BLUESTONE STORE OPEN but Visa NO LONGER Accepted!

[Bluestone]

Well, kinda...

Here's the story. Our ebiller is missing in action! Not sure what happened, but we're looking for a new ebiller. In the meantime, our Silk 'N Blood store is not accepting purchases.

Please instead visit our Nicheclips store until further notice. Here is the link: http://nicheclips.com/shop.php?store_id=65

We'll post here, as well as on the "Saga of the Rogue Agent" thread, once the store has been re-opened.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Blue

[xj900uk]

Thanx Blue, good luck and please keep us in the picture

xj

[Bluestone]

We have today taken down our Silk Videos promotional site as part of our on-going renovations. It was becoming confusing to the public to see videos that were apparently available for sale, which could not be purchased through our temporarily closed store site. Therefore, we felt it best to take down the promotional site too, until it can be re-launched in conjunction with the re-opening of our Bluestone store.

Blue

[UKSG]

Wow Blue, it sounds like you're having real problems over there. But we have every faith you'll get through it. And to everyone: "Saga of the Rogue Agent" is worth waiting for.

[Bluestone]

There is a "Bluestone Update" thread on the All Topic (Hidden) forum where on-going news will be posted!

Blue

[Bluestone]

Just to keep everyone up-to-date on the progress with the Bluestone sites, here is the latest!

It has now been two months since Hughes Billing went out of business, stealing money from several producers including me. We are pursuing them through the courts at present.

While still producing content, I have taken down both my Silk 'N Blood store and my Silk Videos promotional site while seeking a replacement ebiller. During this period of inactivity, I have re-built my store using a more stable software platform with professional 24 hour technical support, since Hughes used to manage the old store for me, and I want to make sure that they are completely out of my life... except for their re-payment of the funds owed to me and others. During the hacking affair, they proved less than competent. Accordingly, upgrading the Silk 'N Blood store will make for a more stable shopping experience in the future. The store is about 85% re-built at present.

The Silk Videos promotional site has been re-located and is now located within a hidden portion of the FF forum. Once the store is re-launched, access to that site will also be restored. Access will be free, but you'll have to be logged into FF to access this site. I no longer want this site viewable by the public. This is a decision that I made after careful consideration of all of the pros and cons. I'm sure that my regular customers will have no trouble finding my Silk Videos site, especially in light of the grand re-opening festivities that I have planned.

I was hoping to re-launch the Bluestone sites today, but I've had to push that date back to November 30th, since there is still work to be done in setting up the ebilling system. Hopefully, I won't have to delay the re-launch further into December. I have acquired a stable ebiller and am also trying to put in place a back-up ebiller for added security. Once I get back up and running, I do not want to have to go through this disruption again. That is why I have taken my time to select the best, most stable ebilling platform available.

I hope that brings everyone up to date with the projected re-launch of the Bluestone sites. I plan to make announcements on other message boards at the appropriate time.

Cheers!

Blue

[speak376]

good luck with everything i hope to see it hope soon.

[Algenon5]

Re Hughes Billing: Sick 'em!
Re new e-biller: Good luck!
Re restricted access: Good idea!

Concise Al

[ArcRaven]

That's good news to hear Blue, I kind of wanted to ask about how things were going but I figured with all you have to deal with it might seem like I'm being a jerk in asking. Take as much time as you need to do your stuff, we'll wait as long as it takes. On the plus side keeping it restricted will quash any problems people might have with the material, if they don't like it then they shouldn't be here in the first place right?

[Bluestone]

That's good news to hear Blue, I kind of wanted to ask about how things were going but I figured with all you have to deal with it might seem like I'm being a jerk in asking. Take as much time as you need to do your stuff, we'll wait as long as it takes. On the plus side keeping it restricted will quash any problems people might have with the material, if they don't like it then they shouldn't be here in the first place right?

I totally agree with your last statement, ArcRaven (as well as your other comments). If they are seeing my stuff, it's because they want to see it. I'm not foisting it on anyone! It's not like I'm picking up loads of customers from the general public. Those who find this community, such as the nearly 5,000 members on this board, are my target market anyway. So, why dangle my graphic images out there for the narrow minded and the credit card thought police to see? I think our community has grown enough that it now has to start thinking outside the box as to how to continue to grow without drawing bullseyes on our producers' foreheads... except for the cute ones. AF/AD was off-line for about a year and luckily survived and returned to profitability because of Big John's determination and the support of its fans. I've been off-line storewise for over two months now. Others have simply gone out of business. To keep this community strong, we all have to take reasonable precautions to keep our community just underground enough that new community members can find it, but the thought police can't.

Blue

[ArcRaven]

Well from my point of view, you wouldn't have done anything legally wrong. These films are fantasy and no one is actually murdered. You use actors and actresses that are of legal age, perhaps via an agency of some sort. They are not just people off the street. More importantly the people viewing said materials and this forum are warned ahead of time what's in here by the terms of agreement along with the many warnings in multiple locations.

In my opinion if someone where to bring up an issue I feel it would be dismissed due to the actions you and other producers have taken. It's sort of like when people complain about McDonald's making them fat. There is not one employee in the restaurant that sits down and forces the food down your throat or holds a gun to your head telling you to eat. Nor did they make you buy the food, simply put: You bought the food, ate it and became fat, simple and short. Well perhaps that expample was a little harsh but you understand what I mean.

I do apologize about this lengthy post, I'm certain to have facts wrong as many people will respond to in the next few days as they often do. I don't care. I'm just happy to hear things are getting back on track here and that we will hopefully see some new videos along with the classics. I will be gone for a couple of days because I need to bring my computer into the shop for repairs so all I ask is please don't be critically harsh against me because the last thing I want to be is angry when I return. Eh, what's the point in saying that, people will say what they want anyway.

[Bluestone]

ArcRaven,

Hopefully, you're back on-line by now. I don't know why anyone would be mad at you for your statements. They all make sense, Thing is that we're no longer just dealing with some holier-than-thou public outcry. There are agents working on commission for the credit card companies to find sites that are 'apparently' damaging their branding, i.e. associating them with material that is distasteful to some. When the credit card companies were growing their businesses, they needed all the business they could get, but now that they are established, they can pick and choose. Also, there is no appeal to them, or to Paypal which is just as evil. They will cancel you on their slightest whim, and you have no recourse. You are simply screwed. I started my business with PayPal and made a lot of money for them. Didn't matter. I was cancelled and had to move on. Each time I get knocked down, I am determined to come back stronger. This time is no exception. It is taking much longer than expected, but I will be back selling videos to my loyal fans... one way or the other. The plan is to come back stronger than ever. It's just that the plan takes a while to execute properly... like strangling an exotic beauty in the extended, erotic Bluestone style. Did I tell you about "Escort Wars... The Untold Story"? Tiffany is the victim and this long, sexy strangle will be a suitable new conclusion to that sexy mini-series.

Blue

[ArcRaven]

I do apologize about being so ill-tempered in my last post. I was having a bit of a rough week between legal programs along with some health issues, in fact that very night I posted I had just come home after having some arguments with people I was working with. I was in a bad state and shouldn't have been posting anything, apparently I haven't learned my lesson after all these years of typing something while tired and in a bad mood.

[A_Bullet]

Hello Blue,

What's the status of your new site?

[Bluestone]

Hello Blue,

What's the status of your new site?

Yes, I guess it's time for an update, since I just had a two hour telephone conference with the site developers. The design stage took far too long, and even though we're now into the development stage, I am being told 30 to 45 days to completion. That takes us into January. Hopefully, I can get up and running before then, but if not the new site will be up and running in mid to late January. It is a long time to be down, but BigJohn was down even longer. One thing's for sure. Having a current look at the ebilling situation out there, it is very bleak for our industry. We have developed a very special community here, but if we aren't careful, it could collapse like a house of cards. As a result, I can only continue to stress that we have to all stick together to keep our community alive and vibrant. In-fighting can only damage the community as a whole. Foisting our material upon the public in a blatant fashion will only lead to unwanted attention. I don't expect all producers to follow my lead, but I think it's time that we all presented a much lower public profile in the future.

Positive news! Yes, there's lots of that! I am editing again and will have loads of content available when the new mansion opens its doors. I have just about finalized my new store software that will allow for store-wide sales. I plan on slashing prices on a lot of my archived material. I am currently updating my dedicated server to be 6 times as fast as the current one. I am investing in FF and my other sites, because I plan to be around for a long time to come. Petra emailed me to say that she wants to come back and shoot with me in the Spring. Suzi, Kerie and Tiffany are all interested in visiting FF to interact with their FF fans.

So, the future of FF and Silk Videos is bright! All I want for Christmas is a little more patience from you all as I re-build on a solid foundation for the future. In the meantime, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Enjoyable 2012!

Cheers!

Blue