9 replies to this topic

[Zen_]

Some, many, or most of you probably noticed that you could not donate, get VIP, or participate in anything that involved payments for the last week or so. We apologize for this but our account had been frozen and we were working with PayPal to resolve the issue.

 

As of today we are back online and able to accept donations again. Thanks to all for patience while we resolved this issue, and thanks to PayPal for clarification and second chances.

 

As of this moment we will no longer be able to hold any raffles, at least in their current form. We will certainly brainstorm on ways in which we can give back to the community for all of your continued love and support.

 

We are still working towards allowing other forms of payment such as bitcoin, but these will likely come after some upgrades and redesign.

 

 

 

[pharmer]

Zen,

 

 does PP have an issue with the site? or is this just routine teknikl irritation?

 

and, Sir, it can't be said often enough - thanks for handling the 1's and 0's

 

it's a huge and nearly godly thing you do 

Edited by pharmer, 23 June 2016 - 12:25 PM.

[niemandgeist]

I'm also curious as to why PayPal had an issue. I'm glad that things are working well for now, though.

 

The only thing I know for sure about PayPal is that their terms and conditions are pretty convoluted.

[Juthro]

I too am curious as to what their (PayPal's) issue was.

Was it the spores, or the fact that is was a raffle that bothered them?

[wharfrat]

thanks zen for working that out.. as to the questions, if zen don't mind i will give a go at answering. It was the Raffles which is "a form of gambling" that was the deal breaker.. PP has certain rules against those type of "pay to play" type contests.. As zen stated, " We will certainly brainstorm on ways in which we can give back to the community for all of your continued love and support."
 

To those that have donated, the donations will still be used to help keep mycotopoia growing, stay tuned. 

Edited by wharfrat, 23 June 2016 - 04:36 PM.

[Juthro]

Thank you Wharf, I wondered if that was the reason. Some see a raffle as a game of chance, unless of cource its for the church, and then that makes it ok.

Seriously though, thank you.

And thank you, Zen!
For all the time, and effort you spend in keeping this wheel turning, I am quite grateful.

[CatsAndBats]

Purrhaps just put prices on the donated materials, or a silent auction to determine price.

 

I'd like to echo @pharmer's statement and thank @zen and all the rest of the team. Thanks.

Edited by catattack, 24 June 2016 - 11:01 AM.

[Zen_]

Wharf is correct. It was the raffles. It's a form of lottery which is a highly regulated thing in most if not all states. PayPal has a blank "no" policy on those things.

 

In speaking with the kind folks at PayPal, we could "have a luncheon, that's free, and give everyone that walks in the door a ticket for a raffle." So long as there is no cost to enter there is no exchange of money it's all good - to do otherwise it's a lottery. ...and regulated.

 

Auctions are fine. Re: eBay.

 

So it's a savvy game of chess, but all is well and we're able to continue as-is otherwise. We'll be fine, and we'll keep adding features. No worries. :)

[bernhohl]

it's often a bit tricky dealing with chance and games of chance and so forth.  i've been in the non-commercial radio industry for years and it's a lot different terrain than commercial radio, that's for sure.  but as long as you get warnings....warnings without fines or penalties....you can play ball while you get your education.  

[niemandgeist]

Too bad we can't have one of those special URLs that we can add on to our Amazon.com purchases so as to give a percentage of our Amazon purchases to Mycotopia as a charity. That would be pretty sweet, you know.

 

Erowid is an option and I think some other sites are.

 

No idea the loopholes and flaming rings one has to jump through to be able to do that but I'd love an option to donate to Topia while buying non-related things.

Edited by niemandgeist, 30 June 2016 - 02:36 PM.