I have read bad things about signing up with a credit card. Is it safer to sign up for a VIP membership and pay with a money order? I do not want TER to give my info to the cops.


Dan

Dan, I attempted to do that and it was a horror story.  The money is sent overseas.  The cost of mailing a registered letter was about the same cost as the three month VIP subscription as I recall.  I chose not to do it and sent it regular first class mail.

Four weeks later the money still had not been posted to my account so I finally took the chance and paid it on a credit card.  I have heard from others that three to four weeks is not uncommon for the money to be applied to the account if mailed in so make sure you anticipate that delay and figure it in to when you send the money order.

Also, when I attempted to trace the money order then cancel it, I found the process so difficult and time consuming (involving me and TER), I chose just to eat the money as I felt it would cost me more in time than the amount I paid.

I have been a member of TER for over a year, have always paid by money order (sent regular mail) and have never had a problem.

If the cops were that interested in you they could get the information in several other ways.
I pay by plastic.

as Raven said, it does take quite a long time. The money goes to the Netherlands, and can take 4-5 weeks to clear, so if you're going to go this way, plan ahead and leave enough time so you don't run out of days in the VIP bank. It happened to me, and it sucked.

You can always use a prepaid visa or mc card.

I always paid by credit card. There's nothing wrong or illegal about having a TER VIP membership.
jhb

would be for the guys who have to explain to someone "why" they have a TER VIP membership.

I have read around. To do monies transaction instead of using your personal cc's go buy a gift card. Register it in another name and buy a membership. I think this method should be a whole lot faster than buying a money order and sending it to another country.
But if that is what you rather do for whatever reason do you!

If knowing you have a membership is of concern, then do what I did.  Get one of those autoloaded credit cards and that has no trace back to you at all.  If you are that worried about things being traced back to you, there's nothing much you can do in terms of the LE aspect.  If they wanted to go get a court order to check everything electronic you interface with, you can bet they'll be checking your personal computer along with any work computer too.  I seriously doubt unless you are some public official or something like that, the LE would ever go THAT far just to get a patron of someone.

I think the uploaded card is your best bet.  I think or suspect there are a good number of members here that have the SO aspect in their life.  Since I've gotten the membership, I've found it quite useful when scanning over information.

I've had the same problem - don't want to pay by credit card; mailed a money order and never got any credit, just wrote it off, there are a number of post about problems with the prepaid cards, and i'd tried several and they did not work (Visa, Amex), finally got a prepaid MasterCard gift card at the supermarket and it worked - so I know use that to supplement my review days - the advantage of a prepaid gift card is that you can buy it for cash, and there is no billing statement record.  If it does not work, at least you can use the card at a store to buy something.

The same reason that the hotel room is on the card.  I need to meet women that have sex with me somewhere, since you aren't doing it.

Oh wait, you mean an explanation that WON'T get us kicked out of the house.  My bad...lol

THAT explanation.

I really liked "little phil's" post and would like all the guys to try that one and let me know how that works out for them - BEFORE I try that one on my SO!!!!!  But seriously I sent a certified bank check and kept checking on it and TER advised me that they weren't sure it ever arrived?  I think I will try the prepaid MC next time.

It is rechargable and non-traceable. When you call to activate the card, give them bogus information. I use this method for everything pertaining to this business!

My .02
Paris

As you mentioned there are tons of reports of people having issues with the prepaid cards.  Was there a specific vendor for that MC gift card you used or will any one work?

I didn't get this message up the first time. I bought the prepaid Wal-mart VISA earlier this year and it would not work to renew a VIP. I also tried to buy an international money order at the post office, they asked what country it was going to, and said they did not do money orders to the Netherlands. I finally gave up and paid with regular plastic. I would really like to find another way before I have to renew again. I would love any specific help,