Photobucket 3rd party hosting

[Kev B]

On another forum I noticed my avatar disappeared and replaced with a notice about 3rd party hosting and how I have to upgrade to allow 3rd party hosting to websites forums etc.

So I looked in to it and the cost is $399. I don't know if this is a scam but I wouldn't pay it anyway.

The disappointing aspect is all pics I have ever posted on here and all other forums, Vegas blogs, my granddaughter photos, and holidays are no longer there.

I have contacted them and await a response.

Does anyone use photobucket, if so have you had this problem?

[RED-DOG]

I use it, they haven't contacted me yet.

[tikay]

Hi Kev,

I received this missive from them a few days ago;

Some features on your account have been disabled.

Your account has been restricted for 3rd party hosting.

Don't worry, your photos are safe.

In order to restore 3rd Party Hosting,
please upgrade to our Plus 500 Membership.



Even though I'm the primary expert on blonde at uploading photos, I don't have a clue what that e-mail means.

[EvilPie]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

[tikay]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

Ponzi scheme, obv.

[EvilPie]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

Ponzi scheme, obv.

They're everywhere. The whole world's one big Ponzi scheme

[tikay]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

Ponzi scheme, obv.

They're everywhere. The whole world's one big Ponzi scheme

Joking aside, & tongue removed from cheek, Mr Ponzi is quite a story;


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ponzi

[Longines]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

Fraid not. Does seem to be one of the most ambitious attempts to kill a business in record time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40492668

https://twitter.com/photobucket/status/881190154702127104

[EvilPie]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

Fraid not. Does seem to be one of the most ambitious attempts to kill a business in record time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40492668

https://twitter.com/photobucket/status/881190154702127104

I'm genuinely amazed. I'd have bet good money on this being a scam I really would.

Incredible.

I've always wondered how much they're one day going to start charging for things like google earth that we probably couldn't cope without any more? I've read that advertising revenues aren't as good as previously so how are they gong to monetise it?

I mean Google earth must actually be worth a decent amount of money? How much would you pay for it?

[EvilPie]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

Fraid not. Does seem to be one of the most ambitious attempts to kill a business in record time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40492668

https://twitter.com/photobucket/status/881190154702127104

Just read the BBC article. I never thought of people using it for commercial purposes so it makes more sense now.

All I thought of was Blonde as that's where I use it. didn't consider that people use it to profit from ebay. Seems fair to charge for it in that case although the amount may be a bit high.

[atdc21]

If it was real they'd be charging about a quid as they'd get millions pay it.

Definitely a scam.

Ponzi scheme, obv.

good read that...
Haha he was the original Arbboy 

[Kev B]

Thanks all for the replies. As Longines posted it is not a scam. I have historical blogs/threads dating back 10 years. Vegas, Asia, Dublin and many more all with photo's uploaded from photobucket. The one the hurts the most is a thread charting my granddaughter from birth started almost 10 years ago. Many it seems feel held to ransom like myself.

[EvilPie]

Thanks all for the replies. As Longines posted it is not a scam. I have historical blogs/threads dating back 10 years. Vegas, Asia, Dublin and many more all with photo's uploaded from photobucket. The one the hurts the most is a thread charting my granddaughter from birth started almost 10 years ago. Many it seems feel held to ransom like myself.

For people like you who aren't using it for commercial gain I think this is disgraceful. For the guy who had to change 150 (or whatever it was) ebay listings well sorry sir but that's just tough shit.

I'd say it's the people using it for commercial gain that have ruined it for people like yourself who have used it for what was most likely its intended purpose.

Such a shame.

[Woodsey]

Anyone got an alternative recommendation that is free/cheap?

[Graham C]

You get plenty of free space on Flickr.