New Burningman Ticket Process - 2012

[trilobyte]

Paypal is not on the list, meaning no direct paypal login as payment option. But the standard paypal card (which I believe is free) is usable as a debit mastercard.

[BBadger]

I'm not of the camp that finds Fishy's ongoing grammar nazi-ism a full on ZING, but hey.. that's just me.

It's only "zing" because of Rintho's reading comprehension jab. Otherwise it's standard grammar nazi-ism.

Paypal is not on the list, meaning no direct paypal login as payment option. But the standard paypal card (which I believe is free) is usable as a debit mastercard.

I wonder if the tickets being distributed in June is because of this: so people can't just Paypal-dispute the charge and keep the ticket.

[FizzyCoCo]

Paypal allows you to shop anyplace that takes visa/mastercard, so you should be good to go.

So wouldn't it still be accepted going on the rule of which cards are allowed?

[trilobyte]

If you somehow manage to get yourself a paypal card that does not also function as a mastercard, then yes I suppose you'd be screwed. But checking their site again, it still shows that their basic/free debit card (different from signing up for a revolving credit card) is a fully functional debit mastercard.

[Giacamogio]

I spent my thoughtful time early on laying out the argument for why the lottery system is just a cover up for the inadequate existing IT ticketing program that showed its weaknesses last year. That is where all Burning Man's attention should have been placed instead of misplaced on this customer-infuriating lottery distraction.

Now I just want to say regularly and often: This is a terrible idea and is our collective Netflix moment.

[This Woman]

I wish it were a Netflix moment because they had the good sense to listen to their customers. No such luck here, I'm afraid. Keep on squeaking though! You never know.

[Rice]

If you somehow manage to get yourself a paypal card that does not also function as a mastercard, then yes I suppose you'd be screwed. But checking their site again, it still shows that their basic/free debit card (different from signing up for a revolving credit card) is a fully functional debit mastercard.

The problem with PayPal is that their debit/credit cards are not available to Canadians... (maybe only to the USA, didn't feel like checking other countries)

So, if you do not have US identification, you are screwed if you do not have a credit card.

Not a problem for myself, but I am sure it affects a number of burners who do not reside within the USofA.

[trilobyte]

Hard to say, the only people who've raised concerns about forms of payment, like yourself, don't actually have a problem themselves.

[gyre]

Tying up a credit card for any amount will be a very big deal for me, as I have a low limit.

[lucky420]

I plan on saving for and having the money I need in my checking acctto cover the cost of tix. I will be using my debit/credit card. I will not touch the money in my acct until the tickets have been paid for...simple!

[junglesmacks]

I plan on saving for and having the money I need in my checking acctto cover the cost of tix. I will be using my debit/credit card. I will not touch the money in my acct until the tickets have been paid for...simple!

Damn all that rational gobbledy-gook! It's all a conspiracy I say, a CONSPIRACY!

[Savannah]

You're a conspiracy!

[BBadger]

I plan on saving for and having the money I need in my checking acctto cover the cost of tix. I will be using my debit/credit card. I will not touch the money in my acct until the tickets have been paid for...simple!

You only need to do that with a debit card. With a credit card, you can pay at the end of the month (one reason I could not care less about debit card fees).

[junglesmacks]

You're a conspiracy!

I just gave the screen that slight dog head tilt with semi-perplexed look. I hope you could sense it all the way up there.

[lucky420]

I've finally paid my credit cards off and have sworn to never use one again ( I had a bit of a problem) I don't have fees with my bank card due to the type of accts I have. If I was approved for a credit card the interest rates on balances would be really high. If I can't save up for something or pay for it in cash when I want it then it can wait. I feel much better this way and don't have those pesky1- 866 (we know your home bitch) phone numbers calling me anymore...whew

[theCryptofishist]

That is indeed the rub. I was doing okay because my bank and credit card were the same place. Of course, your credit card isn't actually your bank and now they want to charge me $5 a month for money transfer. I"m pretty much going "wtf" and thinking of buying and then canceling the card...

Credit cards are troublesome but ubiquitous...

[This Woman]

I keep thinking the fees will bring back an old standard - the paper check. We shall see.

[A Jester]

Tying up a credit card for any amount will be a very big deal for me, as I have a low limit.

If you just pretend it's already spent, you don't have to think of it as "tying up" but rather "not there".

So, if you have a $500 limit, there's really no difference between spending $380 or "tying up" $380. Either way, you have to hold off on that $200 pair of leather pants.

[theCryptofishist]

I keep thinking the fees will bring back an old standard - the paper check. We shall see.

I was at Amoeba on Monday and asked what they prefered, and they don't take checks. Since I don't carry around $100 bills I used plastic.

[lucky420]

I think it would be rather rare these days if a place of business did take paper checks (excluding bills that you mail in). Paper checks would also be more costly to process these days.

[remi]

I think it would be rather rare these days if a place of business did take paper checks (excluding bills that you mail in). Paper checks would also be more costly to process these days.

Agree.. the thing I pay with a cheque is rent... 12 post dated cheques every year.

[This Woman]

There are a couple restaurants in my town that take them, which surprised me. There is no recoup on lost food. But if a competitor takes checks and he starts seeing more business because of it...

Just idle speculation based on the new and soon to be prevalent fees. The spending public is a fickle and unpredictable beast, and if they ultimately decide not to pay the debit fees then it's not a stretch to think businesses will find an accomodation (even if it means accepting cash, which many don't do anymore). But it could end up being just another bank who won't charge fees.

I dropped my bank for a credit union last year. They are less convenient in the literal sense - locations/atms, but I still wish I'd done it years ago.

[gyre]

Tying up a credit card for any amount will be a very big deal for me, as I have a low limit.

If you just pretend it's already spent, you don't have to think of it as "tying up" but rather "not there".

So, if you have a $500 limit, there's really no difference between spending $380 or "tying up" $380. Either way, you have to hold off on that $200 pair of leather pants.

I have to use the card to pay certain bills.
How many months is the card in play for this?

[A Jester]

Tying up a credit card for any amount will be a very big deal for me, as I have a low limit.

If you just pretend it's already spent, you don't have to think of it as "tying up" but rather "not there".

So, if you have a $500 limit, there's really no difference between spending $380 or "tying up" $380. Either way, you have to hold off on that $200 pair of leather pants.

I have to use the card to pay certain bills.
How many months is the card in play for this?

Depends on when you register.

I'll go ahead and quote the FAQ you can't find, but here is where is it listed http://www.burningman.com/preparation/m ... t_faq.html

Q: When does my credit card get charged?
A: After the random selection is complete, your credit card will be charged. For the Pre-Sale, that would be on or before December 19, 2011. For the Main Sale, that would be on or before February 1.

Q: When can I register for the Main Sale?
A: Registration for the Main Sale will be from January 9, 2012 to January 22, 2012 at 11:59pm PST.

So, assuming you're not buying tickets through the pre-sale, you can register any time between January 9th and January 22nd, and your card will be charged on or before Feb 1st.

So, that's 23/30 days or 10/30 days which is about 3/4 of a month to 1/3 of a month, depending on when you choose to register.

[gyre]

That's not bad.

I was under the impression it could be much longer, from what had been posted, with rollover drawings and whatnot.

[lemur]

your credit card wont be charged until after the man burns on saturday of burning man 2012

[BBadger]

I've finally paid my credit cards off and have sworn to never use one again ( I had a bit of a problem) I don't have fees with my bank card due to the type of accts I have. If I was approved for a credit card the interest rates on balances would be really high. If I can't save up for something or pay for it in cash when I want it then it can wait. I feel much better this way and don't have those pesky1- 866 (we know your home bitch) phone numbers calling me anymore...whew

You can always use a debit card, which taps directly from your bank account. Some people insist on using the debit card because the money is deducted immediately, not after some time. I don't understand the practice myself, but know people who prefer the debit cards for that reason.

Also, why don't you just pay the entire amount off at the end of the month? I don't even know what my interest rates are because I've never used monthly payments--and never will. My CC is like a debit card only I can choose when to pay for it (within a month), which is nice because I can just pay with other accounts, not just a checking account.

Good ways to stay on top of your finances with CCs and other credit mechanisms:

• Have only one credit card, and have it with your bank (or credit union or whatever) so that you can easily see all accounts at once. Multiple credit cards also affect your credit rating.
• (IMPORTANT!) Check your balance every single day for all accounts. This ensures that you know how much is in your account that you can spend. Also this will help prevent fraud as you can identify what might be erroneous or bogus charges.
• Pay off your CC balance completely every month (balance = monthly due, not entire amount including what was spent after). No payments. Payments are something you spend on your house, or maybe your car--BIG purchases. Not credit cards.
• Pay off your CC balance immediately when you get your billing notice in the mail. Sure, you have 20-days-left, but unless you're really waiting for a paycheck, you should pay it off immediately so you don't forget.
• Have at least twice the amount of money that you'd normally spend in a month in your account. Dipping below that? Better cut back.

[AntiM]

Hey, you use cards like I do. Except for the cutting back part, there are days I get rolling....

[A Jester]

That's not bad.

I was under the impression it could be much longer, from what had been posted, with rollover drawings and whatnot.

If you opt for the more expensive pre-sale, there is a rollover.

I apologize if I sound patronizing, but you really shouldn't take just any post's word as true. Especially on a subject like this one where people where flipping out about how they would never be able to go again before they even found out what the system was.

As an example, someone could read your post and assume that there card would be held up for at least two months, even though you probably had no intention of spreading dis-information.

[didjital]

It seems ironic that the old system "failed" those who couldn't get their tickets before it sold out last year, and somehow the new lottery system (that closes in January!) is supposed to rectify this? This is penalization for the folks who PLAN.

The price breaks are also substantially higher, which will continue to reduce the playa's creative output, but that's another bitching session.