Wallmar... Uh I mean Astromart.

A one time membership fee is a bit golden goose if you ask me..
the owner of the site will get a good chunk of change once and
then where does the revenue come from?

I am open to correction, but my understanding is that the fee is spent on checking with your e-mail provider that your e-mail address is genuine and not spam-related etc.
In the old days, free e-mail accounts like yahoo, gmail etc were not permitted. However, this was not too popular and so Herb allowed them on the basis of the $12 fee - security and preventing scam-artists is something that Herb takes extremely seriously.
Now it has changed that all users must pay this fee for the verification process.
Personally, I'm ok with it. Makes it safer.
Besides, there are plenty other free places where one can deal. Personally though, I like the system in place at Astromart.
Michael.

I have to agree wiht you there Michael.
Astromart has saved me a fortune over the years and is well worth it.

michaeloconnell wrote:

the fee is spent on checking with your e-mail provider that your e-mail address is genuine and not spam-related etc.

Ok. That sounds plausable and resonable.

Personally, I'm ok with it. Makes it safer.

Totally. It's good to see the money being spent on the site to
make it better for the end user.

there are plenty other free places where one can deal. Personally though, I like the system in place at Astromart.
Michael.

None as good as Astromart though eh!?... the system there is very good.
It's a pity the owner didn't explain the charge.
I'm sure nobody serious about buying and selling astro gear would
have an issue with the fee knowing it was there to allow the convinence of .YH / .GM addys but yet to keep things spam free & safe.