- How much does TurfNet cost?
$295/year for superintendents and salespeople, $495 for distributors, and $995 for manufacturers -- and that includes three login accounts (themselves, assistant, mechanic) for superintendent members. On a standalone basis, assistants, equipment techs and students can join as a limited member for $100.
- Are discounts available?
Yes. The first-year promotional rate for superintendents is $195. After that, refer a new member at any time and we'll reduce your future renewals by $50 (each, for up to four referrals). Be sure to have the new member enter your name in the "referred by" section of the signup form.
- I'll save $50 for each new member I refer?
Yes, with our thanks for helping us grow. Word of mouth is our best advertisement!
- Does membership run calendar-year or 12-months from signup?
12 rolling months from the date you sign up.
- Do you have student memberships?
Yes, $100 which includes all twenty webinars.
But I'm a student and I can't afford $100.
Compared to the cost of university education, a $100 bill to take twenty 90-minute university specialist-led webinars and listen in on real-world problem-solving Forum dialog between some of the best superintendents in the business is a bargain. Ask your parents for a membership for Christmas!
- Can I use Bayer Accolades points?
Yes. We're in the Accolades catalog.
- How do I sign up?
Fill out the form here. A credit card payment is required for the first year. Subsequent renewals will be billed via email. You can pay renewals by check or credit card.
- Can I get an invoice to pay by check for the first year?
Credit card is much easier for us (plus you get instant access), but we can generate an invoice if necessary. Contact us with all the information required on the signup form.
 What if my assistant and mechanic would like access to the Forum and webinars?
No problem. Every superintendent account includes three login accounts, for the superintendent/account manager, assistant and mechanic (or two assistants). No extra charge.
- Are equipment technicians welcome in the Forum?
Absolutely, with a red carpet! Why beat your head against the wall with a technical problem when somebody out there has been through it before? Besides that, many manufacturer members monitor the Forum and provide guidance on their specific products.
- How do I get them set up?
You can set them up yourself by clicking Account at the top right of the main page, then Add New Login Accounts. Or, send us their names, email addresses and preferred passwords and we'll set them up for you.
- I'm a GCSAA member already and they have discussion forums. Why should I join TurfNet?
Regarding the discussion forums, while there's some cross-pollination of participants between the two sites, generally they are two different groups of superintendents — thus two different pools of information, opinions and experiences. We also welcome manufacturers, reps and salespeople to participate on an informational (not promotional) basis (and assistants and equipment techs as well).
Beyond that, the GCSAA forums (which are not moderated) are known to be frequently hijacked into political diatribe or joke-related content, thus undermining their value for problem-solving (or problem-avoiding) guidance. The TurfNet Forum conferences are moderated by TurfNet staff to maintain integrity of discussion threads and keep them on track. The DELETE key has also been invoked on a very infrequent basis.
In addition to the Forum, TurfNet members receive our popular newsletter (TurfNet "almost" Monthly) — including access to all archived issues back to 1997 — and enjoy free job listings and used equipment listings (both for sale and wanted), and up to 20 free 90 minute-long TurfNet University webinars. We sponsor a heavily discounted members-only golf-and-education trip each year (to Ireland in 2009 and 2010). Plus, all members are invited to our annual Beer and Pretzels Gala at GIS every year.
- Do members have to pay the $35 fee for job listings?
No, job listings are free for members. Be sure to login first or click Post a Job at the top right of the main page to force a login.
 What's the deal with the webinars?
We host twenty 90-minute webinars each year, most presented by university turf specialists. We generally schedule 2x/month in the winter and once per month in the summer. All are free to TurfNet members and their staffs.
- I missed a webinar. Can I view it afterwards?
Yes. All are available on-demand in the archives section within a day or two of the live event. The only difference is that you won't be able to ask questions of the presenter.
- Do TurfNet webinars qualify for GCSAA education points?
Typically, yes. Most qualify for 0.15 GCSAA education points.
- How can TurfNet offer them for free when GCSAA charges members $45 each? That's a $900 difference if we take them all.
You'll have to ask GCSAA.
- How many used equipment listings can I post?
Superintendent members can post ten at one time, distributors and manufacturers can post 25. When they sell, you can delete the old listings here and post new ones up to your limit.
- I've heard TurfNet "pays for itself". How do you figure that?
Well, take used equipment for example. We've had TurfNet members divvy up their old irrigation system components and sell them through TN for anywhere from $8,0000 to $12,000... for surplus items that otherwise would have been thrown away. Find a good used piece you can use, or sell that dust-collector sitting in the corner of your barn. Even used engines, trannies and things like that have been bought and sold. Alternate sources for parts (sprayer boom actuators, solenoids, etc) are also shared between TN members for considerable savings.
Then there are the indirect savings from working smarter... having your equipment tech run his current challenge up the flagpole and a suggestion gained saving him hours of trial and error on his part. On the golf course, fine-tuning pesticide apps and topics like that are shared between members — all of which can add up to considerable savings and mistakes NOT made.
Other questions,
contact us.
|
As a TurfNet member*, you will receive:
- Three login accounts to the Members Only area for yourself, your assistant(s) and equipment tech — including our popular TurfNet.com discussion forums.
- FREE TurfNet University webinars (20 scheduled for 2011 - all with GCSAA education points!) including archived events from years past.
- FREE used equipment listings - up to ten at one time ($50 each for non-members).
- FREE job listings ($35 for non-members).
- Our popular TurfNet Monthly newsletter.
- Opportunity to attend the TurfNet Members Trip.
- An invitation to our annual Beer & Pretzels Gala at GIS!
*Golf course superintendent members. Other categories may vary. Please see categories list.
|
