GenesReunited - Unauthorised annual subscription set up and money taken out

[Sloe Gin]

Back when I joined GR, it was simply a place to upload a family tree and contact other members who might have the same individuals.  That's all I've ever used it for, and I rarely visit now.  Very occasionally someone contacts me through GR.  Once in a blue moon it's been very worthwhile.

The only reason I am still a member is that it costs me less than £9 a year.  If they ever increase my payment they won't see me for dust.  I guess it's worth it to them to keep all us old members in the database. 

Do note that the £8.96 rate doesn't give access to any records.  All you can do is search for names in other members' trees, view the results and contact the member.  You can't see the tree unless and until the member allows you to.

[BumbleB]

As  I pointed out in #1 - you receive an e-mail about a fortnight before renewal is due and you are given the option to cancel  (including instructions on how to do it), which I think is good. 

And surely it is more ethical to ensure that faithful customers receive the benefits for their loyalty.

As someone who has subscriptions to Ancestry and FindMyPast, it really gets to me when non-subscribers are offered free weekends, etc.     A real kick in the teeth. 

[chris_49]

Fair point BumbleB, but I understand why Ancestry & FindMyPast want to give folks a taster. Not as bad as the companies that disreward loyalty straight out.

Sloegin, it varies. I had no enquiries on GR for 10 months, then I get 4 in a month. Go figure. Mind you, Ancestry has shown a similar pattern recently.

I've just about stopped messaging anybody on either as no-one seems to reply. I think I figured it out - a lot of these people are lapsed, or no longer with us, and it suits these companies to keep the trees up so you can find more matches.

[bevj]

I'm still a standard member (free) on GR and still have a fairly large tree there which I update from time to time.
I haven't had a match or a message for over three years.  As I understand it, trees are never deleted unless the owners themselves remove them.  and there is no way of knowing when a specific member last logged in.
I think the site is basically unmanned and the one or two employees who are supposed to keep an eye on it log in once every six months!
It might be cheap compared with other sites, but if you get nothing for your money, it's still not worth it.  And the problem with the differing subscription rates is/was the lack of transparency:  some member would say how much they were paying for the coming year and it didn't seem to coincide with anyone else!  It was almost as if the rates were picked out of a hat at random.
Bev

[Speedwell]

But I didn't Pauline J.  I made two Pay Per View purchase but purposely never signed up for a subscription.

[davidft]

I have deleted my original post as it appears to have upset ozigal.

I offered what I thought was positive and constructive advice but apparently not  (still as it has been quoted by others you can still see it if you want).

I have my suspicions about the opening post but as I can not prove them I will let that go.

I just think its sad that people bad mouth a commercial organisation whilst they are apparently "still in the process" of sorting it out. What happens if GR says our mistake here's your refund will this whole thread be removed. And perhaps more pertinently what if GR says they are right and explains why, will the OP come back and say so?


I regret ever getting involved in this thread. You just cannot help some people.

[Mart 'n' Al]

I strongly believe that any of the major companies would correct and refund any dispute to protect their relationships.

Martin

[~buttons~]

edit: my apologies

[majm]

But I didn't Pauline J.  I made two Pay Per View purchase but purposely never signed up for a subscription.

May I suggest -

If you feel that what you say is true then contact GR and tell them. They will investigate and either find you are correct and refund the amount paid or find you are wrong and explain to you why.

A more positive course of action than posting here where no one can resolve the issue for you.

davidft … AND MAY I SUGGEST that you don't jump to conclusions AND you re read the OP's original post that states they were in the process of sorting this out (prior to posting here)

Wow,  well, you see,  I read the opening post when it was first posted, before anyone replied.  I have read it through just now.   I was concerned the first time I read it... Wow I thought,  ... and I am NOT a member of GR ... but wow, that's a tough comment being made ... GR or any organisation needs to be given opportunity to reply BEFORE they made that post...    BUT on the other hand, they are trying to alert us all to a possible rip off...   

Now, after re-reading, I am shocked at all the harshness .... RChat's threads are readily found via the usual Google search engines, and posts on the Common Room board are frequented by RChatters from around the globe.   

JM