CAT Subscriptions

[Gingerbear]

I think this is reasonable and fair that we should pay £5 for the ability to CAT.
Done my deed this morning.

yes I have started doing that too, set up a hotmail account specifically for it as it is quicker than CATs

I do think if you want to use CAT then charging is fair enough.

Hey MN towers why not keep the voluntary subs too? I would happily pay both as I'm sure would some others who use mn a lot.

well, I'm being unreasonable , I suppose , but I've paid a subscription, which is more than can be said for many people who use the site (OK, I know many people can't afford a sub, and I'm not knocking them), and now MN is saying you can't CAT unless you pay even more. I dunno, just preferred it the way it was, and would have liked to see a bit of a discussion before the change.

Wonder what effect it will have on the For Sale forum?

It's only the same as registering on friends reunited.

probably not much, after all advertising large amounts on here (as some people do, and will only go on the the buy/sell boards) works out cheaper over the year than ebay.

I once registered on FR and the one person I wanted to contact didn't reply to me!

But presumably everyone who would want to buy would have to pay £5 to contact you? Or would they simply declare interest and then you CAt them?

just wondering if there is some kind of legal issue about taking "donations" if you are a profit-making organisation.

(or it might be that significantly more people CAT than voluntarily subscribe)

or both

imho either is fair enough

I paid subs a couple of months ago and I'm a bit miffed that I'll have to pay to CAT as the only times I've used it are to contact people who post on the Wanted board. I haven't asked for money for the stuff I've sent out so it would probably put me off TBH.

Well I can't afford £5 at the mo so if anyone is waiting for a cat from me, sorry, I can't contact you .

Do agree with the principle though.

Hi All,

Sorry no mums around (off giving birth in one case, taking kids to school etc in others). The £5 is just to send (anyone can receive) and is for one year not per message. If you are someone who's already paid a voluntary sub, drop us an email [email protected] and we'll enable you to send without the fiver.

Lossa love,
Tech

ooooh! Who's giving birth? Can you say???

Hi All,
Very sorry, we meant to post our note up here first thing for those of you who've elected not to receive mails, but my fault - general mayhem on a domestic level prevented me from logging on till now (quick question: if my seven year old behaves like a teenager now does that mean when she's a teenager she'll act like a mature twenty-something?). Anyway thanks Misdee for putting up the note. To clarify
We've introduced a £5 annual charge to send Cats - not to receive - and at the same time scrapped voluntary subs. The charge is in effect as of now - if you click on CAT link you'll be asked to pay.
We can understand that some folks who might recently have paid subs feel a bit aggrieved. Please do [email protected] if you're one and we'll certainly consider your case!
Many thanks and apologies again for the late start.
Mumsnet Towers

oops thanks tech - you old son of a gun you beat me to it there. (Carrie's in hospital right now - we'll keep you posted)

oops again - must drop my Christmas name - chaos you see

I can completely see the logic behind this. Every time you CAT, someone at Mumsnet towers has to receive your message, read it to check it's not offensive, check that the recipient will accept CATS and then forward it on. It's not an automatic process but actually takes extra time - which I'm more than happy for the team to charge for.
As people said, you can put your e-mail address on here, (I've done it loads and never had any spam) save Mumsnet Towers the hassle, and save yourself the fiver.

TECH!!!

That link you have given below seems to send emails to carries address, and I've just had an automated response saying she's on maternity leave- can you change it so that contactus emails go to someone else?

For those of us who might never ask for a CAT, but still want to contribute (alothough I suspect it is ages since I last contributed ), would it not still be worthwhile keeping the voluntary subsription option - but make it clear that that would be in addition to the CAT charge?

It seems a fair amount. Not one I can necessarily pay at this point (bloody students eh?) but if I need to desparately I might endeavour to persuade DH to cough up.

I have to say that I really send a CAT and don't tend to ask people to CAT me anyway - I always put an e-mail address instead (separated out with brackets).

Doh! I have paid my £5 and paid voluntary subs. I still don't mind though, as Mumsnet is my best friend at times.

I think this £5 charge is completely fair and reasonable.
Tbh I actually like it. I do use CAT from time to time, and am very grateful for the service. Now I will be able to use it without feeling guilty that I'm causing extra work for already busy people!

IMHO I would really really really like it if those on the FOR SALE board only had to pay something towards MNet

If they come in chat etc then IMHO that is different it is just those who use MNet like a free EBAY

They make me

oooooops that came out wrong

I have NO problem with paying for CAT or subs

I just wish those that use FOR SALE like a free ebay should pay