Swinging Heaven & The Photo Ads - Does It Work anymore?

6 Jul 2007

I feel that I should start this posting with an apology as this is one of those moaning messages that regular forum users might be tired with. I can be critical, but be patient with me as you may agree with some of below. This is the best place/forum for me to air my thoughts.
Swinging Heaven has been through a lot of changes over the last couple of years, however throughout these radical changes I feel that the forums have to a significant extent weathered the storm. So this message is in part reaching out to those who have been here a very long time.
Now please do not assume any arrogance here, SH was started a long time ago and the fantastic work that was made in creating it has nothing to do with me. The point of this message is to say that for me/us, it just doesn’t work anymore. It did work for us when it was a free site, but it doesn’t work for us anymore.
We are a couple that likes to (soft) swing, but is a bit shy at parties and clubs. We need to get to know a couple a bit before we become intimate. So we have always relied on the ads systems. The SH we knew was fantastic for this. We placed ads here free of charge with a few pictures and we would receive a couple of replies a day from interested couples. The site was perfect for our needs. There was a free easy to use photo ads system and a free forum. Through using the free ads system we had some fantastic meets and great experiences suited to exactly what we wanted. Basically from our perspective SH worked in that it allowed us to meet with couples looking for what we wanted.
Now the reason for this message is that we were here before the takeover. We witnessed SH moving from this free site, to a paysite. This was a bit of a shock as SH had always marketed itself as a permanently free site. We did however receive lots of reassurances at the time that the site would be better, and improved. We were told that although the site would charge new members it would have all sorts of new features. The basic message was, don’t worry the site will be better. Now perhaps for some users the site is better? But it has been sometime now since the take over and for us it just doesn’t work properly anymore. By this we mean that we have trouble meeting couples to swing with here and isn’t that the main reason for the site?
The chatrooms are far more sophisticated, and the photo-ads, with their improved search engines and allowing more photos and videos and photos to be included are on paper much better, but the point of this message is that despite all these add-ons SH just doesn’t for us work anymore. You can add on all this fancy stuff but we feel the membership charge has for us really killed things. How can we judge this, well very easily. We advertise here and on free sites. We only use advertisements to meet couples. When this site was free all of our meets came from this site. Since this site became a paysite, all of our meets have come from elsewhere. We have had lots of meets from more simplistic free sites, but none from this site since it became a paysite. For us it is quite simple. SH doesn’t work for us anymore. I am aware that in posting our message we may be removed from this site, our inherited free membership may be deleted, but it is important to say that from our perspective the concerns raised about the take over are true. I know some people enjoy the chatrooms, but lets be honest is this site what is used to be? I have great affection for SH, but this is really the fair (and not misleading) site that SH used to be? The photo ads which were what we used to use are now a mess. Ads used to be deleted after a month or so. There are now ads on the system that were placed years ago. If you are not observant you can find yourself replying to an ad that was placed back in early 2006 and the advertiser hasn’t visited the site in over a year. Why are these ads still on the system? Obviously because they help make money, not because they are anything to do with helping couples hook up. This goes further, if we see an ad we have no idea whether the advertiser is a premium member and can reply. This obviously kills the ads system (something we rely on). Why spend time reading and ad and drafting a reply to an ad if you have no idea whether the recipients have paid their £50 and can reply. It is so much more tempting to use a free site where you know the couple can reply to your message without censorship.
So, to summarize below, does SH still work? We are especially interested in hearing from those that , like us, used the photo ads before the takeover.. I hope no one will be scared to share their thought if they agree with above.
I really miss the Swinging Heaven that used to be!!! Given the choice I would rather have the old site back.

6 Jul 2007

Quote by TimandLene
...Since this site became a paysite, all of our meets have come from elsewhere. We have had lots of meets from more simplistic free sites, but none from this site since it became a paysite. For us it is quite simple. SH doesn’t work for us anymore. I am aware that in posting our message we may be removed from this site, our inherited free membership may be deleted, but it is important to say that from our perspective the concerns raised about the take over are true...
I really miss the Swinging Heaven that used to be!!! Given the choice I would rather have the old site back.

Why would posting that message, mean you'd be deleted? It's just your opinion and you are entitled to express it!
It's not going to be the 'old' SH any more, no matter how much some people might want that - for some, the way it is now might be better. Use the site more socially and if you get meets from elsewhere, good for you. Who's to say you would still have been getting meets from here anyway?

6 Jul 2007

You haven't said anything there at all that could cause you to get banned, so don't worry on that score.
Unfortunately one of the problems with the ads is that you HAVE to post an ad before you can complete the sign up procedure, supposedly to encourage those who join that they may get some contact. When you see some of the crappy one-liners thought up on the spur of the moment as they join you can understand why the ads aren't what they used to be.
It should be that ads should only be visible for 90 days, although you can search on all ads posted. Because of the mass of bulk of ads, a lot will get left even though they may ask for a meet for a particular night, whereas before we used to (and still do as best we can!) remove those which specify a day or date.
There's probably more I could say, but on the whole I agree with a lot of what you've said.
Mal
wink

6 Jul 2007

Quote by Mal
You haven't said anything there at all that could cause you to get banned, so don't worry on that score.
Unfortunately one of the problems with the ads is that you HAVE to post an ad before you can complete the sign up procedure, supposedly to encourage those who join that they may get some contact. When you see some of the crappy one-liners thought up on the spur of the moment as they join you can understand why the ads aren't what they used to be.
It should be that ads should only be visible for 90 days, although you can search on all ads posted. Because of the mass of bulk of ads, a lot will get left even though they may ask for a meet for a particular night, whereas before we used to (and still do as best we can!) remove those which specify a day or date.
There's probably more I could say, but on the whole I agree with a lot of what you've said.
Mal

Thanks Mal, it isn't moderators like yourself that I am worrying about banning our account, but the actual site owners.
Thank you for your comments.

6 Jul 2007

It seems from reading the Forum that many people prefer to meet via the munches and socials and then take things from there, or not. I have looked at other free sites but they don't seem to have anywhere near the regular logged in members as does SH - even though the site statistcs on SH are clearly misleading, to say the least! smile

6 Jul 2007

Quote by TimandLene
Thanks Mal, it isn't moderators like yourself that I am worrying about banning our account, but the actual site owners.
Thank you for your comments.

I can honestly say that Admin would not ban you for anything you have said in your post. It broke no rules and was just your honest opinion on how you feel about the photo ads.
I cant really compare the old and the new ads section as we never placed one under the old system (we had one, but it was more of a profile than an ad) but we did try one a few weeks ago and did get a good response (ok, we also got the ones who hadnt read what we had put but we did get some really good replies).
I dont really know what to say, or how to advise you, but I would say, please dont give up with the site, even if it is only to come into the forums.
Perhaps the forums may be the way forward? Perhaps try the Lets Meet Up and see if you get a better response. Or take the advise offered by Seasider and try one of the socials/munches.
Whatever you decide, I do hope it gets the results you want smile

6 Jul 2007

Wow...
War and peace... can't say I read it all but I can say this site does work... Thats as in the photo ads etc.. We have and still do meet some great couples.
Ok its not perfect, nothing ever is and we find you get back what you put in.. as in effort lol.
Have fun... Its there honest!
Mike and Julie x

6 Jul 2007

Quote by TimandLene
We need to get to know a couple a bit before we become intimate.

like . . . REALLY get to know them! ;) gem and i are exactly the same. but . . . the ads are the last place i'd use to try to achieve that? confused

Quote by seasider
It seems from reading the Forum that many people prefer to meet via the munches and socials and then take things from there, or not. I have looked at other free sites but they don't seem to have anywhere near the regular logged in members as does SH - even though the site statistcs on SH are clearly misleading, to say the least!

yep. the stats are misleading. yep. i'd say a good part of the regs on here prefer to meet people they have actually met IRL a good few times.
i've never used the ads system with any particular dedication. had a few crap ones up when i was single; they were only ever background material. never had a single reply from my ad. met shedloads of fantastic people though. SH still enables that kind of approach to things? it's the same approach you'd more than likely need to use on a free site too as it goes, so there's not all that much difference in how things are done whether you pay for it or not? :?
;)
neil x x x ;)

7 Jul 2007

As Mal said, there is the issue with photo adverts having to be placed to complete the sign up process and not many people realise once you've joined the advert can be removed through your profile settings.
I do think this waters down the amount of people actually wanting and ready to really meet up through the photo adverts rather than those new members who are just going through the motions of the joining process.
Surely it is better to have less statistics and a site that works for peoples swinging needs on most levels than a huge impressive list of things offered and not much substance to back that up once you get going.
dunno

7 Jul 2007

Thanks for your replies everyone. It seems that a lot of people are using other methods, apart from the ads for meets. Maybe we need to move with the times and be less ad-dependent!
Thanks everyone, for those that posted here and messaged us.

7 Jul 2007

I've never relied on the ads system as a way to meet people as it always encouraged far too many numpties and chancers to fill my pm box with their inane cack. Now and in the days of old.
Socials, Munches, regular Forum and Chatroom use ... well, just about every aspect of the site but the ads!
SH will never be the same again, whether we want it or not.

7 Jul 2007

Ok I joined in Nov 2004 and went straight onto the ads site, cause that was what I was told about and I had no idea that there was a forum or chatrooms. This was when the site was free. I had very bad experiences on the ad section. Loads of men answering me but either not willing to arrange a real meet when I got serious, or even worse, meets arranged and then they never turned up. Phones shut off ... no replies to emails sent asking where they were etc.
I got so pissed off with the rubbish I stopped looking at the site and removed my ad. Almost a year later the person who told me about the site asked me how I was getting on and I said it was pants and I had stopped going on the site. After a bit of discussion I found out about this forum and to be honest I have never looked back. For me its been the way. I have had some very interesting meets and made quite a few friends on here so never went back to the ads although I do read them if I am interested in a certain person and they have an ad up.
For me the forums and the chatrooms are best for meeting people.
DD

7 Jul 2007

When we first joined the madhouse (sh lol

)we used nothing but the photo ads.
We had great success with them too but then again we didnt really know exactly what we were looking for. We had a few what I would call quickie meets ie not much contact before the actual meet.
Now I prefer to get a feel of someone via their forum posting style or the way they use the chatroom.
Although I do from time to time feel like cold calling in the photo ads, when im feeling a bit naughtier than usual.
louise xx

7 Jul 2007

First we must admit that we didn't join the site as far back as when it was free and so we couldn't possibly give an informed comment on the pro's and cons of the ad system as it worked then.
BUT as it is now!! ..........
Since we joined we have browsed many ads, used the forums and used the chatrooms to meet 'n' greet a lotta ppl (not just our playmates) as well as attending a couple of munches and other social events.
....... and so we have to say that when it comes to choosing who you are, and are not, gonna be meeting with a view to choosing a prospective playmate (PP) or playmates then the ads are bloody useless!!
Far, far better are the forums and chatrooms allowing you to get a feel of the character and nature of your PP.
Ideally if this is backed up with a social meet (wether at a munch or some other way) then we have rarely - in fact we have never yet met a wrong 'un.
And so in conclusion we have to say that using all the available tools offered by the current pay site - ie forum, chat, munches, socials (and we guess also ads) it would seem that the chances of finding our (or your) ideal PP is pretty good.
So jump in and use the tools, use your instincts and imagination, use your dicretion, but most of all abuse US!!
:rascal:

7 Jul 2007

we've met a couple of nice men through the ads - so they do work - however you do have to sort out the dross. mind you, we'd rather have to do this than have no replies at all!
:P

7 Jul 2007

For me, yes.....as an older bi-male, I have met some great partners in recent months....the problem I think is with couples, who's needs and sensibilities have always been more precise than those of we 'shag anything' males. I know when trying to make contact in the past with couples or mixed groups (given up trying now!) just how fussy they all were - not unreasonably, perhaps, as there are some strange folk out there, but at the end of the day any sexual intimacy with strangers is a bit of adventure. So...dear friends, don't give up quite yet, without SH I would be a miserable old sod....!!