Donations

[Sethra La'vode]

My family and I would love to donate again...but with the EURO to USDollar ratio, it's just not gonna happen. In a shard that promotes American English to be spoken in global, celebrates American Holidays with events and gifts to the players, why on earth are we not also going by American dollars ? I love this shard - I do! As do my son and mate. This issue is just very confusing for us. I feel the shard would get more donations, ultimately, if the US dollar had more value for the US players. Peace and thanks for all the hard work!

[Melkor]

The shard used to run donations on US Dollars, however no longer. As to the reason of the change, I don't recall a reason being given officially. However I think most people assumed it was because of the American Dollar's value having dropped so much.

At first when the change happened, there was a lot of fallout on the forums and the change was reverted back to USD, but in a short time it was quietly changed again to Eruos, and so it remains today.

Despite many people voicing their concern that they're not going to be able to donate and/or donate as much, the donation still runs on Euro.

In fairness, +Colibri does put a lot of time into this shard, while it is not officially stated, it's pretty obvious it’s a business to him. He is an IT professional who is well paid for his services.

All in all, I can only assume that he feels more money can be made by less donations in Euros then more in USD.

Again, in all fairness, no one has to donate, it’s optional.

[Adrias]

In addition to the falling USD, I think the main reason is that the server is located in Slovenia so it is more convenient for +C to get the donations in his currency (I think he had to or still has to pay paypal for some conversion fee).

Also of note, EDs off [exex are significantly cheaper than they were when people were doing donations in USD

[Sethra La'vode]

Certainly good information, thank you! And thanks for not getting snide or snotty about my post, lol Too many people take the opportunity to do such, and you two have clearly given this thing thought...much appreciated! As for +Colibri, I think he has done and continues to do a wonderful job here: I cannot imagine having to go to another shard. The staff is wonderful and we feel 'safe' : for the mother of a 10 year old that plays, that's saying quite a bit. So...I was not trying to complain....too much hehehe....and sometimes things just aren't what you wish! That is life! Peace!!

[ticketguru]

The donation was always in Euros and Coli would manually convert the Euro donation to USD based on the day/time that the donation was made. With the new automated system of donation rewards where the shard will connect directly to Paypal to get the donation amounts, Coli had to change to having the reward based on the Euro he was receiving.

I had thought he could have made the reward 125ED per 10 Euros or something like that, but that is not how he setup the automated system. Of course if enough ppl stop donating, he might change the reward amounts. I will say that even with the change, I still donate occasionally.

[Melkor]

My days of donating FOR the reward are done, as there isn't anything i really want. However, I'm in a financial position to make a small donation because I enjoy shard, and I don't mind doing that. I feel that 30 US dollars is about what I can part with, under the old system I would have gotten the "Donation bonus item", now I won't. While not getting it isn't going to make me want to donate more to get it, I'll still donate the $30 and be happy with some ED and Uni tubs.

[Gwendolyn]

In addition to the falling USD, I think the main reason is that the server is located in Slovenia so it is more convenient for +C to get the donations in his currency (I think he had to or still has to pay paypal for some conversion fee).

Also of note, EDs off [exex are significantly cheaper than they were when people were doing donations in USD

yeah except

when you donate you have to convert it to euro for him AND pay the conversion fee.

[Nelapsi]

Also of note, EDs off [exex are significantly cheaper than they were when people were doing donations in USD

ED prices on ExEx and the number of donations are not related, +C even stated when he changed how donations were going to be handled that he would keep prices lower and more available.

[Adrias]

Also of note, EDs off [exex are significantly cheaper than they were when people were doing donations in USD

ED prices on ExEx and the number of donations are not related, +C even stated when he changed how donations were going to be handled that he would keep prices lower and more available.

I said it was noteworthy, not related. I know that +C said that he would make EDs more accessible in the game when he was making the conversion as I was pointing it out constantly when people were complaining about the change.

[anarchy]

only reason why i was complaining. is foresight. after he said that i knew that eds were gonna be stocked on the exex. so now we pay 150 for 1100 eds. meaning we pay more for more eds than before. ALSO, eds prices have gone down so now we're getting less in return (gold wise) than before. so now the way it was to the way it is now. we're losing double time.

[Aghorra]

It is what it is. I didn't experience much of the history of Excelsior to factor in as many/all of you have; but the way I figure it, if I can afford it and want to afford it, I will donate. This is irrespective of the dollar to euro conversion rate, and somewhat irrespective of the value of the ED in gold. If I can afford it and want to, I will.

The one aspect that I don't appreciate is what anarchy described: I get significantly less gold for selling EDs on [exex, and that translates into their liquidity value. I enjoy having some flexibility in using EDs OR converting to gold on the market. But, with [exex values changing as they have; it's making me want to just max my gear, cease donations, and begin buying EDs via [exex, where they're much cheaper.

Not helpful to +C overall, I would think. Who knows though, it may be that this artificial manipulation of the market will come again when +C wants to tweak up donations. I'm not a fan of artificial market manipulation, but my opinion doesn't really matter, huh.