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Skinner

(63,645 posts)
Tue Aug 21, 2012, 02:40 PM Aug 2012

Pay what you want. Pay how you want. Becoming a DU Star Member is now much easier. [View all]

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.

201 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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great! I was having trouble with PayPal.... mike_c Aug 2012 #1
I had problems too. Control-Z Aug 2012 #22
Same here. kentuck Aug 2012 #74
I ended up going directly to Control-Z Aug 2012 #81
You guys are to be congratulated Stinky The Clown Aug 2012 #2
Cool, many thanks! FSogol Aug 2012 #3
Tbank you so much! This makes it so much easier! freshwest Aug 2012 #4
Insofar as they did not become popularity contests and the word "twunt" was not directed at me XemaSab Aug 2012 #5
Twunt? n/t Control-Z Aug 2012 #27
Google is your friend (J/K) NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #52
Oops! lol Control-Z Aug 2012 #80
Oops- It's not "twit"... NYC_SKP Aug 2012 #95
hahaha Control-Z Aug 2012 #139
I agree... CJCRANE Aug 2012 #38
what a twent.... mike_c Aug 2012 #98
I never minded them, either. MineralMan Aug 2012 #101
Thanks for posting this information. liberal N proud Aug 2012 #6
Thank you so much. I've been "star free" since March and haven't felt good about it. myrna minx Aug 2012 #7
Hi, myrna minx..... Curmudgeoness Aug 2012 #130
Hey there! myrna minx Aug 2012 #167
I'm alive and kicking. Curmudgeoness Aug 2012 #187
If any single person complains about a single sentence you wrote.. snooper2 Aug 2012 #8
Can we also donate stars, like we used to do????????? dixiegrrrrl Aug 2012 #9
oh I didn't catch that, just assumed - I echo this question! Kali Aug 2012 #17
Currently we do not provide the option for members to give star memberships to other DU members. Skinner Aug 2012 #31
that is probably a good point Kali Aug 2012 #50
Almost affordable for anyone. Wait Wut Aug 2012 #61
i need to drink where you do mcctatas Aug 2012 #158
+1 Tunkamerica Aug 2012 #165
Yeah, I went into shock when... Wait Wut Aug 2012 #176
Fix that please. I went to gift someone, and couldn't. nt onehandle Aug 2012 #183
Check post 173 below. (Pun intended.) 2ndAmForComputers Aug 2012 #175
Skinner, is there not a minimum for a year as opposed to continuning? Lint Head Aug 2012 #10
staying classy, as usual. grantcart Aug 2012 #11
My thoughts exactly. Great job Skinner, to all of you. n/t Greybnk48 Aug 2012 #40
I tried to pay but I'm not sure it went through gollygee Aug 2012 #12
It does not appear to have gone through. Elad Aug 2012 #49
Ok, thanks gollygee Aug 2012 #51
OK it worked that time gollygee Aug 2012 #55
Mine too. OrwellwasRight Aug 2012 #151
thank you! Kali Aug 2012 #13
I so agree Kali. juajen Aug 2012 #147
i am glad you did this. barbtries Aug 2012 #14
Thanks, Skinner! highplainsdem Aug 2012 #15
Thanks, fellas. enlightenment Aug 2012 #16
I'm very happy with this announcement. ellisonz Aug 2012 #18
done TrogL Aug 2012 #19
Thanks Guys....I have missed my star, but it was just not in the budget. I can work with this. Lochloosa Aug 2012 #20
Looks like you have covered all concerns. JNelson6563 Aug 2012 #21
Thank you. Done! n/t livetohike Aug 2012 #23
Thanks, this will help. immoderate Aug 2012 #24
Recommended pricing? SpankMe Aug 2012 #25
I agree - need suggested amounts like we used to have. Also, on quarterly fund drive, couldn't we patricia92243 Aug 2012 #168
Thank you so much. Lindsay Aug 2012 #26
I am glad DU went back to the pay-what-you-want format bigwillq Aug 2012 #28
A step in the right direction LiberalFighter Aug 2012 #29
Look at that I got my star back. Yippee!! LiberalFighter Aug 2012 #33
There is a credit card provider klook Aug 2012 #94
Does this also mean we can go back to sponsoring other people's stars? William769 Aug 2012 #30
see #31 Kali Aug 2012 #59
Thanks for directing me to that. William769 Aug 2012 #60
This is excellent! cyberswede Aug 2012 #32
Yayy! This is great! Vanje Aug 2012 #34
Proving that Democrats have hearts Generic Other Aug 2012 #35
I am now a proud Gold Star member of DU ailsagirl Aug 2012 #36
That's cool dipsydoodle Aug 2012 #37
Done. Thank you for doing this! Kaleva Aug 2012 #39
I'm glad that I don't have to deal with the whole $42 vs. $60 issue. Renew Deal Aug 2012 #41
That and not having to create a paypal account etherealtruth Aug 2012 #185
Thank you, Skinner & Admins! MadrasT Aug 2012 #42
Love the big yellow ANNOUNCEMENT banner too! Thank you for making it easy for geezers to stay MADem Aug 2012 #43
Your responsiveness is to be commended, Skinner steve2470 Aug 2012 #44
I used to regularly pay for a star. StrictlyRockers Aug 2012 #45
I just purchased one year. Would like an email reminder when it expires PuppyBismark Aug 2012 #46
wow.... I always have felt Bluerthanblue Aug 2012 #47
Very cool of ya'll to do this! RedStateLiberal Aug 2012 #48
Thanks LadyHawkAZ Aug 2012 #53
Thank you!!! n/t RKP5637 Aug 2012 #54
Since you have just eliminated what was an overwhelmiong negative, truedelphi Aug 2012 #56
Skinner, This is a powerful reminder of how amazing you guys are at listening and responding to DUer suffragette Aug 2012 #57
Nicely done and glad to do it. russspeakeasy Aug 2012 #58
Thank you! n/t Raine1967 Aug 2012 #62
I think this "sliding scale fee" is a great idea Lifelong Protester Aug 2012 #63
Thanks Gemini Cat Aug 2012 #64
This is wonderful. Thank you SO... YvonneCa Aug 2012 #65
What was so wrong with the 'fund drives'? jannyk Aug 2012 #66
Passionately loved the hearts. BUT... aquart Aug 2012 #70
Agreed. It made us feel like a 'community'. jannyk Aug 2012 #84
Now get rid of that NRA ad ASAP! Botany Aug 2012 #67
Race you to the jacuzzi! suffragette Aug 2012 #68
I'll get the drinks and snacks Botany Aug 2012 #71
"I mean who will stop me and my gold star?" ellisonz Aug 2012 #85
and 'specially off the fucking lawn! lonestarnot Aug 2012 #148
Some good music and we'll be set! suffragette Aug 2012 #152
Got it covered Botany Aug 2012 #154
Oh, my, my, my suffragette Aug 2012 #157
Thanks, Skinner. I recently did a lot of soul-searching before renewing, not because I don't want gkhouston Aug 2012 #69
done and thank you for DU I start my day w/ this ! april Aug 2012 #72
Thank you! Lugnut Aug 2012 #73
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY DainBramaged Aug 2012 #75
I'm commenting veganlush Aug 2012 #76
ok, i guess its been a year veganlush Aug 2012 #78
Outstanding! rug Aug 2012 #77
8 hours after I paid for another year, LOL. But seriously, that's awesome. MannyGoldstein Aug 2012 #79
What do you think they were waiting for? grantcart Aug 2012 #110
Well, that certainly helps my inferiority complex, thanks! nt MannyGoldstein Aug 2012 #118
Anytime. But if you really want to feel bad you are going to have to call Cliffordu. grantcart Aug 2012 #122
Then I will continue to "pay-what-you-want". Hugin Aug 2012 #82
Thanks for doing this ... bayareaboy Aug 2012 #83
Thank you! I have missed my star - just donated what I could afford vademocrat Aug 2012 #86
Well played, Sir. Well Played. aikoaiko Aug 2012 #87
AW! I am SO happy to see this. Raffi Ella Aug 2012 #88
Best move of the day! Panasonic Aug 2012 #89
dammit, I just re-upped at full price and I could have done so for a buck two fiddy! Warren Stupidity Aug 2012 #90
Cheapskate! I gave a buck three-eighty. MineralMan Aug 2012 #100
Thanks! I made a contribution, and will MineralMan Aug 2012 #91
I had a feeling it would come to this. In fact I predicted it just yesterday. Thanks. nt onehandle Aug 2012 #92
Much appreciated! Zero Division Aug 2012 #93
Brilliant klook Aug 2012 #96
Thanks Skinner! lunatica Aug 2012 #97
Woohoo!11!!!1 Permanut Aug 2012 #99
That is very generous of you. I just renewed a week or so ago and think that amount is fair for me. corkhead Aug 2012 #102
Thank you, Skinner supernova Aug 2012 #103
Thanks, it will also make it easier Warpy Aug 2012 #104
Good. Glad you did it, it is definitely a step in a right (left?:) direction. inna Aug 2012 #105
You guys! That's the greatest, and I support this move 100%. Bluenorthwest Aug 2012 #106
You guys are the absolute best! pacalo Aug 2012 #107
Wow, great timing! a2liberal Aug 2012 #108
Happy dancing!! mrs_p Aug 2012 #109
This is great. LiberalAndProud Aug 2012 #111
Excellent! Now how about using ActBlue instead of Paypal? eridani Aug 2012 #112
I'm very pleased about this. Thank you! yardwork Aug 2012 #113
Thank you, Skinner. greatauntoftriplets Aug 2012 #114
Thanks Skinner n/t Bonhomme Richard Aug 2012 #115
Lost my star last week but will renew as soon as funds are available. Snarkoleptic Aug 2012 #116
I know I've told you this before... pacalo Aug 2012 #134
Thanks! Snarkoleptic Aug 2012 #155
Thanks! I consider DU to be my news center -- can't imagine having LuckyLib Aug 2012 #117
Great! skamaria Aug 2012 #119
Too easy to support such a great site. Aerows Aug 2012 #120
I just "reupped" Johnny Noshoes Aug 2012 #121
This is wonderful news. Thank you admins (Skinner, EarlG, and Elad)! Grateful for Hope Aug 2012 #123
Thank you so much, Skinner. Paka Aug 2012 #124
Greetings, Paka ailsagirl Aug 2012 #132
Yippee!!! Grovelbot may be back. Curmudgeoness Aug 2012 #125
Hellofa business model, Skinner pscot Aug 2012 #126
Thank goodness ismnotwasm Aug 2012 #127
Thanks, Skinner mvd Aug 2012 #128
Thank you....makes me feel a whole lot better to be able to 'donate' something....you guys rock! nt snappyturtle Aug 2012 #129
Wow! Excellent news! You guys are absolutely wonderful! scarletwoman Aug 2012 #131
I just got home from a hellacious day in traffic to see this--this is TREMENDOUS! Thank you Skinner hlthe2b Aug 2012 #133
Love this! Politicub Aug 2012 #135
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reconsideration of the subscription issue. northoftheborder Aug 2012 #136
WooooHooooo Astazia Aug 2012 #137
My renewal check will be in the mail catchnrelease Aug 2012 #138
Thank you Deb Aug 2012 #140
Are we going to have the donation "contests" tavalon Aug 2012 #141
Good Idea! burrowowl Aug 2012 #142
Thanks for coming to a smarter conclusion. sarcasmo Aug 2012 #143
I think having periodic drives like they used to would also be a good idea, where when you still_one Aug 2012 #144
You guys totally rock! Thank you for changing that! IndyJones Aug 2012 #145
Well thanks for that Skinner. zeemike Aug 2012 #146
kick for later davidwparker Aug 2012 #149
I would like to pay in bantam roosters. Please advise how many would be appropriate, thank you. Robb Aug 2012 #150
what you got against crackpots? Riftaxe Aug 2012 #161
Thanks. . . Journeyman Aug 2012 #153
Is it just me? Why Syzygy Aug 2012 #156
Thank you. emilyg Aug 2012 #159
Very much appreciated! Riftaxe Aug 2012 #160
You guys are totally awesome! Hatchling Aug 2012 #162
Does this mean that purchasing a star for other members will be possible again? Rhiannon12866 Aug 2012 #163
I appreciate this... awoke_in_2003 Aug 2012 #164
Thanks JonLP24 Aug 2012 #166
THANKYOU! turtlerescue1 Aug 2012 #169
Skinner, I really appreciate that! Thanks! :) Javaman Aug 2012 #170
Now that's democratic, and democratic is good. Bravo! Zorra Aug 2012 #171
Fantastic! Ms. Toad Aug 2012 #172
If I mail you a check... 2ndAmForComputers Aug 2012 #173
We don't cross-reference the name on the check with the name on the account. Skinner Aug 2012 #174
Has Grovelbot's unemployment insur. run out yet? dixiegrrrrl Aug 2012 #177
Wow, Thanks guys! I loved the old system when it was in place... Ghost in the Machine Aug 2012 #178
I think you guys should still use the quarterly fund drive RedEarth Aug 2012 #179
Thank you! One Voice Aug 2012 #180
Please bring the fund drives back Duer 157099 Aug 2012 #181
Sounds good and gives me a chance to donate now. Rex Aug 2012 #182
If I want to purchase star memberships for people that can't afford it Broderick Aug 2012 #184
Here's the official answer: Ms. Toad Aug 2012 #186
Thank you Tindalos Aug 2012 #188
Of course now that I've bought a star, you announce this! OmahaBlueDog Aug 2012 #189
Paypal is asking for too much info Beaverhausen Aug 2012 #190
How about a two-tier donation-based charity-share system? shanen Aug 2012 #191
Thank you. I've been gone, came to read about Isaac and found this. WONDERFUL!!!! uppityperson Aug 2012 #192
Will do on Tuesday. madashelltoo Aug 2012 #193
Very Kind of You IrishAyes Feb 2013 #194
You can learn about star memberships here cyberswede Feb 2013 #195
Post removed Post removed Mar 2013 #196
My subscription expires when?? fadedrose Aug 2013 #197
Here cyberswede Aug 2013 #198
Thank you fadedrose Aug 2013 #199
Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #200
Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2015 #201
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