yeh imho it sounds a bit like blackmail.
its a key feature on every single forum in the world. and having to pay for it is bs. i understand special features such as hosting images, stickers and extra storage is a special feature, but come on.
even 500 is a bit high, not all of us use the forums every second of the day.
i find it a bit hard to believe for example someone like myself who hasnt got 500 posts, isnt a "trusted" user.
you guys should run some sort of eligibility test if the spam is that bad. that way regular forum members can apply for exemption from this idiotic rule.
my 2c