imagestation(photo site) question

[christa]

Imaginestation isn't free??? OMG! Guess I need to get to work transferring my photos . . .

I haven't seen anything saying that it wasn't free . . . I'm logged in now and don't see anything about it . . . just a place to upgrade membership. I always assumed that just gave you more room to store photos.

??? I'm confused now!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Originally posted by christa
Imaginestation isn't free??? OMG! Guess I need to get to work transferring my photos . . .

I haven't seen anything saying that it wasn't free . . . I'm logged in now and don't see anything about it . . . just a place to upgrade membership. I always assumed that just gave you more room to store photos.

??? I'm confused now!

I didn't know that too! Now I understand why I cannot see the albums from others... Where can I see when my free membership is over?

[anna_66]

I think I see what your talking about as my says the 12th also, but I think it's just for the Silver membership (I think that was a limited upgrade a while ago).

As far as I know I've never gotten an email stating that they would cancel my memebership or get rid of my pictures...I would definately be po'd if they did since I've been a memeber for about 3 years now and have thousands of pictures uploaded there!

[catcrazylady]

I use Imagestaion and like Anna I have thousands of photo's there too. I don't see anything saying the free is going to end. I think it's that Silver membership so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I don't understand the membership system. Please explain.

There are four membership plans - Basic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. There is no charge for the Basic plan. Basic plan accounts that are inactive for 12 months or more may be deactivated. Basic plan members who do not have any images in their accounts are not required to upgrade to a Silver, Gold or Platinum plan in order to continue using ImageStation. Basic plan members will not have access to original image files and will not be able to use certain premium site features. Silver Membership costs $9.99 per year and includes features and benefits described in the chart below. Gold membership costs $19.99 per year and includes a package of benefits outlined in the chart below. The Platinum membership costs $49.99 per year and includes an upgraded benefits package outlined in the chart
at >>> Membership Explained page

Existing ImageStation members who already have images stored on the site will receive a complimentary one-year Silver premium membership plan at no charge dating from 06/10/04.
This initial "free" Silver Membership will EXPIRE in JUNE, 2005.

After this date (JUNE, 2005) their account will revert to a
Basic membership plan,
unless they purchase one of the three premium membership plans.
The membership plans are very good values. Premium members receive coupons for goods valued in excess of the cost of the actual plan when they purchase a membership, as outlined in the chart.

Membership Plan = BASIC
Cost = Free
Unlimited picture storage = Yes
Access to full-size original images = No
Home printing = No

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"Requirements" for Free Basic are covered in a different question:

What happens if I don't purchase a membership plan?
What will happen to my pictures?

As you near the end of twelve months from your first image upload (or 6/10/04 if you already have images on ImageStation)
[In other words; they want you to do it in JUNE, 2005] ...

We will ask you to sign into your account and make a purchase
or choose one of the membership options.

If you choose not to upgrade your account to one of our membership plans
and have not signed into ImageStation STORE in the past 12 months
your account may be deactivated and
your images may be deleted.

------------------------------------------------------

I "think" all this mumbo-jumbo means:

In June 2004 they "gave" everyone a "free" SILVER membership;
which is NOW EXPIRING in June, 2005.

IF you have pictures stored on ImageStation;
and do not intend to PAY $10 for a Silver Membership starting in June, 2005 -
you need to BUY SOMETHING (prints, albums, gifts) from their "Store" -
OR they "MAY" delete your images!

Plain and simple - if you want to store photos on Their Site -
you have to Spend Money with them!!

IF you have photos stored,
and haven't or won't PAY for a 2005 Membership -
you'd better buy some prints - "quickly"!

Look at your "My ImageStation" Home Page -
upper right - just below the Sony / ImageStation header;
is where they say what Level you are -
and how long your membership is valid (EXpiration Date).

/s/ Phred