...but I contribute to TER by writing Problem Reports, as well as posting on the boards.

TER gives 2 days free VIP for every problem report that is approved.  15 problem reports = 2 reviews = one month free membership.

I can easily do 15 problem reports in one hour but writing 2 reviews usually takes much longer (and sometimes you have to rewrite and re-submit them).  

It's important that the profiles are accurate.  For example, if you want to see someone who's 21 and you get there only to find out she's actually 40, you'd be pissed.

TER can't possibly police the thousands and thousands of profiles.  That's why TER offers an incentive to do problem reports.

So the next time you click on a provider's website link in her profile and the site is gone, don't just be annoyed - report it.  You'll get 2 more days VIP and you'll be helping out your fellow hobbyists.

Sure, TER will give you 2 days of VIP for a problem report, but that's just 2 days only. You mentioned that 15 problems report will take one hour and you will get a month free. It's not that easy finding problem reports, however, they do exist, and often, someone will already report the problem before you do.

You mentioned you contribute to TER by reporting problems and participating in the discussion board, but you don't write reviews. What your doing is a contribution. However, a more significant contribution is being able to write reviews and TOFTT if you are able to. Its hobbyist that write reviews that makes it possible for other hobbyist to report the problem reports, and, it is essential to establishing a providers profile. That is what TER is all about. But, you mentioned you don't write reviews, which is unfortunate because you have over 5 whitelist.

Anyways, as for me. $150 or so dollars for an entire year is just more convenient, and, writing reviews also helps by adding extra VIP days. Having 2 or 4 VIP days really don't do to much for me, after those 2 or 4 days are gone, what's next? I can't read the juicy details, can't PM, don't know her rates, and other factors.

I've paid for 1 year of VIP, and I have written plenty of reviews, I now have over 550 VIP days. Hey, what ever floats your boat I guess.

I don't understand the logic of those wanting to participate in the hobby and avoid paying for information sources. Paymen for reliable information is small when compared to the money lost when one does not have that information.

Or at least it shouldn't be. Whether by paying for VIP, writing problem reports, writing reviews, or simply by being active on the discussion boards, every one of you contributes in your own way. Do we really need to get into "i contribute more, because I ............" type discussion here?

FWIW  i didn't write reviews before I became a mod, and I will put my contributions to this site alongside anyone here, so lets just agree we all contribute and leave it at that?

it's almost impossible to have VIP enough of the time to do research without paying sometimes.  A year of VIP is cheaper than even one spoiled date, under-performance, wasted opportunity, or brush with LE.  It's worth it when building your bucket list.
H