PMs only for paid members?

Creating this thread for those who would like to voice their concerns here rather than in the main rooms.

Why were we not notified inadvance of this change?

YES.

why were we not notified in advance of the change with the pm's?

Thanks, OP.

I’ll be using this site much less now because of the chat paywall.

Were ads considered? Wouldn’t selling ads AND premium memberships increase revenue and profit?

It would’ve been much nicer to have known about the change ahead of time.

I am fine with paying for the service, provided the upgrade actually gains me something. As it is, the upgrade to be allowed to PM is only beneficial with others who have Gold membership. Could it be set it up so only paying members be allowed the privilege to initiate PMs, but all are free to respond to PMs received?

Is it now that you have to be a paying member to chat in chatrooms-I am but a friend apparently just got prevented from chatting with me?

as of today

Quote by PJH

Is it now that you have to be a paying member to chat in chatrooms-I am but a friend apparently just got prevented from chatting with me?

You can chat openly in the main rooms. To chat privately in PMs, both individuals have to be paying members apparently.

Quote by Blues222

You can chat openly in the main rooms. To chat privately in PMs, both individuals have to be paying members apparently.

Thank you, I was thinking that that what it was-that is very new isn't it, like today?

It just started today

I feel like this is the beginning of the end of a great site. Why are we being forced to pay to chat? What if I pay to chat and my friend doesn't? Can I still message them?

You can msg him but if he is a non paying member, he cannot reply

thisi was coming when lush merged into this site

Quote by MasterBob

thisi was coming when lush merged into this site

Lush is still a stand-alone site

Please see here for the membership options available.

Yes, as of today, PMs are a perk for Silver, Gold, and Platinum members.

Quote by AppleByBoom

Please see here for the membership options available.

Yes, as of today, PMs are a perk for Silver, Gold, and Platinum members.

Thanks, Apple.

1) why wasn’t there a notification more in advance than the same day? I see your linked post was edited today, not with any sort of advanced notice.

2) The linked post only displays the silver membership image.

3) why not ads?

Quote by Mtb_ftw

Thanks, Apple.

1) why wasn’t there a notification more in advance than the same day? I see your linked post was edited today, not with any sort of advanced notice.

2) The linked post only displays the silver membership image.

3) why not ads?

You're right, I don't know why the other images aren't showing, I'll get this fixed.

1. I don't have an answer for you, only that I updated the post as soon as I was aware there was a change.

2. As above. The other images are there, I don't know why they aren't displayed.

3. I'm not privy to that.

If at least it was restricted to only the one initiating the PMs having to be paying members, I'd be kinda fine with it but by both members having to be paying members, I feel like I'm being screwed over by being restricted who I can and cannot chat with despite paying for the feature. So basically if I want to continue chatting with people I have been chatting with in private for a long time but they don't want to take up a membership, we'll have to think to go elsewhere. Not really a good selling point, not sure how well thought through this decision was. And I agree with the users above that this should have been communicated with all users well in advance.

ill be deleting my account in the next few days. this is ridiculous.

I won't be renewing here.

I get that this is a business, but there's a part of this that feels so coercive and really crappy...you build a community and let people use it for free, and then once people have built deep connections, you make them pay to continue to connect. And at that the same time you use their ongoing presence here as a draw for others (look how many people have accounts here and are in the chatrooms! Big network effect!), so those same people you sort of tricked into relying on the site to connect are now also being used to draw others in. It feels really scummy, especially since it's a community based on something so personal and intimate, and I'd echo others' frustrations that such an enormous change to the basic way people interact was a surprise move. It's impossible for me to believe this wasn't done deliberately, which again as a longish-time user of the site feels like a betrayal.

This is exactly what's wrong with Lush....and if they think I, and others, are going to pay for minimal services they're sadly mistaken. My apologies to all my friends who are thinking I blew them off...actually, it's lush who is fucking us.

I know that this change was unexpected. Silver, Gold, and Platinum members can PM, however, if you are sending PMs to a free member, they will not be able to respond.

Free members can still use the chatrooms, and are encouraged to chat in the open rooms, or, if you use the site often, perhaps consider purchasing a membership to support it. This will help to fund the development and improvements of the site.

The DM (Lush Mail) limit remains at 10 per 24 hour period for free members.

we're sorting this out. Please be patient until after the dust clears. thanks.

Quote by sprite

we're sorting this out. Please be patient until after the dust clears. thanks.

Being patient is a pre-requisite to membership these days. This is a for-profit site being run like it's a high-schooler's hobby page.

Quote by dlcalguy

Being patient is a pre-requisite to membership these days. This is a for-profit site being run like it's a high-schooler's hobby page.

don't blame the messenger. this is still just a volunteer gig for most the mods that most of you come into contact with. trust me, i do get it - it's frustrating, but people have a habit of going to the extreme when something like this occurs instead of just relaxing a bit and just asking questions and wait for answers. i mean, are people really dumping their (mostly free accounts) at the drop of a hat over this? Legit question, i think. anyways, we're looking for an answer too, so yeah, at least 24 hours of patience is being asked. Thanks.

Im retired and on a set income so every penny counts I love your sight and being able to talk openly with other people now you have taken that away

I think the chat mods that braved the changes made today deserve a fucking vacation…they got slammed over a 29$ choice that grown adults should be willing to pay for if they wish to use a site that has quality stories and content. I felt horrible for Misteresooner this evening…he tried his best to answer questions from unreasonable grown ups that truly should not be allowed to even use the internet . Pay for your membership people why would you assume that it should be free??!!!

Yea, it was/is very tough on the mods - give them a break & just sit tight until the dust settles, as \sprite said