i think it comes down to what you want and get from the forum
i used to subscribe as i could guarantee i would get the sub back in credit having purchased an rc. so i made no loss. However im not buying like before and never have used modelsport for spares so i see no point in the sub. Ok im not contributing to the forum in money, but i do help out in questions when i can.
chat was never an issue for me as it doesn't interest me. i have msn for that. And the prizes, well they are prizes, get lucky and you might win. tectic lives 20 mins from me and won an mini revo. all cos he paid a tenner