How do you tell?

If someone is

A subscriber or not?

I received an email from somone who has only posted a few pictures in the plants database, they've never posted as far as I can tell. They want to trade Daylilies with me. They want me to send my list, then they'll send theirs.... I had someone do that to me not that long ago, I sent a partial list, and never heard from them again.

Needless to say, I'm a little confused as to why someone would privately email me and ask to trade instead of putting in the plant trading forum that they'd like to trade DL's????

Maybe I'm just sensitive after what happened last year, but I found it odd.

Melissa

This message was edited Feb 24, 2004 2:23 PM

Melissa, go to their memberpage. if they're a subscriber, they'll have an icon that says "Dave's Garden subscriber" next to their name and info.

Thank you Terry!

You're talking about this emblem?? It's under my name on my page.

This person didn't have that emblem under their name, and I didn't see any text on the page that said they were a subscriber...

OK, so I'm guessing the reason they don't post for trades is that they can't see any replies to their post?
I think I might reply something to the effect of I don't trade with non subscribers....


Would it be something to consider to make it impossible for non subscribers to email others??

Well, Dave probably could prohibit non-subscribers from sending emails, but I don't think we want to do that for a couple important reasons:

1) Many subscribers start out as members, and because of the warm responses and great information they find here, they choose to subscribe.

2) Non-subscribed members can (and should) be able to email companies to request catalogs (via the Watchdog), and to email others with questions and requests. (Many other members wouldn't like to have this form of communication cut off.)

When you receive an email message through DG you have a choice to reply or not.

Another option is to put a note on your homepage that you will only trade with subscribers. (You may want to consider doing SASE's with non-subscribers, assuming you get their postage upfront.)

When one gets an email through DG, there is that paragraph about it being done privately. Is it possible that the emailer's subscription status could be put in that? When the email comes it could say "This person is a subscriber" or "This person is not a subscriber?" Maybe that would help simplify the question for those of us getting emails.

LimeyLisa Kay

Lisa, it already does. Tho that was a recent developement.

It only says if it's a subscriber, doesn't say anything if it's not a subscriber.

I occasionally get an email from a non-subscriber ... I don't respond, because if I do, then (and only then) they will have my email addy.

I hate to be rude - not responding- but I am fed up with the spam problem. If it's not a subscriber, I know nothing at all about them. It could be a spam-list monger, trying to get targeted email addy's to sell ... (yes, I'm paranoid. If you got the spam that I get, you would be too.) A subscriber (even one I've never seen on the boards before) has made at least a small commitment to the community, giving them a bit more credibility, in my mind.

So, I end up feeling guilty for ignoring what most likely was a legitimate request. *sigh* It almost makes me wish for some kind of messaging system at DG ... almost. ;-)

Cheri'

Am I wrong in my thinking that non-subscribers can only see the first message in a post? Or are there forums where they can see the entire thread? I guess wondering where the warm replies are that they do get to see.

I do realize that I have a choice not to reply. I have some of the same concerns that Cheri does... plus, to me it seems like someone sitting on this site, who legitimately wants to trade would pay the 15 dollars and subscribe. It would more than pay for itself in a few trades.

I didn't see anything at the bottom of the email that said it was a subscriber or not. I got the email yesterday. I do agree with Lisa that it would be simple if that text would be added to the emails.

I guess I really just found it odd that someone would ask to make a trade with someone they've never "talked" to in the forums.... they might be a really nice person, but we don't know that because they don't participate.

I have had some very nice trades with non subscribers..You can reply to the email or choose to ignore it..Also, I have often emailed privately instead of posting on the forums..
Larkie

It just scares me a little. I did respond to the person through the site, and encouraged them to join.... maybe if there was some dialog between us I"d feel better. I know that there is no guarantee that a subscriber will always be an honest trader either...

Non-subscribers can

1) read the FAQ threads in their entirety (and perhaps post to them - I'm not 100% sure without checking);

2) participate in the weekly voting booth and thread (and many of them do); and

3) post to and read the threads associated with PDB images - whether their own or others.

As to the other forums, they are either completely blocked from view, or non-subscribers can see only the first post (and they can't post to any of them.)

To be honest, I have from time to time contacted people here and at GardenWeb for trades - some of whom I already *knew* through discussion threads, but many I didn't. I expected that some of my requests would go unanswered, and some did. It's just part of the trading scene, and I doubt anyone takes it too hard if they don't hear back.

Being a subscribed member is no guarantee that someone will be a good trader, any more than NOT subscribing is a sure-sign they're a bad trader. The best advice I can give you is to simply go with your gut. If you want to trade, but have doubts, then do a SASE only - and get the postage upfront.

You can also get into the Test forum without being a subscriber.
One of the many reasons I joined was due to someone trading with me before I subscribed, it was an sase but after seeing all the info here that I couldn't get into, the fun it looked like everyone was having and the genuine goodwill is what made me drool to get in here. I agree there should be something easier than going to the members list to look someone up and the next time I get an email from a subscriber Ill check that out as she said at the bottom of the email it says if they are a subscriber but nothing if its a member.
So far Ive only had one member who contacted me one time and never got back to me(not that there have been alot) but Ive had one or two others who Ive done a sase with and told them I couldn't wait for them to join too.

HEY!! The spell checker works!

I have gotten emails through DG from non subscribers and have always tried to respond to them.

One woman emailed me after I posted asking for help with a virus on the computer forum. She found the question as the result of a google search on that same virus. After reading my question, but not being able to read the responses, she emailed me several links to sites that addressed the problems I was having. So in that instance it was a non member giving assistance to a paid member!

I was a nonsubscriber for some time until I really learned about this site and its value. I became a subscriber to help pay for the cost of maintaining this wonderful site and to, in small part, pay for all of the information I have received. After subscribing, I started uploading plant photos and providing information to assist with enlarging the database to "pay back" for all that I have learned and perhaps assist others.

I have received emails from subscribers and nonsubscribers whom have all been exceedingly nice, friendly and interesting people. Some were discussing trades, some were asking information about plants I had posted, some were thanking me for providing information on a particular plant and some were giving me information. I have welcomed all the email I have received. Most of them were people with whom I had not chatted before. I have enjoyed meeting people from all over and sharing experiences.

I think blocking nonsubscribers totally out would discourage them from becoming subscribers. What does paying the fee change about the person's basic integrity ... nothing. A nonsubscriber would have to post his/her email address openly on this site for all the world to see. I received an email from a nonsubscriber notifying me that one of my photos I posted here has been selected to be published in a book if I give my permission. I could not have received all of the information in a post on this site and I do not think that the contact person would have posted his email address.

The only advantage to having only subscribers able to email is that the person can be traced, but only if the information provided when they signed up is correct. To infer that nonsubscribers are not as reliable as subscribers would be a little unfair in my opinion. Spammers usually get your email address through other means. I have never had a spam from anything involved with this site. It is up to the individual whether they answer the email or not which I think it is the way it should be.