Apologize and some news

[JosepM]

Hello friends,

first of all I must apologize for the extended silence. There are some reasons (personal, job and politics) that have let me with little time or mood ... There were reasons, not excuses, so sorry, sorry.

So, OK, my personal or collective worries are not your fault, so let's go back to the fun of life!
Before this dreaded month of October, we had found a nice suitable place for the meeting, but I must admit we didn't bargain at that moment, and we haven't done so since. In any way, it'd be affordable, but we must negotiate things like food and so on.

Idea is to have apartments and some bungalows (plus tent places) locked at our disposal until some reasonable time before VIM. And here is my first question. In Tarragona I managed the reservations and payments, and as far as I remember it's been done otherwise in more recent VIMs. I don't know if there's any problem with sending money from your countries to Andorra, but I'd certainly have none to bring cash there (my brother in law goes to Andorra la Vella every other week). I mean, if I was sent the money (no problem as long as we Catalans stay in EU  ) I could easily send cash to Andorra.
What do you think?

About the website. I registered  the domain vim20.com a few months ago. Time has come to fill it in. From previous VIM experiences, what do you think? Is it better to make a new site locally from scratch or should we arrange a previous version just changing the necessary items?

We are having a meeting of the orgateam before Nov 1st.

See you all,

Josep

[Jyrays]

Josep,

I hope everything is fine with you and your closed ones! I do not know your political views but lets hope everyone will be happy with the result.

I frequently buy stuff from Motocard (https://www.motocard.com/en/) but they charge from Spain I do not think it will be the problem here.

Lets see and meet in latest May

[meine dicke]

If you find a way to pay direct for acco/food to hotel with PAYPAL and as well with PAYPAL for VIM fee (equal to whom) this will be an option, which everybody can use - in or out Europe -.

Edit: Yes the payment can as well be centralized as Zebulon has written in the following post, but take PAYPAL as a option. Just create a Email-account such as "vim20@..." for the payment and sign in this Email-account at PAYPAL.

The format of the web-side is secondary, it must work.

Greetings from the South of Germany
Rainer alias meine dicke

[zebulon]

My opinion (based on last experiences) is it is better if you centralize payments (both bank transfer & PayPal ) and pay when you need the "hotel".
The website can be based on previous, if you do not have much time, it will be easier; note last one was build under world press 

[Jyrays]

I am sure you can negotiate better prices if you pay all at once instead of 99 transactions 

[the prodded dog]

Whatever you and the Orgateam decide we thank you for your efforts in making this VIM come true.
I for one will go along with your decisions, as long as there is a tent space for Jack!!!!

The Prodded Dog

[Skye]

Josep,

If you can get reduced price with a booking code like "VIM 20" to the site, there is the best option and "Vimmers" can group their self and pay what the sites owners option to pay is. Use webpage vim20.com to explain the different types of acco and present link to this. Fee's for money transfer will be between site owner and participant.

Paypal is worldly used, even if its not in the EU. Same thing if buying from Ebay China.

Attendence fee can be set up in the same way on the VIM20.com

Had the same problem with VIM19. Site owner had fixed prices and its easier for them to have control over which cabins/cottages are booked.
In same booking there were also an option to book the ferry, which was compulsary to even get to the island.

Its far more easier to find open restaurants in Andorra to close a deal for meals than in Gotland, where the season not had really started when we arrived.

Orga-team will help you and I´m partly in there to assist.

[zebulon]

My opinion is it is not good to pay hotel/cabin in one way and attendance in an other one .... We've seen it last year. Some of members have each year problem to choose on the same site attendance and rooms. We add difficulty to make it in two differents ways. (Just my humble opinion  )

[Skye]

What have we seen last year, Zebulon? Didn't notice you were there and having issues..
Last year you still have to book the ferry by your own and could book the hostel in same site

Problem is service mentality of those camping owners. With no competition and Biker clubs years before us had overbooked and empty cottages gave no income to the owner.

Also a problem is structure on the site with options and money transfer multiple times

[zebulon]

We (I ) have seen a lot of people asking how to book, and saying it is difficult to book multiple places ...

[Jyrays]

I guess the problem has been mainly the language...

[zebulon]

Not only IMO....
Perhaps nice to have a front page on the site since we have the domain name ... 

[Jyrays]

Not only IMO....
Perhaps nice to have a front page on the site since we have the domain name ... 

We didn't really face any problems 

[Two Plugs]

Last year was different compared to previous editions, and besides the fact that I had doubts towards the path taken (book & pay accommodation and ferries directly, and pay the registration / participation fee on a central account) I must say that in the end, this method has saved the orga team a lot of work. Maybe something you could think over, Josep.

As already suggested by Gilles, use the template website which is already solid (check Stewart for details) and proven.

[Two Plugs]

Hello Friends of VIM!

Little update regarding next years 20th anniversary VIM:
Josep and his team are working to 'tie the final knots' as they say.
We are all eager to subscribe, but we need to ask you for a little more patience. 

'All good things come to those who wait!' 

Enjoy this holiday month!