# How to purchase a membership? Just give me a hint. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 9, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454 "2015-09-09T18:35:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/1 "2015-09-09T18:35:57Z")
So after more or less idly looking for this, here and on google, for a couple of days now, I have to admit, embarrassed, that I’m stumped. HTF do you purchase a membership here? Just give me a hint. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/2 "2015-09-09T18:37:57Z")
“User CP” Left side, last item. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/3 "2015-09-09T18:40:01Z")
Go to your user control panel by clicking on UserCP on the upper left. From there, scroll down to the bottom and click on Paid Subscriptions down near the bottom of the list on the lower left. The option for a straight dope membership is on the top, and you can select either one year or two years from the drop-down menu. From there, just follow the on-screen prompts. You also have the option to purchase a custom title, for an additional fee. I’m not sure if you can purchase it at the same time as your subscription or if you have to have paid for the SDMB subscription first. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/4 "2015-09-09T22:33:06Z")
And you do NOT have to start a pay-pal account. There should be a one time credit card method if you should choose. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/5 "2015-09-10T01:38:03Z")
My Dear Frylock, without mincing words, I am convinced 100% that you have had bitter experience with various scammers & #39; claiming to be high Straightdope officials moderators and thereby defrauding you of your hard-earned money’ the activities of these scammers has changed your perspective about conducting business on the internet and you now believed there is no genuine business that can be conducted on the internet with regards to membership. Well I am American and the internet was created by American’s for the purpose of creating; awareness for your products/ services and conducting genuine business with ease. I am fully committed to deliver the diplomatic consignment to you. I am a full citizen of the United States but I was on a mission here in Fenritopia as and us ambassador to Fenritopia. Hence, I am making every effort to ensure that no citizen of the United States is cheated by Straightdope republic for purposes of membership. Therefore, I need your utmost support and understanding to actualize this dream. I also want you to understand that I do trust you and I expect you to show me the same trust and respect in return since trust is a 2-way street. On the other hand, trust is a relationship of reliance. Trust also means being able to predict what other people will do and what situations will occur. I shall be coming to your city for an official meeting on Friday and I will be bringing your funds of $15.5m along with me as well as a prepaid lifetime straightDope membership but this time I will not go through customs because as an ambassador to Fenritopia, I am a us government agent and I have the veto power to go through customs. As soon as I am through with the meeting I shall then proceed to your address. (Send your cell phone number and the address where you want me to bring the package). You have really paid so much in this delivery that makes me wonder. You are a very lucky person because I shall be bringing it myself and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It must be registered as an ambassadorial package for me to defeat all odds and the cost of the registering is $200.the fee must be paid in the next 50 hours via Paypal so that all necessary arrangement can be made before time will be against us. Contact my secretary immediately for the registering fee which is $200 only. As soon as you send the fee make sure you send me the payment information. My flight is Satursday and I expect you to comply before then so that the delivery can be completed. If you do not comply, then it will not be my fault if you do not receive your package. Sncrly Yrs, Fenris, us Ambassador to Fenritopia for the SDMB (Dictated but not read) ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/6 "2015-09-10T01:42:08Z")
Kudos. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/7 "2015-09-10T02:14:24Z")
I can expedite the process for a $10 fee. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/8 "2015-09-11T00:02:02Z")
I can’t quote he who claims to be Fenris directly because this thing presents only a blank text box. However: > [@](#): > > Well I am American and the internet was created by American’s for the purpose of creating; awareness. . . . Attention, Fenris! You’re being shot down in flames by the Nigerian prince pretending to be you! ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/9 "2015-09-11T01:28:32Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I can’t quote he who claims to be Fenris directly because this thing presents only a blank text box… Yes, that’s a pain, and sometimes makes hash out of a poster’s quote/meaning. The only way I’ve found to do it is to hard copy on your machine the words “Quote” (if you want, to mark your place) and the other text" do the hit reply button(s), then paste it into the blank space within the regular vBull-generated “copy” of other material from the cite. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/10 "2015-09-11T18:15:09Z")
I might have asked this before but what do you get as a paid member? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/11 "2015-09-11T18:17:48Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I might have asked this before but what do you get as a paid member? 1. The chance to spend even more money to get a custom title. 2. The good feeling that comes from subsidizing the Dope. 3. A slightly lighter wallet. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/12 "2015-09-11T23:40:36Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > 1. The chance to spend even more money to get a custom title. > 2. The good feeling that comes from subsidizing the Dope. > 3. A slightly lighter wallet. No ads, the ability to search. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/13 "2015-09-11T23:53:38Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I can’t quote he who claims to be Fenris directly because this thing presents only a blank text box. ? Are you saying when you hit the quote button, you only get a blank box? I’ve had that problem before, not isolated to a specific cause, not reliably repeatable. You can manually create a referenced link using the format "[noparse] [quote=poster; post#] [/noparse]". You have to use the thread post ID #, not the one listed to the right. If you leave off the post# part, it will format the quote attribution but leave off the link. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/14 "2015-09-12T00:18:40Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > ? Are you saying when you hit the quote button, you only get a blank box? I’ve had that problem before, not isolated to a specific cause, not reliably repeatable. Yes. It happens with Firefox on my iMac and iCab Mobile on my iPad. [quote] You can manually create a referenced link using the format "[noparse] > [@poster; post#](#): > > [/noparse]". You have to use the thread post ID #, not the one listed to the right. > > If you leave off the post# part, it will format the quote attribution but leave off the link. Thank you. I’ve copied the instructions. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/15 "2015-09-12T01:10:23Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > No ads, the ability to search. I thought nonmembers could search? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/16 "2015-09-12T01:45:22Z")
No Ads A peaceful calm that radiates outward in slow waves from the very center of your being ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/17 "2015-09-12T08:41:54Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I might have asked this before but what do you get as a paid member? > [@silenus](#): > > 1. The chance to spend even more money to get a custom title. > 2. The good feeling that comes from subsidizing the Dope. > 3. A slightly lighter wallet. 1. No ads, so you don’t have to feel guilty about using an ad blocker to deprive the SDMB of revenue 2. You can start threads in the Marketplace and sell stuff ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2015, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/18 "2015-09-12T08:56:11Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > No ads, the ability to search. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I thought nonmembers could search? 😕 I think that way back when the boards were pay-to-post that only members could search, but that was eliminated years ago when they became free. Now anyone can search, whether a member or guest. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/19 "2015-09-13T06:00:04Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > My Dear Frylock, > > without mincing words, I am convinced 100% that you have had bitter experience with various scammers & #39; claiming to be high Straightdope officials moderators and thereby defrauding you of your hard-earned money’ the activities of these scammers has changed your perspective about conducting business on the internet and you now believed there is no genuine business that can be conducted on the internet with regards to membership. \ > Sncrly Yrs, > > Fenris, us Ambassador to Fenritopia for the SDMB > (Dictated but not read) This post just persuaded me to shell out for my first membership. Someone should sticky it. ETA: quote didn’t work for me in Firefox, either. Chrome worked. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454/20 "2015-09-13T13:48:27Z")
> [@not actually posted by cochrane](#): > > I think that way back when the boards were pay-to-post that only members could search, but that was eliminated years ago when they became free. Now anyone can [del]search[/del] go through the actions of attempting a search, fail, wait 2 minutes, fail again and then say “Fuck it, I’ll use Google instead”, whether a member or guest. Fixed it for you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-purchase-a-membership-just-give-me-a-hint/730454.md?page=2)