iced that pretty much everyone has the "gold envelope" next to their name, but even those that I know are not VIP have it. So I can't tell if they will every get the email or not?

Those without an envelope are aliases, which means they are VIP because you have to be to have an alias. You can send them a PM, but even that won't reply telling you they are not VIP and can't respond. No way to tell really. You can search for their name under the Reviews tab, and that will only show you if they have reviews posted, but not if they are actually paying members.  

END OF MESSAGE

It would seem a tad easier to communicate, back-channel & develop camaraderie if you could differentiate with trusted sources.  

i.e... you prefer a person's position, reviews, posts or reviews... you could get the straight dope.

Random ?.... would it be that difficult for TER to only give the envelope, or highlight a VIP's user name to distinguish the 2 from VIP v. non-VIP??

Seems overdue, more user-friendly and at the same time reminds me of a Dr. Seuss cartoon about "Star-Bellied Sneetches"... Not trying to do that here, but basic thing is.....you don't know, one way or the other...

Hmmm

Your original question was a newbie question and appropriate for this board. Now you are making suggestions about TER procedures and policies. That is what the Suggestion and Policy board is for. You should post this there. (not that it hasn't been posted there before)