Walking away is not easy but it's the only option for me.
I have trouble walking away from projects and other things when I commit to them. It takes me a while to commit and, during that time, I can easily walk away and not think twice. but once I find myself committed to something, I stick with it even if it stresses me or I am no longer happy doing whatever it is.
This is the case with websites I write for. I never truly committed here because I was only here a short time. I wrote a bit and did see and talk to really nice people. I was starting to feel... committed . I think that is partially why I stepped back. I got totally consumed with Tsu and still am but that shine is starting to dull. Will I walk away? Nope. Because I don't even if it is better for me to.
And of curse we have the "Big B". I have been there for ages. Way back to when the site was a monstrosity of circles ... I mean BUBBLES and it looked like a 4th grader coded it. Although I had many issues, did not get 11 redemptions, was lied to over and over again, and started to feel pressured to be there more and more, I stayed. When the rates changed, I wasn't thrilled but knew that was coming. After all, I have been working online for many, many years. I knew what was going out was NOT coming in. I am surprised at how long they managed to pay most of the members the inflated amounts. I stayed even though I couldn't see my views and my old posts were gone. I couldn't fnd them anywhere. Google doesn't bring them up. I took the big monetary hit and kept writing, reading, liking and commenting.
I started to feel like it was becoming a job though. There were and are some people who I absolutely look forward to reading. Their lives, their writing styles, something keeps me coming back to read whatever they write. But there were a lot of people I read because I was being polite and that is how the site works . I saw my posts lost in oblivion, never reaching the front page. Forget about ever being featured. I saw many friends leave the site.
I was even going to put more effort into writing there once the holidays were over. Until tonight when it was announced that they took money from our redemptions. Maybe it was the way it was relayed and who relayed the message. Maybe it was that they just blatantly stole money that I worked really hard to earn. Maybe it was that they cut off comments after 11, the 11th one being mine. I knew it was time. I finally knew what I had to do.
I talked to my husband about it because he is the voice of reason. I didn't want my emotions to rule my decision. He immediately told me to go elsewhere and not look back. He even suggested that we talk to our lawyer because I am owed $600+ from last year and have proof that I was promised I would get it from the owner of the site. A kid only a year older than my youngest son. And I believed him. Shame on me.
Now that I decided to take my posts down and leave, I feel... bittersweet. I will miss the people I interacted with a lot. I will probably still read what they write. But I can't write there anymore. I don't care about the money. I don't write at these sites as a job or for a lot of income. I write because I love to write and the little extra is nice. All I ever wanted was communication. I said that years ago when I was getting lied to about my missing redemptions. I said that last year when I was promised money that never came. I said that recently when they stopped allowing us to see views and slashed the pay but refused to tell us what the rates were or even what paid and what didn't. I said it tonight. A short post inferring we are all scammers and they were taking away a bulk of our redemptions was not communication. It was put out there on New Year's Eve in the hopes that it would fly over most people's heads and no one would be too upset.
And it worked. I see people praising the site for its honesty. Honesty is not taking back money that one earned. This was AFTER the pay cuts so they must have slashed the pay again by a lot. I would have stayed for a few pennies a day. But I no longer trust the people running the site and when trust is gone, I can walk away without looking back.
I wish there was a way around it but I need to move on and I hope that many of the people there will come here either instead of being there or along with being there.
If not, there are lots of great people here who I already enjoy very much and I will just make new friends again. I just can't roll over and take their BS anymore.
Starting 2015 with a clean slate will do me good. I need a change. I need a break. And I need to move away from a site that caused me stress.
I think there will be others who feel the same way who will be coming over. I look forward to seeing them.
Image is from Pixabay.com
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writing websites newyear changes startingover betrayed PattyTherre
Image Credit » Image from Pixabay.com
Comments
RegieEstioco wrote on January 1, 2015, 3:53 AM
Many are upset with how that site treated its contributors. For my part, I have still pending payment of my almost four months of bubbling but I can no longer see it in my bank history. What a surprise this New Year.
MegL wrote on January 1, 2015, 5:32 AM
Sometimes (often) there is such a feeling of relief when once a decision is made and there is no going back. I have felt that a number of times for different things and always, it relieves stress and makes the way forward clearer and easier.
Shadi wrote on January 1, 2015, 5:42 AM
It is good to start fresh, it will give you more motivation and help you overcome any stress caused by other places. Wishing you a better luck!
phoenixmaid wrote on January 1, 2015, 5:45 AM
A lot of people feel the same way. I was one of the lucky ones who received all my payments. but bubblews issued all their loyal users with a massive slap in the face last night. there was nothing honest about it.
AliCanary wrote on January 1, 2015, 6:15 AM
And would you believe that piece of sh*t post has 228 LIKES. What the hell kind of crack are people smoking??????
Kasman wrote on January 1, 2015, 8:07 AM
I feel exactly the same way about Bubble Ooze and I am in the process of 'consciously uncoupling' (thanks Gwyneth!) from that site. I have removed the best of my posts from there (some have appeared in an altered form on Persona Paper) and I am nowhere near as active as I once was. I am owed just one payment and will hang on until it comes (if it ever does) and then I'm outta there!. $600 is a lot to lose especially since you worked hard for it. Bubble Ooze's reputation is now lower than a snake's belly and yet there are people who still praise it highly. Strange.
ConstantDementia wrote on January 1, 2015, 8:26 AM
My will to be a bubblews member is dying slowly but surely. I feel like they stole from me. They ripped me of my dignity as a writer.
FourWalls wrote on January 1, 2015, 10:05 AM
I was robbed of $17 in my current pending redemption. Once I get it I will remove everything and delete my account. Of course, with the flood of complaints to the BBB and the California attorney General I fully expect to see, they may not be around long enough to pay THAT redemption off....
MaeLou wrote on January 1, 2015, 11:19 AM
Everyone needs a new start sometimes. A lot of people are starting that journey today!
With the Bubblews issues, they were such a big "news" thing when they changed everything in July. I wonder if their downward spiral will be posted in the news now too. Doubtful!
Louemham wrote on January 1, 2015, 11:51 AM
I have left that dreaded site too, my account is still active and as soon as I can cash out, I'll be deleting my content and closing the account. Bigger and better things await me.
Glenn wrote on January 1, 2015, 12:17 PM
I lost my commitment to Bubblews also. That happened when Arvind posted about running out of money. I find it interesting that you plan to have a lawyer look into it. A lawyer told me to stop writing for them since that would legally set a precedence to working without pay. My last redemption is now into the third month waiting. All my prior redemptions were paid quickly.
You also mentioned that Google no longer lists the Bubblews posts. I'm sure that's because all our old posts were screwed up by their incompetent manor of trying to fix the bugs from the July upgrade that lost all the text after images and then adding the text back double, which looks like spam to Google. And without the ability to edit we can't even fix it ourselves. I save all my links in a spreadsheet so I can see all my old Bubblews posts. They really made a mess of them.
AngelSharum wrote on January 1, 2015, 12:49 PM
I'm sorry they haven't paid you what was owed. I got all my payouts, but I didn't have very many compared to others. I do like the way this site works a lot better.
seren3 wrote on January 1, 2015, 2:07 PM
I have begun deleting my posts. Not all are worth re-purposing since writing on Bubblews was a special personal voice. But with the load of material to work with, I am not leaving it there.
seren3 wrote on January 1, 2015, 2:09 PM
It is very sad isn't it. What is good is to see so many familiar faces and names here! Yet it is a lot to walk away from.
OldRoadsOnceTraveled wrote on January 1, 2015, 2:16 PM
I just checked and it's up to 304 likes. Can you image anyone actually liking THAT post?
OldRoadsOnceTraveled wrote on January 1, 2015, 2:24 PM
When I first joined, almost a year and a half ago, the site seemed to be making progress. I quickly became addicted to social blogging to the neglect of my other writing. Since the big July fiasco, it's been one thing after another to drive me farther and farther away. I've been anticipating this day for awhile now, although I didn't know what the catalyst disaster would be. The last time they announced another "surprise" was coming in January, I knew it was almost over. Surprisingly, I have a lot of peace about this one, even though it hit me financially harder than the previous "surprises". I can't afford to lose the money I am, but at least I'm not losing more.
WordChazer wrote on January 1, 2015, 4:14 PM
I'm going to hang on in there for now, no rash decisions for now. My reviews are all saved to my laptop, so I can repost them once Copyscape tells me it's clear. I may also grab copies of some of my more popular posts just in case the site shutters without warning (which I am wondering if it might, given the situation).
ConstantDementia wrote on January 1, 2015, 5:26 PM
My plan exactly. I am just popping in there once in a while giving guys a dose of reality and leaving as soon as I entered
BarbRad wrote on January 1, 2015, 6:09 PM
Patty, I haven't deleted my account yet, but I'm not going to post anymore. I'm, still saying my goodbyes and letting my friends know where I've gone. Some of those friends haven't been there in a month and may still not know what happened. I'm continuing to delete posts. Life is just too short. Glad you're not leaving here.
acrogodess914 wrote on January 1, 2015, 7:03 PM
I've never felt the need to go and comment on someone else or like someone else's post just to be polite. If I read something engaging, I comment. If someone engages me in conversation that I enjoy, I will go out and check out their posts. I am sure I could have earned much more before all the changes had I stuck to being polite. I did not want bubblews to be a job, but I was happy with my previous levels of earnings. Alas, I will bubble, but I need to focus on actual work now.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:05 PM
You will not get anything that you made before November 11. And after that, you will only get a fraction of what you are owed. So all your redemptions that you can't see must be older than November 11. They are gone. :(
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:08 PM
It takes me a long time to reach a breaking point. I did this with another site that started out great and degraded to such stress levels that I barely could stand being there. But this site was paying me for my work (not ad revenue) and I stayed because I felt obligated to. Finally I knew it was time and I left. I felt awful for about two days and then so free and relieved and I have never regretted leaving.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:09 PM
Well, I always have lots of projects going. I am at other sites and have been. I know not to put all my eggs in one basket. But to totally stop writing there after so long feels so weird. Yet...kind of good too. A weight off my shoulders.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:11 PM
I had two posts go viral and they simply refused to pay for them even though they congratulated me for having posts so popular. That was in the days when people could actually find the site. Now all the search engines have blocked it and it is basically known as a scam site. Facebook blocked it but reopened because members complained. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't block it again.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:12 PM
I know! It is sickening! I cannot believe how many are staying loyal and asking others to understand how honest and trustworthy the site is. I stay committed to sites but come on...when I am lied to and stolen from, even I realize I have been taken for a fool.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:14 PM
Oh, sir, thank you so much for this information. We are behind you 100% and will do whatever we can to help this wonderful site. That is the crap that is being posted. The comments (one being mine) were NOT nice which is why they erased them. They can run but they can't hide.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:16 PM
I am taking down all my old stuff. That stuff was good quality and it is still making them money. I am owed a tiny redemption after they stole $50 from me but I won't see it. I give up. They always treated me like crap. I don't even know why I stayed this long.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:18 PM
They did steal from you. If you made a certain amount and they took it, it's stealing in my book. I can see adjusting amounts to current rates but wiping out ALL back payments? That's insane and they will get away with it which really angers me.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:19 PM
If you Google them, you will see many scam stories. They were always out there but now there are more. The site lost any integrity it had. Sneaky is what they are and you never can be sure all your hard work and time will actually be paid as promised.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:21 PM
I can cash out now but only have $24. That is what I had for days and days. The bank would not move. I have a TINY redemption coming which is due tomorrow but I don't think I will ever see it. They don't care anymore. I sense the site will be done soon.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:22 PM
They took $50 from my redemption. OUCH. And that money was from when the rates were already cut. I will be doing something soon to show the lengths they have gone to, to lie to me about back payments. I have all the proof in the world...
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:25 PM
I am so sad about my old posts looking like a big heap pf spam. I worked very hard back then and used lots of photos. I need to get them off the site. My name is on them and they look so awful. I don't plan to have my lawyer deal with this. It is something I will leave to other means. But I do plan to deal with it. If only to let people know of my personal experience.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:27 PM
My old posts were wayyyyy too good for that site. But they pay was good and I wanted =[to do my best. My last posts are nothing I care about and they can keep them. I just want the ones I put lots of time and research into.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:30 PM
11 redemptions skipped. 16 emails promising payment by the owner himself. He was lying all along. He would say crazy things like he would add $50 to each redemption until I was paid and of course that didn't happen. Then he said he would send $25 a week. Not. And later that he would chip away at the balance. So much bull just to string me along. I would have been happier if he just said they were not making enough money. I would not have been HAPPY but at least I could have decided whether to stay with the full knowledge that I would never get that back money.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:31 PM
Yes, it is like leaving a real community. But I have seen familiar faces here and at another site and that makes me feel so much better.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:33 PM
I wonder if they have any souls sometimes. They promise surprises then hit the members with awful news. I don't NEED their money but some people really do. Some people count on it for food and they know this. While no one should put all their eggs in one basket and rely on sites like these for food, some have to. It hit them hard. I feel for them. I would donate the $24 I have sitting there to someone if I could.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:35 PM
I have all my "good" posts saved. I believe they will zap the old stuff or just close down and that will be that. I don't know though how long to wait after I delete posts to repost them without them showing up as plagiarized. I would freshen them up and revise them but still. i want to do this right. Copyscape? Is that a way to see if the posts are still showing up even if they are deleted?
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:38 PM
My account is just sitting there in limbo. I am not going to do anything until I get my baby redemption that is due tomorrow. It is $50 short but still. Then I will start deleting old stuff. I would love to see the site bought by honest people but it is such a mess that no one wants it. That was their plan which is why they paid so much. Get LOADS of users and then sell like Tom at MySpace did. But no one wanted the site.
PattyTherre wrote on January 1, 2015, 9:41 PM
It is run by kids who have never run a website before. Add to that that they are cocky and arrogant and with members kissing their arses so much over the last couple of years, they feel they can do no wrong. HOW they did what they did was what gets me. I am easy when it comes to changes. I understand that sites have to survive and the net is tough. But they were just lying and messing with people and doing crazy things. deleting good accounts, picking who to pay and who not to, telling us a great surprise was coming. Ugh. I hope they can sleep at night.
OldRoadsOnceTraveled wrote on January 1, 2015, 11:02 PM
Google Webmaster Tools has a tool to remove outdated content from search results. Or you can wait for it to happen on it's own. By the time I get around to processing all the content I have that has potential, it should be long gone from search results.
OldRoadsOnceTraveled wrote on January 1, 2015, 11:11 PM
I have removed just about everything that matters except my recent video posts. I may do more of those, but only as a means of driving traffic to my YouTube channel, which I have just started building content on. It depends on how stable the next few weeks turn out (or not). I haven't abandoned ship, but I'm wearing my life jacket and have my life boat all packed.
BarbRad wrote on January 2, 2015, 4:07 AM
The problem is there will be few users left by the time they try to sell it.
BarbRad wrote on January 2, 2015, 4:10 AM
I think that is the main issue -- trust has been violated. It's like Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.
MakeMoneyOnline wrote on January 2, 2015, 5:55 AM
I'm with you 100% on this one. Clean slate is good. I've also made a decision to not look back but only forward.
Hollyhocks100 wrote on January 5, 2015, 10:06 AM
I just the same as you as far as commitment goes. I am still with bubblews, but came here looking for the connections I am already missing so much. I dearly wanted to stay there and here, but feel like that will be impossible, and with serious doubts about so many things on Bubbs , is it really worth trying to keep a foot in both camps?