Paying members shouldn't be trying to 'get an audience' with the silent, inscrutible leader of this website. It should be the other way around! He should be reaching out to us. We shouldn't be trying to write nice PMs, say things in just the right way, 'hope' he'll condescend to respond to us....
I for one believe fencer is terribly discourteous and all the site features in the world won't change that. For that reason I will not be renewing my membership here...I have joined GoldToken and find things more pleasant and the checkers more involved and serious. And, most important, the management on GT actually appreciates the paid membership....