Threads of identical topics usually get merged into the thread that was posted first.
Nothing to get upset about. Nothing you have to pay for.
Most mods have no access to programming, although I'm glad you shared what your experience was. I didn't know that's what happened after a merge.Which would have been fine if literally any of the notifications/steps had just said "This thread is now in ISR. You need to opt in."
Instead:
1. Your thread has been moved. It's been merged.
2. Link to new location
3. Alert: Account upgrade required to continue
4. Options: monthly payment A, monthly payment B, annual payment
That's a programming issue.