I get how the owner has overhead costs and there's time and effort involved to keep it running. But those costs exist for the owners of this site...and many other message boards. Yet they remain free...
Uh.... welcome to the free enterprise system. Some examples: There are those of us who make a forum, or do a youtube video, and monetize it in some way. Right ? Yet other venues are free (no ads popping up, no cost to join, etc...) SIMPLY because the person has fun doing it (and babysitting the spam, etc..). And plenty of youtube videos with zero pop-up ads. Simply because someone wanted to get-their-voice out there on some topic they like to voice-about.
In any event, you do not fault those that monetized (heaven forbid they made a buck ?) versus those that don't.
And if you love a hobby, (like Tiger Woods and golfing) it doesn't mean you need to "golf for free". If you saw a market niche (competing in golf games and getting paid for it, rather than golfing for free), why WOULDN'T you do it ?
There is no mandate that any is forced to join. If someone didn't like it, fine then, save your $65 and don't do it. Or conversely, if it gives you an edge to get referrals (versus waiting for word-of-mouth, or watching CL lost-ads), then perhaps the subscription is worth it to you . There is nothing immoral about charging for a service EVEN If you *
could* "give it away for free".
....And charging customers (leaving that to the ring finder) is out of the question for some reason.
That is the only thing I would agree with you on, is that it's regrettable that there's not a uniform system. Because, sure, what's to stop someone from charging exorbitant rates ? Especially if they're not that skilled. Then it looks bad on the brand, as a whole.
Not sure how I would have solved this, but I just know that I have gotten calls where , they not only called me, but were, at the same time, calling the next closest listed person. And on one occasion, after I told the person "whatever tip you want", they lamented that the other guy was asking for such & such $, at the start TO EVEN SHOW UP. So it was as if I was making that other guy look bad (which wasn't my intent).
So I agree that some system would make it more level and uniform. Not sure how I'd handle it. Since, let's be honest: There's a million nuances for each search. Eg.: Distance to travel, value of item being sought for, etc....