I do not want to use PayPal but when I go to the link to renew(I was reminded by email) there is no second page with payment options. So, what do I do?
Click through to the PayPal link. There will be an option to pay with credit card after that.
I still had to be a PayPal guest, but I went and did it. If I start getting promos from them I will be pissed.
The pay mechanism has changed: in the past you used to get a BIGASS hyperlink that said “Pay with PayPal!” and a tiny little hyperlink that said “Pay with a credit card.”
Now you get to a portal that has a button that says “Order Using PayPal.” There is no other option.
It should be mentioned that you are not necessarily forced into using your PayPal account OR being a PayPal member even. This is because the processing portal is operated BY PayPal.
When you hit the button you get a page that gives you two options:
- Paying with your PayPal account.
- Using a credit card. They call this option “PayPal Guest Checkout.”
Here’s what it looks like:
https://www.straightdope.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Checkout.jpg
It appears using “PayPal Guest Checkout” does not sign you into PayPal; it simply takes your credit card information.
Processing that transaction should be the end of it BUT if any of you sees, say, a solicitation from PayPal in your email or a message asking you to sign up, please send me a screen shot in an email to TubaDiva@aol.com.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
As far as I am aware, PayPal has always processed credit cards for us. Originally it wasn’t obvious that they were doing so. Over the years, they have made it more obvious. They also keep changing the screens around, so I personally couldn’t tell you what to click on if all you want is to pay by credit card and you don’t want to create a PayPal account. Looking at TubaDiva’s post, they certainly seem to have obfuscated it pretty well lately. There is also no telling how long their page layouts will stay this way. I don’t know how often they change things around, other than “often enough to confuse a lot of our members when they renew each year.”
That said, many users over the years have reported seeing different screens depending on what browser they were using. Finding the credit card option has been notably easier on some browsers than others, with different browsers ranging from having it be plain and obvious to some users clicking every option they could find and never figuring out where it was.
If TubaDiva’s instructions don’t work for you and you can’t find the option otherwise, try switching browsers.
Or just wait and try again the next day. That has actually worked for a few people.
Baker, I can’t NOT pay by credit card, even though I have a Pay Pal account. Still trying to figure out why.
What happened when you clicked on the “LogIn” (to PayPal) button at the top of the page?
That should have taken you to your PayPal Account.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
It does, but since I had selected a CC as my “preferred” method of payment, I can’t get rid of that last $4.75 in my cash balance. That’s why I asked your assistant webmaster (who’s just a little snarky, btw) about making random, small payment along with my membership.
Oh, your PayPal preferences got in the way. When I was testing the system, I had forgotten I had turned on the PayPal “OneClick” option and so as soon as I saw the SDMB checkout page I was taken immediately to PayPal, no choice needed, it was, indeed, “OneClick,” no fooling.
We learn new stuff all the time here.
Maybe you can find something cheapish on ebay. 
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
What does that mean, exactly? Does it mean that, even though you are not using a Pay Pal account per se, they still act as a go-between and shield SDMB from the credit card information of the person paying?
I have a Pay Pal account, but I’m just curious because I can’t see any other reason why they would bother acting as a go-between.
Back in the old days, you put your credit card info onto a screen, and poof, the magic happened and the payment was taken. There wasn’t any mention of PayPal anywhere. But behind the scenes, PayPal was the one processing the transaction for us. The only thing that has changed over the years is now you see the name PayPal on the screen (and they have had a general trend of making it more and more difficult to find the credit card only option without creating a PayPal account).
So yes, they still act as a go-between. Someone has to process the credit card stuff for us. We happen use PayPal to do it.
I should say that now while PayPal is listed first on the checkout form, you don’t have to go searching all over creation looking for the credit card option as you did in the past.
It’s also obvious now that any defaults you may have set up in your PayPal account (like making PayPal your first choice when paying for something, or conversely, using a preferred credit card when making online purchases, all optional PayPal settings) apply when making subscription purchases here at The Straight Dope.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
I just renewed and I had the option to use Venmo which is perfect since I use Venmo anyway.
Wow, that’s great! Did you see a place for that or did you just enter it in on the Paypal Guest form?
I didn’t see anything like that with Windows and Chrome, what browser/OS did you use?
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
OK so my subscription is totally messed up. I did not receive an email that renewal was due so it looks like it expired. I just paid for a two-year renewal but it looks like I selected the “GIFT Straight Dope Board Charter Membership” by mistake. I have no idea what that even means but it seemed to do nothing. I am still a Guest. How do I get back my Charter Membership? And a refund for the other thing?
Now I renewed again and am shown as a member but I’ve lost my Charter Member status.
Help!!
Looks like you’re back as a Charter Member.
Looks like you hit the wrong items on the menu.
First you purchased a GIFT Charter Member Subscription.
Then you purchased a regular Member Subscription.
Neither is what you had intended.
I have adjusted so your Charter Member status is renewed for another two years, which was your original intent. Lemme see if I can reverse the extra charge. That has to come through the Chicago Sun-Times and I have requested a refund for you. Usually we don’t do refunds but under these circumstances I think it’s justified if it’s possible.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
The Charter Membership option was not available, so I picked something that was. Now that I have renewed, that option has reappeared, along with the custom title option. I think this problem happened because I failed to renew prior to expiration.
Thanks for all your help Diva!!
Sorry you didn’t see the expiration notice; usually it goes out a week or so prior to the drop dead date. So to speak.
Mostly the notices get to people but occasionally the system hiccups and Something Bad Happens. I think this was one of those cases. But you’re good now.
The Chicago Sun-Times will refund the extra payment. Probably take a few days to process. Give it a little time and let me know if you don’t see it within the next week or so.
Glad you’re all, um, straightened out.
Jenny
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator