Genealogy Chat

Re -
comparing it with the pricing on other websites that offer genealogy services together with the prices for 'off the shelf' software solutions for family tree building etc.
and
We've taken into consideration that many of our members undertake genealogy as a project and that 6 months is a useful membership term for people.

- I would be interested to know with which sites they compared GR and why they thought six months would be an adequate time in which to research one's family. Also, until moderators are used on the site (as they are on every other site that I use), then, no, I do not think it good value for money.

This appears correct, and echose several threads on the subject in recent weeks.

The current system came into play around Feb this year. For longer standing members to keep their 12 month sub, It matters not that you are on continuous membership, as long as you renew within the 28 period of grace.

I think the thing that annoys most is that once you have lost your 12 month sub, there is no way of getting it back and you are stuck with a 6 month one.

It might be better public relations point of view to offer, say, the second renewal for 12 months as a loyalty bonus.

Re differing rates I am in the process of trying to find out from GR just what is going on.

In reply to my first e mail, asking for specific information as to the different price structures, I received the following information from GR Support Team today Friday 16 November 07.

"Thank you for your email.

I'm sorry that you've felt the need to complain. We have recently being reviewing the price for a Genes Reunited subscription and comparing it with the pricing on other websites that offer genealogy services together with the prices for 'off the shelf' software solutions for family tree building etc. We want to continue to offer our members the best tools and value possible for their family history research so last year we completely rebuilt our family tree, offering new tree views, better printing and more space for notes and photos. We are also working on a brand new message centre for our members as well as introducing new records and new search tools into the site. To attract new people to Genes we've also decided to advertise much more. We hope that we'll attract thousands of new people to the site who will begin their family trees to provide all our members with the contacts needed for you to get more matches for your tree. Therefore we decided on £9.95 for 6 months for new members. We've taken into consideration that many of our members undertake genealogy as a project and that 6 months is a useful membership term for people.

If a member's annual membership has lapsed for more than 4 weeks, they will also be charged £9.95 for 6 months.

We believe that Genes Reunited is excellent value for money and hope that you enjoy using the site.

Best regards,

Estelle
The Genes Support Team"


I am now awaiting a reply to the following mail that I sent Friday 16 November 07.

"Thank you for your feedback regarding the different rates on GR. I understand what you are saying about new members paying £9.95 for six months, and I also appreciate the fact that as I had let my GR subscription go beyond 4 months before renewal that you had to charge me the new rate of £9.95 for the first six months.

I paid £9.95 the beginning of June 2007, to go through to the beginning of December 2007, and when my membership comes up for renewal in early December 2007, you have asked me to pay a further £9.95 for the next six months, which will take me through to June 2008, by which time I will have paid £19.90 for the year. Are you therefore intending to charge me £19.90 pence for each year that I belong to GR, for the foreseeable future? Is this annual charge of £19.90 pence being paid by all members of GR, or just by all members who are joining as from about June 2007?

If the annual charge is to be £19.90, then do you not think that all members should be aware of the real charge they will have to pay? By talking about a charge of £9.95 for six months, I would consider this as "Spin", and that you are misrepresenting the true facts. Why do you not tell your customers that the charge is £19.90 annual fee, which is very different to most of the Family History Organisations that I belong to at a rate of about £12 per year and to which I have far better material access than ever found on GR. Most people will want to join for more than six months, so are you being fair to them to illustrate your costs in this way at six months at a time?

As I will have access to building a tree on GR, whether I continue to subscibe to GR or not, and as people will still be able to contact me, though I will not be able to initiate contact, I am slightly puzzled as to why I need to pay to belong to GR at all? "

Janet

Janet North London Borders

I paid £9.95 for six months the last time I renewed even though I argued that as an existing member I should pay £9.95 for 12 months - got nowhere with that. It doesn't seem particularly fair to charge different rates for the same facility.
Barbara

I renewed today, 15th November, and was expecting a problem as my credit card had run out. But unexpectedly was able to change the card or pay by paypal and still only pay £9.95 for 12 months

My membership ran out in August after six months and I was advised that to renew was £9.95 for six months.

I didn't think that was fair because some people got 12 months for their £9.95, so I didn't renew.

After a couple of months, they emailed me and offered six months for £7.50 which I took.

I still think they should charge everyone the same price though.

Hi Christine I paid £9 95 couple of months ago renew March dont know how much will be next.all new to me Fay

The pricing structure changed around Jan/Feb of this year. If you joined after that date you pay £9.95 for 6 months. If you joined before that date then it's £9.95 for a year unless you have a break in you membership in which case you pay £9.95 for 6 months.

Geraldine Full member until - 16 Nov 07 Renew now ...

Watch this space....I too have continuous membership.
Havent a clue how much i'm going to be charged yet.

Geraldine.

My renewal is due shortly, they emailled me to say it is £7.95 for the next 12 months.

Duncan

I renewed my annual subscription on the 1st and it was £9.95.

Hi Kath
Thanks for your help. This is my first 6 month renewal on continuous membership, have e mailed them for more details, be interesting to see what they come back with, if it's earthshattering will let everyone know.
Thanks again
Jackie

I'm not certain but I think it is £9.95p for both 6 months and 12 months depending on whether you have continuous membership and are a long standing member (don't know what they class as long standing).

Kath. x

My subscription to GR is due. Seem to remember some discussion on varying charges on tips board. Could anyone please tell me what the prices should be apprx. for 6 or 12 months subs.
Thanks
Jackie