Compilation Tape

Hi, everyone.. the marathon should arrive Monday, and I will start making the compilation tapes then. There will be a wait, though, since I have a waiting list of over 35 requests. If you've already e-mailed me, I still have your message, and will reply personally through e-mail.. if not, and you want a copy, drop me a message, and I'll add your name to the request list. In case you missed the original message, the compilation tape will have Spirit of Christmas, then the Frosty episode, then the whole marathon, without commercials.

I just noticed something, so I think I should address it here. About 40 people have mailed me wanting the compilation tape. So far, 10 have said they're sending the money. I'm pretty sure the other 30 haven't said they're sending the money for the simple reason: they don't want to pay me for the tape. They don't want me to make a profit. Well, here's what I have to say to that. I asked a friend on the newsgroup (who will remain anonymous): "Do you think people will be pissed if I charge a couple bucks for myself for this? I didn't mind doing it for 3 people, but for 40 people, that's alot of my time gone." His [paraphrased] response: (and keep in mind, he was a totally unbiased party), "Go ahead, I don't think people will be mad, despite what the naysayers say.. your time is valuable, and don't let anyone say differently." So there.. I don't mean to sound cocky, but there. I'm not doing this for profit.. but when I'm spending all the time and effort to make these, it would be nice to know that three or four bucks is coming my way for it. I sincerely want people to see the Spirit of Christmas, and apparently I'm the only one here with Frosty the Snowman (anyone else out there have it?), so I know that people are going to think, "Hey, this guy's got a power position, so he's going to charge just because he has no competition." Well, I can't really prove to you that I'm not doing that, but all I can say is, that's not my intention. Like I said, I was flooded with requests.. I don't mind, it's just going to take longer to get the tapes out. But when I'm giving that much time up, when I have so precious little of it as it is (honors societies, senior in high school -- this years the busiest of them all, as I'm sure you all know) - well, some compensation would be nice. I'm not asking alot. 3 dollars? I mean, come on. I know that may sound callous, but well.. that's just how I feel about it. I just want to say it out on the newsgroup: I'm not here to scam you guys. I feel that I participate (more recently than past) in the newsgroup, and love the show.. I'm not going to come here, make some money and leave. And if after all that, you still feel that way about me, then fine. I really can't say anything more to convince you. So thanks for at least hearing me out.

Mike, don't worry about it too much. I've done NG-localized projects before, and this is how it will probably work: There will be 10 people who send you the money for the tape, the others won't because they think this is a scam and you're going to fly away to Brazil with the oodles and oodles of money you're going to scam off of them.

Then, a few people will get the tape that you send them, and they'll say to the NG "Hey Mike! Got the tape today! I saw the Frosty the Snowman episode and I laughed until I had tears rolling down my face. And, it's great to no have to fast forward through the commercials! Thanks a ton for putting the time and effort into this!"

Then, the doubting Thomas's will go "Hey! He didn't fly to Brazil with these other guys' money. Now that I see that it wasn't a scam, I'll send him my check now." And then, you'll get the rest of the people to send you their money, and you'll get even a longer list of people because there are people who want the tape, but were just too unsure about emailing someone and then sending a complete stranger money, and they will step forward.

So, don't worry. The kinks you think you are having right now will work themselves out over time.

Rob (beefcake BEEFCAKE!)

Mike -

You're absolutely right! Your time and energy is worth the asking price! Heck, 3 bucks is less than minimum wage and I figure unless you have a highspeed video duplicator, its going to take longer than an hour to copy for each tape.

Some people, unfortunately, expect the world handed to them on a silver platter and want whatever they can get for free. Holy smokes people, he's charging less then a carton of cancer sticks, less than a case of beer, less than a pizza! If you told him you wanted the tape, send him the damn money and let him make a few bucks for date night!

Mike, like I told you, MY CHECK IS DEFINITELY IN THE MAIL AND I'M WAITING FOR THE POSTMAN!

Thanks for doing what your doing for the TRUE South Park Fans!!

Scott Walsh Bensalem, PA

You're right.. I'm just using a standard VHS VCR.

Yeah. Dates aren't cheap these days, you know, you guys. Movies are $7. *PER* ticket. :)

Thanks. I'm just glad to know that I'm not the only one who felt that way.