I've seen it happen often enough: someone posts an ISO but then writes "I don't have VIP so no PMs".... and I'm sure there are providers who would have PMd him but don't want to publicly announce their interest/availability.

Other times, I've PMd someone regarding a post and then the person replies to his own post, "Whoever PMd me, sorry but I don't have VIP".  
Or I'll get a response to my PM weeks or months later when he finally DOES have VIP again.  

If you have to have Provider Limited-VIP or regular VIP to PM, I think that posting should be reserved as a privilege for those members too.    Or perhaps allow non-VIP to post only on the General Boards, reserving the Regional Boards for VIP-only?

This would definitely lessen or completely eliminate the posts just looking for information on certain providers or types of providers in specific areas as these are almost always made by guys who don't have VIP and thus cannot effectively research what they are after.  

This might dispose of a few trolls too.  

Anyways.... just a thought.  

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

So your idea would choke them into a complete coma.  And I do have VIP so your idea wouldn't affect me at all.  The problem you cite -- ISO posts that can't be PM'd -- is a small problem anyway.  You're trying to fix a Swiss watch with a sledge hammer.

and give all members PM privileges.

Perhaps non-VIP could get 5 PMs/month for the purpose you propose

as for trolls, a huge amount of the trolling that goes on is by aliases, Only VIP members can post under an alias. I don't see the OP's idea helping at all.

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Yes, which is why I wrote that this might dispose of a "few trolls".   In other words, not all of them or even the majority of them.  

As to giving free members PM privileges, I can see that turning into non-VIPs constantly PM-ing reviewers to directly ask for the Juicy Details stuff.    

Like I wrote earlier, this is just a thought.  I never stated that it was a perfect one lol.    

 
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

That way, you're offering an option for vips only, without limiting any of the other boards.

A popup when you try to message them perhaps.  I am not always a VIP.  I am not asking to be made one ermanently but I think that the VIPS would like to know their PMS will not be seen.

Great idea

A regular envelope for those whose PM privs are active and an envelope with a big X for those that are inactive.  

Of course, that's just the symbolic warning of a pop-up or other notice that you can't send that person a PM