Non-members can read the boards and have limited access to other areas (reviews, Profiles) but they can NOT post to the boards. When you try to "Quote" or "Reply" to a post, you will be prompted for login information. You must have or create an account.
Basic members can post to the boards. Basic members do NOT have PM privs. VIP members can post and benefit from access to all the important parts, including PM, Juicy Details, all Profile info and search fields.I'm alittle confussed. I posted a provider ad in here to attract TER members. All night and morning, I received all "non" TER members. Do the provider ads show up elsewhere? OR Are these gentlemen non-paid members? Not sure how it works on the Hobbyist side. Thanks for the info....
I think anyone can view the discussion boards, including ads. The public can see a lot on this site. If they want to reply, comment or review, they need to at least sign up.
Thanks guys, I was under the assumption that post were only viewed by members.
VIP members can send and receive Private messages and post on the boards. Non hobby members can view and respond to the post but can't receive or send Private messages. Non members can get a 15 day membership for each review they submit.
Non-members can read the boards and have limited access to other areas (reviews, Profiles) but they can NOT post to the boards. When you try to "Quote" or "Reply" to a post, you will be prompted for login information. You must have or create an account.
Basic members can post to the boards. Basic members do NOT have PM privs.
VIP members can post and benefit from access to all the important parts, including PM, Juicy Details, all Profile info and search fields.
Unless something has changed non VIPs cannot read or reply to messages sent to them by a VIP. They get a notification that they have one but that is it. I have often thought it would be good if senders knew the recipient was not a VIP.
Thanks for the info as well as staying on topic hun...
Non members do use TER, both for the reviews and for some, the board postings.
I wouldn't necessarily say that they are not TER members though. Some chose not to share that information for many reasons.
I get a huge amount of pms and phone calls based off my board posts. Some are members, some wait to tell you that they are members, and others are lurkers (non members).
Just do normal screening.
TER does come up in searches and is normally the top link in most circumstances, depending on what you search for (keywords). Non members typically do not putz or lurk on the boards though. It may be different in the ad section.
Just screen them properly and tell them later on it would be best for them to sign up for TER and VIP. Do a review of you etc.
TER would eat that up lol. Yes, I do suggest that the non members sign up. Most do. Best for them to aviod ripoffs and try to find the best experiences for what they want.
Thanks for the advice 
especially on this board, make it worthwhile. Your posts are just mindless drabble.
Most of your posts are aren't remotely on topic. And the ones that are, generally contain bad advice and mis-information. You have been slapped several times for it by our usually patient host here.
Most are simple threADs that hardly bear reading. It's when you vainly attempt to express a coherent thought that sentient people must point out that you are either: 1) incomprehensible, or, 2) just plain wrong.
You getting off subject worrying about me useless to topic
I just obtained a TER VIP membership about a month ago. I find it very useful and I find the site very intriguing. Prior to obtaining a VIP membership, I relied on TER to validate providers. In other words, even though I could only see the first part of the review, I figured that if the girl had a few positive reviews and no negative reviews, then I would contact her. My standards, however, have increased since then.
Thanks for that as well as staying on topic ...