Individuals who fancy delightful conversations with intriguing personalities who have similarly stuffed bank accounts and genie-like credit services can pony up the measly $9,000 to join Netropolitan, a social network for the 1 percent.
Maintaining membership in the elite social club requires $3,000 annually and a one-time initiation fee of $6,000. Besides the small fees to stop the working class at the door, Netropolitan Club requires users be at least 21 years of age and to confirm their identities.
It's obvious everyone can't afford to join the Netropolitan Club, and that's exactly the point, says Netropolitan Club founder, music composer and former conductor James Touchi-Peters. Netropolitan Club is meant to be a safe haven for the rich and famous, who are often misunderstood when they open up to the general public about their cars and vacation, Michelle Lawless, messaging specialist at Media Minefield, told the LA Times.
"James and others have mentioned feeling judged for talking about certain topics on other social media outlets, like they were bragging and met with a little ill will," says Lawless. "Netropolitan is designed to be the place to talk about your last European vacation or new car without the backlash."
The newly Netropolitan Club has already drawn criticism from outsiders, but Touchi-Peters argues that there is a need for services such as his elite social club.
"The way I look at this," Touchi-Peters says, "I am simply providing a service to a section of the public that demands that."
The club's customer service department is available around the clock, requiring just a click of the support option to receive help. However, The Netropolitan Club has reminded its users that it isn't a concierge service.
"Please understand that Netropolitan is NOT a concierge service," says Netropolitan. "Our Member Service Associates will not book you a charter jet, or find you tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. They exist solely to help members technically navigate and find their way around the social club."
Netropolitan uses geolocation and a radius search to encourage its members to connect offline, but its stresses its site provides a secure environment for its users. Thanks to its annual membership fees, Netropolitan users can enjoy an experience free of ads and data marketing.
"We cannot stress this enough: Creating a private and secure environment for our members is one of the primary reasons this club exists," says Netropolitan. "We do not sell or display third-party advertising; we do not sell or give away your personal data; and we work tirelessly to make our online environment as safe and secure as possible."
