# Probably A Stupid Question re Renewal and Ads **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 8, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366 "2009-01-08T13:02:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/21 "2009-01-10T09:24:47Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Doubtful, seeing how posting is free now, and ads are minimal with the right browser/software installed. Still, the title of \*\* Ed Zotti \*\*'s post indeed says that you can’t pay with a credit card, when actually the message he wants to pass on is that you can. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/22 "2009-01-10T09:32:50Z")
By the way, I must be an idiot, but I can’t find the subscription page. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/23 "2009-01-10T14:05:52Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > By the way, I must be an idiot, but I can’t find the subscription page. Click on User CP in the menu bar under the site banner. On the left-hand side it will say: Your Control Panel. Scroll down to the choice “Paid Subscriptions.” ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/24 "2009-01-10T14:06:38Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > By the way, I must be an idiot, but I can’t find the subscription page. Go to User CP, then on the list to the left click on 'Paid Subscriptions" (the last item on the list). There’s be a drop-down menu with your options, then click on the order button. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/25 "2009-01-10T14:29:12Z")
The User CP route that the others have suggested is the best way to go. But be sure and log in first though, or User CP won’t appear. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/26 "2009-01-10T15:16:12Z")
Hi **rigs** , I think I see where you might be going wrong. When you get to the PayPal page, you should see a page that has a heading called “Pay with Credit Card or Log In”. Stay on the left side of the page and fill in your name and credit card info. Ignore the log-in box on the right side of the page and the Pay securely with PayPal button I’ve made screen prints if you want me to send them to you. PM me if you need help. GT ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/27 "2009-01-10T16:26:07Z")
> [@gardentraveler](#): > > Hi **rigs** , > I think I see where you might be going wrong. > > When you get to the PayPal page, you should see a page that has a heading called “Pay with Credit Card or Log In”. > > Stay on the left side of the page and fill in your name and credit card info. Ignore the log-in box on the right side of the page and the Pay securely with PayPal button But that’s just it–I do stay on the left and I do fill in my name etc. And then the Screen o’ Death appears. ☹ I am not about to enter further into PayPal hell and go to customer “service”. I’ve never heard good about PP, frankly. **DS** and **Liberal** : please stop hijacking my thread. Appreciate the help,\*\* DS\*\*, but I’ll probably have to open some junk email account, which I don’t want or need just for this site. It’s ridiculous. The Dope with these ads… Call me spoiled, but I really don’t see new traffic coming in with the screen peppered with ads. It’s worse than Facebook. The ads aren’t kept to one side, they change (god help us all when they start to talk) and when they change/finally load, my page jumps around. I am a loyal Doper and I don’t want to come and be harassed with them–I can’t imagine someone new to the site putting up with them. Well, now I’ve hijacked my own thread. I have things to do in RL today; I’ll work on this later. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/28 "2009-01-10T17:07:51Z")
I took screenshots of what you need to do. [See if these are the steps you’re following.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/gardentraveler/sets/72157604890622257/) If you are, the only other possibility I can think of is that someone else created an account on PayPal and somehow you’re being redirected to that. I’ve used PayPal about twice in my life, so I’m sorry I can’t help with that, but I’m sure someone else will stop by and help. GT ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/29 "2009-01-10T19:55:31Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Click on User CP in the menu bar under the site banner. On the left-hand side it will say: Your Control Panel. Scroll down to the choice “Paid Subscriptions.” Thanks. For some reason, I hadn’t noticed it at the bottom of the list. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/30 "2009-01-10T19:59:23Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > The ads aren’t kept to one side, they change (god help us all when they start to talk) Sorry, I couldn’t help laughing. And unfortunately, you’re probably right. Someday, they _will_ speak. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/31 "2009-01-11T01:31:42Z")
> [@gardentraveler](#): > > I took screenshots of what you need to do. [See if these are the steps you’re following.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/gardentraveler/sets/72157604890622257/) > > If you are, the only other possibility I can think of is that someone else created an account on PayPal and somehow you’re being redirected to that. > > I’ve used PayPal about twice in my life, so I’m sorry I can’t help with that, but I’m sure someone else will stop by and help. > > GT Those are the steps I’m taking. I fill everything out like a good Scout only to have my transaction not processed due to the message I quoted above. I buy so few things online, that I would remember if I had a PP account. I tend to be paranoid about money online and want the least amount of info out there (I’m sure I could be better about this, too). We’ll see how it goes–we’re waiting hear back from TPTB here re someone else paying for my account. Until then, I’m stuck with ads. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/32 "2009-01-13T16:05:59Z")
Well, I tried again, using an aol email account that I still have but no longer use. It’s been over 2 years since I used it and I didn’t even know about PayPal when I had this aol addy. Here is my screen o’ death: > [@](#): > > You cannot use an e-mail address or card number that belongs to an existing PayPal account. If you have a PayPal account, please log in. If you don’t, please change the e-mail address or card number and try again. I now give up. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/33 "2009-01-13T21:41:10Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Well, I tried again, using an aol email account that I still have but no longer use. It’s been over 2 years since I used it and I didn’t even know about PayPal when I had this aol addy. > > Here is my screen o’ death: > > I now give up. As I said to you before: You are trying to use a credit card account that PayPal thinks is linked to a PayPal account. Why are you so resistant to the idea of simply calling PayPal at the number in the link I provided? If I was you, and I was certain my credit card account should not be linked to a PayPal account, I’d want to know how the heck it had happened, and see to it that it was no longer linked in that way. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/34 "2009-01-14T00:03:52Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > As I said to you before: > > You are trying to use a credit card account that PayPal thinks is linked to a PayPal account. > > Why are you so resistant to the idea of simply calling PayPal at the number in the link I provided? If I was you, and I was certain my credit card account should not be linked to a PayPal account, I’d want to know how the heck it had happened, and see to it that it was no longer linked in that way. :eek: I don’t know that that is the problem. I’d say that’s part of the problem because it doesn’t work for me with a different credit card, either (I get the same message). I am not resistant to doing making that call at all. My point in posting again was to show that I did follow the directions that PP provides (ie using a different email addy or credit card) and it still doesn’t work for me. I will make that call, when I get a minute (or 15 or so to stay on hold etc). I wasn’t clear on the using a different card (in fact, I didn’t mention it at all. Oops). My post was 95% complaint and 5% in case someone else is/was having the same problem. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/35 "2009-01-14T00:36:41Z")
SUCCESS! Phil in customer service at PP rocks (although the automatic menu to get to a real, live person sucks). We figured it out. I must have input a credit card # wrong the time I tried it with a different card, but the other snafu came about due to the first credit card. The Husband has a PP account (unbeknownst to me) and has used that card. Phil looked into my email addy and it’s ok. I paid up, and now, NO ADS! I’m happy.\* He was so nice I asked to talk to his supervisor so that he could get whatever chocolate/hookers and blow/carrots they dispense over there to the phone minions. Bill, “Claim Escalations” was not so nice. He didn’t get that I wasn’t complaining about Phil. Perhaps he doesn’t receive positive phone calls often. :eek: That and he went into this weird confidentiality mode re “the account in question” (which I understand, but I have since verified with The Husband that he has an account–it’s not a state secret. I also now know to NOT use that card when re-upping next year.) \*Truly I am pathetic because it’s stuff like this that makes me happy. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366/36 "2009-01-14T03:01:13Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > SUCCESS! > > Phil in customer service at PP rocks (although the automatic menu to get to a real, live person sucks). We figured it out. I must have input a credit card # wrong the time I tried it with a different card, but the other snafu came about due to the first credit card. The Husband has a PP account (unbeknownst to me) and has used that card. Phil looked into my email addy and it’s ok. I paid up, and now, NO ADS! I’m happy.\* > > He was so nice I asked to talk to his supervisor so that he could get whatever chocolate/hookers and blow/carrots they dispense over there to the phone minions. Bill, “Claim Escalations” was not so nice. He didn’t get that I wasn’t complaining about Phil. Perhaps he doesn’t receive positive phone calls often. :eek: That and he went into this weird confidentiality mode re “the account in question” (which I understand, but I have since verified with The Husband that he has an account–it’s not a state secret. I also now know to NOT use that card when re-upping next year.) > > \*Truly I am pathetic because it’s stuff like this that makes me happy. I am glad it worked out for you. 🙂 And you will notice I was right. 😃 That makes one for me, and, oh, about 100 for the opposition. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-a-stupid-question-re-renewal-and-ads/480366.md?page=1)