So how was TER able to come back? Before I pay for VIP where I lost money when they went away last time.

On the how and why, a couple threads here with various theories.
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I think they'll credit you for that lost time if you ask them.

TER has records of who had VIP time left in their account. They gave me mine and the same for many others. Send them a note with a request and good will might ease your misgivings.