I’ve been developing Finnish School for over four years now. I’ve spent countless hours working on it, improving it, fixing it, and supporting it. I’m quite happy with the entire project; it’s been a huge success with almost 19,000 people signing up, and an average of almost 700 people using it per day. There’s nothing else like it on the web, and there’s no better way to learn Finnish vocabulary words.
Even though my monthly server costs are high, I’ve been able to keep the entire site free of charge. I’ve never included online ads because I know how annoying they can be. Even though the site kinda runs itself, I do spend quite a bit of my free time answer people’s e-mails, adding new features, and improving the site for you all. I have a big plans for the site, lots of new features I’d like to develop, but honestly I’m lacking the motivation and without any sort of incentive, these new features will never happen.
So what I’ve decided to do is ask for a small donation of 5 euros per year to use the site – the price of a pint of a beer at the pub. Finnish students who are serious about learning the language spend quite a bit of money each year on books, CDs, classes, and tutors – and I think 5 euros is a small donation to make for such a useful service like Finnish School. With the donations I’ll be motivated to develop the site further, provide users with better support, and hopefully be able to compensate for my expensive monthly server fees.
All new users may use the entire site as much as they want, but only the first three levels. Donors to the site will receive the following…
- Access to all vocabulary levels
- Priority support via e-mail
- BETA testing to all upcoming site features
I know I’ll have to remove the “free” part of the sites “Fast, free, and easy” tagline, but if you’re serious about learning Finnish and you enjoy the site and you’d like to see it developed further, I think the 5 euro donation is a small request to ask.
Click here to learn how to donate and become a Finnish School member!
Hi,
I’m wondering why I have sent u 5 euros and a confirmation email but havent received anything, it has been 2 days. Are you still running this website?
Comment by Pham Tien Hoang — December 6, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Hey,
I have the same comment as Pham. I also have sent you 5 euros through bank transfer and a confirmation email both. I have been waiting for two days over now and still I haven’t heard from you.
Comment by Ashesh — December 18, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Im with the same problem
Comment by Anonymous — December 28, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
I just read these blogs, but I’ve already done the 5EUR donation. What is the next step and how long does it take? Thanks.
Comment by IT — February 11, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
could we pay by mail or what?…
Comment by Finnish-Addict — February 13, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
Phil, I donated the 5 euros and would like access. Thanks.
Comment by Ben — April 28, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
how does one start learning finnish for the 1st time as when it came up it came up with an english word & was waiting for me to put the finnish word in ? thank you
Comment by jean — August 16, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
Hello I just put in my 5 euro donation. I’m looking forward to starting the lessons!
Thanks!
Comment by Wendy B. — March 2, 2010 @ 6:29 am
How long does it take to get the next levels after one has donated? thanks
Comment by EMP — March 30, 2010 @ 1:05 am
I donated my 5 euros!
When do i get the access?
Comment by Girl.Anachronism — March 31, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
Hi was just reading the above comments. I was all ready to pay for this but I don’t want to waste money. Can I get confirmation about how long this will take.
Also i think that you should post a public answer to these questions, i think it will make people more likely to pay.
Also if anyone did sign up for it and got full access could they post it up please
Comment by Peter — April 6, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
I am glad to see other folks are struggling with access..well not glad,but at least I’m not alone. I paid and have yet to get access. Maybe something happened to the host.
Comment by C Imes — April 16, 2010 @ 4:55 am
I paid 5 euro month before, nothing happened still. What happened to the host?
Comment by j c — April 16, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
i was so intrested in doing this, but it looks like nothing happens even if you do donate 5euros, so maybe i shall not bother?
unless i read that someone has had something from it.
Sian
Comment by Sian — April 18, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
Hi,
Same here, made payment a week ago, sent an e-mail with confirmation. No access to other levels.
Phil, any comments?
Inna
Comment by Inna — April 22, 2010 @ 10:16 am
I would like to sign up to this it is really good and it seems a shame that the comments left are not very positive and scares people away.
you should reply.
Comment by Anonymous — April 27, 2010 @ 2:00 pm
I donate 5 eu but its nothing happening… I wrote e-mail, but its nothing happening anyway. So, don’t waist Your money, for this fake school
Comment by Zivile — May 11, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
I really want to do these lessons please come back.
Comment by KK — May 19, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
Whats going on?I donated,send an email and its been 3 days with no replay and no accessibility.could we get some answers..
Comment by Anonymous — May 20, 2010 @ 10:45 pm
It has been 2 years since my payment and still got no access.
Comment by Pham Tien Hoang — May 20, 2010 @ 10:57 pm
oops, sorry, so the membership valids for only 1 year
Sorry, my bad. I thought it was forever. LOL ! 
)
Comment by Pham Tien Hoang — May 20, 2010 @ 11:00 pm
I think this Phil guy should be reported for scamming.I know 5 euro is not alot but thats playing with peoples mind + if 20 people donate thats 100 taxfree free money.He is no better than the beggars on the streets.Maybe we should attend his gigs and confront him face to face
Comment by Anonymous — May 28, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
I say this is probably a scam, that’s a shame since I want to learn the whole entire Finnish language. Its hard finding programs to learn Finnish and very few people know it.
Comment by Ivy — May 28, 2010 @ 8:27 pm
To be fair to the man, if Phil is really a scam man then he would have deleted all these negative comments that scare people away. Maybe he is just a really busy guy and actually has a full time job/life as well as running this site. For me it will take a few days to do do the first three levels and if I email Phil now, then by the time I have done them, maybe I’ll be convinced that 5 Euros is actually worth a lot more than just a pint of beer. And for the record, I’d buy anyone a pint of beer if they could help me with my Finnish.
Comment by Matt — June 2, 2010 @ 12:27 am
Hmm… i was ready to pay because i find this way to learn vocabulary very efficient. but seeing your comments… so two questions:
1) Did anybody manage to have access to further levels with the 5 euros?
2) Do you know another website based on the same principle?
Comment by Carine — August 5, 2010 @ 10:50 am
Paid my 5€, got full access within 24 hours. Works for me.
Comment by Colin — August 7, 2010 @ 10:47 pm
For me it took a little while to get access (8 days) but I have it! Just consider that Phil might be busy and so it can take time. Write him emails for him not to forget you!
Comment by Carine — August 17, 2010 @ 8:43 am
Hi, I paid 5 euros yesterday, still dont have an access for the next levels. Waiting for it
Comment by Eylül — October 26, 2010 @ 1:38 pm
its been 15 days that i payed for the site but still i dont have an access, what will happen now? did i pay for nothing?
Comment by Eylül — November 2, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
paid 2 days ago – still no access!
Comment by isib — November 17, 2010 @ 5:39 am
Still eagerly awaiting access to the 4th level!
Comment by isib — November 21, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
what do you expect with a godless country. nobody’s honest
Comment by Anonymous — December 4, 2010 @ 5:26 am
I got my access to the 4th level – and I love it! It is very well done, and has enough repetition of the same words – which allows you not only to review but to learn new ones at the same time! Yay Phil!
Comment by isib — December 7, 2010 @ 8:05 am
scam`?
Comment by fdwqfwefwe — January 26, 2011 @ 12:49 am
Hey Phil I like your program and I’d like to continue it. The comments above though make me hesistant to donate. Can I count on getting access to the next level?
Comment by Austin — February 4, 2011 @ 11:39 pm
Austin, it works.. just include your Account name in Paypal or in your payment.. I payed last night and have acces now already..
Comment by Anonymous — February 7, 2011 @ 11:05 am
Phil, I’ve sent u 2 messages. U should answer!
No access to 4th level.
Comment by Yuxer — February 11, 2011 @ 6:56 pm
Phil, at least you have to give answers to the above comments. In what way is possible to get access. I am ready to pay even more than 5 euro for me to get this kind of education. I came to realize that there are many people who are ready to pay more money. But you need to be interactive and answer the comments, give access to the people who paid, ask additional money if necessary. Or sell the software to someone who can make it a good business.
Comment by Birhane — April 5, 2011 @ 5:19 pm
I totally agree with Birhane’s comments, you have to make it possible to get access even though the cost is only 5 euros. I would be willing to pay more because I would love to learn Finnish but there’s a total lack of communication on this site. People are paying money for nothing!! How much money you must be getting for nothing…seems like a total scam. What a shame.
Comment by Sue — April 27, 2011 @ 8:57 am
Would like to say sorry to Phil, this doesnt seem to be a scam after all, I now have access to the site. I would just like to say if you have trouble accessing the site then just email Phil, he answered mine and now I am all set up. Again, apologies to Phil.
Comment by Sue — April 27, 2011 @ 11:01 am
I have joined and was going to pay but the comments above have unsettled me.
Comment by Talvi — June 10, 2011 @ 5:47 pm
Hello,
I made the donation a LONG time ago and never received access. My emails requesting access have been ignored! Please!
Comment by Karel — July 21, 2011 @ 5:48 pm
how much time it taks to get log in after paying 5 euros
Comment by aajmall — September 1, 2011 @ 8:07 am
Test message
Comment by TEST — October 13, 2011 @ 1:51 am
seriously, I can’t believe so many people paid the fee! Have you even noticed his horrible way of speaking.? it sounds very inappropriate and juvenile. this is definetely a scam. If you want to try a website that is really good, try digitaldialects.com
it’s the one I use. and it’s free!
Comment by none — December 22, 2011 @ 5:59 pm
Hi, why I have paid 5 euros and still can not get the access to other sessions?
Comment by Kun — January 11, 2012 @ 4:13 pm
This is totally cheating. half a month already gone and no reply from this person at all.
Comment by Kun — January 12, 2012 @ 4:58 pm
I was going to pay my 5 euros, but in view of all the negative comments and lack of response from the host, I have decided to go elsewhere.
Comment by Norman Gale — January 18, 2012 @ 5:24 am
Граждане! Это развод и мошенничество! С миру по нитке – голому рубаха! 5 евро это тоже деньги, не ведитесь на эту замануху!
Comment by Гневный — January 23, 2012 @ 8:24 am