General Chat

The only "break" in my subscription was when I received it as a gift.

The method of payment shouldn't make any difference... it was paid!!

And....... if my memory is working..... the only year they used the auto renewal (which I thought was switched off), they used a credit card that had been cancelled!

I've had enough of their faffing about.

:-\

Mine was renewed in March for £8.96 for the year, been continuous apart from a glitch when gr used old card details that had expired but somehow got the money. This year they tried to charge full price as those details wouldn't play ball, but I had given them up to date details previously so things were finally sorted.

Lizx

Haven't heard from them. I guess they're not bothered that someone who has been a member for over 10 years is unhappy with them.



:-S

a few bob difference here and there is preposterous but keeping subs low is a way to keep members - if it's a cheap deal why risk being charged double?

I don't blame you for not renewing as a matter of principle Scozz but you will be missed - in all honesty though, I don't think it's worth it for Chat. I don't use the records on here and only renew (8.96 pa this time) as I find 'members trees' useful occasionally - not for contact but because the listings can provide new leads.

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!

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.

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.

When was GR free?

When was GR free?


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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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