Can PM on MN?

[barkfox]

Sorry, this may be really obvious, and I'm just missing it -

If I want to send or receive a private message to (from) another mumsnetter on talk, is that possible? I know there's a 'mates' function, I'm wondering how that works and if it might help. Obv I don't want to post my e-mail address anywhere on the site.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, barkfox, we do have a system for contacting another Mumsnetter - it's called CAT and it runs on an annual subscription basis.

Basically, you pay £5 and then you can contact anyone you like over the course of a year.

Most Mumsnetters are happy to receive CATs but there is an option to block them, so we can't guarantee that every CAT you send will be delivered.

If you'd like to find out more about CAT and see how to sign up to it, please look here

Thank you - so it's a secure way to send someone my e-mail details, is that right? So we can correspond 'off piste'. It's not like, for example, messaging someone on Facebook, which you can do 'within' Facebook, without using e-mail?

(that's not necessarily a problem, I'm just making sure I understand it!)

Yes, the only person who will see your message is the person receiving it and the duty person at MNHQ.

We read 'em before we send 'em, just to make sure no one's trying to send abusive/weirdy messages to anyone else.

Heh - yes, that makes sense - many thanks for the prompt help, I'll have a go at setting it up now.

Okay, so I've set up the CAT thing okay, I think - however, when I try and send a message to the MNetter I want to, it says there's no talk user with that name.

I know she namechanged for the thread we were on, as it was a tricky subject - I'm wondering if she's gone back to her original talk name, and that might be why her name isn't recognised?

I don't know. I also don't want to disclose her original name on a public thread to resolve things, cos I'm assuming she had good reasons to go anonymous in the 1st place!

Any help much appreciated. TIA.

barkfox - try CATting her under her new nickname

That's the problem - I don't know what it is. she namechanged for a thread to hide her 'identity'. As I don't know what name she usually uses, and asking her what it is on the thread she namechanged for seems a bit daft! I guess I can't find out - she can't message me unless she pays for CAT and I can't message her cos I don't know what her original/current name is. O well.