Basic Membership = Illegal Alien

Hello fellow SL citizens!

I've been in SL now since 1-10-08 and have certainly enjoyed my time here. I've truly felt like I am a part of the community. In my short time I've opened 3 galleries (I'm even operating in the black not the red), I'm featured for one month in Cetus, I've got lots of close friends, and even a special someone .

It's the SL dream!

But wait, I'm only a Basic Member. I'm not really "one of you". This was really thrown in my face with the horrible release of the most irresponsible update I've experienced in any game. I cannot submit a trouble ticket. I am not worthy of getting help from the Lindens.

At first I sort of understood that only paying members get this (privilege/right?). But soon it occurred to me that I'm not some deadbeat here. I contribute. I have 3 stores that I pay rent at. I have sales that required the customers to somehow obtain L$. I have improved SL by my mere presence here. I have helped others keep their interest in the game. I use the L$ that I earn from my sales to buy other things from other merchants. I AM AN ACTIVE AND VIABLE CITIZEN OF THE SECOND LIFE EXPERIENCE. Dare I say... I AM SOMEBODY!!!

And honestly, I think all of us "Basic Memberships" are, as are all of the Citizens in SL.

But instead, we have no rights. We are like the invisible workforce in the United States labeled Illegal Aliens. We can be here and participate, we can contribute, but we have no voice when we need help from those in charge (ironic since most of the time we need help it's because of something that someone in charge has done).

So here's me, this humbled Illegal Alien in SL. I am standing on a virtual corner shouting with a megaphone until the authorities make me disappear. We need to be represented! We do count. If we have tech issues, we need the same access as all the "paying" customers.

If I thought the servers could handle it, I'd organize a march!

Sorry if that was over the top but I think all of us deserve the same respect and courtesy from Linden Labs.

Feel free to comment.......here it comes LOL

I'm not a paying member since I own no mainland and I kinda like being an alien

You not being able to submit a trouble ticket likely just means you will reach the same likely conclusion (they cant help you) faster than a premium member.

Since you don't actually list your trouble here that I saw? Not sure if this is the case. Still since you rent land the land owner should be able to submit a ticket for you.

I don't think it had anything to do with what class citizens people were .. I think it was entirely about the population of SL soaring far beyond the ability of technical support to cope (the tech department didn't scale)

Well I certainly am not inspired to be come a paying member after this last update. I think I'm going to remain an Illegal Alien as well =)

HAHA....I kind of got the same feeling. All the same though I feel as though I should at least be able to submit one. I was a bit offended to see that I cannot because I'm not a "paying" member.

I listed my troubles in the tech forums, this was just my outlet to vent a little.

Concierge and Premium members pay Linden Lab directly...that makes us better.

Though I've never had the need to contact LL support for any reason, I (and probably many others) understand your plight.

If I wanted to locate my business on a mainland sim, I wouldn't hesitate in signing up for premium. However, I rather like my nearly 1/4 sim's worth of private estate land that I currently rent.

Perhaps one day...

Since I'm not a Prem, I've never expected anything from LL or felt entitled. Less stressful that way.
When and if I need help, I come here to RA - Quick and friendly help.

Like Ann said, it's who you pay (DIRECTLY) who will listen to you. I've even called last year and got a live operator who walked me through, trouble shooting an issue; then again, I pay LL directly for my membership. It’s like anything else; if I get the free or open source version of anything, then the only help I should expect would be in the Knowledge Base, or in the forums. If I buy the premium version of anything, then I would expect to get my money's worth. Don't get me wrong, many open source programming are still set up to where you can make and spend money with them; why would LL be any different from other companies who offer open source and premium versions of the same software? You should consider yourself fortunate they don’t charge for ALL membership accounts.

I was mostly joking, Graph.

But, yes, our direct dollars do equate to extra support, which may or may not actually be helpful.

Sorry to be contrarian here, but if you want technical support you need to become a premium member. Why should you expect the same level of service (or any service for that matter) from a company that you don't financially support? It has nothing to do with LL making a judgment about whether or not you're an asset to the community. That's completely beside the point. They have to limit the costs of providing support and also ensure that they can provide adequate support to their paying members (who are vastly outnumbered by those who pay nothing). You can become a premium member for $72 a year, which is far cheaper than you can join pretty much any other mmog ($30-45 for the boxed product, $9.95-$14.95 monthly fee). If you want support, pay for it. You can't demand something for nothing.

What about people like me? I buy L$ from LL, I've given them money. Sure, they don't just get all of it but..wait..yeah they do in the end.. but really, there's no reason to completely get rid of support for non-paying people.

I'm all fine and dandy with them saying 'No chat support' or 'No phone support' even, but absolutely no support makes no sense to me. (Or can you do phone? In any case it's not nearly as useful)

Sure, give premium accounts faster responses, access to live support, etc, but to totally screw people who aren't paying for membership seems a bit much to me.

A lot of companies will support this kind of situation and expense it as presale support. Ignoring these client side software issues makes it less likely they can convert basics into premiums. It makes some sense to limit support for in-world problems, but this is different.

I ALMOST consider going premium sometimes... Then I realize how fine things are just by being broke and homeless. To each their own. I have actually lost monies in a borked purchase of hair lately. I just shrug it off. Oh well... My loss... I'll find another, maybe nicer hair later and maybe find a way to pay for it. (^_^)

If you want support, expect to pay for it. SL isn't a tax funded public service after all. Or, actually, 'tax' goes straight to the Lindens so that they can afford to offer the support. (=_=)

Is SL even MAKING monies right now? (o.o)

I've seen this answer given way too many times and I can't think of anything more inaccurate. Do you think that piddly monthly fee you pay to LL is what keeps them afloat? I do not pay a montly fee to LL because I do not own mainland, however, I do pay rent to someone who does and I'm sure the percentage of what I pay her that goes twordes her tier fee is more than the monthly fee to own mainland.

So I'm considered less important? Your answer makes little to no sense from a financial perspective.

Below is Linden's explanation of why Support is a tiered model, per the Blog.



Note that there's also a 3rd level of service: Concierge Accounts, which have the following additional level of service:

With the exception of a very tiny percentage of L$ on the LindeX that's sold directly by LL, most of the time you buy L$ you're buying them from another resident and it's the resident who's profiting from the sale. LL collects a small fee to cover administration. Buying L$ isn't the same thing as being a paying member. It doesn't cover what it costs LL to provide you with access to SL. That cost is wholly subsidized by premium members. Given that, should they really have to wait in line behind you in the support queue?

But they do get SOME money. And you'll notice I actually said give premies faster responses and whatnot, so they wouldn't be 'waiting in line' behind freebies at all. I'd say hmm..if there is a super quick problem from a freebie, and one from a premie, help the premie within 1-2 days, and the freebie maybe 5-7 days. For a super-quick problem. Since we all know that support is never actually fast.

You gave them money in exchange for L$ (most of which goes to another resident btw, not LL).

Buying a product doesn't entitle you to full-range support, the most you can expect is support for your purchase (which you do get).

If you have a new fridge delivered and installed you can't expect that they'll fix your washing machine at the same time just because that store happens to sell those as well. You paid for the fridge/L$ only and that's what you get, nothing more.

People buy lindens from LL some buy more then the cost of a premium membership but live on private islands who also pay money to LL (I am one of those people) my basic membership costs me 48 bucks a month! I dont live on mainland land and asside from iffy technical support I still pay 48 bucks a month which then gets paid AGAIN to LL by the landbaron so just from me existing LL makes close to 100 bucks just from me. If i lived on mainland land they probably would make less so your point is moot. Many pay something and get nothing in return. I pay LL 48 bucks per to get no support from them. You want me to pay more? that's already more then a premium membership cost right there.

I pay LL about 48-50 bucks a month for lindens which then go to a land baron then that land baron turns around and pays the lindens I just bought from LL BACK to LL by selling them to another person to pay RENT to LL. So yeah I give nothing to LL.. yeah that's it... /endsarcasm

Yes, you are the SL equivalent of an illegal alien.

You're working here, making a living. Good for you.

You want government benefits? Get your citizenship and pay your taxes.

I pay mine, and it's little enough I get for them. I have no desire to spread what little services are available even thinner for the likes of you.

(And yes, if you were wondering...my comment applies to the OP and SL, and to RL.)

Maytag! XD

from looking at it my taxes are somewhat higher then yours in the real world higher tax bracket means the same as everyone else. YOu get government help... However remember that LL is not the government here they are simply a service provider. Who people pay from what is looks like in some cases more money then you do in order to get no service. Unless LL sits and judges each case individually its going to be pretty hard to tell. In any event here is the thing. This guy results in someone else paying LL money his existance means that land baron can pay rent. That land baron would not be paying any taxes if it wasn't for people renting his land and LL would make less money. So he is in the private industry and not part of some public system. The USA has a two tier system anyhow if we want to apply your logic I would say that people on premium are on the lower tier and those who are paying more for less are on the upper tier and so technically should have access to the better stuff

Wilhelm, perhaps you should demand technical support from your landlord? They're the one profiting from your land payments, and whover you buy L$ from is profiting from your LindeX purchase. LL opened up a big can of worms when they allowed estate owners to rent out their land to other residents. I'm sure it helps them sell private islands, but in other ways it's cutting off their nose to spite their face because it raises exactly these types of issues. Perhaps LL should offer a lower premium tier that doesn't include the right to own land or a stipend but allows you basic support that would be more suitable for renters.

I gotta roll with Chip on this one. The cost of support can break any company fast. And, it doesn't matter if premiums get 'quicker' support than a npiof. All this would do is create a backlog and pissed off people. Because....that backlog will grow until it cannot be handled effectively. This is then followed by mis-use and abuse of the system. People sending in multiple support tickets because their first ticket was not answered in 'THEIR' idea of a reasonable time scheme.

I guess the best analogy I can give is -- What ifs the Supermarket were to start giving away free Porterhouse Steaks tomorrow? Think of the ramifications there. Store being rushed, no steaks available, people getting pissed. Which will lead to -- counterfeit steaks, steaks of lesser quality, rancid product -- All of this to give something away for free.

Besides, if you are a successful business person with 3 stores. You're taking money out. But, you don't want to contribute to the community and you want all the same rights? Pffffffffft

Might as well just start asking for concierge rights. *Sorry Desmond -- I apologize Caledon is down but we're removing money pyramids from a few 512 sqm parcels -- Can ya give us a few days?*

(Sorry Des -- you and you 35 regions popped to mind on that one Big Fan!!)

CC