Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
#8053145
01/18/24 12:54 AM
01/18/24 12:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 11 Minnesota
FursFTW
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
Minnesota
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So, I've been wanting to join the MTA (Minnesota Trappers Association) for years but kept putting it off. I remember years ago, the last time I looked at it, it said lifetime membership was $200 without a subscription to trapper's post, $400 with the subscription. Now when I look at it, it says lifetime membership is $1500. Is that a typo?! When did they raise it to be that much?! And why? I thought $400 was a lot of money, which is why I kept putting it off. $1500?! Wow! I looked up how much it is to join NTA (National Trappers Association) just to compare the prices, they're only $1200 for lifetime ($500 without magazine subscription). Last I looked at it, it was like $800 or so if I remember right. So they went up in price too but there's a much bigger difference in how much MTA raised their price. And the MTA costs more then the NTA now? That just doesn't seem right to me. So really I'm just wondering what gives? I know inflation has affected a lot of stuff but I doubt that would have to do with inflation, or at least not only. Now I'm less likely to join cause I still think $400 is a bit much, $1500 is just crazy to me.
Last edited by April; 01/18/24 01:00 AM.
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053151
01/18/24 01:13 AM
01/18/24 01:13 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,773 Oakland, MS
yotetrapper30
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,773
Oakland, MS
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I don't know the answer to your question, but in general I would advise everyone to NEVER join an association for life. You might think it's the best thing in the world right now, but in one election cycle you can find the association you joined for life is actively working against the best interest of trapping.
Sure, it costs a bit more to re-up every year, but if you renew on a yearly basis, you at least know your money is going to an association that is actually fighting for what is best for the trapping community.
~~Proud Ultra MAGA~~
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053167
01/18/24 03:01 AM
01/18/24 03:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,427 Alabama (Bama for short) 108 y...
Jtrapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,427
Alabama (Bama for short) 108 y...
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No idea why association's still offer lifetime membership's to be honest. Watched Krause and Charlie Rath go back and forth for a day long ago about what the actual cost to service a member is, never did get a straight answer on that one but whatever it was im sure that cost is alot higher today than it was over 20 years ago. I joined FTA for life in 1985 for 150.00 bucks, i get a magazine every month 12 months out of the year, how much has it cost FTA to keep my membership serviced through those years?
Last I looked NTA is north of 4000 LT members! What's the cost to them to keep those members serviced?
Not my circus, not my clowns.
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: Jtrapper]
#8053194
01/18/24 06:47 AM
01/18/24 06:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,480 Wisconsin
Muskrat
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,480
Wisconsin
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No idea why association's still offer lifetime membership's to be honest. Watched Krause and Charlie Rath go back and forth for a day long ago about what the actual cost to service a member is, never did get a straight answer on that one but whatever it was im sure that cost is alot higher today than it was over 20 years ago. I joined FTA for life in 1985 for 150.00 bucks, i get a magazine every month 12 months out of the year, how much has it cost FTA to keep my membership serviced through those years?
Last I looked NTA is north of 4000 LT members! What's the cost to them to keep those members serviced? Oh how we miss Charlie Rath . . .
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053199
01/18/24 07:06 AM
01/18/24 07:06 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,845 Iowa
trapdog1
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,845
Iowa
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So, I've been wanting to join the MTA (Minnesota Trappers Association) for years but kept putting it off. I remember years ago, the last time I looked at it, it said lifetime membership was $200 without a subscription to trapper's post, $400 with the subscription. Now when I look at it, it says lifetime membership is $1500. Is that a typo?! When did they raise it to be that much?! And why? I thought $400 was a lot of money, which is why I kept putting it off. $1500?! Wow! I looked up how much it is to join NTA (National Trappers Association) just to compare the prices, they're only $1200 for lifetime ($500 without magazine subscription). Last I looked at it, it was like $800 or so if I remember right. So they went up in price too but there's a much bigger difference in how much MTA raised their price. And the MTA costs more then the NTA now? That just doesn't seem right to me. So really I'm just wondering what gives? I know inflation has affected a lot of stuff but I doubt that would have to do with inflation, or at least not only. Now I'm less likely to join cause I still think $400 is a bit much, $1500 is just crazy to me. Ask the MTA folks themselves. We can all speculate, but they can give you the real answer.
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: yotetrapper30]
#8053210
01/18/24 07:39 AM
01/18/24 07:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,157 MN
160user
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,157
MN
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I don't know the answer to your question, but in general I would advise everyone to NEVER join an association for life. Good advice. That is where I am at right now. Times and politics change.
I have nothing clever to put here.
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: Jtrapper]
#8053274
01/18/24 09:20 AM
01/18/24 09:20 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,783 Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,783
Rodney,Ohio
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No idea why association's still offer lifetime membership's to be honest. Watched Krause and Charlie Rath go back and forth for a day long ago about what the actual cost to service a member is, never did get a straight answer on that one but whatever it was im sure that cost is alot higher today than it was over 20 years ago. I joined FTA for life in 1985 for 150.00 bucks, i get a magazine every month 12 months out of the year, how much has it cost FTA to keep my membership serviced through those years?
Last I looked NTA is north of 4000 LT members! What's the cost to them to keep those members serviced? Lifetime memberships are money losers for any organization, unless the member happens to pass away within a few years of joining and the survivors call to have the magazine stop coming.in.
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: 160user]
#8053286
01/18/24 09:30 AM
01/18/24 09:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,466 Minnesota
330-Trapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,466
Minnesota
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I don't know the answer to your question, but in general I would advise everyone to NEVER join an association for life. Good advice. That is where I am at right now. Times and politics change. Me too!
NRA and NTA Life Member www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053369
01/18/24 10:48 AM
01/18/24 10:48 AM
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Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 378 Lake Mille Lacs , MN
2poor
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 378
Lake Mille Lacs , MN
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I believe I paid $350 for my Life Membership. I recognize the cost of servicing my lifetime membership with the Trappers Post and volunteered to opt out.
I believe I have seen 5 separate administrations since being a Lifer.
One reason the cost increased is the cost of servicing a member has skyrocketed. With interest paid on the Lifer account way down the cost had to be adjusted to remain solvent.
It’s a lazy man who can’t find his wife a second job !
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053513
01/18/24 01:16 PM
01/18/24 01:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,309 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,309
minnesota
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The MTA recently did an audit of how much it costs to service a member. They cant lose money, so the increase in dues reflected what it costs the association per member these days.
"They that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Ben Franklin talking about guns
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: goldy]
#8053545
01/18/24 01:54 PM
01/18/24 01:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,932 Frazee, MN
backroadsarcher
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,932
Frazee, MN
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The MTA recently did an audit of how much it costs to service a member. They cant lose money, so the increase in dues reflected what it costs the association per member these days. This right here
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053557
01/18/24 02:09 PM
01/18/24 02:09 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,773 Oakland, MS
yotetrapper30
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,773
Oakland, MS
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The high price will discourage people from becoming a life member, which is probably what the association wants. As Jackie and others pointed out, lifetime memberships are a losing proposition for the association.
~~Proud Ultra MAGA~~
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053665
01/18/24 04:03 PM
01/18/24 04:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,783 Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,783
Rodney,Ohio
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Honestly I didn't think it would cost much, or anything to run the association... guess I'm wrong... Magazines eat up most of the membership dues you pay, even after ad revenue.
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: yotetrapper30]
#8053768
01/18/24 06:54 PM
01/18/24 06:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,260 Co.-Wy. part time AK.
wy.wolfer
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,260
Co.-Wy. part time AK.
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I don't know the answer to your question, but in general I would advise everyone to NEVER join an association for life. You might think it's the best thing in the world right now, but in one election cycle you can find the association you joined for life is actively working against the best interest of trapping.
Sure, it costs a bit more to re-up every year, but if you renew on a yearly basis, you at least know your money is going to an association that is actually fighting for what is best for the trapping community. Could I ask you to enlighten me as to which trappers organization ever worked against the best interest of trapping?
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: FursFTW]
#8053805
01/18/24 07:30 PM
01/18/24 07:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,309 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,309
minnesota
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Honestly I didn't think it would cost much, or anything to run the association... guess I'm wrong... Theres all kinds of expenses, some large some small. They all add up. Nobody wants to raise dues. It will likely cost members. But the association cant lose money or it will cease to exist. .
"They that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Ben Franklin talking about guns
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: wy.wolfer]
#8053811
01/18/24 07:35 PM
01/18/24 07:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,309 minnesota
goldy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,309
minnesota
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I don't know the answer to your question, but in general I would advise everyone to NEVER join an association for life. You might think it's the best thing in the world right now, but in one election cycle you can find the association you joined for life is actively working against the best interest of trapping.
Sure, it costs a bit more to re-up every year, but if you renew on a yearly basis, you at least know your money is going to an association that is actually fighting for what is best for the trapping community. Could I ask you to enlighten me as to which trappers organization ever worked against the best interest of trapping? Thats a good question. If she means the Minnesota Trappers Association. She has no idea what shes talking about.
"They that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Ben Franklin talking about guns
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Re: Why is joining the MTA so expensive now?!
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#8053812
01/18/24 07:36 PM
01/18/24 07:36 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,560 MN
Steven 49er
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10,560
MN
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One factor of politics that has not changed is without the MTA and people like goldy is we would be trapping the way we do today. The politics in St Paul is we are target as often as not Maybe someday 160 will explain what event happened to cause him to reach the conclusion he has.
Eventually lifetime memberships become a drain on budgets as the accumulated cost to service a member becomes far greater than what said member paid.
I have been told it currently costs approximately 30 dollars a year to service an average member every year. That figure is higher if the member is getting the trappers post. I don't know what , if any break the MTA gets from TP for a years subscription, if one purchases the subscription individually it's 21 dollars.
100 dollar 3 year membership is a bargain at those figures
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon". Milton Friedman.
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