# SDMB subscription problems? Read this **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 24, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162 "2004-03-24T18:28:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/21 "2004-04-03T05:33:22Z")
> [@Tenar](#): > > Damn! If I had known that I could have gotten two years for only $7.48, I would have gone for it. Any way to change, or do I have to pony up $7.48 for the second year alone? Or have I (quite likely) misunderstood the situation? No big tragedy either way, as $4.95 is still a good deal. $7.48 is the charge for the second year, not for both years together. If you want to lock in the rate now, we are happy to take your money; just click on the “subscribe” link. You can pay in advance for as many years as you like. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/22 "2004-04-13T06:13:21Z")
I have paid via Paypal but I’m still being told I am a guest. Where or to whom should I mail my copy of the paypal receipt? ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/23 "2004-04-13T10:07:50Z")
> [@Reepicheep](#): > > I have paid via Paypal but I’m still being told I am a guest. Where or to whom should I mail my copy of the paypal receipt? If you’ve paid through PayPal’s eCheck option, it would take about 4-5 days for the payment to clear. Your status will be changed after the payment comes through. Please confirm what mode of payment you have used. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/24 "2004-04-13T11:42:54Z")
> [@xash](#): > > If you’ve paid through PayPal’s eCheck option, it would take about 4-5 days for the payment to clear. Your status will be changed after the payment comes through. > > Please confirm what mode of payment you have used. Thanks **xash**. I paid with eCheck. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/25 "2004-04-13T11:44:12Z")
never mind. ---
**Author:** ![outside\_artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@outside\_artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outside_artist)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/26 "2004-04-14T22:14:51Z")
PC or Mac? Browser type and version number Home or work? What country are you in? Is there a firewall installed? Is antivirus software installed? Type, brand, and issuer of credit/debit card are you using, e.g., Bank One Visa debit card Did you try a different credit card, browser, and computer? Describe exactly what you did, and with what result. Indicate error messages received, preferably by copying. Include any error codes, e.g., 404 Not Found. I have a PC with windows XP, No firewall, but I have McAfee antivirus. I am at home, in the USA, and when I paid with paypal (twice!, once for 4.95, and then for 7.95) , it registered as being paid, even though it seems that I was not credited. I have a Visa Debit card. I paid for it the first time, the day after it was first offered, and then again yesterday, or very recently. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2004, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/27 "2004-04-15T05:58:56Z")
**Not a Well Woman** , you are a Charter Member, although your status shows just Member. Please contact **TubaDiva** and the other admins to have your status corrected. If you have problems with incorrect billing, please contact **Ed Zotti** to have it corrected. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2004, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/28 "2004-04-15T06:48:51Z")
> [@xash](#): > > **Not a Well Woman** , you are a Charter Member, although your status shows just Member. Please contact **TubaDiva** and the other admins to have your status corrected. > > If you have problems with incorrect billing, please contact **Ed Zotti** to have it corrected. > > Thank you. Looks like the tech staff’s earning their keep these days. 😃😃😃😃😃 ---
**Author:** ![skittles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@skittles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skittles)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/29 "2004-04-16T14:33:56Z")
I paid using PayPal via credit card. My card has been charged, I got the email notification and I’m appearing as a “guest”. I realize earlier in this thread someone said you had to wait for your payment to clear before it changes. Is there even a day or two delay after that happens to not be a guest anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/30 "2004-04-16T15:01:51Z")
> [@skittles](#): > > I paid using PayPal … Is there even a day or two delay after that happens to not be a guest anymore? I’ve used PayPal about a dozen or so times as an intermediary or sponsor, and my personal experience is that the time between receiving the email from PayPal and having the title change to Charter Member has ranged from immediate to several hours. (Though apparently, the eCheck option in PayPal takes longer.) ---
**Author:** ![Idaho\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ba9def/32.png) [@Idaho\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idaho_Red)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/31 "2004-04-17T08:14:17Z")
I just got my card statement and my SDMB subscription is on there twice. I remember there was some hiccup when I subscribed and a page never loaded so I had to enter everything again. Is there any way to fix it? I’m not too worried about it - the extra $5 won’t break me… ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2004, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/32 "2004-04-17T12:09:01Z")
> [@MostlyHarmless](#): > > I just got my card statement and my SDMB subscription is on there twice. I remember there was some hiccup when I subscribed and a page never loaded so I had to enter everything again. Is there any way to fix it? I’m not too worried about it - the extra $5 won’t break me… This did happen with some of the initial signups, especially when they clicked submit twice or reloaded the page in between the submission. The bug was later fixed by the tech team at the Chicago Reader. Please contact **Ed Zotti** with details of your subscription for a refund of the excess amount. ---
**Author:** ![Idaho\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ba9def/32.png) [@Idaho\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idaho_Red)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2004, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/33 "2004-04-18T19:21:04Z")
Thanks **xash**! E-mail sent. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/34 "2004-04-20T12:14:18Z")
I paid my subscription on Saturday, April 10th, it cleared on PayPal, and I think I still say guest. Anyone have a reason as to why? ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/35 "2004-04-20T19:04:03Z")
I’m not sure if I have a problem or not. I was just sponsored by Sun Fish last night. But the original e-mail account I signed up with was clogged with spam, so I had to use an alternate that I had devised originally mostly for storing forwards. But I included the original e-mail account name to her and that is what she sponsored me with. If a confirmation has gone out I haven’t received it, probably because [TrubluJack@yahoo.com](mailto:TrubluJack@yahoo.com) was too crammed to receive it. I have just deleted several Mb of spam and will monitor my account daily to be sure it is below 6.0. Please send me a confirmation notice. I checked the user CP and could not tell if I were fully aboard or still riding on Guest status. I suppose I will know as soon as I check my post to you. Thank you, ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/36 "2004-04-20T19:09:40Z")
> [@True Blue Jack](#): > > I’m not sure if I have a problem or not. I was just sponsored by Sun Fish last night. But the original e-mail account I signed up with was clogged with spam, so I had to use an alternate that I had devised originally mostly for storing forwards. But I included the original e-mail account name to her and that is what she sponsored me with. > > If a confirmation has gone out I haven’t received it, probably because > > [TrubluJack@yahoo.com](mailto:TrubluJack@yahoo.com) > > was too crammed to receive it. I have just deleted several Mb of spam and will monitor my account daily to be sure it is below 6.0. Please send me a confirmation notice. I checked the user CP and could not tell if I were fully aboard or still riding on Guest status. I suppose I will know as soon as I check my post to you. > > Thank you, Okay, it says \*\*\*Charter Member. \* \*\* So as Gilda said, NEVER MIND! Thank you, ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/37 "2004-04-20T19:39:10Z")
That never mind goes for me too. I am a membah! ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/38 "2004-04-20T21:24:45Z")
PC or Mac? **PC** Browser type and version number **Internet Explorer ver 6.0** Home or work? **home** What country are you in? **'Merica** Is there a firewall installed? **nope** Is antivirus software installed? **nope - it’s a bare bones machine** Type, brand, and issuer of credit/debit card are you using, e.g., Bank One Visa debit card **Atlantic National Bank Mastercard. Check card actually, but it should still work for this type of tranxaction** Did you try a different credit card, browser, and computer? **Don’t have the ability to** Describe exactly what you did, and with what result. Indicate error messages received, preferably by copying. Include any error codes, e.g., 404 Not Found. **Just filled out the form and hit submit. I got the "unable to charge credit card message** ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/39 "2004-04-21T04:28:50Z")
We extended the deadline till Monday, so you’ve got a little time. The problem is with the bank issuing your card, not your computer. Simplest thing is to find somebody else who’s got a credit card, give them $5, and have them sign up for you. You could mail the money to one of the many SDMB users who have volunteered to act as intermediary, but probably no time. My advice is, look around. This has got to be a great pickup line. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/40 "2004-04-21T06:36:00Z")
> [@Ed Zotti](#): > > This has got to be a great pickup line. You know, **Ed** , if you think “hey baby, will you do something for me if I give you five bucks?” is a great pickup line, I really fear for your love life. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162.md?page=3)