Non VIPs still have the envelope by their handle, but they can not send a PM. When they click on the mail link it will say "you are a basic member. This feature is only available to VIP members" or something real similar. You can send a PM to him, but he can not open it, and he can't send a PM out at all. The envelope only means it is a true handle and not an alias. It does not differentiate between basic and VIP.

Unfortunately, you do not have access to the PM system as a basic member. You have two options.
1) post your email here on the public forum and ask swim to contact you by email. Of course it is up to him if he is willing to respond to you in that matter. If you do that, do not use your regular email or work email. You do not want that to show up on a TER public search. Sign up for a gmail or hotmail account. You can even use a fake name when signing up for that. If you are going to hobby, you should consider getting a hobby email anyway.

2) sign up for VIP, and then you gain access to the PM system. If you are considering hobbying, you should get VIP anyway. It is 30 bucks a month. You can cancel after the first month if you decide you don't want it. But during that month you will have full access to the PM system, and the juicy details of the reviews, as well as complete profiles of providers. The 30 bucks can pay for itself many times over on your visit with a provider.

There is actually a third option. You can ask almost anything here on the newbie board. Swim and his highly unpaid assistants are happy to answer questions, without passing judgement. If you really don't feel comfortable asking in public, then I suggest one of the 2 options mentioned, and I really would suggest #2.