An important message - please read!

Mac-Guy

Well-known member
I'm sad to see the fees are that high, it's too expensive for me and being a non US member I don't think I can benefit a lot from it. I hope the collection info and swatches will still be shared in the regular section, I'd be sad to see less activity in the regular forums from now on.

I hope it's a good solution for those who share release dates and launch information, without having to worry about the evilbayers lurking.
I dare to claim that US and non-US members would benefit equally from a private section. Release dates, IMO, are the least relevant on the list. It's very easy to refresh the MAC website to check whether a collection is online or not. At least, that is what I do.

The benefit of a private section would be the access to swatches, collection names, color stories, and the discussion of all the above including what works for what complexion. This is the real issue - privileged information that is shared in a premium section - at stake.

Further, the conversion from Euro/Dollar is in your favor, thus technically, you are paying less that US members. However, I certainly do understand that some are reluctant to pay a fee. It is money after all, but if it benefits our online community, it is money well spent.
 

Naynadine

Veteran Moderator
Staff member
I dare to claim that US and non-US members would benefit equally from a private section. Release dates, IMO, are the least relevant on the list. It's very easy to refresh the MAC website to check whether a collection is online or not. At least, that is what I do.

The benefit of a private section would be the access to swatches, collection names, color stories, and the discussion of all the above including what works for what complexion. This is the real issue - privileged information that is shared in a premium section - at stake.

Further, the conversion from Euro/Dollar is in your favor, thus technically, you are paying less that US members. However, I certainly do understand that some are reluctant to pay a fee. It is money after all, but if it benefits our online community, it is money well spent.
Ach, du immer...
sigh.gif


From my understanding that is the main reason for the private section. Maybe someone can shed some light on this...
If swatches and product info will be exclusive to the premium members, what will the regular MAC section look like? I, still, highly doubt that the majority of Specktra members will sign up for a premium membership. And you can't stop people from posting their info, sharing links, etc. Specktra would be a very lonely place if all the MAC collection info and buzz would be restricted to a private section/paying members.
I don't think it means a person doesn't want to contribute to the community just because they're not willing to pay a fee (that high).

I guess we just have to wait and see how this developes.
 

Janice

Well-known member
Hi all, sorry I am at work so this will have to be brief. I've read quite a few comments and thought it would be good to touch base on a few concerns. First of all, no poor Janice's please. :) I mean that in the best way possible. While I do spend a lot of time thinking over every possible outcome of a situation, I can't be afraid to change the status quo when I see something happening on that genuinely concerns me. The forum is alive, each of your making your contributions and influences and I am sensitive to how delicate of a fabric that is. The addition of MAC Chat Premium is not an attempt to "fix" the frenzy around MAC collection launches (I love the excitement we share about this!), it's not a crusade against evilbayers (which IMO are not the problem it's made out to be, I doubt it's even 1% of our population), it is about offering you a CHOICE. It should be YOUR decision to make if you want to have a secure place to chat about collection releases. No one should be punished for wanting to talk about where they ordered their product from. No one should feel excluded because they recently joined, or have no posts, or feel too intimidated to post because they've seen others eaten alive for mentioning where they shopped. IF you want to take advantage of MAC Chat Premium as a private place to discuss collection releases, your purchases, and whatever else!, now you have that choice. If you don't choose to use MAC Chat Premium things will continue just as they are, there just won't be any fear of recrimination when you share where you purchased your latest lipstick from. This is a positive replacement for the current detrimental process of picking and choosing who has access to information. The beautiful thing about being a part of something new is that you get the opportunity to influence and shape it. I can't wait to see what blossoms under the feet (fingers?) of those who choose to use it. I support whatever decision you make and I will hope you will support my efforts to give you the freedom to choose.
 

Slimmycakes

Well-known member
When I read it, I assumed that everything would remain the same in terms of posting of color collection's information but if you guys wanted to discuss places of sale (usual suspect websites) and restocks to give the community heads up, it would be encouraged to do so in the Premium Chat Area being that it's not visible to everyone instead of the PM system that used by some created a weird atmosphere. It is a valid question on whats the difference though so I'm interested in the answer as well.
But the announcement says that information should be posted and shared freely on the site not just the Premium Mac Chat section. So the places of sale would also be posted in the regular MAC Chat. The fact that the free MAC chat exist negates any benefits of having the Premium Chat.
Hmm, I get what you're saying. Re-reading it, would this mean that only the brand MAC would be the subscriber forum?? I'm really curious. Janice where are thou?
 

Audrey C

Well-known member
Thank you, Janice. This approach makes perfect sense to me. I like it a lot.

If I buy a membership, it will simply be to support the site I enjoy.
 

allthingsglam

Well-known member
I will get the 4 month one to start but I want to be platinum oneday lol I will support the site I love specktra I don't like change but if its best for the site in the long run
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
While I completely understand all sides to this chaos, I for one am going to defend those that pm'd others. They are being falsely labeled & their ONLY intent was to be sure that those who wanted to be able to find stock when they went to various webs sites & would be able to get it. Nothing more nothing less. It is a false characterization to say that it was a clique or exclusive or a club - it was not meant to be any of that. AND, many many of those that did pm are the kindest, giving people on this site - they are the ones who bend over backwards to do cps, drive around & spend their own time to actually buy product for others here. I personally have had many brand new members pm without hesitation simply because they felt a trust towards me, never ever excluding anyone or turned away anyone that pm'd me! In fact, some that were new that pm'd me questions were too shy or uncomfortable to ask in public - I was both helpful & gracious.

The issue has always been those that simply sign up here the day of a new launch wanting all kinds of information without reading. Not all, but many will never contribute to the site again. Not even exclusive to launches, but some are too lazy to put any effort into reading but we are going to chastise & label those that have contributed over & over & over to this site & its members. Umm, isn't that in some way part of the backbone to this site - the contributors???

I also don't get the constant bad mouthing & labeling of those that have been here a long time - what, should we just go away -that's an insane point of view. I've been here a very long time, should I be ashamed of that & just go away? I'll put all that I have contributed to this site up against someone who comes on here 1 day & feels SOOOO offended that they have to ruin things for everyone - childish to say the least. Hell, people spend more energy being offended than what they do contributing imho! Society in general has become a childish, whiney people that get so offended by every little thing. People can't even enjoy Christmas trees anymore because hell, someones offended by a damn tree! In a way, That's whats happening here - change what I considered a family because some would rather be offended than contribute.

Many new people posted how much they felt welcomed, we made them laugh & feel a part here. The difference between them & the 'offended' people, is that they jumped right in to contribute therefore making themselves feel comfortable. I hate that there are always bad apples that just have to spoil things for everyone. Maybe I'm just too old to put up with such childish things anymore.

Having said all that, I do appreciate the hard work & time that you Janice & other staff do to have this site here. Just throwing out another viewpoint.
 

MissTT

Well-known member
Thank you for sharing the forum's stance on the increased use of a PM system to discuss MAC releases, Janice. It has never seemed to be in the spirit of any forum to me as most forums are started to freely and publicly discuss a common interest. If there is hidden criteria posters must meet in order to be privy to information they will just lose interest. Without new members a forum will die. I don't think some people realize that. The PM system creates an in-group/out-group situation whether participants want to admit it or not.
 

elegant-one

Well-known member
The PM's may not be a good idea, but at that moment on this site - it just happened. Someone came up with the idea & it went. Its not that a group of people set out to gather some private group or create some new format to this site - it just happened without thought that this would be some chaotic issue. I think most understand that if they have been reading the board for awhile. It was NOT a sinister plot to take over the site ..lol

disclaimer - I do not approve of any of the verbal abuse toward any member - period!
 

vaisforluvrs

Well-known member
While I completely understand all sides to this chaos, I for one am going to defend those that pm'd others. They are being falsely labeled & their ONLY intent was to be sure that those who wanted to be able to find stock when they went to various webs sites & would be able to get it. Nothing more nothing less. It is a false characterization to say that it was a clique or exclusive or a club - it was not meant to be any of that. AND, many many of those that did pm are the kindest, giving people on this site - they are the ones who bend over backwards to do cps, drive around & spend their own time to actually buy product for others here. I personally have had many brand new members pm without hesitation simply because they felt a trust towards me, never ever excluding anyone or turned away anyone that pm'd me! In fact, some that were new that pm'd me questions were too shy or uncomfortable to ask in public - I was both helpful & gracious.

The issue has always been those that simply sign up here the day of a new launch wanting all kinds of information without reading. Not all, but many will never contribute to the site again. Not even exclusive to launches, but some are too lazy to put any effort into reading but we are going to chastise & label those that have contributed over & over & over to this site & its members. Umm, isn't that in some way part of the backbone to this site - the contributors???

I also don't get the constant bad mouthing & labeling of those that have been here a long time - what, should we just go away -that's an insane point of view. I've been here a very long time, should I be ashamed of that & just go away? I'll put all that I have contributed to this site up against someone who comes on here 1 day & feels SOOOO offended that they have to ruin things for everyone - childish to say the least. Hell, people spend more energy being offended than what they do contributing imho! Society in general has become a childish, whiney people that get so offended by every little thing. People can't even enjoy Christmas trees anymore because hell, someones offended by a damn tree! In a way, That's whats happening here - change what I considered a family because some would rather be offended than contribute.

Many new people posted how much they felt welcomed, we made them laugh & feel a part here. The difference between them & the 'offended' people, is that they jumped right in to contribute therefore making themselves feel comfortable. I hate that there are always bad apples that just have to spoil things for everyone. Maybe I'm just too old to put up with such childish things anymore.

Having said all that, I do appreciate the hard work & time that you Janice & other staff do to have this site here. Just throwing out another viewpoint.
I see what you are saying but I didn't read it that way. I don't think the people who are pming each other are being labeled as bad people in any way. It seems like maybe there is the perception to others that there is a sort of clique or club (even though the system was made with good intentions), and the staff just wants to remove that from the boards so that no one feels slighted or intimidated, so that everyone is on the same level and for the boards to be a positive space.

With that said, I don't understand why anyone would go to a place with an already established culture, and think they have the right to change it. This board is open and available for any new members, but it is the established members who helped shape how this board is and came to be. I appreciate all of the knowledge and work that so many members have contributed here, and I hope they don't feel like the board is no longer the right place for them.
 

AkeshialuvsMAC

Well-known member
I'm not sure how the Premium section is going to be beneficial when members can post the color collections and launch info in the free section for everyone to see even lurkers. They would in effect be paying for information others will already be receiving free right?
I understand the logic but I 100% understand whay ur sayin. Y would someone pay for premium mem when the same info can and will be available. This is cliquey cause everyone cant afford too do it or actually want to do it. Idk how this would work...
 

AkeshialuvsMAC

Well-known member
But the announcement says that information should be posted and shared freely on the site not just the Premium Mac Chat section. So the places of sale would also be posted in the regular MAC Chat. The fact that the free MAC chat exist negates any benefits of having the Premium Chat.
yesssssssss
 

CrimsonQuill157

Well-known member
Thank you for addressing this issue. I'm not sure how I feel about the MAC Chat Premium, but I suppose we shall see how it goes in time.

As a relatively new member, I was discouraged when I saw the talk about PM'ing information about collections. I couldn't help but wonder, how do I get in on this? Is there a certain amount of time I will have to be active? Certain amount of posts? Knowing the right person? I'm in college, on winter break right now, but I know when the next semester comes around, I'm probably not going to be that active and I know there are other members who cannot contribute all the time as they would like to and the PM'ing just didn't seem like the right solution.
 

NaomiH

Well-known member
I don't mind doing a premium membership to help support the site because I love this site and the ladies on it and have actually been thinking about it for a few weeks. I do not know that doing it for the sole purpose of being in the premium MAC chat would be worth it though as it'd only really be exclusive if all the people with early info decided to pay and only posted over there, which in turn would kill the free chat and that is not something I think anyone really wants. I do get where the idea behind it is coming from though and give big kudos to Janice for addressing the issue and coming up with the idea. I just hope in the long run we can come up with something that helps people get the items they want with out having anyone feel excluded.
 

highheels

Well-known member
The PM's may not be a good idea, but at that moment on this site - it just happened. Someone came up with the idea & it went. Its not that a group of people set out to gather some private group or create some new format to this site - it just happened without thought that this would be some chaotic issue. I think most understand that if they have been reading the board for awhile. It was NOT a sinister plot to take over the site ..lol

disclaimer - I do not approve of any of the verbal abuse toward any member - period!
Be that as it may, you and some others don't seem to appreciate the *perception* you created with the PM system, which WAS exclusionary! I personally read posts in which newbies were most certainly eaten alive for having dared to ask about the 'code' or "system" or whatever - certain members assumed the worst about these people, that they must have had nefarious intentions to suddenly join on a launch day, and no one here is entitled to make such assumptions about others unless there is any evidence to support it. Likewise for people mentioning where/when they made a purchase, esp. on a launch day... people jumped down their throats for that too. Guess what? Anyone and everyone with an interest in cosmetics already knows where to buy the products - it's not classified or top secret information!
We can't stop the Evil-bayers! I dislike them as much as anyone else, but withholding information and/or only providing it to certain people who are somehow deemed to be legit is childish and contrary to the spirit of the site, which is/was the free giving and sharing of information with like-mind people in a respectful manner. Instead there is an atmosphere of competition, exclusivity and judgment around here. Not everyone has the time time to "contribute" as much as some people on here, but there shouldn't be any adverse inference associated with that (I am a low post count member!) - there is a lot of talk about who is contributing what and how much - some of us just don't have the time, but it seems as though I have to defend my low post count now or else I'll be deemed a lurker/information thief. I have been a member for almost 7 years I believe and, frankly, I don't enjoy it here nearly as much as I used to, specifically because of the behaviour mentioned above. Things have definitely changed - it used to be fun - now I am simply too old for this constant drama. And it's really too bad, because beauty and makeup is still my passion but I may have to go elsewhere to fulfill it.

Thank you, Janice, for trying to be the voice of reason, but unfortunately I believe the re-sellers/Evilbayers will simply purchase a Premium Membership to gain the information they are after.
 

AkeshialuvsMAC

Well-known member
I cant lie I dont see the point in this premium mem. At all. The people that are primarily angry are individuals that are new to the site come in and blast information makin it extremely hard for people who have stayed up gotten inaide infor or whateva that have shared it. As a result the already limited quantities r even more limited and some have to resort to payin double or triple for said item. Mayb the pm system wasn't 100% great but it made room for some type of order. New people come on askin can I get a pm can I get a pm... ummm u can stalk the sites just like all of us do to get ur items. Yes the site is for knowledge and etc but help out contribute do some of the work so u can help out others as well. This is very discouraging. ..... I do understand this idea will serve as a deterance to the new people and even the ebay people who want to buy up all the stock but is it worth it? Would color stories and sightings only be allowed in the premium thread? If so,how would there be any moderation in preventin it from bein released in the reg thread? What will be discussed in the reg thread???? If its no color story no sightings? Please offer clarity.
 

purplemaren

Well-known member
From what I understand, the main value of the premium chat will be for people who don't wish to post the information "publicly." Instead, they can post it in the premium section where select people (not ones they've picked, like with a pm, but ones who have paid for the membership) can see it, and the rest of us can just go on posting like normal, sharing any information and swatches we have. Is this correct? If so, sounds fair to me. I've mostly moved on from MAC, because I get tired of the hype. I think that nobody should be forced to share their "insider info" with the general public, but I agree that using Specktra to create a PM network where only certain people share information goes against the mission of Specktra.
 

AutumnMoon

Well-known member
As a new member, I am worried about the new pay-membership requirement/option for MAC info. This is just my opinion, but I think if there is a private MAC pay membership area that people discuss new collections, dates, swatches, etc., people who want to buy and then sell at a markup will gladly pay money to be there. But if the info is mainly shared there, then I feel pressured to buy a membership when I don't really have the extra cash to pay for it (it's not a high fee, but it is a fee for something I have been getting for free and is not in my budget).

I disagree that you can just check the website to see when a new collection is coming out. With the RiRi stuff, and even the Black Friday lipstick, that really wasn't advertised, or it was at the last minute. I managed to get my Black Friday lipstick because I was reading the thread and was told it was up. I work during the week when most of this stuff goes up so I can't sit all day at my computer refreshing. I'm not even supposed to be shopping at work.

So, in conclusion, I really hope we can all continue to post new collections, new swatches, and dates in the regular section. Maybe all this was really heightened by the RiRi stuff, and it might die back down as the collections go away from that. The real person to be angry at is MAC for pulling this low stock stuff and making everything crazy. If that was improved, there would be enough for everyone (or as close as we can get). I for one, am going to take this complaint to MAC and let them know how I feel. I know that not one person can really make too much of a difference, but I will feel better directing my frustration to someone who is causing this issue.

I hope that I haven't stepped on anyone's toes, or said anything inappropriate. I love this site, and I love that I am making friends here. It has been amazing. Thank you all.
 

AkeshialuvsMAC

Well-known member
Thank you for addressing this issue. I'm not sure how I feel about the MAC Chat Premium, but I suppose we shall see how it goes in time. As a relatively new member, I was discouraged when I saw the talk about PM'ing information about collections. I couldn't help but wonder, how do I get in on this? Is there a certain amount of time I will have to be active? Certain amount of posts? Knowing the right person? I'm in college, on winter break right now, but I know when the next semester comes around, I'm probably not going to be that active and I know there are other members who cannot contribute all the time as they would like to and the PM'ing just didn't seem like the right solution.
do u stalk sites just like the people that u expect to PM u? Or do u think u dont have to lose sleep and just come on get info and thats it? I dont think it's fair. Many of the ladies here have kids work school everyone is tired but how are u contributing? There are some people who would see that someone may wany something see it and purchase it from them. People would make sacrifices to help is it fair to b mad becauae someone wprked hard for the info not to have it just snatched away? We all r suppose to help one another not just jumpin in for info to then blast on the thread makin it hard. U can stalk too wake up early and go to stores just like all of us. Dont be discouraged u can do the same.
 

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