Pay what you want. Pay how you want. Becoming a DU Star Member is now much easier.

[Skinner]

This discussion thread was locked by Skinner (a host of the Announcements group).

Late last year when we moved into our new software, we also changed the way people could become paid subscribers. For the first ten years of this website's existence we called it a donation and you could pay whatever you wanted. Starting in December of last year we stopped taking "donations" and instead asked members to purchase a subscription at a fixed price. We had a number of reasons for making that change, but to us the most important was that Democratic Underground was not (and had never been) a non-profit charitable organization, and the "donations" we received were not tax deductible. The "donations" received did not go to any charitable purpose other than to pay our expenses and our own salaries. So over time we had come to feel that using the word "donation" was perhaps not completely appropriate.

So, for the last nine months, we have been giving members the opportunity to purchase Star Memberships at a fixed price. And it has worked more-or-less how we expected it to work. We knew fewer people would purchase these memberships because (for some) a fixed price represented a greater expense. In terms of Democratic Underground's bottom line, it was basically a wash: Our income from member subscriptions went down, while our income from advertising went up. But there has been one enormous problem with the new approach: There are many people in this community who clearly want to become Star Members but who feel they cannot afford it. The DU Administrators have spent months discussing this issue, and have considered dozens of possible ideas to make memberships more affordable including tiered subscriptions or subsidized subscriptions or special senior rates or whatever. But every time we had a new idea, we kept coming back to the idea of just letting everyone pay whatever you want to pay.

So, the new price to become a Democratic Underground Star Member is: Whatever you want to pay.

The DU Administrators have read all of your concerns and complaints about our fixed-price subscriptions, and this new "pay-what-you-want" approach should address those concerns. Ability to pay should no longer be an obstacle to becoming a DU Star Member. You can sign up for a recurring monthly subscription, a recurring annual subscription, or a one-time online payment. Or you can even print out a form and send us a few bucks through the U.S. Postal Service. You pay whatever and however you want to pay.

The DU Administrators feel very positive about this change, but we are admittedly a little bit concerned about what it may mean for our bottom line. If this new pay-what-you-want subscription system leads to a significant drop in our overall revenue, then we will be looking for ways to cover the deficit. The most likely thing would be to bring back the quarterly fund drives like we used to do. Hopefully it will not come to that.

So, if you are not currently a DU Star Member, we hope that you will take this opportunity to become one. We want every DU member who wants to become a Star Member to have the opportunity to become one. Just click this link to get started:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/star

If you do become a Star Member, your status as a member will last for one full year from the day you pay for the subscription. So whether you are paying monthly or yearly or by check, you will always know that your member status lasts for one year after your most recent payment. (This is how member status worked back under our old donation system.)


SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR EXISTING STAR MEMBERS

There are obviously many of you who purchased Star Memberships over the last eight months for the fixed-price. If so, thank you! You may be wondering what will happen to your subscription... You will continue as a Star Member at the rate you already signed up for, recurring at the time period you agreed to. Payments will continue to be charged. In addition, your status as a member will last for (at least) one year after your most recent payment. If you would like to cancel your recurring payment, you can log into PayPal and cancel it. If you would like to change your recurring payment, the easiest thing to do would be to long into PayPal and cancel it, and then sign up for a new subscription on Democratic Underground. If you would like a full or partial refund of payments you have already made to DU, please send an email with the details of your request -- we will do our best to honor any/all such requests, provided we have the funds to do so.

[mike_c]

1. great! I was having trouble with PayPal....

No worries making the donation, PayPal just wouldn't accept it! Thanks for providing an alternative!

[Control-Z]

22. I had problems too.

I tried to sign up without using Paypal but it wouldn't work because it recognized my email I think. So I tried signing up through Paypal and it took THREE different tries over about a 30 day period before it finally took!! lol.

[kentuck]

74. Same here.

Paypal would not work because of previous card use and did not recognize password? I guess I will wait a few days and see how much someone has charged on my credit card? I tried about 3 times. I simply don't trust the Internet with cash or credit card transactions. Everytime I have done it, my card has been compromised. Not with DU , but with other vendors and products.

[Control-Z]

81. I ended up going directly to

my Paypal account and changing everything; credit card, password (I couldn't remember it anyway). Resetting everything there seemed to help.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. You guys are to be congratulated

I hope you suffer no loss of income and that, by goodwill and many more members spending less than they would have had to, your revenue goes up, not down.

[FSogol]

3. Cool, many thanks!

And keep up the good work.

[freshwest]

4. Tbank you so much! This makes it so much easier!

[XemaSab]

5. Insofar as they did not become popularity contests and the word "twunt" was not directed at me

I liked the quarterly fund drives.

[Control-Z]

27. Twunt? n/t

[NYC_SKP]

52. Google is your friend (J/K)

I googled it.

Seems to be of British origin.

Combination of Twit and another word that shall not be spoken.

I could be wrong.

[Control-Z]

80. Oops! lol

Thanks for filling me in. I guess I could have/should have googled it. I think I was thinking it would be a new exclusive DU term and not yet out there. My lazy butt.

[NYC_SKP]

95. Oops- It's not "twit"...

It's a different "T" word that I shall NOT repeat!

[Control-Z]

139. hahaha

Got it.

Who comes up with this kind of insult? As if the words weren't enough on their own.

[CJCRANE]

38. I agree...

It was pay-what-you-want plus quarterly fund drives on the old DU and that seemed to work quite well.

[mike_c]

98. what a twent....

Derp.

[MineralMan]

101. I never minded them, either.

I almost always donated for each one.

[liberal N proud]

6. Thanks for posting this information.

Those ads have only been bothering me for 1 day and I can't stand it.

[myrna minx]

7. Thank you so much. I've been "star free" since March and haven't felt good about it.

This is great news.

[Curmudgeoness]

130. Hi, myrna minx.....

Guess what I am getting ready to do.

Then I will celebrate!!!!!!

[myrna minx]

167. Hey there!

Good to see you! I hope you're well, Curmudgeoness.

I'm so pleased with their decision - I'll have a shiny new star in my next pay period!

[Curmudgeoness]

187. I'm alive and kicking.

And look at that star!!!!!! I intended on holding out until the class system was gone, and I did. I love DU more than ever now.

[snooper2]

8. If any single person complains about a single sentence you wrote..

do I have permission to


Thanks by the way!

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Can we also donate stars, like we used to do?????????

This change is a much more practical way of meeting member's needs, I believe.

[Kali]

17. oh I didn't catch that, just assumed - I echo this question!

can we donate for others now?

[Skinner]

31. Currently we do not provide the option for members to give star memberships to other DU members.

The price of a Star Membership is now affordable for anyone. If someone wants a Star Membership, they are able to get one.

We may reconsider whether to provide this option in the future.

[Kali]

50. that is probably a good point

I know there are some trolls who think it is funny to get somebody to by them a star while they are actually posting nasty shit about DU elswere on the tubes - better for even a dollar to come out of their own pockets.

most people can swing a couple of bucks and if not we can work to help if really needed

I just thank you for making the price change - it was truly a hardship for many.

[Wait Wut]

61. Almost affordable for anyone.

I know we have several unemployed DUers here. What if we make a 'Donated Star Membership' a flat rate of like $20? I'd gladly pay that for some people. That's only 4 gin and tonics if you include the tip.

I figure you'd have to do some math to figure out how much each unstarred member is worth in advertising dollars and then add $5 to that number to find a flat rate that would still buy your kids dinner.

I also like the idea of a 'suggested' donation. Whenever I make a donation seeing the options from $5 to $100 I almost always end up giving more than I intended. Those little buttons are so easy to click. What's another $10 bucks, right? Two more gin and tonics.

[mcctatas]

158. i need to drink where you do

I think we were paying $6 a piece last weekend (of course we order ours in pint glasses)

[Tunkamerica]

165. +1

I only drink that cheap at weddings

[Wait Wut]

176. Yeah, I went into shock when...

...I was charged $13 for a really crappy, small gin and tonic in San Diego. The bartender was a real ass, as well, so I asked if that included his tip. He wasn't amused.

I live in a smallish town with a lot of borderline dive bars (with some really good live music, including the husband ). Competition is pretty fierce so the average is about $3 a drink and I tip well. Occasionally, my bartenders will slip me a Tanqueray because they love me.

[onehandle]

183. Fix that please. I went to gift someone, and couldn't. nt

[2ndAmForComputers]

175. Check post 173 below. (Pun intended.)

[Lint Head]

10. Skinner, is there not a minimum for a year as opposed to continuning?

[grantcart]

11. staying classy, as usual.

[Greybnk48]

40. My thoughts exactly. Great job Skinner, to all of you. n/t

[gollygee]

12. I tried to pay but I'm not sure it went through

I got a message telling me to log back in over and over, but it was after I put in my credit card information so I'm not sure.

[Elad]

49. It does not appear to have gone through.

If you're making a one time payment you don't have to login, just click the box that says you want to pay as a guest when you get to the Paypal screen.

If you're signing up for a recurring subscription, you'll need to login - might just need to try again.

[gollygee]

51. Ok, thanks

I'll try again

[gollygee]

55. OK it worked that time

yay

[OrwellwasRight]

151. Mine too.

PayPal says I have paid but DU says nope.

[Kali]

13. thank you!

and for what it is worth, I have no problem with fund drives - they are a nice diversion, especially the ones where we can buy hearts or whatever for other members.

If revenues are ok with the switch consider doing the drives anyway for charities like we did for Planned Parenthood and have done for Feeding America.

thanks for making this change, I really think it helps build community

[juajen]

147. I so agree Kali.

Community is what it is always about. I feel a sense of belonging and comfort when I click on. Thanks guys. I like this.

[barbtries]

14. i am glad you did this.

i really like just paying at the time - the only auto payment i have is to netflix.
by the way i never minded the fund drives. i liked the hearts and the sticky notes and all that.

[highplainsdem]

15. Thanks, Skinner!

[enlightenment]

16. Thanks, fellas.

My opinion? A wise and obviously carefully considered decision.

I sincerely hope that the change to the old form will prove a wash for you (in a good way) - that the decrease in the size of the subscription will be cancelled out by an increase in the quantity of donations.

Thank you again.

[ellisonz]

18. I'm very happy with this announcement.

I think the old system was in no small part what made this community strong. Thank you for making this change.

[TrogL]

19. done

[Lochloosa]

20. Thanks Guys....I have missed my star, but it was just not in the budget. I can work with this.

[JNelson6563]

21. Looks like you have covered all concerns.

A very well thought out response to all the concerns raised. Well done you guys.

Julie

[livetohike]

23. Thank you. Done! n/t

[immoderate]

24. Thanks, this will help.

--imm

[SpankMe]

25. Recommended pricing?

My star membership expired, but I didn't know it and wasn't notified (that I can recall). I'll renew it now.

I can't give a large amount, but I'm not short on cash, either.

So, I'd like to propose that you establish a very short menu of "recommended" dues. Select what you think a nominal, fair membership fee would be and state it on the payment page.

Are you thinking $20/year? Two or three dollars per month? What would be your guidelines?

[patricia92243]

168. I agree - need suggested amounts like we used to have. Also, on quarterly fund drive, couldn't we

already give what we wanted. And, naturally, we could pay at any other time beside the fund drives. I don't see any difference from what we had.

Will there be a permanent, easy way to access the payment feature since we won't be having fund raising reminders? Maybe a pinned link at the beginning of each main discussion.

Also, the fund drives were fun - valentines, etc.

[Lindsay]

26. Thank you so much.

The fixed annual membership was beyond my budget, and while I understood the need on DU's end, it was disappointing for me not to be able to afford to contribute.

(I thought the fund drives were usually pretty fun, though.)

Thanks again for all your hard work.

[bigwillq]

28. I am glad DU went back to the pay-what-you-want format

I will likely donate soon.

[LiberalFighter]

29. A step in the right direction

Really really really really don't like PayPal. I don't like any 3rd party having my credit card info in their database.

Maybe include something along the line the amount that is hoped to receive from each person with some people not being able to and others can contribute more.

[LiberalFighter]

33. Look at that I got my star back. Yippee!!

[klook]

94. There is a credit card provider

(maybe more than one) that offers the option of secure online account numbers -- real cc #s that you can use one time without revealing your permanent acct #. I've used this option to shield my acct no.

An added benefit is that if one of these cc #s gets hacked, it's easy to pinpoint which vendor's db was compromised.

[William769]

30. Does this also mean we can go back to sponsoring other people's stars?

That would be really nice!

[Kali]

59. see #31

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10131833#post31

[William769]

60. Thanks for directing me to that.

[cyberswede]

32. This is excellent!

And I'd like to echo what someone else said in this thread - the fund drives were a fun diversion, and if they help your bottom line, I think it would be great to have something like that available again.

Nice work, fellas!

[Vanje]

34. Yayy! This is great!

Thank you ! Thank you! Thank you !

[Generic Other]

35. Proving that Democrats have hearts

You are a pretty good guy, Skinner. Elad and EarlG too.

[ailsagirl]

36. I am now a proud Gold Star member of DU

Thanks to your new policy.

[dipsydoodle]

37. That's cool

[Kaleva]

39. Done. Thank you for doing this!

[Renew Deal]

41. I'm glad that I don't have to deal with the whole $42 vs. $60 issue.

[etherealtruth]

185. That and not having to create a paypal account

Ah it feels good to be a star member again

[MadrasT]

42. Thank you, Skinner & Admins!

[MADem]

43. Love the big yellow ANNOUNCEMENT banner too! Thank you for making it easy for geezers to stay

current!!!

[steve2470]

44. Your responsiveness is to be commended, Skinner

Last edited Wed Aug 22, 2012, 07:30 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm confident that between the new system and *possibly* quarterly fund drives, we can help DU stay afloat. Thanks for responding to the concerns of our members.

[StrictlyRockers]

45. I used to regularly pay for a star.

I have not for sevearl years. I was irked at how unfair the method of censorship seemed to me. I wanted a place for alternative theories to be discussed openly. I didn't like the way the dungeon set up. It didn't feel right.

I am pleased with the changes. I can in good consience donate to DU again. Expect me to be a regular contributor again.

You rock, Skinner! Well played, my man. Well played.

[PuppyBismark]

46. I just purchased one year. Would like an email reminder when it expires

I use one time credit card numbers, don't like to have cc number in other databases, so if you send me a reminder next year, I will gladly pay again.

Keep up the good work.

[Bluerthanblue]

47. wow.... I always have felt

that this place was different from any other web-site I've encountered in my life. This kind of attitude only confirms it.

Thank you so much Skinner and all - Being part of this community has been a real blessing.




~blu

[RedStateLiberal]

48. Very cool of ya'll to do this!

With star membership being affordable, perhaps more will participate to get value for their payment.

I'm guessing that a few of the more generous DUers could make up for any losses in revenue. (hint hint)

[LadyHawkAZ]

53. Thanks

If you run short, I'm sure we'd all be happy to see Grovelbot on the job again.

[RKP5637]

54. Thank you!!! n/t

[truedelphi]

56. Since you have just eliminated what was an overwhelmiong negative,

My household will soon be subscribing. I think overall DU will be better for this new policy.

For me, it wasn't the amount asked - it was that the amount got divided up over 12 months. Then it could hit someone's account the one moment six months down the road when the checking account was near empty. That action could incur tens if not hundreds of dollars over the membership price for NSF fees - all to go into the coffers of one of our nation's lovely banks or credit unions.

[suffragette]

57. Skinner, This is a powerful reminder of how amazing you guys are at listening and responding to DUer

input and concerns.
Absolutely applaud you for it:

[russspeakeasy]

58. Nicely done and glad to do it.

[Raine1967]

62. Thank you! n/t

[Lifelong Protester]

63. I think this "sliding scale fee" is a great idea

I know you are not calling it that, but in essence, it is an honor system sliding scale pay what you can plan.

Thank you for all your hard work. This site is really, REALLY, appreciated.

[Gemini Cat]

64. Thanks

This is much appreciated.

[YvonneCa]

65. This is wonderful. Thank you SO...

...much, Skinner. I will renew on September 1st. You guys are the best!

[jannyk]

66. What was so wrong with the 'fund drives'?

Most seemed to enjoy them, especially the 'hearts'.

[aquart]

70. Passionately loved the hearts. BUT...

There was also a lot of good feeling in the other drives when people were able to donate stars.

[jannyk]

84. Agreed. It made us feel like a 'community'.

I'm afraid that feeling is now mostly gone.

[Botany]

67. Now get rid of that NRA ad ASAP!

BTW party @ Skinner's house!

[suffragette]

68. Race you to the jacuzzi!

[Botany]

71. I'll get the drinks and snacks

I mean who will stop me and my gold star?

[ellisonz]

85. "I mean who will stop me and my gold star?"

Last edited Tue Aug 21, 2012, 03:48 PM - Edit history (1)

The Secret Service - Mr. Romney wants you out of his kitchen and off his property.

[lonestarnot]

148. and 'specially off the fucking lawn!

richie rich ... where's those fucking taxes! hmmmf.

[suffragette]

152. Some good music and we'll be set!

[Botany]

154. Got it covered

&feature=related

[suffragette]

157. Oh, my, my, my

ok, ok, how about:

[gkhouston]

69. Thanks, Skinner. I recently did a lot of soul-searching before renewing, not because I don't want

to be here but because money is very tight right now.

[april]

72. done and thank you for DU I start my day w/ this !

[Lugnut]

73. Thank you!

Some of us are really strapped these days. You guys are great!

[DainBramaged]

75. YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY

My meager donations will keep me on the boat



YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY

[veganlush]

76. I'm commenting

DTo see if I have a star by my name

[veganlush]

78. ok, i guess its been a year

That explains the ads...

[rug]

77. Outstanding!

I asked my wife to renew for me because I don't have paypal. This afternoon she called me and said "How much do you want to give?" I told her, Do the paypal for $42. She said "I don't see that." I said It's a long story, do it that way or it's $60. She said "I don't see that." It went back and forth like that for a few minutes. Then I said, Fuck it, I'm busy, just pay the $5 monthly. She said "I don't see that. There's a big letter from Skinner there." I thought, what fresh DU hell has emerged now? I told her, Just give them the $5, I'll check in later.

Now I see this.

It shows 366 days for $5. Now I have to make it up to DU. And I have to apologize to my wife. I hate that.

All that aside, this is really outstanding on your part. So many people are just scraping by. You three get that.

[MannyGoldstein]

79. 8 hours after I paid for another year, LOL. But seriously, that's awesome.

Thanks for doing this.

(And no, I won't be asking for a refund!)

[grantcart]

110. What do you think they were waiting for?

[MannyGoldstein]

118. Well, that certainly helps my inferiority complex, thanks! nt

[grantcart]

122. Anytime. But if you really want to feel bad you are going to have to call Cliffordu.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1256783

[Hugin]

82. Then I will continue to "pay-what-you-want".

(:

[bayareaboy]

83. Thanks for doing this ...

I always want to be a member where ever I go and you made it easy and no pay-pal. And no adds as well.

[vademocrat]

86. Thank you! I have missed my star - just donated what I could afford

it means a lot to me that you all have been concerned about the impact of set subscription prices on the DU user community - and it says a lot about you all that you have come up with a win/win situation - The DU Admins are the BEST!

[aikoaiko]

87. Well played, Sir. Well Played.

Thank you.

[Raffi Ella]

88. AW! I am SO happy to see this.

Thanks guys! I think this goes a long way in the community feel of DU.

[Panasonic]

89. Best move of the day!

[Warren Stupidity]

90. dammit, I just re-upped at full price and I could have done so for a buck two fiddy!

Why, why, why didn't I wait?

[MineralMan]

100. Cheapskate! I gave a buck three-eighty.

[MineralMan]

91. Thanks! I made a contribution, and will

bump it up later to make it $60. I hated not having a star.

[onehandle]

92. I had a feeling it would come to this. In fact I predicted it just yesterday. Thanks. nt

[Zero Division]

93. Much appreciated!

I don't mind giving money to DU, but it's much easier to do so in smaller increments. I donated today for the first time in a long while.

[klook]

96. Brilliant

and I'm betting revenues go UP because those who can pay more will feel motivated to do so.

[lunatica]

97. Thanks Skinner!

I hope it works out and you don't come up short.

[Permanut]

99. Woohoo!11!!!1

I get to be a star member for the first time!

[corkhead]

102. That is very generous of you. I just renewed a week or so ago and think that amount is fair for me.

I'll leave it be.

Thank you for what you do.

[supernova]

103. Thank you, Skinner

I have been one of the 1x/year donors because that has what has worked for me in the long run. I was really bummed out about the subscription because I didn't think I could reliably come up with money every month. Yeah, I'm one of the ones for whom this decade hasn't been a winner. So I tend to budget and pay off bills all in one lump when I have the money.

So, I am very happy you are going back to the old system, sorta. And I don't mind the quarterly fund drives. The hearts and chance to give to other members are fun and a way to maybe meet others you don't regularly correspond with. Though, if fund drives are a PAITA from an admin POV, I can understand that.

I will contribute something next week when I get paid again.

[Warpy]

104. Thanks, it will also make it easier

for those of us who were given stars when we were broke to pay it forward. Since that's an ongoing process for a lot of grateful people, DU will continue to make its nut, although in smaller pieces.

[inna]

105. Good. Glad you did it, it is definitely a step in a right (left?:) direction.

Kudos.

[Bluenorthwest]

106. You guys! That's the greatest, and I support this move 100%.

Some businesses who do pay what you wish wind up taking more in than with price points, even accounting for zero and hyper low payers....I have seen it with my own eyes. May it go that way for you too!

[pacalo]

107. You guys are the absolute best!

I won't be asking for a refund; I get more out of my DU membership than I'd get from ten magazine subscriptions.

I'm grateful that DU will now be more affordable for everyone.

[a2liberal]

108. Wow, great timing!

My star just expired a few days ago and I really didn't like the idea of a fixed-cost subscription so I was waffling on whether to subscribe. This makes it easier because I can again think of it as a "donation".

[mrs_p]

109. Happy dancing!!

My star ran out yesterday and it was between new shoes for work or a new membership. I am sooo happy that I can become a member again! Thanks, thanks, thanks Skinner!

[LiberalAndProud]

111. This is great.

For the record, I miss the quarterly fund drives. Many, many thanks to the DU Administrators. Hugs to all of you.

[eridani]

112. Excellent! Now how about using ActBlue instead of Paypal?

If there is some reason why you can't do this, I'll stick with the snailmail option.

[yardwork]

113. I'm very pleased about this. Thank you!

[greatauntoftriplets]

114. Thank you, Skinner.

I had to re-up yesterday and had difficulty finding a way around PayPal. This makes it much easier.

[Bonhomme Richard]

115. Thanks Skinner n/t

[Snarkoleptic]

116. Lost my star last week but will renew as soon as funds are available.

.

[pacalo]

134. I know I've told you this before...

but I just LOVE your signature gif!

[Snarkoleptic]

155. Thanks!

For a while I had a pair of the cats side-by-side, but it was nearly hypnotic and one had to go.

[LuckyLib]

117. Thanks! I consider DU to be my news center -- can't imagine having

to rely on the garbage that is MSM these days, both national and local. Subscribing to DU makes perfect sense, in any way folks can pay. You've made it logical and compassionate. Kudos!

[skamaria]

119. Great!

I always liked to donate when i get a little ahead Or when i get moved by a great post

[Aerows]

120. Too easy to support such a great site.

I pledged what I could, 20 bucks. If someone needs help, take 5 from me and make me a 15 dollar pledge.

[Johnny Noshoes]

121. I just "reupped"

I have been out of work for a year now and I didn't like it that my membership had expired. Going back to this method enabled me to throw a few bucks into the hat. Hey maybe it is the beginning of a personal turn around - I'll see. Everyday for the past year I've felt like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day - let the clock tick over and this VERY long year end in a "New Year". Not just for me but for all of us still struggling to find work.

[Grateful for Hope]

123. This is wonderful news. Thank you admins (Skinner, EarlG, and Elad)!

As far as fund drives are concerned, I would love to see them come back. You guys made them fun and I think they were good for community spirit.

<-----admins

[Paka]

124. Thank you so much, Skinner.

In Thailand I live a cash life and when I was told I could no longer send in a check to earn my star, I had no other options. I love DU and want to contribute what I am able to pay.

[ailsagirl]

132. Greetings, Paka

I am now a gold star member as well!

m.

[Curmudgeoness]

125. Yippee!!! Grovelbot may be back.

Thanks so much for listening to us....and I bet that you will not be disappointed.

[pscot]

126. Hellofa business model, Skinner

But thanks. I was wondering if I could afford to renew.

[ismnotwasm]

127. Thank goodness

I can't tell you how fustrating PayPal was.

[mvd]

128. Thanks, Skinner

This was a major concern of mine about DU. While I feel DU is to the right of me to the point I post less, I applaud this decision. It also fits better with the Democratic message of inclusivity.

[snappyturtle]

129. Thank you....makes me feel a whole lot better to be able to 'donate' something....you guys rock! nt

[scarletwoman]

131. Wow! Excellent news! You guys are absolutely wonderful!

I've never been concerned about my own ability to pay for a yearly subscription - and I cleverly donated in mid-November last year, so I'd have a good long time on my existing star before needing to renew - but it's bothered me tremendously that so many DUers were feeling like they'd have to give up on having a star because they couldn't afford to pay the fixed rate.

My happiness and gratitude are on the behalf of all those for whom for the fixed cost of renewal was prohibitive. I'm so delighted that they will now have a way to keep/renew their stars at a price they can afford.

For myself, I now intend to throw MORE than the previous fixed price into the kitty when my time to renew comes around, so that I can help make up for the smaller amounts that others are going to pay.

I've been here for 11 years and DU is my online "home". I want to do my part to preserve this special place.

[hlthe2b]

133. I just got home from a hellacious day in traffic to see this--this is TREMENDOUS! Thank you Skinner

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you
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:toast :toast :toast :toast :toast :toast :toast :toast

[Politicub]

135. Love this!

It's the way it should be.

[northoftheborder]

136. Thanks so much for your thoughtful reconsideration of the subscription issue.

I had problems with Paypal when you first changed the payment method, so will just go the check route.

[Astazia]

137. WooooHooooo

We had a huge financial hit (more later on that) & yet once I found DU or how I refer to it as "my new home" I have wanted to contribute. This wasn't about star or not, it's about being a part of what is good in this current political climate.

Thanks for including us. We will give more as soon as (hopefully sooner than later) we can. <3

[catchnrelease]

138. My renewal check will be in the mail

Check is in the envelope and will be mailed tomorrow!

[Deb]

140. Thank you

I felt undressed.

[tavalon]

141. Are we going to have the donation "contests"

like we did before, with the hearts and everything. That would be awesome! I hadn't started paying my monthly subscription because I still have a star and with adding a new member to the household I wasn't quite as flush. But, things have settled. I'm guessing those of us who used to do monthly donations can still do that, right?

The main reason I would love to have the fundraisers back is it reminds me to donate in other people's names, so they get stars. I know I wasn't the only one who did it. I could do it right now, but I forget and I'm actually not here as often as I used to be. Even though, I'm not here as often as I used to be, I owe this site my sanity, and I don't forget such things.

Thank you for changing this back!

[burrowowl]

142. Good Idea!

I just hated using PayPal!
And at this point feel like sending checks.

[sarcasmo]

143. Thanks for coming to a smarter conclusion.

[still_one]

144. I think having periodic drives like they used to would also be a good idea, where when you

Reach a specific number an effigy get a ka pow!

[IndyJones]

145. You guys totally rock! Thank you for changing that!

[zeemike]

146. Well thanks for that Skinner.

I am now a little better off financially...at least enough for a small contribution...and yo folks deserve more than I can give.
And thanks for making it possible to do it without Pay Pal...I really don't like a third party in between us.

[davidwparker]

149. kick for later

Just got back from dinner. 3 glasses of wine. Between safe to drive, but can't read my card in the dark at 10:03 ET.

[Robb]

150. I would like to pay in bantam roosters. Please advise how many would be appropriate, thank you.

PS I am not a crackpot.

[Riftaxe]

161. what you got against crackpots?

whoops, sorry, thought this was GD for a minute....

[Journeyman]

153. Thanks. . .

This will be useful for many people.

[Why Syzygy]

156. Is it just me?

Or did this announcement lighten the mood energy of the place?

I hope you do decide to allow gifting of star donations. DU has tons of generous souls, and those who for some reason cannot
do the electronic transfers.

[emilyg]

159. Thank you.

[Riftaxe]

160. Very much appreciated!

I could justify the donation that I gave last year, but the new pricing scheme was a bit out of whack when it came to self justification when reconciling the books :{

[Hatchling]

162. You guys are totally awesome!

I'll be renewing in December after my ceramics sale.

[Rhiannon12866]

163. Does this mean that purchasing a star for other members will be possible again?

There's been a lot of discussion about that and it was a popular feature of the generous DU community.

[awoke_in_2003]

164. I appreciate this...

I got my star right when the system changed and was still good for a year. I was wondering what would happen when I lost A&A posting privileges.

[JonLP24]

166. Thanks

I'll likely donate within the next 3 weeks.

[turtlerescue1]

169. THANKYOU!

Because frankly I didn't like feeling guilty, but on my income its becoming "normal".

So expect a snail mail.

[Javaman]

170. Skinner, I really appreciate that! Thanks! :)

And frankly, I never minded donating during the fund drive.

I wouldn't have an issue with it if you brought it back.

Cheers!

[Zorra]

171. Now that's democratic, and democratic is good. Bravo!

[Ms. Toad]

172. Fantastic!

That eliminates my philosophical barrier to being a star member.

Two suggestions - since I used to be one of those in charge of occasional events for organizations which worked on a similar financial structure:

Figure out what it would cost to run the place if all members (or the active portion of members) contributed the same amount and label that the suggested payment. People, as a general rule, are willing to pay their fair share if they know what their fair share is.

Label the scheme "more if you can, less if you can't." That has a different feel than "pay what you want." My experience is that when it is phrased that way (with the real cost publicized) that those who value the service will pay more than it costs to make up for folks who are not able to pay more (sort of a fuzzy version of donating a star for those who couldn't buy one).

We often ended up with an event surplus when we did these two things.

But whether you take either of these two suggestions, I am thrilled that the class system at DU has been put to bed.

[2ndAmForComputers]

173. If I mail you a check...

...does it have to be from the same person who is registered, or can it be from a family member/friend/whatever?

[Skinner]

174. We don't cross-reference the name on the check with the name on the account.

The name on the account could be made up anyway.

[dixiegrrrrl]

177. Has Grovelbot's unemployment insur. run out yet?

Images of him sleeping on the sidewalk, begging in the streets, rusting from the rain, have haunted some of us.
Maybe those quarterly drives were not so bad after all?

[Ghost in the Machine]

178. Wow, Thanks guys! I loved the old system when it was in place...

Been through some tough times the past several months, and haven't had a star for the first time since 2006. In better times, I would divide my donations up during the fund drives so I could gift other members I chose to with stars. If I could afford $25, five people got stars with a $5 donation each.. $50 meant ten people got stars..

Would love to see the quarterly fund drives come back, my situation is improving now and hopefully will stay that way...

Thanks for all you guys do, and keep up the good work...

Peace,

Ghost

[RedEarth]

179. I think you guys should still use the quarterly fund drive

and perhaps enable members to donate stars. The quarterly fund drives you've put on are fun and they also help to remind members that it takes money to run this site.

[One Voice]

180. Thank you!

That helps!

[Duer 157099]

181. Please bring the fund drives back

Those were fun drives and I found myself donating much more during those than any other time. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

And I don't mind the term "donate" even if it is not nonprofit.

And being able to donate stars to others, that was very special, even if sometimes it went awry.

And thanks DU admins!

[Rex]

182. Sounds good and gives me a chance to donate now.

Thank you Skinner.

[Broderick]

184. If I want to purchase star memberships for people that can't afford it

is there any hindrance to that? I asked several times and previously I was unable to do that.

[Ms. Toad]

186. Here's the official answer:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10131833#post31

But it seems to me that this question and answer provides a way around it for anyone iinclined to be sneaky about it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10131833#post173

[Tindalos]

188. Thank you

My paypal account never worked properly (at all).

[OmahaBlueDog]

189. Of course now that I've bought a star, you announce this!

Seriously, thanks! I think this is a good move.

[Beaverhausen]

190. Paypal is asking for too much info

I just want to pay with a credit card and can't seem to do it. I have used paypal but they want way too much info.

HELP!!!

[shanen]

191. How about a two-tier donation-based charity-share system?

I confess that I was so disgusted with American politics that I wasn't planning to vote this year. Seemed to be time to give up, but I hate liars and Romney has succeeded in motivating me to vote against him. This year's neo-GOP ticket should be called Nixon/Goldwater 2012 to lead American BACKWARDS!

I have donated to a number of Democratic candidates in the past, even including Senator Obama in 2008. Now he's President Obama, but I haven't decided where to donate this year... I'm leaning towards the Credo SuperPAC because I think their targeted attacks on neo-GOP lunatics might get the biggest bang for my small number of bucks. Considering the financial model here, I'd like to throw out a suggestion for consideration. It's a two-tier system that would then direct the money to pro-democracy projects.

First, you need to figure out the average cost of a member here. That includes your estimate for covering the participation of the people who aren't donating, even though one of the main goals of this system is to get more people to donate. That cost is important because I think you have to reflect the reality, unlike neo-GOP delusional thinking.

In the first tier of the system, you are selling subscriptions or star memberships or both or other variations. The base price should be set to your estimated costs. Maybe you need a few wrinkles like subsidies for poor people or students or annual adjustments, but the basic idea is to cover the costs.

People who donate above the base price would have the rest of the money go into the second tier of the system, what I call a charity brokerage. Remember that there is no financial risk to Democratic Underground because you are already holding the money, but you will help the members match their money to pro-democracy projects, and once enough members agreed to support a project, then you would start the ball rolling.

I hope a concrete example will make it more clear. Let's say you estimate your Democratic Underground operating cost at $10/year for the paying members. If I pay $50, then I am a member for up to 5 years, but I would start with a one-year membership and $40 in my charity share account. In one part of the website, you would offer a variety of projects that I could participate in. If I liked a particular project, then I would buy a charity share in that project, reducing my balance. If enough members buy shares, then the project would have enough money for its budget, and you would start the ball rolling, but your main goal would be in helping other people prepare their project proposals. (I also think you should help evaluate the success of the projects.)

The projects could be anything, though in this election season the most obvious candidates would be anti-Romney ads and the air time to show them. I can't afford to run an ad, but with 1,000 other Democrats I could do it. I very much want to see an add with a video pastiche of Romney saying "Vote for me so that government of the corporations, by the lawyers, for the richest 0.1% of Americans, shall rule the earth."

(Longer and more complicated version of this idea under "reverse auction charity shares" on the Web.)

[uppityperson]

192. Thank you. I've been gone, came to read about Isaac and found this. WONDERFUL!!!!

[madashelltoo]

193. Will do on Tuesday.

I look forward to it.

[IrishAyes]

194. Very Kind of You

I'm a senior on a small fixed income, and I'd love to subscribe but it will have to be a month or so from now at a modest amount. Hopefully I can make it my birthday present to myself, because it looks like you have a very worthwhile website here.

Anyway, when I first joined recently and you sent me a welcome letter with a few instructions on it, somehow I managed to lose it off my computer. And I forgot to bookmark the instruction page. I even lost the personal reply you sent to a question I'd asked! (You can see why I don't do anyone's taxes these days.)

So in April when I might be able to buy a modest star membership, will I lose the post count accrued beforehand? Or will it matter at that point? Can you offer a link to a FAQs page for me to study? Sorry, I didn't used to be so high maintenance! Are non-star members to whom I reply at this time notified of my replies?

[cyberswede]

195. You can learn about star memberships here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/star

Your username & post count will remain whether or not you buy a star - and you can pay once for the year (any amount, I believe).

Whenever you reply in a thread, anyone can see your reply. You can view your own posts by clicking the My Posts tab above - and any replies you receive will show in the "replies to me" column on that page (you can expand by clicking the yellow arrow).

If you reply to a DU Mail from your inbox, only the person to which you replied can read it.

Does that help?

[fadedrose]

197. My subscription expires when??

Am not sure where to find it....thanks.

[cyberswede]

198. Here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=myaccount&sub=star

My Account > Star Membership

[fadedrose]

199. Thank you

Who put dat dare? I never saw that link before...and it looks like only a dunce couldn't find it....thanks.