# At a loss **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 25, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012 "2011-08-25T07:20:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Doughnut\_Thief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Doughnut\_Thief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Doughnut_Thief)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/1 "2011-08-25T07:20:51Z")
I have searched the forums and FAQ but I cannot seem to find anything on the SDMB paid subscription. So I ask all you members what is it? What are the added benefits vs. being a registered “guest”? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/2 "2011-08-25T07:25:07Z")
I think it’s that the ads go away, and a few more of your profile details show against your posts. You also get to sell stuff in the marketplace forum and I think there’s something about being able to use signatures too. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/3 "2011-08-25T07:43:42Z")
There’s also some social aspects. Do you realize what a babe magnet the words “Charter Member” below your user name is? Oops! I wasn’t supposed to reveal that. Never mind. Pretend you never saw it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/4 "2011-08-25T07:48:39Z")
Also, profile pics, more private message storage. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/5 "2011-08-25T07:49:25Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Oops! I wasn’t supposed to reveal that. Never mind. Pretend you never saw it. No more Straight Dope celebrity orgies for you. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/6 "2011-08-25T08:01:33Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Oops! I wasn’t supposed to reveal that. Never mind. Pretend you never saw it. For crying out loud, just don’t spill the beans that we charter members can also attach pictures and use avatars! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/7 "2011-08-25T11:07:03Z")
Moved from General Questions to ATMB. **samclem** , Moderator ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/8 "2011-08-25T11:31:29Z")
The ads go away. Bonus. And you can put something nifty in the “location” section. I haven’t had any amorous Dopers chasing me since becoming a member so I can’t attest to the sex appeal of being a member v guest. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/9 "2011-08-25T11:37:07Z")
I’m probably completely dumb, but I’ve looked for the subscription link before and couldn’t find it. How does one subscribe? And am I being really blind by not seeing it? ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/10 "2011-08-25T11:44:58Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > I’m probably completely dumb, but I’ve looked for the subscription link before and couldn’t find it. How does one subscribe? And am I being really blind by not seeing it? It is sort of hard to find. [Post #3 here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=501002) ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/11 "2011-08-25T13:14:10Z")
User CP / Paid Subscriptions. Follow the prompts. You can use a credit card, a PayPal account, or your bank account (the PayPal “echeck” system.) However, if you go the echeck route it will take 5-10 business days to process, that is a delay on the PayPal side of things. Credit cards and regular PayPal transactions are processed instantly. If you have a problem with this system please send me an email, I’m happy to help you. TubaDiva @ aol com. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/12 "2011-08-25T14:44:38Z")
> [@The\_Doughnut\_Thief](#): > > I have searched the forums and FAQ but I cannot seem to find anything on the SDMB paid subscription. So I ask all you members what is it? What are the added benefits vs. being a registered “guest”? No one pays attention to or reads the posts of guests, and guests do not get the hot tub/sauna privileges that members receive. Members are also allowed to suggest (politely, of course) Czarcasm make like a drum and beat it, that he make like a hockey player and get the puck out of here. But for guests, that is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. Er, wait. You’re right, I guess it’s just the sauna and the hot tub, then. :o ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-loss/594012/13 "2011-08-25T17:00:20Z")
Also note that you can’t become a charter member. That’s reserved for the first wave of folks who paid way back when, and who have kept their subscription up to date ever since. Charters also get a discount on renewing their subscription. Oh, and if you pay up and become a member, there’s also an option to pay a little extra to get a custom title. That’s how you’ll sometimes see someone with a “member” or “charter member” title, plus some other witticism, under their name. Custom titles don’t have any extra effects associated with them, other than the warm fuzzy glow from knowing that you’re helping the board, and the opportunity to show off your wit in one more way.