Whoa! Bubblews has finally shut down!

@TheHorse (205745)
Walnut Creek, California
November 15, 2015 8:00pm CST
I just went over to Bubblews to see maybe I'd gotten a sixth "like" on my post from a week ago and this is what I found: Greetings, After being up and running for almost 3 years now we regrettably need to inform you that we will be shutting Bubblews.com down. The climate for display advertising has drastically changed and made it impossible for us to sustain the business model and operations. We want to thank everyone that was a part of this journey. We wish you all the very best. –Bubblews I didn't see any links where one could inquire about money still owing or whether we could access our posts to harvest text or images. Is that it?
93 people like this
96 responses
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
16 Nov 15
I'm afraid that that is it. I already put a post up about it, and I have a feeling that ours will be the first of many. It's sad though, it was my first writing site.
28 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
I was wondering if I got the MyLot "scoop" on this story. No doubt, there will be quite a few posts and comments about the demise of Bubblews.
13 people like this
@KnehKnah (3584)
• Philippines
16 Nov 15
Even if it was long expected to happen, it came so fast, my dear Momma. Twas as if they never really cared if some will get hurt. Just that :(
9 people like this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
16 Nov 15
@jaboUK I know you were working on keeping the traffic up at BB. Sorry it's come to an end for you.
9 people like this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
16 Nov 15
When I noticed that I had errors all the time, it was clear that nobody cared to maintain the site. I am not surprised, if they were honest, this is what they had to say two months ago. Now they are cashing from those who were near redemption. This prove that I was right to cut short my loss three months ago and quit the site.
19 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
16 Nov 15
Totally agree, i'd not posted for about 3 months there.
7 people like this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
16 Nov 15
@Avijit100 When they changed the rules and did not honored the payments I lost almost 350$, now I had 37$ leftover that I knew I would have never cashed.
7 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Yes, that was a good decision.
2 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
16 Nov 15
Whoever wrote the notice couldn't even remember when the site was first up - it's 3 months short of four years!
13 people like this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
16 Nov 15
@UR_Forever_Raja I don't know about being dedicated... I just know my numbers, that's all... Besides, I was enjoying this site first before I've ever heard of that site - so it was just a nice place to rebound when my fun on here was interrupted.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Was it really around that long? I joined up in something like May of 2013. My impression was that it had been around since late 2012, but I'm not sure.
2 people like this
• India
16 Nov 15
Someone was really dedicated to the site. Jokes apart, I respect your feelings. And hope you will find all of those things which were in that site here
3 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
16 Nov 15
I am glad to have copied all my poems from there.. I was expecting this to happen any time soon. As far as the money is concerned.. we can forget all about it, I guess.
11 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
16 Nov 15
I had all my posts copied except for a few.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Goodness. I would NEVER write a poem directly to a writing site! I don't think I ever posted poems to Bubblews.
7 people like this
• Vancouver, British Columbia
16 Nov 15
@sofssu I had not planned ahead and backed up accordingly :C
4 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48954)
• United States
16 Nov 15
I imagine that we have lost our money.
11 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse I am willing to be the 9 dollars I had there that you will never see a penny of that money
11 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Maybe all who were owed (even under $50) will receive payments in their PayPal accounts later tonight. That what Epinions (and some other sites I've written for or read about) did when they shut their doors.
14 people like this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse I wouldn't bet the farm on that. Bubblews has not shown the class Epinions did with respect to paying the writers.
7 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Nov 15
Yes, I am afraid that is it. People were not even given the opportunity to remove old posts, if they wanted to. I imagine the old ones will be de-indexed within a few days, anyway.
11 people like this
• Beaverton, Oregon
16 Nov 15
@DeborahDiane You must be wonder woman with all the writing you do on News and now DTC.
5 people like this
16 Nov 15
what does de-indexed me?
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Nov 15
@jillybean1222 Someone wiser than I am will have to explain that. Basically it means that the post is no longer out there hidden somewhere internet land. You can still access an "indexed" post if you try, and therefore should not re-use it (even if you wrote it) on another site.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
16 Nov 15
So the prediction of many came true. Now the problem rests on those who worked hard further with the hope they could reach the payout. How sad for them.
9 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Yes, I feel bad for them, and only a tiny bit bad for those of us who went over there to try and get them over the hump.
3 people like this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
16 Nov 15
I stopped working on it a long time ago. I knew I would never see it.
4 people like this
@Beatburn (4287)
• Philippines
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse I posted something last week just to let people know I'm still alive. I guess that's it. Kaput.
3 people like this
@Teep11 (7674)
• United States
16 Nov 15
The funny thing is, I wrote a post about 3 hours ago, I had no idea that today would be the last day.
8 people like this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
16 Nov 15
I did a post there a couple of days ago, and was there reading and commenting earlier today. Sad.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
16 Nov 15
I wrote one just yesterday even though I had started deleting my posts. Now that they are shut down the posts would be too. I do have copies of 90%
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
@teep11 When my post from five or so days ago got literally no likes or comments over the past three days, in spite of my occasional likes and comments on the posts of those who were still there, I feared the end was near.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
16 Nov 15
I have a feeling any money owed is just a write off. I also fear our content is out of reach. I can imagine there will be a lot of furor over this for a while.
6 people like this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
16 Nov 15
@AdrienneJenkins Adrienne, I stopped showing up there almost three months ago. When Kevin and Tyler moved to Sweeble and the only one responsible was Bear, I knew that the site was going to shut down. As usual, instead to be hones, they have collected as much as they could from the work of the others.
6 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
No doubt people will be discussing this for awhile. As for the money owed, we'll have to see. It's a simple business/legal matter.
3 people like this
• Vancouver, British Columbia
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse I can't wait to hear from other long time veterans like @NeldaHoxie and @LadyDuck we weigh in and share their thoughts.
4 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Nov 15
I think it's all gone. I am saddened I missed getting some of my stuff down from there, and LOL just posted on this too.
10 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
16 Nov 15
i've not posted there for about 3 months, shame you didn't get your stuff of there too.
5 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
16 Nov 15
@Jessicalynnt I had 2.8k posts it would have taken me some time to get all my work of there.
5 people like this
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Nov 15
@kevin1877uk I had like 1.6K in posts, I was, it was just taking some serious time
4 people like this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
16 Nov 15
WHAT? can you believe it!!
7 people like this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
16 Nov 15
@bluesa I am just annoyed that I didnt get my 1500 writings delete
4 people like this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
16 Nov 15
Sadly I can, @Inlemay , I think we all had a feeling in our gut, but even though I did not post every day, I had friends there that only wanted to be there, and went back to keep in touch with them. I hope they find us here. This is so darn sad.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
16 Nov 15
I've never understood your optimism that an increased activity of the members could save the site.
3 people like this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
16 Nov 15
I just tried to log in and saw the same message @TheHorse , I am just so sad right now. It was part of my daily routine to just go and see what everybody that was still there was doing, I did a post about 3 or 4 days ago. I hope everyone will eventually find us here. What a pity it ended this way. Thank you @LadyDuck for suggesting this discussion to me.
6 people like this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
16 Nov 15
@bluesa I have suggested the discussion to all my friends that I know were also writing for Bubblews.
6 people like this
• United States
16 Nov 15
Hopefully the few that remained will find their way here
3 people like this
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
16 Nov 15
@bluesa (1032), I wish we could find a way to get to all of our friends and get them over here. I was always hesitant about saying anything to them in a post or anything, because I didn't think it would be proper... but I wish they were here
4 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
16 Nov 15
I just checked them and they are gone. There goes my $50.00 bucks. I didn't think I would see it after not getting paid for 6 months
7 people like this
@jstory07 (134460)
• Roseburg, Oregon
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse You find out anything let us knew.
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
I happen to be going to dinner at a lawyer friend's house tonight. I'll let you know if I find out anything relevant.
9 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Nov 15
@jstory07 Not much new. Yes, we're owed the money. Yes, it's difficult to collect. I'll try to find out more specifics.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Nov 15
I wouldn't count on our money still being there. It vanished right along with the site. Thankfully, I had cashed out and received my payment not too long ago, so I barely had anything in my bank. I really feel bad for those that were still waiting for payment, or were right close to being able to cash out!
7 people like this
• Chennai, India
16 Nov 15
You were just saved in nick of time. Was it possible to take out all that you have written from the site.
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
16 Nov 15
I left in February. I have 67¢ in the bank. I don't feel bad about leaving that. I feel bad for people who have larger amounts, though, knowing what good uses that money will go to.
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Nov 15
@msiduri Yeah, I only had a few dollars, which although I would have liked to have received, is not quite that big of a deal to lose. It's those people who were right at, or close to, the $50 mark that I feel bad for. Can you imagine how long it took them to get to that amount on BB, only to find that it all vanished in a matter of seconds? Truly heartbreaking!
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
16 Nov 15
I think the first announcement on this was from @Jessalyn and yes, that's it. They don't want final inquiries, they just want out. Now, you could harass them on Twitter and Sweeble and Instagram, etc. Their Facebook page is still up, with all the poetic ramblings of Arvind. But I doubt they're looking at that anymore. I might see if anyone is assailing them on Twitter.
6 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Let us know if you find anything. But "assailing" them In any way other than legally won't accomplish much.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Nov 15
It probably is. It's not like they have any ethic or care for anyone but themselves. Ugly way to end things. I sure want to run right out and do business with them again. NOT!!
5 people like this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse ...I think that due to the media/internet now days people should do their homework before embarking on any heavy duty money ventures. I would hope that I am smart enough to do that.
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Do people who run a business as they did ever get their reputations back? If Bernard Madoff got out of prison and opened an investment company, would you send him your $50,000?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Nov 15
@celticeagle You mean as far a investing goes? Or starting a company?
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
16 Nov 15
What a surprise - not! I wonder if the owners managed to squirrel much cash away before closing the doors.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Do you think we'll even know?
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace They said they did not use Bubblews money to finance Sweebie. Of course, we don't know whether that's true or not.
2 people like this
• United States
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse Right. And the moon is made of Swiss cheese.
@kevin1877uk (36988)
16 Nov 15
Wow I guess that was coming, I should have gotten all my stuff of there but never did, oh well never mind. Thanks you let us know.
4 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
16 Nov 15
@TheHorse I should be seeing I'm 51 but never seen it though with being here in the UK
2 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
16 Nov 15
I hope I get my $43 that would be wonderful but I can't see that happening.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
Are you old enough to remember the Saturday Night Live "never mind" sketches?
4 people like this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
16 Nov 15
And so it finally comes to an end. That took painfully long. Saw this coming quite some time ago. Wonder why today.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Nov 15
I know. Was it different from any othe day? Half way through the month?
• Brookville, Pennsylvania
16 Nov 15
I guess it's not all that surprising, although it would have been nice to have some warning. But screwing us over is in character.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Nov 15
This is not inconsistent with their past behavior.