Don’t feel bad about not having special “premium” content for paid subscribers. I’m pretty sure your days don’t have any more hours in them than mine do. I’m a paid subscriber, but not with the expectation of having access to special content. I like to subscribe to intelligent writers who make me think. A subscription to the New York Times is a long way from free. Your posts are massively more informative and thought-provoking, without any advertising. They are also true. That makes them deserving of payment. Prior to retirement my wife and I ran a retail store for 25 years. Customers don’t know that the merchant does not get the full amount of a sale, due to fees for processing. Substack also gets a piece of every paid subscription. In return for that they should really post something explaining how payments appear on credit card statements, as well as how to manage cancellations without hurting the author.
Happy paying subscriber here - your journey is an inspiration & gives me hope. No need for special pay wall incentives imo. Not sure if that perk approach really helps increase paid subscribers.
I am aligned with many of the other comments here that note;
- am very happy and appreciative of your work
- will look at my visa charges to see how the subscription fee is recorded and if it can be noted differently
- I have several Substack paid subscriptions and will see how the others are listed
- I have no need for things to be behind a pay wall but don’t mind if you do it either.
- I do hope you’re making significant monies here because your product and services is definitely providing thousands with significant value and insight.
Thanks much for all you have done, the community you have created and fostered, and the courage you have inspired in us.
It's so weird that they record the name of the payment different. Mine was showing up last month and all the month's before as LOCALVALLEYVILLAGE CA.. I too almost reported fraudulent charge until I remembered Sasha lives in CA AND I had also subscribed to someone else's substack at the same time and their charge was on the same day as hers. I just looked at this month's charge and now it says SASHA STONE. So hopefully everyone will see her name going forward.
Yes, another happy customer here. Sasha, you are very generous and brave and diligent. I am more than happy to pay for the Substackers I find interesting to read. And Stripe is no way to pay for something, anything. It sucks. They suck. They rip us off and there's no one to call. A fucking disaster and a crime. And where's Uncle Joe to protect us on that one! Personally, I would pay a 10% premium on anything if I could be sure that there was a person with knowledge, agency and who gives a shit on the other end of a phone. Happy to be "online" and automated, but I want someone to help bail me out when there is a real problem. Otherwise, they are just pushing expenses off on us. When there is no one to call, they are improving their bottom line at our expense. We suffer, blow a gasket, and they run to the bank.
I will keep subscribing and if we disagree I'll continue because disgreeing in worldviews is normal in a free society. I think the cranks that want their money back are just jerks. I had subscribed to Klaven and his son's substack but never liked it so I canceled it without requesting a refund for much the same reason.
Sasha, I'm happy to pay to support your voice. I don't care much about premium content. Reading your writing gives me hope, which much of this country desperately needs. Keep up your outstanding work.
Sasha, I pay because I value your voice and look forward to your every post. Your analysis is always spot on. Moreover the way you narrate your own work is far better than any bot could ever be. I appreciate that you include the sound for all the clips which means I can listen immediately, while on the go, whenever your posts drop, without having to stop and read headlines cut into a story. You are the best.
I had the same problem - someone paid via their Citi Vista, and Citi then filed a fraud charge - and my Stripe account was frozen for 45 days. I wish Substack would look at another vendor to handle transactions ...
This is a not uncommon problem with digital products. I have inadvertently disputed charges that were not recognizable. I try to remember to write on my calendar the item and amount, so when a charge comes in, I can check. Unfortunately, hubby doesn't mention his charges.
Don’t feel bad about not having special “premium” content for paid subscribers. I’m pretty sure your days don’t have any more hours in them than mine do. I’m a paid subscriber, but not with the expectation of having access to special content. I like to subscribe to intelligent writers who make me think. A subscription to the New York Times is a long way from free. Your posts are massively more informative and thought-provoking, without any advertising. They are also true. That makes them deserving of payment. Prior to retirement my wife and I ran a retail store for 25 years. Customers don’t know that the merchant does not get the full amount of a sale, due to fees for processing. Substack also gets a piece of every paid subscription. In return for that they should really post something explaining how payments appear on credit card statements, as well as how to manage cancellations without hurting the author.
I’m paying monthly cause I appreciate your free content! No pressure to do paid content at least from me. Thanks Sasha!
Happy paying subscriber here - your journey is an inspiration & gives me hope. No need for special pay wall incentives imo. Not sure if that perk approach really helps increase paid subscribers.
I am aligned with many of the other comments here that note;
- am very happy and appreciative of your work
- will look at my visa charges to see how the subscription fee is recorded and if it can be noted differently
- I have several Substack paid subscriptions and will see how the others are listed
- I have no need for things to be behind a pay wall but don’t mind if you do it either.
- I do hope you’re making significant monies here because your product and services is definitely providing thousands with significant value and insight.
Thanks much for all you have done, the community you have created and fostered, and the courage you have inspired in us.
Mine is recorded as “LOCAL SASHASTONE.COCA - 1234 -$50”
It's so weird that they record the name of the payment different. Mine was showing up last month and all the month's before as LOCALVALLEYVILLAGE CA.. I too almost reported fraudulent charge until I remembered Sasha lives in CA AND I had also subscribed to someone else's substack at the same time and their charge was on the same day as hers. I just looked at this month's charge and now it says SASHA STONE. So hopefully everyone will see her name going forward.
You seem like a nice person. The writing? Cheap at any price!
Yes, another happy customer here. Sasha, you are very generous and brave and diligent. I am more than happy to pay for the Substackers I find interesting to read. And Stripe is no way to pay for something, anything. It sucks. They suck. They rip us off and there's no one to call. A fucking disaster and a crime. And where's Uncle Joe to protect us on that one! Personally, I would pay a 10% premium on anything if I could be sure that there was a person with knowledge, agency and who gives a shit on the other end of a phone. Happy to be "online" and automated, but I want someone to help bail me out when there is a real problem. Otherwise, they are just pushing expenses off on us. When there is no one to call, they are improving their bottom line at our expense. We suffer, blow a gasket, and they run to the bank.
I will keep subscribing and if we disagree I'll continue because disgreeing in worldviews is normal in a free society. I think the cranks that want their money back are just jerks. I had subscribed to Klaven and his son's substack but never liked it so I canceled it without requesting a refund for much the same reason.
Love your writing and it’s well worth the small charge. You’re wonderful!
Sasha, I'm happy to pay to support your voice. I don't care much about premium content. Reading your writing gives me hope, which much of this country desperately needs. Keep up your outstanding work.
Sasha, I pay because I value your voice and look forward to your every post. Your analysis is always spot on. Moreover the way you narrate your own work is far better than any bot could ever be. I appreciate that you include the sound for all the clips which means I can listen immediately, while on the go, whenever your posts drop, without having to stop and read headlines cut into a story. You are the best.
I pay monthly and it shows up as SASHASTONE SASHASTONE.SUCA in my credit card transactions.
Thanks for the info- I will start watching
I had the same problem - someone paid via their Citi Vista, and Citi then filed a fraud charge - and my Stripe account was frozen for 45 days. I wish Substack would look at another vendor to handle transactions ...
This is a not uncommon problem with digital products. I have inadvertently disputed charges that were not recognizable. I try to remember to write on my calendar the item and amount, so when a charge comes in, I can check. Unfortunately, hubby doesn't mention his charges.
Thanks Sasha. I was unaware of this problem but may face it in the future. Please share anything you learn about a solution.
Bravo Blue
Yes Sasha, like everyone else I pay to subscribe because I love you. 😊