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This is a topic that I brought up when Pathfinder started, but I wanted to check in to see if there was any information now that it's been running for a bit.
Unlike a magazine or MMO subscription, all the Pathfinder subscriptions seem vulnerable to varying and flexible publishing schedules. Last I heard, Paizo couldn't guarantee when in the month a subscription item would be filled. This is the biggest roadblock between me and subscribing because I can't afford to have a $20+ fee surprise me during the month.
Has that stabilized at all? Can anybody tell me how much per month (including shipping, I guess) you're paying for your subscriptions and if there's a standard day of the month it's taken out on?
Is there any time after Paizo saying they're shipping something that I can say "Wait! Don't!"?
EDIT: Actually, while I'm thinking of it, is there any possibility of a pre-paid subscription offer?
EDIT: Actually, while I'm thinking of it, is there any possibility of a pre-paid subscription offer?
I can't really comment on the date of the charges, since I don't really pay much attention to it when it happens, and I have the "ship everything from one month together" option checked, so its usually towards the end of the month anyway. You'd have to ask someone with just a Pathfinder subscription to get better info on that aspect of it.
But on the pre-paid subscription idea, I do have a suggestion. I think Paizo has basically said they're not going to a pre-paid method (although I can't speak for them and may be wrong), but you can always get a pre-paid, rechargable credit card loaded with a certain amount, and just use that to pay. That way, you can load up however much you want when you can afford it, or on a set schedule, and not have to worry about being surprised when the actual charges hit. Also, you don't have to worry about forgetting to reload it before it runs to low. They've basically said that if you're payment method doesn't go through for whatever reason, they'll "hold" you subscription for you and ship it when you fix the payment method, even if it's not done immediately. Just something to think about. :)
[Edit: I've looked into this a little bit, and all the cards have different fees associated with them. If you're thinking about going this route, decide on how you want to pre-load the card (once a year, monthly, by check or direct deposit, etc) then look around for a card that favors your requirements. There are a bunch of different companies that have these cards, and they all have different fee schedules, so you should be able to find one that minimizes the fees you'll have to pay once you decide on how you're going to use/recharge the card.]
...you can always get a pre-paid, rechargable credit card loaded with a certain amount, and just use that to pay. That way, you can load up however much you want when you can afford it, or on a set schedule, and not have to worry about being surprised when the actual charges hit.
Say, that is a pretty bright idea. What's really complicating a subscription plan for me is that my wife and I share an account and I don't have the 100% control over the spending that such a commitment (subscription, not marriage) would require.
But a seperate, pre-paid charge card...that's sharp.
Say, that is a pretty bright idea. What's really complicating a subscription plan for me is that my wife and I share an account and I don't have the 100% control over the spending that such a commitment (subscription, not marriage) would require.
But a seperate, pre-paid charge card...that's sharp.
As much as I'd like to, I can't take credit for the idea. I think it was either Vic or Cosmo that originally suggested a couple months ago. :)
As for the monthly charge, I guess the timing depends on how you set things to ship. And on which subs you subscribe.
For now, PF sub has a 14$ charge each month (though the timing can vary as they are still trying to catch up); Modules sub as a 13$ [11$ if you have PF sub, after March 10] monthly charge (stabilized); Planet Stories as a 10.40$ monthly charge (more or less stabilized). The thing is that, even if they are not exactly the same date each month, and may sometimes even lag a month behind in schedule, you are sure to get the same charge each month. So you can easily recharge your card each time for the upcomming month, with the same amount, without surprises.
The big uneven sub is the Chronicles. They are not a monthly thing, as two products (or even 3, like right now) can show up the smae month, and nothing is scheduled for the next month. On top of that, there are some difference between the price of each products. Most of them range from 13$ to 20$ [11$ to 17$ with PF sub after March 10], but there's the occasional big guy, like the upcomming Setting hardcover which will be 50$ [42.50$]. So far, the only indication we have is "about 9 products each year", and I'm pretty sure that most products will fall in the average 13$ to 20$ [11$ to 17$] category.
In any case, don't forget to add the shipping charge. I believe the charge for each shipment [usualy monthly] is 5$ in US or 6$ outside US for PF only; 6$ in US or 6.86$ outside US for a montly shipment of many products.
I hope this helps! I didn't know exactly which subs you wanted, so I covered them all.
Fletch,
I think the above posts answered all of your questions except for this one:
Is there any time after Paizo saying they're shipping something that I can say "Wait! Don't!"?
The answer is that, a day or three before we send out a subscription shipment, we run an authorization against your card for the amount that we'll be charging, and we also send an e-mail letting you know about the pending shipment. You then have a small window to contact us and tell us to do something differently, but I'd advise you to be prompt if you need changes.