There used to be an easy way to do this, but it got upgraded out of existence. There’s a hack for the bulletin board software (vB) that supposedly restores the ability, but Jerry has been slammed lately and hasn’t had time to install it, and is reluctant anyway, since the risk of hacks, particularly on a board as busy as this one, is that you’ll break something else. Luckily, a friend of TSD who runs a Web services firm here in Chicago and is knowledgeable in vB has volunteered to help. Jerry has given him the keys to the kingdom and he’s looking into the matter now. I hope to hear back from him soon. If he can’t do anything, we’ll figure out a Plan B.
Not that 4 days matters, but mine says it expires May 24th. Do I still need to pay by the 20th?
You can check the expiration date of your subscription by going to the User Control Panel and clicking on “Paid Subscriptions.” That will tell you when your subscription expires and you can makes moves accordingly.
Just wanted to say that Y’all are VERY important to me, and if I can help keep us “online” for anyone who needs it, I will sell cans to get you your membership.
We cannot lose touch, okay?
Bill
Good on you Quasi. I will assist you by emptying a few cans tonight.
If I re-upped today, do I short change the 2 weeks I have left? 
TubaDiva, how’s all of this going, Hon? janis and co.'s membership was a birthday present, and I feel a little dumb that I cannot give it to her…
And by the way, this is NO REFLECTION on you as an Administrator, okay? I think y’all are awesome and do a FAN-DAMN-TASTIC job keeping everything going and us ('specially me;)) in line.
It’s just a request for an update?
Thank you!
Bill
Oh shit!
Q
You can resubscribe whenever you like and it merely adds time to what you already have. You don’t lose anything by resubscribing early. You gain nothing by waiting until the last minute.
Quasi, let me kick this upstairs again and see if I can’t do something for you here. I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long to get this handled appropriately.
I have suddenly found myself in a strained financial situation. Car repairs, then a car accident, and today I was laid off. I want to stay on as a Charter Member, but can’t justify the money right now.
If someone would be kind enough to sponsor me this time, I will pay for your subscription next year, or sponsor someone else in need.
Thanks.
We now have a hack in place for gift subscriptions to the Dope.
Please check it out and let us know if it works.
Thanks!
Thanks; I just renewed a friend’s subscription. I can’t tell if it worked, though. The paypal receipt I got makes no mention of whose subscription was renewed. Is there some way I can tell (short of emailing that person, which I’ve done)?
Send me an email and I’ll check it for you. Happy to, in fact.
Thanks TubaDiva and the technical staff who did this.
I am not sure which members would appreciate assistance for the next year (others may have paid for them). I am still able to help if someone would like to PM me.
I have a nice $10 bill for any one who reups me. Please
I paid for ya, Annie! Let me know if it didn’t work…
SiouxChief
Send warm smoke signals saying 'THANKS" your way SiouxChief
I can help, only if someone tells me how to do it.
Thanks,
Thanks for the offer, depocali, but my subscription has been taken care of by a very generous Doper.
I do appreciate it.
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Click on the “User CP” hyperlink in the blue band at the top of the page.
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Click on the “Paid Subscriptions” hyperlink in the column of hyperlinks on the left hand side.
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You will see a box that says “Straight Dope Board Membership.”
To purchase a gift subscription enter the user name of your giftee in the little box above the “Straight Dope Board Membership” area. Be sure to spell the user name correctly.
Click on the little arrow in the “Cost” box; the amount due will appear. Click on the “Order” button to the right of that.
- You will see this box:
To pay for your subscription, please click the order button next to your preferred payment method and follow the instructions on the following page.
Subscription: Straight Dope Board Membership
Duration: 1 Year
Cost: US$whateveryourrateis
Order Using PayPal
To pay for your subscription using PayPal click the button below and follow the onscreen instructions.
Click on the button that says “Order using PayPal.” (It’s the only choice you have.) But relax, you’ll be able to use your credit card or bank account if you don’t want to use PayPal itself to pay for your subscription.
A new window will open. You will have two choices
Sign in using PayPal. (Fill in the box on the right hand side.)
Use your credit card or bank account. (Click on the hyperlink on the left hand side where it says “Don’t have a PayPal account?
Use your credit card or bank account (where available). Continue”
Be sure that the credit card you want to use is not linked to PayPal; see note below.
Choose either PayPal or the “Continue” option to make your payment.
DSYoungEsq has mentioned something that may be meaningful:
Please let me know if you encounter any problems, we’re here to help.