Question about purchased membership - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

jandesmoines · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2005

I don't see any other place to ask this question, since it seems only the "team" has authority to post under the announcement topic (where there is at least a relevant post) -- so here goes:

Is there a separate area for those with purchased memberships to download items, or is the only download that upgraded members receive the one that they get through the store when they purchase the membership?

If there is a separate area, how is it accessed? (This was the impression that was conveyed in a chat here within the last couple of months, by the way - the designer who said that and recommended membership will go unnamed, though - I don't believe she intended to intentionally mislead anyone.)

If there isn't such an area, I have a number of suggestions about cleaning up the language that is used in various places around the site to clarify the whole thing.

By the way, I'm just trying to figure things out, and I don't think it's very clear anywhere.

On top of the confusion about a member area is the fact that it says you get a discount coupon as part of your purchase, but when you open that coupon, it says it is only good until April 5 (4 months ago). I understand the product the coupon is for is now on sale, but either the coupon (and mention of it) should be removed, or it should be replaced with a coupon for an equivalent current (or upcoming) product.

It just doesn't seem like this whole thing has been thought through, or looked at very carefully....at least not for a long time. Members programs are ongoing, and need to be periodically reviewed and updated, IMHO. They also need a fairly high priority in a business structure such as this. But perhaps you've just equated it with any other purchase from the store? It's kind of hard to tell....

I'll be interested in your thoughts. :-)

Thanks.

shawnyrvr · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2005

I'm only a member here so some of your questions I can't answer but I can help you with one major question... The link for all the freebies your asking about are here below:
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/galle...ry.php?cat=653
This is the main elements section that is different than just the regular one, once you're a paid member... In this one section alone there are over 1500 different elements that can be downloaded for free. Whereas there are a whole lot less if you're not a paid member...

HTH some!
Blessings!

Nevermore · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2005

Sorry you are having a hard time navigating--it does take a bit of getting used to. I am not a member of the "team" but I have been kicking around quite a while and honestly, even though I suppose this is a business, it doesn't really seem so to me! More like a community. Anyway, the whole idea of paying to become a subscriber rather then being a member is relatively new and it may be that all the kinks aren't quite straightened out yet. Subscribers get everything. If you go to the Downloads (Button on the top menu), you will be able to download everything that is there in all categories listed. Under Elements, New Elements there is a subscriber's are only. There are some things that members only cannot download and I assume that this is one of them. All new subscribers want to know what they are entitled to that members are not but I think it is easier (with the current navigation set up which is admittedly not very intuitive) to look at it the other way around which is to say, you (the subscriber) get everything! And it is a whole lot of everything for the money in my humble opinion. You were not misled! The Downloads are updated constantly and are usually incrediby great quality (for the first six months of my stay here I didn't buy a single kit--I just used all the free downloads.)

I don't know about your coupon, sorry. But I have found that the "team" is pretty quick to respond to e-mails and the board members are amazingly responsive to all questions asked (I have seen people patiently reply for the tenth time to the same question asked--that is what I mean about community).

I hope this makes you feel a little more at home and a little less frustrated. Keep posting any questions here. Lots of knowledgeable and supportive people will try to help you find answers and your way around.

SAHMom · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005

I asked a similar question a few days ago in another forum and can't find it now, so I guess that was the wrong place.

I was directed to this to explain how to access the subscribers area:
http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-scrip...icle_258.shtml

But I still don't have the "subscribers" forum coming up for me. I've tried the "contact us" form in the store, but don't have a response yet.

I also don't see any more items in the regular download section that wasn't there before I paid for my subscription.

Nevermore · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005

that is a bummer Kim. I wish I had some answers for you. I am not sure what you mean by the "subscribers forum"? It is just the regular download section. Only, you are supposed to have more things in it. So, if you click Elements when you are in Downloads and then New Element Submissions, when that comes up you don't see another section that says Subscriber's Area Only?

SAHMom · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermore

So, if you click Elements when you are in Downloads and then New Element Submissions, when that comes up you don't see another section that says Subscriber's Area Only?

Right, I'm not seeing the "subscriber's area only" yet. That is the correct way to get to it though?

jandesmoines · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005

Thanks everyone -- I appreciate your detailed replies!

I guess we're in the same boat Kim -- after looking at the explanation and screenshots, I see nothing like that when I go to the download area, even when I log out and log back in. I do appreciate that link though, because I looked all over for something like that and couldn't find it.

I was just generally frustrated because I felt like the various descriptions were inconsistent (not necessarily misleading) which creates confusion. And something else I read said something about it only taking 12 -24 hours to activate. So I'm still confused, I guess, though I understand that computers are far from perfect!

I understand the community concept from our side -- I guess I also know that from the other side, it has to be viewed as a business, too. Having worked as a volunteer in an online community for 6 years, I never forget that dual nature! :-)

I'll give it until tomorrow, but then it may be worth an email, perhaps through the store? I noticed that my status next to my avatar has changed, so they've done something. I just wonder if it's a glitch, or if they haven't finished. Maybe I'll clear my cache, too, just to be sure.

Thanks again!

jandesmoines · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-2005

Well, it must have been a combination of both things, I think. I found a receipt in my email that they had just finished processing my membership, and I cleaned out the cache and logged out and logged back in - and voila! I can now see what I couldn't see 20 minutes ago!

So, I think that will keep me busy for a bit. Though I promised the boys Happy Meals tonight, too (Hot Wheels toys, you know!).

Thanks again for the help and information!
Hope yours is working now, too, Kim!