# Last post or how many non-US residents will subscribe ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 24, 2004, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175 "2004-03-24T19:46:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/21 "2004-03-25T00:16:18Z")
My brother and I never carry cash. We use plastic for everything. I live in the States… but HE lives in the UK and Stockholm. He must be a complete outcast… ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/22 "2004-03-25T00:17:19Z")
> [@sunfish](#): > > That’s not true. Read **Ed Zotti’s** stickie about payment problems [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=246977). I know that Ed and **xash** have also responded in other similar threads. I think in people’s consternation they have not been looking to see if other threads are already open on the same topic. > > Anyways, if you have looked through the ATMB threads in which people offered to help, no one has said they would only help their own countrymen if gift subscriptions were being offered. (Where posters were just looking for someone to submit payment on their behalf, it of course helps to be working with the same currency.) If you really wish to stay here, **Zweistein** , there are plenty of people willing to lend a hand… all you have to do is ask. I have read them, all of them. I’m talking about her specific problem and her specific card. I am particularly interested because it’s happened to me. Thanks for your insight **GorillaMan** I do know what a CREDIT card is. Many people have had problems with both credit and debit cards, try reading the threads. Don’t be so bloody pompous. ---
**Author:** ![Nesyut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@Nesyut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nesyut)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/23 "2004-03-25T00:40:24Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Mine’s a Visa debit card - funcitonally identical to a credit card. Pretty much a standard part of any UK bank account. Depends from bank to bank. The ones I’ve been a member of (Natwest, Halifax and some other thats merged away) the standard has been Switch and Solo. I guess I’m fortunate that paypal within the last year or so has been able to accept the debit card - I was refused a credit card even as a student! Also living in and out of Berlin for the past year, I can safely say that credit cards are not a common sight over there. EC cards are common, and usually used to get cash out of an ATM, and little more (although there are shops where they have swipers). I often get to hear my friends complain about not being able to use websites such as eBay and others due to not being able to use paypal due to the lack of credit cards and the like. Well, thats my 1 pence (2 cents American). ~Nesyut _returns to lurkerdom_ ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/24 "2004-03-25T00:46:01Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > Thanks for your insight **GorillaMan** I do know what a CREDIT card is. Many people have had problems with both credit and debit cards, try reading the threads. Don’t be so bloody pompous. :rolleyes: I was being pompous because evidently I’m not the only one who doesn’t read threads properly. ---
**Author:** ![Maple\_Leaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Maple\_Leaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maple_Leaf)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/25 "2004-03-25T00:51:09Z")
With regards to the Credit Card not being recognized…could it be that in the UK our year and month on the card are reversed? I have run into this problem before. Signed up Englishman in Canada ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/26 "2004-03-25T05:30:08Z")
I signed up from Australia using my Mastercard. The whole transaction took about 45 seconds. My bank has already charged my account. The USD$4.95 was equivalent to a charge of AUD$6.70, which is about the cost of a sandwich and a cup of coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/27 "2004-03-25T06:25:44Z")
> [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > Australians are plastic money crazy. I use my credit card for everything from fuel to beer to pizza (online) to the SDMB. Signing up for the dope took me about a minute. The currency conversion took place automatically. At worst there might be some sort of currency conversion fee imposed by my bank. It’ll be in the order of A$1. I can live with that. So the SDMB may not go under, but by the number of Aussie charter members I see, the SDMB may go Down Under! ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/28 "2004-03-25T07:06:20Z")
Brisbane Australia here. I payed with a Visa debit card- I think it was mine. I keep a debit card with a few dollars only attached to it for just such pleasures. That and clooties. And its obvious the tipple of choice will have to be XXXX. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/29 "2004-03-25T12:04:16Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > :rolleyes: I was being pompous because evidently I’m not the only one who doesn’t read threads properly. I do read the threads, and usually correctly. If you look at BethCro’s time of the original post it was approximately 11 hours before she came back herself and said the problem had been sorted out. I had looked at the thread throughout the day hoping for someone to come up with the answer. Eventually I decided to bump it, and hope it might stir up an answer. I’m afraid your rather condescending remark ”Why would it be a problem “ when it obviously was a problem, both for her and me, encouraged me to post it in this thread instead. Then she came back with another post saying everything was now ok. I’m just trying to explain the sequence of events, I’ve no wish to go to war over it. V ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/30 "2004-03-25T12:31:53Z")
> [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > Australians are plastic money crazy. I use my credit card for everything from fuel to beer to pizza (online) to the SDMB. Signing up for the dope took me about a minute. The currency conversion took place automatically. At worst there might be some sort of currency conversion fee imposed by my bank. It’ll be in the order of A$1. I can live with that. FWIW, credit cards give you great exchange rates–usually better than the merchant rate. AFAIK, they don’t charge conversion fees either (unless your card is different to the few I’ve used). ---
**Author:** ![sunfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sunfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunfish)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/31 "2004-03-25T12:49:48Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > I have read them, all of them. I’m talking about her specific problem and her specific card. I am particularly interested because it’s happened to me. It wasn’t clear to me in your first link to **BethCro’s** post that it was her specific situation you were referring to - it looked like you were simply citing an example of someone you felt was being ignored somehow. To be fair the Admins, it’s a little hard to expect them to have answers about why a specific overseas credit card is not working when they have their hands full with many public requests for various fixes and likely plenty of private requests as well. The best they can do is suggest switching to another card or asking someone for a hand. In one of the other threads, someone suggested that some people’s banks may be balking at international transactions without the extra security code being given. If that’s the case with NatWest, it’s much simpler/faster for you to call your bank and find out than for the Admins to do so. And if it is an issue, I’m sure another UK doper would be happy to help you arrange payment. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/32 "2004-03-25T12:59:19Z")
Every adult I know in Ireland has a credit card. You leaving makes the place have one less non-us poster. You’re helping your prophecy come true. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/33 "2004-03-25T13:01:53Z")
Oh and why don’t you at least stay till the 30days free posting runs out? ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/34 "2004-03-25T13:18:16Z")
> [@sunfish](#): > > It wasn’t clear to me in your first link to **BethCro’s** post that it was her specific situation you were referring to - it looked like you were simply citing an example of someone you felt was being ignored somehow. To be fair the Admins, it’s a little hard to expect them to have answers about why a specific overseas credit card is not working when they have their hands full with many public requests for various fixes and likely plenty of private requests as well. The best they can do is suggest switching to another card or asking someone for a hand. > > In one of the other threads, someone suggested that some people’s banks may be balking at international transactions without the extra security code being given. If that’s the case with NatWest, it’s much simpler/faster for you to call your bank and find out than for the Admins to do so. And if it is an issue, I’m sure another UK doper would be happy to help you arrange payment. **sunfish,** I linked to that particular post because it mirrored my situation almost exactly, which was why I was disappointed no one had replied. I realise that the administrators are very busy right now which is another reason why put that other post here- there seemed to be a current discussion on a similar matter. I intend to try again to subscribe at a more convenient time. I have seen many reasons put forward in different threads for this failure with credit card subscription. It will boil down to my Nat West card or nothing though, (my son had an unbelievable amount of trouble with PayPal some time ago) so if it doesn’t work I will just leave here. I haven’t been here long enough to be addicted I’m glad to say. 🙂 V ---
**Author:** ![sunfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sunfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunfish)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/35 "2004-03-25T13:44:44Z")
Well, I hope things can be worked out so you can stick around, **Vetch**. [sub]And then you’ll find out you’ve come to the Internet’s version of Hotel California. [/sub] 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Pebbles131](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/eada6e/32.png) [@Pebbles131](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pebbles131)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/36 "2004-03-25T13:51:29Z")
I’m in, I’ve paid! With my Visa Delta with not a single problem. Now, I’m going to darned well make sure I get my moneys worth, so be prepared for lots and lots of posts from me! Actually, I think this one should just about cover it! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/37 "2004-03-25T14:55:51Z")
Look, guys, there are LOTS AND LOTS of threads where people with credit cards say they are HAPPY to help out people with currency/card problems. Shit-o-dear, many of them have offered to freakin’ PAY FOR THEMS TOO POOR so if you promise to send them real cash money you are steps ahead. And if you send it in you amusingly colorful local currency you might provide give some cheap Merkin a cost-effective gift for his nephew. “See how this money has Edith Piaf/a boring and dead politician nobody has heard of\*/a distressingly alive despot’s picture on it? That shows how much better America is than (fill in your country’s name here).” So could you people PLEASE quit yer griping?\*\* - - Hey! I’ve heard of Alexander Hamilton and happen to find him VERY interesting, thankyouverymuch. \*\* - I wonder if I pissed off anybody so much they subscribe so they can continue to berate me after April 22? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/38 "2004-03-25T15:58:55Z")
It’s almost the reverse for me. I’m a Canadian Doper, and I’ve hardly posted here in the last year. I got the message this morning that the SDMB was switching to a pay service, thought about it for 5 minutes (after all, I don’t post much here anymore), decided to pay, and now I’m posting madly to make sure I get my money’s worth. So here is a non-US Doper posting MORE. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/39 "2004-03-25T16:08:27Z")
> [@lolagranola](#): > > So here is a non-US Doper posting MORE. Ditto. I’m a Canadian doper who was taking a break from the boards. My roommate ( **matt\_mcl** ) mentioned they were going over to a paid service, so we paid and I started posting again. ---
**Author:** ![YoudNeverGuess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a587f6/32.png) [@YoudNeverGuess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoudNeverGuess)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175/40 "2004-03-25T17:27:35Z")
I’m Irish. At $4.95 I think I’ll subscribe. It’s very little really and I think the people who run the board deserve some support. I tried to subscribe the other day but they said my card was expired - expiry date is 03/2004 - meaning END of March '04. My new card won’t be valid until next Thursday. How will I survive a whole week without the NewPost function? Oh well. I only have one credit card and I never use my debit card on the net. (I reckon one card’s details floating around in cyberspace is enough and I reckon it’s easier to stop a suspect payment on a credit card than a debit card where the money comes straight out of your bank account). Anyway that’s by the way. Glad to see some of the names that are staying. I’m sure things will work out just fine… 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-post-or-how-many-non-us-residents-will-subscribe/236175.md?page=3)