IMPORTANT! VIP processor changes, and a new VIP+ package

Discussion in 'Announcements' started by c0wg0d, Mar 18, 2023.

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  1. c0wg0d

    c0wg0d Master Owner Moderator Helper VIP

    Hi everyone!

    Our payment gateway, Tebex, has updated their platform, which is forcing us to change how we process VIP payments. I will go over what the changes are, the purpose of the new VIP+ package, what you will need to do if you are a current VIP, and answer any questions you may have.

    Payments and Sales Tax/VAT

    The biggest change is that payments will be processed directly through Tebex now, instead of through Paypal. It also means that you will now (unfortunately) be charged sales tax or VAT. Please note that you can still pay through Paypal, if you wish. You will be able to see all of your payment history, and cancel any recurring VIP subscriptions you have through Tebex now, instead of Paypal.

    VIP+ Package

    With this change, Tebex is taking a larger fee from your payment, meaning The Sandlot gets less (even though you are paying more, including the sales tax/VAT). I did not want to change the current VIP price, but with us getting a smaller portion of your purchase, and the fact that our server costs have risen 10% this year, I wanted to offer a new package for people who are able to afford it, and want to support our mission of providing a safe, friendly, and fun place for all of us to play Minecraft together.

    The new VIP+ package offers the exact same benefits of the current VIP package. The only difference is that you will have two gold stars next to your name instead of one. I do not plan to add any additional benefits to the VIP+ package. It is merely a way for you to get a double helping of thanks from us!

    Current VIPs

    If you are currently a VIP with a recurring payment setup through Paypal, you will have to cancel your recurring payment through Paypal, and then sign up again through our store, which will now be processed by Tebex. You must cancel your recurring payment through Paypal by April 9, 2023. If you do not cancel it, you will still be charged per usual but will not be granted any VIP benefits, because Tebex will not be processing payments through their old/legacy system after April 9.

    To cancel your recurring payment through Paypal, login at https://www.paypal.com and do the following:
    • Login
    • Click on the Settings gear icon on the top right of the page
    • Click on Payments in the secondary menu at the top of the page
    • Under the Automatic Payments section, click the Manage automatic payments button
    • Select The Sandlot on the list of your active payments (see @Monkey_Chicka's post below for what it looks like)
    • Click the Cancel button on the Status line
    Questions?

    If you have any questions, please ask below and I will do my best to answer them.

    Thank you all so much for supporting The Sandlot. We could not survive without you!

    To become a VIP or VIP+, please head to the Become a VIP page to get started: https://www.sandlotminecraft.com/pages/vip/
     
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  2. Monkey_Chicka

    Monkey_Chicka Insert coffee to start Moderator Helper VIP

    This is great. Thanks, @c0wg0d! I have a question: I have been a VIP for years and just cancelled my current VIP PayPal payments. Now, I want to sign up via the new system. Do I still have to purchase the first month and then the renewal, or can I go straight to the renewal? Thanks!
     
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  3. c0wg0d

    c0wg0d Master Owner Moderator Helper VIP

    You can go straight to the renewal!
     
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  4. Monkey_Chicka

    Monkey_Chicka Insert coffee to start Moderator Helper VIP

    Thank you! And done. :) Going to the third party page from my cart didn't work at first. I tried about three times. I cleared by browser's cache and tried again and it worked.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2023
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  5. Monkey_Chicka

    Monkey_Chicka Insert coffee to start Moderator Helper VIP

    FYI for anyone cancelling their current Paypal payment to the Sandlot: when I looked at my list of my active payments in Paypal, the entry for the Sandlot was blank. There was no text, just a generic grey icon. (The red arrow points to it below.) When I clicked on it, it had all the information about my automatic payments to the Sandlot with the button to cancel it.
    empty sandlot paypal icon.JPG
     
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  6. Giraffon

    Giraffon Legendary Helper

    Nice! I finally signed up. I've never liked Paypal so I never VIP'd myself before now.
     
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  7. Ebsidian

    Ebsidian Fantasy Writer

    Is there a system in place for that? If not someone might be able to exploit and buy renewal on their first time since it costs less.
     
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  8. c0wg0d

    c0wg0d Master Owner Moderator Helper VIP

    Yes, you cannot purchase the renewal unless you have already purchased the first month. Thanks for checking!
     
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  9. kuragara102

    kuragara102 Master VIP

    seems to keep refusing to connect to tebex for me
    cleared the cache and restarted for two browsers :(
     
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  10. kuragara102

    kuragara102 Master VIP

    managed to get something through...just not using the subscribe option
     
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  11. KRiskKaT

    KRiskKaT Piecing it together Moderator Elder Helper VIP

    I refreshed a few times, then noticed using the on screen button worked vs pressing enter.
     
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  12. c0wg0d

    c0wg0d Master Owner Moderator Helper VIP

    The store is loaded inside a frame, which may be blocked by your browser or have other issues. I have added a link directly to the store on the Become a VIP page, right above the frame. I hope this helps anyone who has had issues with the checkout process or the store in general.
     
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  13. Mizalin

    Mizalin Expert

    It appears that I may have used some option to start the subscription (for my son) and link it to my credit card without actually setting up a Paypal account. I am unable to find the recurring charge anywhere, any suggestions on how to cancel? I get the monthly receipt (from tebex.io) at an email address that Paypal doesn't have linked to an account. The receipt cites "Gateway: PayPal Standard", gives a transaction ID, etc., so it does seem to be going through Paypal even without an account?? Perhaps some guest access to Paypal?

    So the main point is given this mess how do I actually cancel?

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2023
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  14. kuragara102

    kuragara102 Master VIP

    well...it looked like I managed to resubscribe to VIP but I don't seem to have it anymore :(
     
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  15. GranDan68

    GranDan68 Grandest Dan of All VIP

    I didn't intend to 'ditch' The Sandlot. I canceled my recurring PayPal payments and successfully signed up through the new system (Tebex is taking my money) but I have now lost my VIP status :(
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2023
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  16. c0wg0d

    c0wg0d Master Owner Moderator Helper VIP

    This has been resolved. Thank you for the support!

    This has been resolved. Thank you for the support!

    This has been resolved. Thank you for the support!
     
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  17. GranDan68

    GranDan68 Grandest Dan of All VIP

    Great - thanks for all you do, too!
     
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  18. kuragara102

    kuragara102 Master VIP

    Thank you so much!

    Thank you so much!!!!
     
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  19. GrimpyHalfhand

    GrimpyHalfhand Lagmaster Elder Helper VIP

    My VIP plus seems to have disappeared overnight.
    Looking at my email history, I seem to have paid c0wg0d on March 27 (before cancelling that recurring payment) and also paid Tebex on Match 27 as well.
    When I look at PAYPAL, it seems that no Tebex payment was taken out on April 27.

    Any advice for poor old Grimpy?
     
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  20. GrimpyHalfhand

    GrimpyHalfhand Lagmaster Elder Helper VIP

    Grimpy: I'll take Fun and Games for $500 please.
    c0wg0d: Alex
    Grimpy: What is the first name of the Sandlot payment system?
    c0wgod: That is correct.
     
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