Shouldn't it be that you only get one of the "PM" mail designators next to your name ONLY if you have "PM" status?

Getting a notification that you have a PM may have sold a VIP or two over the years.

I have VIP.  Just that when you send a PM to another member, you never know if they simply don't have VIP status or if they're not responding for whatever reason.

When I person sees the PM indication and sends a letter, they should expect that the person will get it.

I had VIP status for several months, then it ran out.  When I got it back again, I had about fifty PM's waiting for me, and I had to apologize to each person for being so tardy in replying.  I now have paid VIP, but still, it isn't fair to either the sender or receiver of the mail to think I PM has gone through when it hasn't.

Ol_Desperado ...yes, what you're saying makes sense

I wasn't suggeating anything at all about you personally, merely taking a wild shot at the reasoning.
Am I correct that if you aren't VIP and you get a PM you are notified of it (anyone?).  My thinking was that non VIPs would get the notification and be curious enough about the contents of the message to buy VIP in order to read it.

Dunno...