[Archived - RigsK] Important Update - Requiring VIP for Earn Money Program

Posted by “Vorvolaka” on June 10, 2023.

I sent a complaint through them too since no one on IMVU staff is checking in, explaining, or answering questions.

Posted by “Polystyrene” on June 10, 2023.

I believe for tax purposes IMVU classes us as independent contractors.

Posted by “Vorvolaka” on June 10, 2023.

We are slightly different than independent contractors, we're self employed contractors. I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes but it should be noted. Looking through stuff on the California Labor Comissioner website I wasn't able to find anything that suggests that they'd be able to help much, but it's a lot of information and very confusing lol. I did reach out through email explaining the entire situation though, so we'll see what that brings.

Posted by “Sylaraia” on June 10, 2023.

THIS. This entire scenario stinks because it makes no financial sense. I think even 500 people would be generous. I'd hazard maybe 200 as an optimistic projection. I know it sounds like a conspiracy, but there are other ways IMVU could have gone about milking us like cash cows without causing such a backlash. I can't help but feel that this entire scenario was created on purpose to cause yet profitable creators to quit so that the company could finally wash its hands of paying us.

And that is so sickening. If my estimations are correct, I'd be shocked if what the company is paying out to us amounted to more than pocket change for the company. This reeks of min/maxing of profiteering and goes into realms of people with authentic money related psychological problems. (I was once a pizza delivery driver. Great example of what I'm talking about is the customer who made me drive back to get him proper change because otherwise he was going to be shafted a penny.)

Posted by “Hexadecimal” on June 10, 2023.

Replying to my own post here with a really great point i saw somewhere in the thread. What do you think the ROI on this change really is? Lets say there are 1000 active grandfathered creators still creating. Lets say IMVU is profitable in 50% of cases for them. That's 500 people breaking even. Even if all 500 of them don't get pissed off by this change and stop creating that's, what, ~5000 dollars a month?

is 5000 dollars a month really worth the ire of some of your most dedicated content generators? that's like, what, the salary of a single IT professional in Redwood City California?

VS potentially years more cosmetics that, again, are the REASON people play this game. I know the economy is in shambles and we're all trying to pinch pennnies, but even from a budget perspective this juice ISN'T worth the squeeze, besties.

C'mon, we can come up with a better solution than this.

Posted by “Vana” on June 10, 2023.

Ok I did some research. The purpose of the BBB is be the moderator between us and them. To see that our complaints are gathered. Formally presented through the BBB and that responses are received back. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB) is the network hub for BBBs in the US, Canada and Mexico.

I asked, Does Europe have a BBB? Here is the answer......

For EU, UK, and Swiss Consumers: BBB EUPS Dispute Resolution Process. Welcome to the BBB EU Privacy Shield consumer complaint system. We help individual consumers resolve privacy complaints under the EU-U.S. and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Frameworks. It fits, and yet there are words included that I dont particularly like on the description. You may have better luck trying to pull something suitable up on your end. I have no idea what the Privacy Shield thing is really referring to.

I think there may be something similar in most countries. I know that this is already complicated but theyre betting on us not being able to work through these difficulties. When filing I indicated that many people for all over were upset and posting in forums where all but a few questions were virtually ignored. I think it will help greatly if everyone mentions that something has been filed in the US at the California BBB office to show that we are doing something on our end as well. The key is LINKING all of this together so the numbers complaining dont get lost in the melee. Right now this is the best I can think to do. Sorry I dont have better information to share.

Posted by “DOLLB4BY” on June 10, 2023.

Were NOT customers were independent contractors, we don't buy vip, ap, names, marriages, credits or any of it, nor do we want to buy a subscription

Posted by “VictoriaAlexandrea” on June 10, 2023.

Will IMVU have a process so that creators who wish to hide their products can just do a request and not have to go through their catalogue each product at a time? I hate to see what peer review will be like if there isn't that option and each one has to go through the process to make that change.

Also when will the deadline be for creators who can not afford VIP just to create be to request the money they had earned?

Posted by “Radon” on June 09, 2023.

"Hey ChatGPT, can IMVU keep my earnings behind a paywall?"

"As an independent contractor, your payment terms should be outlined in the contract or agreement you have with the company. It is generally expected that you should be paid for the work you have performed based on the agreed-upon terms.

If the company is withholding your payment until you pay a subscription fee to their business, it raises concerns about potential unfair or exploitative practices. This kind of arrangement seems unusual and may not be in compliance with labor laws or regulations.

In California, there are specific laws and regulations that govern the payment of wages and protect the rights of workers, including independent contractors. If you are facing issues with payment and believe that your rights are being violated, you should consider seeking legal advice from an attorney who specializes in employment law or contacting relevant labor agencies in California, such as the California Labor Commissioner's Office.

They will be able to provide guidance on how to handle the situation and can assist you in asserting your rights as an independent contractor."

Posted by “MsPixelicious” on June 09, 2023.

wouldnt know of a uk or international version of this better business bureau do you?

Posted by “Vana” on June 09, 2023.

I strongly believe that we do need representation but highly doubt that its easy to get a large number of people from all over the world to band together legally at this point. And it would cost money. Imvu knows this. But I also find it funny that they refuse to simply state "if you look here under payment, section 3c it states.....blah, blah, blah". To me there is a reason for that and it makes me feel something CAN be challenged. I am not a lawyer nor do I know one that I could float this whole scenario past. So I will once again suggest that we contact the Better Business Bureau. Time is ticking down and right now were doing nothing but talking out our frustrations. We need to DO something that shows were not backing down anytime soon. 

I have already submitted my complaint online and got an email the next day stating that my complaint was forwarded to IMVU. The Better Business Bureau is a way to get something done without anyone having to come out of their pockets. Its a way to find out information and open up a discussion that we cannot seem to find here in the forums. We have all seen the results of people grouping together for a common goal when its done physically. Protesters carrying signs often make the news and companies that they werent making any progress with, will begin to negotiate. But my one little complaint wont mean anything. If enough people write in as they have been doing, and flood the BBB, IMVU will have to respond. If enough people tell how long theyve been creating, and that there is no need for VIP when youre spending your time creating. That credits can only be used within the site to buy other creators products which, you have no need to do unless you WANT to. 

That we once had a way to sell the credits that we made long ago but IMVU got rid of that so now were stuck with a choice of PAYING out money regardless of how much or little money you make, in order to get that money or being stuck with credits that you may not need or want. Tell them that IMVU already makes plenty money off of us, charging derivation fees and then paying a pittance for our work. If these points are brought up by the many rather than the few maybe we can get some kind of negotiation in play. Our complaints against IMVU will be logged and shown to anyone looking up the company. How they handled it will be transparent and we can never know just how far this may go. That is my suggestion and if anyone thinks this is a good start to getting the ball rolling here is the info.....

       BBB serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California

       PO Box 218

       San Leandro, CA 94577

       phone number:

       (866) 411-2221

Posted by “Aisiz” on June 09, 2023.

@Ameryka​ she has been trying for years, eventually she gave up when nothing happened as @bammcrime​ said, she was just left hanging. After all of this, she might not even want to restart the process to begin with. Hopefully the "new" administration helps and doesn't just leave her like an old poster slapped into a wall.

Posted by “DOLLB4BY” on June 09, 2023.

no matter what you think up I am not the one to be angry with We do not see or recognize this entity; "HAS ALWAYS STATED" that has no merit but what does have merit are law biding independent contractors who have been users since day 1 essentially, if you wanna join those other 2 cheerleaders nobody is stopping you, do not try to silence when the forum is up and active yes- we expect to be fully grandfathered meaning we do not need to pay a subscription in order to cash out.

Posted by “DOLLB4BY” on June 09, 2023.

A lot of people invested invested in badges not to be met with a forced subscription, it's not good.

Posted by “Marilena” on June 09, 2023.

@Ruhna I hope some one from the staff will read it and think to implement it