# 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:** 3
**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, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/41 "2004-04-21T14:00:00Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > “hey baby, will you do something for me if I give you five bucks?” No disrespect, **Monk** , but if, given a golden opportunity like this, the best a guy can do is the above, he’s better off sticking with “what’s your sign?” ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/42 "2004-04-26T15:09:49Z")
I paid through PayPal during the week-end of the 17/18, with ezcheck, and I am still listed as Guest. Now, I know it takes about 5 working days to clear. However, if it takes longer (like after 12PM today), will I still benefit from having paid in time ? ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/43 "2004-04-26T15:49:36Z")
Hi Ed! I also got the "“Unable to charge credit card” error message using my banks’ Visa card, but my bank shows that The Chicago Reader has charged my account $4.95. Any idea whats going on? Please let me know if there is any other info you need from me; I don’t want to be missin’ my dope! Thanks, Dan ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/44 "2004-04-26T21:19:46Z")
> [@detop](#): > > I paid through PayPal during the week-end of the 17/18, with ezcheck, and I am still listed as Guest. Now, I know it takes about 5 working days to clear. However, if it takes longer (like after 12PM today), will I still benefit from having paid in time ? I’ll make sure this gets the techs’ attention so that you are properly credited. It tends to be 5 business days. This is not on our end, but PayPals doing. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/45 "2004-04-26T21:34:54Z")
> [@Emilio Lizardo](#): > > Hi Ed! I also got the "“Unable to charge credit card” error message using my banks’ Visa card, but my bank shows that The Chicago Reader has charged my account $4.95. Any idea whats going on? Please let me know if there is any other info you need from me; I don’t want to be missin’ my dope! > > Thanks, > > Dan I’ll bring this to the tech’s attention as well. Y’all can also help me, (and you as well, detop) please. You should have received a confirmation email; please forward this to me so I can send it on to the techs to document your case. Then, if need be, I can change your status manually. Thanks! your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/46 "2004-04-27T04:53:56Z")
> [@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… Same here. What information do I need to provide? ---
**Author:** ![trey\_goesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9c0ed/32.png) [@trey\_goesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trey_goesh)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/47 "2004-04-27T06:58:24Z")
\>\>I paid through PayPal during the week-end of the 17/18, with ezcheck, and I am still listed as Guest. likewise - (except it was on the 20th). should i wait? should i have just sent mail to tubadiva out of the blue? should i just forget the $5? btw - it wasn’t clear to me at first where to register this complaint. i sent mail to the webmaster email listed below, but i suspect that it’s rather overwhelmed with spam and pretty ignored. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/48 "2004-04-27T17:48:11Z")
For all problems involving payments, whether you are not yet credited or were charged too much or whatever your situation is, here’s what you need to do to get on the road to getting it corrected: You should have been sent a confirmation email detailing the transaction(s) involved. Please forward those emails to me. They are your proof of payment and will be used by the techs to straighten your particular situation out and get you credited properly, however that might be. If you did not get in under the Charter rates and you feel you should have been (say, your registration hung up in the system, we’ve had a couple of cases of that), please send me an email detailing your situation and we’ll look into it. I am not yet sure how those cases are going to be handled, but I have inquired to Reader management. That’s [TubaDiva@aol.com](mailto:TubaDiva@aol.com). Please also indicate your screen name and any other information that makes it easy for us to figure out exactly who you are and what’s going on here. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/49 "2004-04-28T19:05:35Z")
Woohoo ! I’m legit again ! Thank you **TubaDiva**! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2004, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/50 "2004-05-07T02:02:45Z")
tubadiva, I sent you an email quite a while ago - did you receive it? If you sent a reply, I didn’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/51 "2004-05-14T16:43:59Z")
**TubaDiva** , did you ever get that email I sent you? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/52 "2004-05-15T05:23:54Z")
> [@racinchikki](#): > > **TubaDiva** , did you ever get that email I sent you? Yes indeed, and I think I forwarded it on to Jerry the Tech God. (In the midst of upgrading computers, hard to tell what’s what right now as I"m straddling different boxes. My apologies.) I’ll check my files and get back to you, but it’s probably going to be Sunday before I can do that properly. your humble TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/53 "2004-05-15T14:24:17Z")
Great, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2004, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/54 "2004-08-24T11:45:07Z")
One more question **Doug** since you’ve got the ant experts at your disposal. How big is the largest underground ant cavern found thus far? I ask because I’ve heard of farmers tell about losing livestock due to falling into an ant “bed”. If this is more than you care to answer I’ll understand. I just figured you had the inside scoop right now. thanks, t/k ---
**Author:** ![davmilasav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@davmilasav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davmilasav)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/55 "2004-12-01T15:09:12Z")
> [@Ed Zotti](#): > > Having technical problems subscribing to the SDMB? If so, please do the following. ( **NOTE** : if your problem is that you were charged $7.48 rather than $4.95, see note at end.) Thanks! When I go to sign up I’m charged $14.95. Where do I get the $4.95 rate? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/56 "2004-12-01T20:37:04Z")
The $4.95 was a special rate that was in effect only for the month when the board began subscriptions. It’s no longer available. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/57 "2005-02-14T20:43:29Z")
> [@Ed Zotti](#): > > **Were you charged $7.48 rather than $4.95?** If so, based on preliminary inquiry, it appears you inadvertently subscribed for two years - the charter member rate for the second year is $7.48 (50% of $14.95). To confirm, click on “User CP” in the menu bar, then “Paid Subscriptions” toward the bottom of the list at left. This should tell you when your subscription expires. If it’s in 2006, you’re paid up for two years. $7.48 is of course a fabulous deal, but if you want your account credited for the second year pls e-mail me. **Don’t forget to include your username.** Thanks! Okay, I’m thoroughly confused. I signed up a year ago for the super special $4.95 rate. Now that it’s about time to renew, my user CP is telling me that my account will expire in a few weeks, and it will cost me $7.48 to renew for one year (that will take me into 2006.) There are no other options. Am I supposed to be paying $4.95 (same as last year) $7.48 (the abovementioned charter rate for the second year) or paying $7.48 for an additional two years (which appears to be what the first sentence is saying)??? ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/58 "2005-02-15T00:42:02Z")
It was $4.95 for the first year, and half off each additional year. So this second year should be half of $14.95, or $7.48. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/59 "2005-04-25T19:59:45Z")
I paid today - will I be getting some sort of receipt or confirmation notice from you guys that you received my payment? I know it was last-second, but I had other things to pay first. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162/60 "2005-04-25T21:04:08Z")
You should receive a receipt – I see your new expiration date is in 2006, so you are good to go. your humble TubaDiva [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-subscription-problems-read-this/236162.md?page=2)