I'm glad I found this topic. Surprised there aren't more comments.
I don't get the semi-private thing either. Here are my suggestions on how to improve it (read: make me even mildly interested in trying it)
1) If the preview window is problematic, then how about a current picture? A single shot of the day, chosen by the model. Show that. At least then I can see what outfit the model has chosen that day. Other sites don't let you see the model before you go private, but at least you can see some recent photos (as in within the last few hours) that the model chooses to make available.
2) If the model isn't visiting with a paying viewer, open the chat. I'm willing to pay the higher price charged by this site (compared to some others) because of the opportunity to chat with models first. I don't mind if I can't see them. Often I just want to see if I find a model friendly, and assess her mood. But at the very least, I'd like to know she's even there at the keyboard.
I trust that semi-private is working as-is, or else changes would be made. I'm all for people doing whatever they want. But I can't imagine myself visiting semi-private models given current circumstances. The price is just too high for so many unknowns.
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