One of the frustrations of running a Substack is that when people subscribe for $5 per month or whatever it is, they sometimes don’t recognize the charge.
Yep. The new call of the Wild: "I want it FREE forever and I want it NOW!" One of the beliefs which killed the music business, for sure.
I hope to be around when these little darling's cell phones go off-line -- two or three days in a row would be sufficient. That would be both instructive and memorable.
A lot of times the problem is that what appears on the subscriber's CC statement does not tell them what the charge is for. It can be a bunch of numbers and a city abbreviation that means nothing to them, so they dispute it. I don't know if the vendor has any control over that, or if that is the case with your charges, but I know that is often the problem.
True, that does happen. Whenever I subscribe to something I flag any email confirmation and archive it so that I have record of my own. With everything being individually charged for these days, including substacks, I find this is the only way I have of keeping track. It is especially tough on us older folks who are retired and living on fixed income--we cannot just subscribe to every individual author as we might like. Because of this, I'll subscribe a while to one writer, and then switch over to another for a while. At least that way I can enjoy talented writers and enjoy my other indulgence--my morning Nespresso coffee! 😄
Some people are jerks. Water is wet. It may be, however, that some chargebacks arise from people not paying attention to their financial commitments, for whatever reason.
As far as I’m concerned, your work is invaluable and well worth the paltry subscription cost.
People may also not realize that when you dispute a charge, it puts the funds in a holding state. I had to manage them at a previous employer, and it is a lot of time and effort.
I agree. But I also see her work being listed on main sites, like Real Clear Politics, so she's getting great exposure and new following. I am annoyed when an article shows up on a platform like that and then you can't read the article. WSJ is like that a lot. Maybe there's a happy medium? You get a few free articles per month or something? I would just hate for her to miss out on the large exposure and wider audiences getting to experience her intellect and reasoned, sharp writing.
Sasha, the problem is with the way the charge shows up on a credit card statement. I’ve had this happen several times - not recognizing the “name” of a charge on my credit card statement. I don’t know if this is a Substack problem or a credit card company problem? Or 3rd-party payment processing companies? I’ve discovered that charges on a credit card statement can be in the name of the payment companies and not the Substack writer that I subscribe to. Very confusing and frustrating!
Yes. I've noticed that that is the main issue with contributing to blogs. Substack isn't a rinky-dink organization anymore. They should work this out with whoever handles their credit transactions.
Thank you for this information, Sasha. I truly doubt that people are doing this to be petty or mean. I order some things online, and on my bill, I have learned that it may come up as a charge that I don't recognize at all, and I have to scratch my head awhile before I figure out what it is for because it gives no hint at all what it's related to. If one's bill said, "fee for Sasha Stone's substack", I bet this would very rarely be an issue, but I bet it doesn't say that. It's likely some weird thing that people don't recognize, and in this day and age, they fear being scammed even for five dollars. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this.
I think you’re right. It’s unfortunate that with so much scamming going on, people immediately jump to the “scam!” conclusion without doing as you suggested and step back to think a bit harder about it.
Not much you can do when people don't recognize a charge from a subscrition they signed up for, other than what you mentioned. I have found the Tip Jar to work for me, it is one less monthly charge to keep track of and prevents me from becoming one of THOSE subscribers!
I find that it is easier and less confusing to use the Tip Jar. That way I know exactly what it is and I'm not dealing with recurrent debits, which I never liked. It shows on my statement as SASHASTONE.SASHASTONE.
The chargeback problem is probably related Substack’s internal operating system. Things have gradually gotten better (nice being able to now edit on the app) but somethings, especially the default “founders” button have been a problem for years; that thing can really hurt a subscriber, and you’re not talking about $5 or $10.
(As always, struck by the percentage of avatars without the hot cross bun thingee...) Just a thought: The custeroids might remember if the amount was less common? $6.00, at least? Or better, perhaps, $X.50? ($X.37 probably pushing it.)
Your substack is one of the most worthwhile things that I subscribe to. Keep up the good work. Your subscribers appreciate you!
People are a bit too self centered and self involved these days with a degree of entitlement that would make Henry VIII blush.
Well put.
Yep. The new call of the Wild: "I want it FREE forever and I want it NOW!" One of the beliefs which killed the music business, for sure.
I hope to be around when these little darling's cell phones go off-line -- two or three days in a row would be sufficient. That would be both instructive and memorable.
A lot of times the problem is that what appears on the subscriber's CC statement does not tell them what the charge is for. It can be a bunch of numbers and a city abbreviation that means nothing to them, so they dispute it. I don't know if the vendor has any control over that, or if that is the case with your charges, but I know that is often the problem.
True, that does happen. Whenever I subscribe to something I flag any email confirmation and archive it so that I have record of my own. With everything being individually charged for these days, including substacks, I find this is the only way I have of keeping track. It is especially tough on us older folks who are retired and living on fixed income--we cannot just subscribe to every individual author as we might like. Because of this, I'll subscribe a while to one writer, and then switch over to another for a while. At least that way I can enjoy talented writers and enjoy my other indulgence--my morning Nespresso coffee! 😄
Mine shows Sasha Stone
I don't always agree with you, but I always enjoy your writing. I also appreciate the price you have paid for going (mostly) over to the "dark side".
Not going anywhere, Sasha. You're stuck with me. 😊
Some people are jerks. Water is wet. It may be, however, that some chargebacks arise from people not paying attention to their financial commitments, for whatever reason.
As far as I’m concerned, your work is invaluable and well worth the paltry subscription cost.
People may also not realize that when you dispute a charge, it puts the funds in a holding state. I had to manage them at a previous employer, and it is a lot of time and effort.
Be kind, just cancel.
Paywall 80% of your content asap.
Your fine material requires hard work and long hours — no need to give it away.
I agree. But I also see her work being listed on main sites, like Real Clear Politics, so she's getting great exposure and new following. I am annoyed when an article shows up on a platform like that and then you can't read the article. WSJ is like that a lot. Maybe there's a happy medium? You get a few free articles per month or something? I would just hate for her to miss out on the large exposure and wider audiences getting to experience her intellect and reasoned, sharp writing.
Agree 100%.
Sasha, the problem is with the way the charge shows up on a credit card statement. I’ve had this happen several times - not recognizing the “name” of a charge on my credit card statement. I don’t know if this is a Substack problem or a credit card company problem? Or 3rd-party payment processing companies? I’ve discovered that charges on a credit card statement can be in the name of the payment companies and not the Substack writer that I subscribe to. Very confusing and frustrating!
Yes. I've noticed that that is the main issue with contributing to blogs. Substack isn't a rinky-dink organization anymore. They should work this out with whoever handles their credit transactions.
Thank you for this information, Sasha. I truly doubt that people are doing this to be petty or mean. I order some things online, and on my bill, I have learned that it may come up as a charge that I don't recognize at all, and I have to scratch my head awhile before I figure out what it is for because it gives no hint at all what it's related to. If one's bill said, "fee for Sasha Stone's substack", I bet this would very rarely be an issue, but I bet it doesn't say that. It's likely some weird thing that people don't recognize, and in this day and age, they fear being scammed even for five dollars. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this.
I think you’re right. It’s unfortunate that with so much scamming going on, people immediately jump to the “scam!” conclusion without doing as you suggested and step back to think a bit harder about it.
Not much you can do when people don't recognize a charge from a subscrition they signed up for, other than what you mentioned. I have found the Tip Jar to work for me, it is one less monthly charge to keep track of and prevents me from becoming one of THOSE subscribers!
O the joys of running a business, eh, Stone? :-)
Paywall your content, it is worth paying for!
Isn't it fun dealing with the public?
I find that it is easier and less confusing to use the Tip Jar. That way I know exactly what it is and I'm not dealing with recurrent debits, which I never liked. It shows on my statement as SASHASTONE.SASHASTONE.
The chargeback problem is probably related Substack’s internal operating system. Things have gradually gotten better (nice being able to now edit on the app) but somethings, especially the default “founders” button have been a problem for years; that thing can really hurt a subscriber, and you’re not talking about $5 or $10.
(As always, struck by the percentage of avatars without the hot cross bun thingee...) Just a thought: The custeroids might remember if the amount was less common? $6.00, at least? Or better, perhaps, $X.50? ($X.37 probably pushing it.)