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Oops!
As many people have noticed, we had two problems appearing in our payment system that didn't crop up during our testing:
* People who were paying to create a new account were receiving an "invalid username" error when they input their email address for the account creation code to be sent to;
* Our PayPal configuration is using PayPal's express checkout, which does require people to have PayPal accounts, rather than the option that allows people to pay as "guests".
Both of these were our errors, and we're really sorry about them. We did test those workflows, but we didn't pick up on those problems.
We've fixed the "invalid username" error now, and verified that the fix is working. If you were paying to create an account, it will work now, and tomorrow morning's Seed Account sale will work without this problem.
The problem with PayPal requiring a PayPal account is a little more complicated for us to fix, because it requires some more sweeping code changes and testing. We know that we told you guys that we'd accept credit card payments without requiring PayPal accounts, and we know that a lot of people missed out on buying a Seed Account in this sale because their payments wouldn't complete properly.
To fix this, we're going to do two things:
* We will put the second batch of 200 Seed Accounts on sale tomorrow morning, 0900 EDT, as scheduled. If you don't have a PayPal account, but you still want to buy a seed account in that sale, you can choose Check/Money Order as your payment type and send in the check or money order to us.
* Because these two errors were serious enough that they interfered with the Seed Account sale, we'll hold another sale in one week's time. We will sell 100 Seed Accounts on Thursday, May 7 at 9PM EDT (GMT -4), and 100 Seed Accounts on Friday, May 8 at 9AM EDT. This will let people who missed out on buying a seed account because of our mistake (either the PayPal problem or the invalid-username problem) have another chance at buying an account.
If you had any other errors during the payment process, we're working through our payment support requests as quickly as we possibly can, and we'll get to your request as quickly as possible.
We're really sorry about the errors!
Edit: And, the next problem identified and fixed as well. If you were having problems using the account creation code you were emailed, it should now be fixed.
* People who were paying to create a new account were receiving an "invalid username" error when they input their email address for the account creation code to be sent to;
* Our PayPal configuration is using PayPal's express checkout, which does require people to have PayPal accounts, rather than the option that allows people to pay as "guests".
Both of these were our errors, and we're really sorry about them. We did test those workflows, but we didn't pick up on those problems.
We've fixed the "invalid username" error now, and verified that the fix is working. If you were paying to create an account, it will work now, and tomorrow morning's Seed Account sale will work without this problem.
The problem with PayPal requiring a PayPal account is a little more complicated for us to fix, because it requires some more sweeping code changes and testing. We know that we told you guys that we'd accept credit card payments without requiring PayPal accounts, and we know that a lot of people missed out on buying a Seed Account in this sale because their payments wouldn't complete properly.
To fix this, we're going to do two things:
* We will put the second batch of 200 Seed Accounts on sale tomorrow morning, 0900 EDT, as scheduled. If you don't have a PayPal account, but you still want to buy a seed account in that sale, you can choose Check/Money Order as your payment type and send in the check or money order to us.
* Because these two errors were serious enough that they interfered with the Seed Account sale, we'll hold another sale in one week's time. We will sell 100 Seed Accounts on Thursday, May 7 at 9PM EDT (GMT -4), and 100 Seed Accounts on Friday, May 8 at 9AM EDT. This will let people who missed out on buying a seed account because of our mistake (either the PayPal problem or the invalid-username problem) have another chance at buying an account.
If you had any other errors during the payment process, we're working through our payment support requests as quickly as we possibly can, and we'll get to your request as quickly as possible.
We're really sorry about the errors!
Edit: And, the next problem identified and fixed as well. If you were having problems using the account creation code you were emailed, it should now be fixed.
no subject
But then, I can probably pick up one of the accounts sold in the set of 100, so I'm not too worried.
no subject
I think that I might like having people actually care. ;)
So, how'd it go for you? Get your account yet?
Good luck!
no subject
But yeah, see? GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT A LIE. It's just... so much above and beyond what we're used to that every time it happens, it's a pleasant surprise. =)