SDMB Subscriptions

engineer_comp_geek · May 16, 2017, 3:44pm

Unfortunately, I don’t have permission to discuss what we’re testing. If/when the time comes, I assume Ed will make some sort of announcement.

I have absolutely no control over the servers. That said, since we still have occasional board performance issues, I wouldn’t expect the search limitation to be dropped any time soon. My general impression is that loading issues seem to be getting to be less frequent. If that trend continues, they might be agreeable to lowering the wait between searches. I doubt that they would eliminate it altogether, at least not initially. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.

Kent_Clark · May 16, 2017, 4:13pm

I had another one in my inbox this morning.

ThelmaLou · May 16, 2017, 4:27pm

Have no fear. Trump will reveal it in his twitterstorm tomorrow morning. And then deny it.

Me, too. It’s my third one.

running_coach · May 16, 2017, 4:41pm

Second for me.

Cartooniverse · May 17, 2017, 12:51am

My thanks to running coach for cross-posting this thread into my thread. VERY helpful.

" Henry Joseph " used to go by “Slug Signorino”, but you know…times being what they are…nobody appreciates fine illustrations like they did back in 1973… people change.

Baker · May 18, 2017, 11:45pm

I tried to renew, but it doesn’t want to offer any payment method other than PayPal.

My time is running out, how or where do I go to pay up with a credit card?

running_coach · May 18, 2017, 11:57pm

Just go with the “Order Using PayPal” button.

There will be an option to check out as a guest.

ThelmaLou · May 19, 2017, 1:24am

More detailed version:

Baker · May 19, 2017, 1:42am

Got it done, thanks!

Honey · May 19, 2017, 6:12pm

I would have forgotten, but I was reminded by one of the mods posting something on his FB page. That was the 18th, and my subscription would’ve ended the 20th. That was way too close. I never check my email.
I don’t want to lose my Charter Member title, or the reduced subscription fee.

engineer_comp_geek · May 19, 2017, 7:20pm

Before I became a mod, I would always renew my membership a short(ish) time after the new year, either January or February. That way I never had to worry about forgetting about it or getting called out of town for work and missing the deadline or whatever.

The extra time just gets tacked on to the end of your current subscription whenever that is, so there’s no real down side to renewing early. You’ll end up with the same eventual expiration date whether you renew in January or May.

Mama_Zappa · May 20, 2017, 4:59am

And like others, I’m still getting reminders to re-up:
This one arrived on the 16th (several days after I renewed):

Straight Dope Message Board <webmaster@straightdope.com> via sendgrid.me
(my email addy)
Tue, May 16, 2017 at 9:02 AM
Paid Subscription Expiry Notice
sendgrid.net
sendgrid.me
Standard (TLS) Learn more

Dear Mama Zappa,

Your access to the paid subscription “Straight Dope Board Charter Membership” is about to expire.

To renew this subscription you must visit http://tsdmb.avolatech.com/sdmb/payments.php

If you do not extend your subscription you will revert to Guest status. As a Guest you’ll be shown banner advertising and will lose some of the privileges of your current membership status.

All the best,

Straight Dope Message Board

pullin · May 20, 2017, 11:20am

I re-upped on May 5th. Got the email a few days ago that I was about to expire.

I replied with a copy of my paypal receipt (some info redacted). Hopefully I won’t be kicked off the board for a mere paypal mistake. If I’m removed from the SDMB, I want to go out in a blaze of glory with angry Pit threads, snarling mods, etc.

engineer_comp_geek · May 20, 2017, 12:43pm

I let our admins know that the test site is still sending out renewal notices.

If anyone has a problem with their subscription resulting from any of this, please contact me and we’ll get it straightened out for you.

dalej42 · May 20, 2017, 5:52pm

Is anyone else just surprised how fast time goes by? When I go under User CP, it reminds me of when I first subscribed when the board went pay to post back in 2004!

Esprix · May 21, 2017, 1:14am

Re-upped.

I’ve been a member for 17 years. Wow…

Esprix

Cartooniverse · May 21, 2017, 1:31am

Considering how protective many of us are regarding our Charter Member status, and considering the number of times various Admins and Mods have stated categorically that once your Charter Membership expires, even for a day or a few hours, and then you try to pay and get it back, you may not ever restore the Charter Member status, well…

… please have an Administrator come in here and without any hemming and hawwing or any subtlety state with clarity that anyone who can prove they have made their payment already, who continues to be sent renewal notices, will NOT be booted from the system by some “computer-generated error”, and will be guaranteed that they will retain the member status they are paying for.

Cartooniverse · May 21, 2017, 1:35am

Aaaaand, here’s my proof.

Via PayPal:

" May 15, 2017 08:41:48 EDT

You sent a payment of $14.95 USD to Chicago Reader, Inc.
(subscriptions@straightdope.com)
It may take a few moments for this transaction to appear in your account.
Merchant
Chicago Reader, Inc.
subscriptions@straightdope.com
312-222-6920
Instructions to merchant
You haven’t entered any instructions.
Description Unit price Qty Amount
Straight Dope Board Charter Membership Subscription

Item# d788079a85bf83b9b973df5e28962dea
$14.95 USD
1 $14.95 USD
Subtotal $14.95 USD
Total $14.95 USD
Payment $14.95 USD
Payment sent to subscriptions@straightdope.com

Issues with this transaction?
You have 180 days from the date of the transaction to open a dispute in the Resolution Center.

Questions? Go to the Help Center at PayPal Help Center - Personal.

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