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View Full Version : Important Information regarding Shack Plus Membership



Sherry
07-16-2008, 09:19 AM
As you know, I was planning on terminating the Shack Plus memberships in October and going back to a completely free website. Since I made that announcement, you all have made it perfectly clear that you would prefer to keep the membership fee in place. I have received many PM's and emails and, although I haven't had time to respond to them individually, I have taken each and every one into consideration.

I am happy to say that, even though I am STILL opposed to the membership fee I WILL leave it in place, exactly as it is. I aim to keep you Shackies happy!

I know alot of you are still concerned about what can and cannot be accessed in user profiles by non Shack Plus members so here is the lowdown:

They cannot access your addresses.
They cannot see your personal albums

They CAN see your basic information such as your biography, and stamping profile. If you wish to have your stamping profiles private, I would be happy to make it so.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

PS. As a side note, yes, I am aware that the website is SLOW SLOW SLOW. I'm not sure what is going on but I think it is a server issue. I'll check with the guys in Texas and see if they can check it out for us.

iloveflipflops
07-16-2008, 09:22 AM
Woo Hoo Sherry!! This makes me very happy!! I do not mind paying the $10 small fee :)

loobylou
07-16-2008, 09:25 AM
Thanks for listening and wanting the best for us Sherry. $10 is a tiny price to pay for Our privacy and security.

lakeslady
07-16-2008, 09:31 AM
May I echo Sarahs thoughts on this subject.

I certainly agree that I much prefer to pay $10 and know we have a safe and secure friendly site in which we can create and socialise without fear or worry.

However I do appreciate Sherrys kind sentiments and I am more than happy to abide by any decision she takes on our behalf, we know she always has our best interests at heart.

Bravo Sherry for all you do and achieve for us.

Christie
07-16-2008, 09:33 AM
I'm very happy to hear about the fee staying in place!!!!

logcabincreations
07-16-2008, 09:56 AM
I agree with having a fee. Makes me feel I have the right to enjoy special features, while not worrying about what lurkers have access to. Thanks Sherry.

Artyfarty
07-16-2008, 09:56 AM
I have never had any hesitation in paying the fee and feel the added security makes for a safer place and that warm cozy feeling lol Thanks Sherry xxxx
One happy bunny here xx

irishchristine
07-16-2008, 10:10 AM
Sounds great!!!

GrammaStamper
07-16-2008, 11:08 AM
I'm okay with whatever you decide, Sherry. This is the best cardmaking message board on the internet and $10 is nothing compared to what I spend on 'stuff' to play.

IMBlessed5
07-16-2008, 11:21 AM
My honest opinion is that if a con-artist or whoever wants your info, they're going to get it no matter what. It's available on the web on WAY more places than just the Shack.

I was happy that the fee was going to be dropped - made it feel more welcoming here.

Oh well though, LOL! NO biggie!

hbpuppy
07-16-2008, 11:53 AM
I like the fee as a 1 time membership fee instead of annual dues. I think it is a deterent for the riff raff.

suzi_f
07-16-2008, 12:10 PM
I'm really torn: I like the idea of having the fee to keep just anyone out. But, I also don't want to lose possible members by them coming here & seeing there's a fee & saying they don't want anything to do with us. I don't know what the solution is. We could go back to the way we did it on PCMB & someone has to keep the address list & keep it sacred. Hostesses could send out thier addy w/the swap info. I'll go with whatever the group wants!

limeyscrapper
07-16-2008, 12:31 PM
I'm more than happy to keep the fee. $10 is nothing, and if it keeps us down to a more select group, and deters some from joining us - so be it.

IMBlessed5
07-16-2008, 12:39 PM
Yeah I definitely would not want things to get out of control like I feel they are sometimes on SCS!

And I'll still happily pay the $10!

I just thought it made Shack look like less of a "clique" and more of a public stamping forum. I often wonder if people on the "outside" look at pay-only forums like that. Even though it's no big deal to be a clique with most people.

I've never even thought about privacy because I'm on the web everyday. If I was worried about privacy, I wouldn't even have internet access.

I'm just rambling here. Like I said, I'm here either way, no big deal. That's what I do like about Shack - I would be TOTALLY flamed if I voiced my unpopular opinion on SCS, LOL! At least here, you ladies keep it amongst yourselves, privately. :D

TiikkiStars
07-16-2008, 12:46 PM
I'm fine with the $10 fee. Its a small amount. Yes, I hesitated in joining initially, but I am soooo glad I did and do not hesitate for even a second about paying it again next month. I like that my address is somewhat protected and I like that we don't get bored people who enjoy going on to free message boards and being mean or starting something controversial just for the sake of being controversial.........they are not stampers or crafters, just annoying (I've seen this on larger boards and I groan and click to a different website when I come accross them). This community is so nice, welcoming (new people can see that by checking out the boards without having to pay the fee), friendly, and helpful!!! Thanks Sherry for listening to all of us!!!

:> Karen

patcreates
07-16-2008, 12:46 PM
Like Vicki, I was also looking forward to the annual fee going away. With the prices of everything going up, people (including me) are definitely more selective in how they spend their money.

Suzanne
07-16-2008, 01:01 PM
I agree with what Vicki said about your address being available in more places online than most people realize. Free would have been nice, but I don't think it would be fair to Sherry since I can't image it not costing her to keep the site & gallery up and running well.

toao
07-16-2008, 01:19 PM
I'm glad the fee is staying. After all, Sherry puts a LOT of hard work and time into this place and I think it's only fair that she's not having to pay out of pocket for our fun. I think once people visit, they understand how friendly a place this really is. It's a quality stamping community...and I love it.

Mary

Sherry
07-16-2008, 01:27 PM
Good golly, I guess there isn't any pleasing everyone is there? I thought I was doing a good thing by leaving the fee in place! :wacko:

I'm sorry guys - I hate being the one to have to make decisions like this but I'm trying my best. I usually go with majority rule. I would like nothing better than to have the website be absolutely free for everyone - you all know that - but 'free' does come at a price. For instance, if we were to remove the fee, our website would have to go back to shared server and this means that the website would operate much, much slower than we are accustomed to now. I was receiving complaints on the slowness of the Shack this morning and we're currently on a dedicated server! Going back on a shared server would also mean that our chatroom would have to be hosted off site which means having ADs splashed all over the page.

If I could, I would absorb the $150 monthly fee on my own and cut the fee altogether but I just can't do it - we are a one income household. I am considering going back to work in the fall so I will begin looking at alternative options at that time.

Like I said, I will go with majority rule on this one. I hate feeling guilty and second guessing myself so I'm placing the decision in YOUR hands. I'll get a poll started. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain after the decision has been made :)

spredbirds
07-16-2008, 01:45 PM
I too am all in favor with the $10 fee ... I love the Shack and all it has to offer ... I do not want to see Sherry have to fork out money or make any changes due to lack of funds.

kneurohr
07-16-2008, 03:03 PM
I have a plus membership but i am not able to look at the tutorial section I can access everything else. Is there a reason for this?

threefriends91
07-16-2008, 03:36 PM
l say we keep the $10 fee after all Sherry has already given us so much and why should she have to pay for our enjoyment...one never knows when an unexpected bill will pop up for what ever needs to be repaired...
l like the way Sherry has run the stamp shack and would hate to see it change...l feel this is a nice clean place where l can come and enjoy myself while l'm learning..the family that we have here is awesome and new members are always welcome..

IMBlessed5
07-16-2008, 05:16 PM
Let me be clear that I was not complaining - simply voicing my opinion. I also clearly stated that I had no problem paying the $10 fee. And I also agree that Sherry should not have to fork out money personally for a dedicated server - that just isn't right!

NO one will EVER be able to please everybody Sherry, so don't even try!

Honestly, I feel there is a lot more personal chit chat here than there is stamping related chatter. No worries though, I skim the "new posts" threads and move on. If I have time to check those threads, I do. If not, I move on even quicker. I'm just saying if someone is looking for a clean, safe, place for stamping and inspiration but all they're seeing is personal chit chat on their first visit - they may not be movitvated to pay $10 to get involved.

Then you have people who ARE looking for online friendships! Then this site is perfect for that!!!

Again, you can not and will not ever please everybody. Just throwing out different points of view here!

Paula Carden
07-16-2008, 06:45 PM
Oh Sherry -you always look out for us! I am so glad that you are here!!
I love the website just as it is...thank you!!!

graciez
07-16-2008, 08:37 PM
I think the fee is a good thing....I like the separation of members/nonmembers. I wish the nonmember could not see anything on our profile. I like the idea of posting free of any worries. g

directmailscrapper
07-16-2008, 08:46 PM
Sherry, I like the $10 fee. One of the things I like best about the site is that it isn't too big! We do get wonderful new members and that's great. But if it became a free for all, I think we would lose part of what makes this an intimate community.

This is an expensive hobby -- I can't image that there is anyone who WANTS to be here who can't afford the $10. And there is NO WAY you should be paying out of your pocket! Is $10 enough? Would $15 give you a better cushion?

When I went to Shackapaloosa, some of my friends (and family!) thought I was nuts to fly across the country to meet with and stay with folks I met online. Don't I read the papers? Don't I watch the news? But I knew that these ladies were for real. I KNEW these ladies, even though I had not met them! The Shack has always seemed "safe" and that's important! (Although I felt safe here before you charged the $10, so maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on the $$$).

Sherry, you enrich our lives every day by this fantastic service you provide. I am willing to put my $$ where my heart is!

shuggy
07-16-2008, 11:30 PM
Sherry, I like the $10 fee. One of the things I like best about the site is that it isn't too big! We do get wonderful new members and that's great. But if it became a free for all, I think we would lose part of what makes this an intimate community.

This is an expensive hobby -- I can't image that there is anyone who WANTS to be here who can't afford the $10. And there is NO WAY you should be paying out of your pocket! Is $10 enough? Would $15 give you a better cushion?

When I went to Shackapaloosa, some of my friends (and family!) thought I was nuts to fly across the country to meet with and stay with folks I met online. Don't I read the papers? Don't I watch the news? But I knew that these ladies were for real. I KNEW these ladies, even though I had not met them! The Shack has always seemed "safe" and that's important! (Although I felt safe here before you charged the $10, so maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on the $$$).

Sherry, you enrich our lives every day by this fantastic service you provide. I am willing to put my $$ where my heart is!


amen, sister!!!

mydogstinks2
07-16-2008, 11:33 PM
When I went to Shackapaloosa, some of my friends (and family!) thought I was nuts to fly across the country to meet with and stay with folks I met online. Don't I read the papers? Don't I watch the news? But I knew that these ladies were for real. I KNEW these ladies, even though I had not met them! The Shack has always seemed "safe" and that's important!


LOL that is what my family said the first time I went to NC to meet up with "shackies"

Jovi
07-16-2008, 11:42 PM
Sherry you do a wonderful job keeping The Shack running smoothly and no matter what you do someone will be disappointed...

I'm happy that the fee is staying... $10 is such a small amount for what we have here at The Shack! ;)