I don't know why that's not possible, non membership paying members can keep the pop up ads and the rest of us can go back to the way it was. Here's an example of another site that went through the same member complaints and this fixed it:



Memberships

For over a decade, BMW 2002 FAQ has provided the largest technical resource and community for BMW 2002 and BMW Neue Klasse owners. We work hard everyday towards promoting our hobby, users, and suppliers.

Our Supporting Membership program helps fund our financial obligations while providing you online and offline benefits and resources as a BMW 2002 owner.

Membership to the site will always be free, but if you would like to remove the ads and gain a couple other perks, please, [b]chose one of the paid membership options.


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Supporting Membership Benefits

• No Advertising: With Supporting Membership, you will not see any external advertisements. The site will look cleaner and act a lot faster
• Supporting Member Moniker: Under your posts you will be seen as a Supporting Member.

Membership Cost
• Kugelfischer Membership: $4.02/month, $20.02/6 month, or $35.02/year
• Turbo Membership: $7.02/month, $30.02/6 month, or $50.02/year
• Alpina Membership: $14.02/month, $60.02/6 month, or $100.02/year
As a reward for your donation of $4.02 per month, $20.02 per 6 months or $35.02 per year, you will not see any external advertisements, the site will look cleaner and run a bit faster.



MikeR

Just a thought and this way instead of complaining you guys can step up and put your complaining money where your complaints are. And future complainers can be directed to the paying membership sign up area and you can also have a full page POP UP AD WITH THE MESSAGE ON HOW TO GET RID OF THE POP UP ADS