Can't send a message, I am being asked for Stars

Some people charge a small fee, paid in Telegram Stars, for messages from anyone not in their contacts. This is a Star Message, and it exists to make bulk unsolicited messaging expensive.

How it works

• The cost is shown before you send, so nothing is charged without you seeing the price.
• It applies only to people who are not in the recipient's contacts.
• If the recipient replies, they may choose to refund the fee.

Why someone turns it on

A public figure, a seller or anyone with a visible username receives a large volume of unsolicited messages. A per-message charge barely registers for one person with a genuine reason to write, while making a list of ten thousand recipients uneconomic. The point is the asymmetry, not the revenue.

If you do not want to pay

1. Wait for them to message you first. Once they do, the conversation is open and the fee no longer applies.
2. Ask them to add you as a contact. Contacts are exempt.
3. Use another route. If they run a channel with a discussion group, or list a support contact, that path is usually free.