As a fix for our intermittent email issues, I've installed private messaging functionality on the site. Now, in lieu of using contact forms to email someone directly, you can use the "Write to author" links around the site, or the "Send Private Message" links on their user profile, to send them a private message. Since it doesn't need to travel anywhere to get delivered, there should be no chance of it being lost in the Ether.
By default, an email notification is sent out along with the new private message. However, you have the option (in your user profile settings) to receive message notification emails no more than once a day or disable them entirely. There is also a message that displays at the top of every page on the site if you have a new private message waiting, which can likewise be disabled from your user profile.
I'm seriously considering tying the existing game notice emails (e.g., boon awards, skill point awards, downtime participation requests, etc.) into this system as well. It's still a new system that I'm not fully committed to, though, so we'll see how things go before making it the defacto standard on the site.
Let me know what you guys think, and enjoy!