# How did I get downgraded from Charter Member to Guest? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 28, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-i-get-downgraded-from-charter-member-to-guest/497936 "2009-05-28T15:57:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 74
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-i-get-downgraded-from-charter-member-to-guest/497936/74 "2009-06-29T19:12:51Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > Not when you already know that it’s not part of the terms of the agreement. If you’re not happy with not getting notice that suits you, then don’t participate in the transaction. Given that notices were sent out earlier last year, that kind of negates your point that the users already knew the details of the transaction. What they knew, based on previous experience was different than what happened this year. (Note to SDMB staff: My point here is not to make any judgements regarding how the board is run, I merely disagree with the world view that ignores the reality and complexity of life in favor of a simplistic black and white version). > [@](#): > > And snail-mail occasionally gets lost too, or arrives when we’re on vacation. Does the electric company excuse a late payment if you tell them you were on vacation when the bill arrived? I think not. You make arrangements so that the bills are paid either before or while you’re on vacation. Or at least I do. It could also be argued that lost mail is the electric company’s fault because they chose the delivery method. Realistically it’s a partnership, as is the relationship with the SDMB. There is some black and some white and various shades of grey in between. > [@](#): > > And yes, I do keep my own records, for self-preservation. I find it important to pay my bills, so I don’t rely on someone else to remind me to pay them. I use a chart that I created in Word for monthly bills, and it has slots in each month for irregular ones that don’t happen every month. I also use my desk calendar as a reminder for others. Do you also have a spreadsheet of every tax rate in every municipality in which you purchase items so retail stores aren’t burdened with having to track it? Do you regularly inquire regarding the recall status of any product you have purchased, or do you just suck it up when something goes wrong? Do you verify the speed limit on the road in front of your house before you drive on it, just in case it was changed recently, or do you just pay the ticket happily (true example)? > [@](#): > > The concept behind maintaining CM status isn’t rocket science. We’re supposed to be smarter than the average bear here. Which is exactly why I efficiently rely on the computer systems of the partners I do business with instead of inefficiently duplicating their efforts. And if they have a system that is problematic for me, I let them know, usually nicely, as most of the other posters have done in this case. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-i-get-downgraded-from-charter-member-to-guest/497936)._