DON'T go to the site to see my advertising!
Oct-09-07 12:30:25 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Queen, you couldn't be more right. That's exactly how I feel.
Oct-09-07 12:30:35 PDT Report this comment
beadsandme
I like to donate to worthy causes as well.
Oct-09-07 12:30:49 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
GO ALL!

Exactly right Judy. It's very good to see you - love the new pic!

And, I often buy from the advertisers on such sites - but don't tell anyone!
Oct-09-07 12:31:57 PDT Report this comment
sweet_rose_treasures
Hi Buck...Good to see you...I agree...I support many worthy causes.
Oct-09-07 12:32:14 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Hi sweet.

I'm sure some causes are more "worthy" than others, but, we have the choice to decide which ones get our hard-earned dough!
Oct-09-07 12:33:13 PDT Report this comment
jcarolek
LOL...Buck. I actually did find that advertising on some sites brought traffic to my store, but selecting the site that draws the clientelle interested in my offerings is the challenge.
Oct-09-07 12:34:30 PDT Report this comment
bassreddog
Hey there Buck good to see ya! Ebay won't get any donations from me, they have plenty of my money already! Have A Great Day! :)
Oct-09-07 12:35:48 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Hey Dawg!

I know, ebay is not on my donations list. But, they still get my money one way or the other.
Oct-09-07 12:36:46 PDT Report this comment
oobieyes4u
hi buck---it's me---frogmom1010. good to see you.

THAT IS SO FUNNY YOU ASKED THAT---it is NOT tacky... i used the create your own southpark website, kidzntech2000 showed it to us recently) and i saw the donate paypal button there & gave them a buck. no pun intended. lol. i myself do not think it is tacky---it keeps fun & creative things on the internet for some who couldn't afford to do it otherwise.
Oct-09-07 12:38:26 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Well hi there frogmom! Love the pic!
Oct-09-07 12:39:01 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Agree with you there oobie. It isn't cheap to run a website. Not everyone has deep pockets or start up capital to be self-reliant - they need others to help. It doesn't mean they don't provide a quality service.
Oct-09-07 12:40:32 PDT Report this comment
sweet_rose_treasures
Yes, so very true Buck...As in Saint Jude's Hospital, The Cancer Association, Girl/Boy Scouts, Big Brother/Sisters...The list goes on and on...As for web site support...I find myself donating mostly to the art sites, graphics sites and those that offer free ads and tools for sellers.
Oct-09-07 12:41:15 PDT Report this comment
jcarolek
And the point is, at least to me with regards to the websites. the folks going to the site are going to chat, play games, download shareware, and all sorts of "free" stuff. This idea of a donation having to be a charitable thing is a bit "off." When I drive up to the "FREE" car wash run by the local band members, I could drive away giving them nothing for the clean car I just got. It is a FREE car wash. Their donation bucket allows me to pay whatever I feel my car wash was worth (or more) should I care to.

Donations are ONLY tax deductible if they are to a charitable organization. But not all donations are for charity. If they were, there would be not any reason for the IRS to distinguish between a charitable donation and a donation.

So, while I realize I am belaboring a simple point, if I use a service, I am happy to pay for it. If not now, maybe later. If not now, it might be gone the next time I want to use it. It is my choice. And it does not need to pass a test of worthiness or charitability.
Oct-09-07 12:46:20 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
As always Judy, you said it much better. That is an excellent point.
Oct-09-07 12:46:39 PDT Report this comment
jcarolek
OK...But, I am deleting the one with all the typos! LOL
Oct-09-07 12:48:01 PDT Report this comment
beadsandme
She always says it better doesn't she.
Oct-09-07 12:51:13 PDT Report this comment
jcarolek
Naw....beads.....I just have a big mouth...going back to my real work.

Seriously Buck, it was great seeing you. I wanted to read that "I'm leaving Blogville" post you made all those many moons ago. It was the best I ahve ever read and it had so much truth in it.
Oct-09-07 12:53:31 PDT Report this comment
aswegrow2
I stated it what ws expressed her but it got deleted. :( here is what I said.
" what is nice about a donation button is IF I choose to donate it is my choice unlike as I read about scammers here on ebay who all of us honest sellers PAY for their bad business and then just open up new ID and do not worry about it.
PS do you want the music for the "IT" auction somehow "IT" makes the auction seem like "IT" really benefited the kids. I am hope choose a great charity to as "IT" was intended to benefit. aswegrow2 (who was entrusted to auction off "IT" for the CHILDREN not personal gain)"
Oct-09-07 13:09:24 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Oh aswe, I'm sorry there is so much of that in here. I don't understand all the conflict. It makes my heart sad - that's why I don't come here much.

Judy, thank you for the compliment. My head is getting too big for my hair!
Oct-09-07 13:38:17 PDT Report this comment
diwiliz
Dear friend:
We are a large wholesaler who mainly sell electronic products,such as digital cameras, mobile phones, LCD TV, Laptops Digital Video, GPS,MP4, and so on. We can offer you both high quality products and the lowest price .All items we list on the website are new styles and famous brands with sealed box. also come with official warranty .all the item is new and original ,if you want to contact us ,you can add our MSN or log on our website to chat with our workers by service center.our MSN is business747@hotmail.com, E-mail:business747@gmail.com,website is www.business747.com

Yours faithfully
Oct-09-07 13:45:58 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
lol - well, all comments are welcome - even spammers!
Oct-09-07 13:53:38 PDT Report this comment
steve-o-meter
I NUBS BUCKAROO!!! aka Buckle!
Oct-09-07 14:58:50 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
YAY! No kicks - you like me, you really, really like me!
Oct-09-07 14:59:25 PDT Report this comment
nanartchik
Hi, Buck!!! How's everything? I haven't been on the blogs lately, either...

I really have to limit what I donate to...I try to support local stuff, and if I have anything extra I donate to causes that affect our family directly, like Autism charities, or Best Buddies, etc.

I get so many phone calls asking for help. But most understand when I tell them I have to limit my giving.

I donate old clothes to the Purple Heart, and I always try to buy Girl Scout cookies from the neighborhood kids.

The stuff that makes me uncomfortable are the pleas for help that come through eBay and/or eBay groups. I wish I didn't feel so manipulated by the pathos in those pleas, and I wish I could believe that they are all legit, but...

So! It's local causes for me!
Nan
Oct-21-07 13:15:30 PDT Report this comment
3811buck
Hi Nan! So good to hear from you. I was thinking of you the other day - thinking I need to check out your latest works - got any?
Oct-22-07 09:31:21 PDT Report this comment
nanartchik
I will in a couple of days, buck. Thanks for asking!

Hey, you're a PowerSeller! Congrats!
Oct-23-07 04:09:46 PDT Report this comment

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