I'm a cheapskate, but the membership fee is negligible and serves as a sort of commitment. Besides, if everyone who created a free account were eligible for all the group buys and such, our sponsors would likely get bombarded by people taking advantage, with no real stake in the club's or sponsors' well being. And if someone doesn't want to or cannot pay, they still have access to all the knowledge and experience of the club's members. Paid membership is simply a mutually beneficial arrangement.