... are people still liking it? Is it worth it? Will you do it again when your year is over (aside from using the reason that it helps support PBS, that is)? What have you found that you like most about it? I'm still on the fence - there are aspects I really like about it. I support PBS in other ways so I'm not interested in supporting PBS in this manner -- I want to know if the functions it offers are still worth the money in your eyes. Thanks!

So far I'm liking it more than expected Susan. 

I really like posting books, and how easy it is now to see if any of my friends have my books on their wishlist.  If the book appears on several wishlists, I make a note on a post it, then see if anyone wants multipules ... saves me wrapping  time and shipping.  Hunting through wishlists was massivly time consuming.

I also volunteer at our high school library, and once in a while want to order more than one copy of a book for the school.  So that feature has been handy also (and super easy).

And of course, the extended wishlist

I like it also. I like that I have a bigger WL, but the coolest feature for me is that when I post a book the system lets me know if anyone on my friends list is wishing for it. It's nice to be able to choose a friend to send it to, and nice to know that it's an active member that isn't going to let the WL offer sit until it rolls over.

You guys both mentioned the prime reason that I'm leaning towards it. I've been the recipient of several WL books by other gold key members and I'm loving the idea of knowing which friends have the books on their list. 

Since I support PBS in other ways, I probably won't renew it. I actually did it because I had a little money left-over in my PayPal account and it was almost exactly the amount for the Gold Key membership so decided to do it and see how it worked. I've already gotten a dollar of it back, since I have put PBS money in my account twice, once in Sept and once in Oct. and those .50 fees are waived.

So far I've only had one book I posted that was on any of my friends' list, and that one was on three of their WL...since I couldn't decide which should get it, I just posted to FIFO like always. LOL A year ago I would have rejoiced about the bigger WL but now that I'm downscaling, my WL is at around 100 and I expect it'll stay there.

Cheryl

I haven't been posting that many books lately so I don't really have any personal data on that score.

But I'm liking the increased WL.  I've been adding a lot more books for my daughter.  I never had room for her books before.

The larger WL has already paid off for me, as I've already gotten offers on a few of the books added once the 200 book limit was raised to 300. I like the one fee-free transaction at the kiosk; I had to purchase a credit the other day, and had just enough to do so, but only because the 50 cent fee was waived. I've also enjoyed the directed delivery, which has sped up the request and receipt process for me. It hasn't been perfect - I've still had requests time out and move on to the next copy in line, for example - but in general I'm pleased with the features, and the cost is relatively minimal. 

Susan, I love it.  I've both gotten and sent books to friends with it and LOVE that it tells me that a friend is wishing when I post a book.  I also like the extra WL spaces.  I put money into my account once per month and have saved the transaction fees.  I've ordered multiple copies of books for my daughter's classroom, and when I order, if there's more than 1 copy available, I get directed delivery.

I believe I have used every feature of the GK membership.  I did not originally think I would, but as I've gotten used to it, it's become a great upgrade to my regular membership.  I absolutely will renew!

 I've also enjoyed the directed delivery, which has sped up the request and receipt process for me.

Yes! This is also fantastic. Since I started Gold Key, seems like every FIFO book I have ordered has come from PA, NJ, or NY. They get here in 2-3 days. 

I'm also very pleased with it.  I'm sure having the larger WL has helped me get a few more WL hits - not a ton, maybe an extra 2-3 a month, but it's nice.

Ditto the faster request and receipt time. Much better. Love it, will renew for sure.

I will keep it because I'm loving the expanded wishlist. However, only one book I've received has been the expeditied delivery and I haven't had WL books I've posted show up on any of my friends' lists. 

As for faster delivery --the book that's been on my en route tab the longest is one coming from somewhere in my state. Meanwhile, I got a book sent from an APO address within 10 days!

Barbara, that seems to be the way of it when it comes to requests from one's own state. It's the darnedest thing, but sometimes they can take longer than any cross-country request.

Okay, This all sounds good so I just ordered it.  Now I guess i need some friends before I post all my wl books.

Welcome to the club Shannon. Just check out some of our WLs and reading preferences. If you want names popping up when you post WL books (and you want yours popping up too), you'll need some people that share your tastes.

Now. We still need to convince Susan to join. Stubborn rabbit.

I love Gold Key and I will definitely renew when my year is up. I particularly love the extra wish lists spots (it may seem like I don't have very many books on my wish list but I keep most of mine on hold).

I love it for the WL spots.  Most of mine I have been waiting YEARS for, so extra slots are really appreciated. 

I like it for the extra WL slots too.

I will definitely renew since I don't use any of the other PBS services that support the site and this is my way of doing so.

Hi Susan,

I can say this -- my primary reason for upgrading to GK was for the additional WL slots (given that I was maxed, & didn't anticipate being able to add anything else to my WL anytime soon, but so wished that I could) -- lo & behold, after rapidly filling up the additional 100 slots, & knowing full well that if I ever received anything I had wishlisted, I would consider it a minor miracle (& would be ever so grateful) -- guess what?  Something I honestly didn't think anyone would ever post, got posted, & I received a wonderful book that I really wanted, & if I never get another thing from among those additional 100 slots for the next year, I will still consider it to have been worth it!  :)   Without upgrading to GK, I would not have been able to add that title to my WL, & would likely have missed the opportunity to receive the book.

Even though I don't anticipate having many items on my WL posted into the system, GK has allowed me a kind of 'peace of mind' factor, knowing that on the off chance that I get lucky, I have the wish/placeholder there... :)

Lastly, I like that it is also a way to support PBS...

I love my Gold Key.  The 100 WL spots were worth it for me, since I have quite a few things that are long shots since they've never been posted, and my preferred genre (young adult) has books with long Wish Lists that aren't posted very often.  I was able to add a lot more of those books that I have wanted, but didn't add to my Wish List before because I wanted to use the space on something that had a greater chance of being offered.

The transaction fee is also nice, as I just started using PBS postage, and that comes in handy. 

Only time will tell if I renew.  I just got a Nook for the first time in my life, and I may never read a physical book again!!!

I never, ever thought I would like an e-reader.  All I have to say is W.O.W!

Not sure if I'll renew my "gold key" membership or not.  One thing I wish they'd do is give "gold keyers" the option to turn on or off the "directed delivery" feature.  Most of the time when I order a book I'm in no hurry for it--and I'd actually rather my order go FIFO which just seems fairer to me.