General Chat

Groucho Marx once sais, I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member.

because he thought it was a good idea.....!

The "I'm leaving, boo hoo....." thread was a regular occurrence a few years back almost always because someone was upset with GR, comments made by another member, or whatever else got their goat that particular day.

It was the same each time. The member who was hell bent on leaving vented their spleen, and once the "ah don't" postings to the thread dried up, continued exactly as they had done before.

What has that to do with Lady Scozz not renewing her subs? :-S

To all who have interests with orthinology, or a garden with a bird table installed.
Had a new visitor on the bird table. Thought at first it was some sort of cross bred
blackbird which it resembled in every way. Size, body colour, except the head which was brown and the beak was dark & short. Looked in a "Birds of Britain" publication. Nothing there. "Wikipedia" had much information plus photographs and that was the moment recognition became clear. American visitor on the bird table!!
Known as a "Cow bird". Blown across the Atlantic?? Storms & strong winds have occurred recently. Possibly an "escape" from someone's aviary. Not seen the bird since and that was three days ago. Probably did not like British food! Caldervale

Subs to any organisation are always a cause for praise or concern depending upon personal experience with organisation concerned. Genes Reunited on the whole is reasonably favourable towards members. Hiccoughs do occur often upsetting to some members which happens in all membership orientated organisations. How true the expression, "You cannot please everybody". That quote has included yours truly when displeasure has upset the "status quo". Adopt the "press on regardless" attitude of "Nil desperandum". Let nothing prevent the enjoyment of hobby. It certainly is fascinating and intriguing. Full of unexpected surprises. Caldervale

Yes, thank you Sylvia. I already know those points that you have posted - I registered with FR and Genes soon after each was set up.



However, I do not recollect GR ever being free to contact other members. I paid a £5 joining fee when I first wanted to contact someone. I would have to search through my paper records to see when this was.


I recall the chat board – as opposed to ‘general (chat) having a a few unpleasant members so didn’t bother with it. ‘General’ was much friendlier. The oldest posts by members, currently under ‘chat’ , start in November 2002. Genes was set up in November 2002. What was going on there? :-S

I hope you change your mind Scozz <3 :-)

Island ...

I have always been under the impression that GR WAS free for everything when it first began, which was on November 5 2002 according to GR's history, but that a charge was instituted when the Boards began.

GR, or Genes Connected as it was initially called, began as an offshoot from FriendsReunited, which was also a free site when first set up as a place to connect with old school friends.

I joined FR in 2003, and GR soon after (although my profile says I joined GR in 2004).

I had many friends in FR who joined in the very early days, and what I say comes from them.

FR was free to join, to set up your profile, and to connect with others. To this end, there was also a Members Book where one could leave messages.

However, 9/11 happened, and the Members Book turned out to be a place where a number of members congregated to pass on information as events unfolded (most of them have family members who had been travelling at the time and "whereabouts" were unknown, so it was very much a support group). Some of my friends have said they were posting on there for over 24 hours .............. and it was in the year or so after that, that FR set up proper Boards.

I've assumed that GR's Boards were set up for member connections after they had worked out the way to do it on FR.

As someone else who visited Shoreditch (2012).....I'd specifically asked about being able to revert to the Grandfather rate after the year's free upgrade.

Here is what was said in the exchange of emails

"Once this subscription ends I will restore your standard subscription for you and ensure you continue to pay the correct price."

Now you and I could assume it refered to the Grandfather rate. On the other hand, there's enough wriggle room to argue that it meant "the correct (standard) price" current after the year was up.

After 8yrs and 16 auto renewal payments:

My current payment is exactly 99p less than my first.

Based on todays rate, my last payment made at the end of June works out at 4p less than a brand new customer who takes out a 6 monthly sub

That's what GR call a loyalty discount?

Like Margaret, I always auto - renew and can't see why there is a big deal about it. Every three years or thereabouts I get a message telling me to check if my card has expired so I just go in and update the details. Mine for this year is

You have been billed £8.96 GBP for a 12 month Standard membership.

Sylvia, Rollo seemed to be suggesting that GR had once been free in all areas.

I do know that it is free to register and all that you list. I have been a member since 2003.

:-)

Still, Scozz seems to have lost this thread

It was still Genes Connected when I joined in 2003 Joy but you had to pay to make contact with other members. No records then, just trees and forums. the latter of which I didn't use until about 2005.

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/genealogy_chat/thread/1281935

I remember paying £5 - to contact someone. It was Friends Reunited that was free.

You can still be a free member of GR ............. that allows you to build your tree.

You can also read pots on all the Boards ................... as can anyone who clicks on GR or sees a reference via Google. Hence why helpers give all the warnings about his site not being a safe site. ANYTHING you post may find its way onto Google.

A free member cannot initiate a contact with any other member, nor can they post on the Board.

If you do not pay your sub, you are dropped down to the free level, your tree stays, and you can maintain contact with anyone already in your contact list, but you cannot initiate new contacts.

I think the majority of members are still free members

Re the lack of advertising - it seems to disappear when there was some sort of trouble with the site. Can't remember the exact reaction but response time improved when Ads were dropped.

When was GR free?


Right at the beginning, Island, when it was Genes Connected in 2002.

When was GR free?

The best thing they could do with the site is a reversion to free, no records and move all the records members to FMP. Site traffic would pick up and they might even be able to sell some advertising. This won't happen 'cos they have opted for FB.

As it is GR is on a road to nowhere. At a guess the more people who leave the better from a D C Thompson point of view as they are bound to keep the site going ( on a shoestring) by the terms of the takeover.

I registered in 2003 and subbed in 2005. I certainly haven't been 'grandfathered'! not that I am complaining about paying 8.96 but that isn't what I paid to join.

I can see that most of you have been members for longer than me.
I joined in 2008 but my sub at £8.95 only covers 6 months.
= £17.90 PA

GR pricing policy leaves a lot to be desired!