# Confusing subscription notice

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-subscription-notice/832218>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [April 8, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-subscription-notice/832218 "2019-04-08T14:22:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-subscription-notice/832218/1 "2019-04-08T14:22:08Z")

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I received this (likely automated) email.

> [@webmaster(a)straightdope.com](#):
>
> Dear Pleonast,
> 
> Your access to the paid subscription “Custom Title Charter Subscription” is about to expire.
> 
> To renew this subscription you must visit [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/payments.php](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/payments.php)
> 
> If you do not extend your subscription you will revert to Guest status. As a Guest you’ll be shown banner advertising and will lose some of the privileges of your current membership status.
> 
> All the best,  
> Straight Dope Message Board

This confused me. I do not see why expiration of my custom title would result in reverting to guest status. First, the expiration should only end my custom title, not affect my membership. Second, even if my membership ended, I cannot “revert” to guest status because I’ve never had guest status. Perhaps the word “convert” is what is intended here.

Please have someone check over your automated messages to confirm they are appropriate under all the conditions they can be sent.

P.S., I just renewed my custom title. Best part of the forum!

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**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:** [April 8, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-subscription-notice/832218/2 "2019-04-08T14:58:54Z")

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Looks like the renewal for the Charter Title subscription uses the same template as the Charter Membership.

Since both your Charter Membership and your Custom Title are paid up for some time to come, this is not going to be an issue for you.

I don’t believe when a Custom Title expires that it affects Membership; the title just expires and that’s all there is to it.

Sorry if we confused you.

Jenny  
your humble TubaDiva  
Administrator
