Question about Continuous payment and crysta

[MAXWINTER]

Hello i have a question about this , have managed to set it up and pay with paypal.
My question really is what happens if we have not enough crysta in account at next payment date , for example say i went away on hoilday a month (extreme example) and forgot to update my crysta what would then happen , would i have crysta deducted next time i updated and had to pay more crysta or would service just be suspened untill i added enough crysta.

Also if we cancel our character id will all billing stop ? and will we be able to reactive it at a later time?

[Bayohne]

As long as you have a sufficient balance of Crysta on your account, the appropriate amount will be automatically deducted when the subscription is renewed. However, if your balance is insufficient, the reoccurring option will be automatically canceled. When you wish to reactivate it, you will then need to add Crysta to cover the fee.

Cancelling your reoccurring option (previously Content ID) will stop billing, and yes, you will be able to reactivate it a later time.

[mistmonster]

Are you going to charge an "activation fee" for these "forgot to pay crysta" incidents?

Edit: Even if you umm forgot to add crysta for a couple months?

[xbobx]

Are you planning to allow us to pay the proper amount of crysta at some point, or are you going to continue to nickle and dime your long time and loyal customers?

[Tohihroyu]

I don't like this one bit, what was so wrong with the old ways? I went the ways of click & buy...but I might go for crysta...then again if you don't have enough they cancel you :/ so wont that mean you have to pay double? since reactivation has you pay the monthly fee right on when you re activate

[Zumi]

I would have to agree let people buy the exact amount of Crysta they need to pay for the game. It just seems greedy on SE's part to make people buy more then they need to pay for FFXI like they been paying for all these years prior.

[Komori]

SE has already lost me unless they offer the old option of paying back. And apparently, many others.

[Patrik]

i have issues with this all too... but! you are all talking as if when you buy $20 of crysta, and use the amount of the monthly fee, the rest just vanishes. you still have that extra crysta, so basically you pay for a couple months, then the next month you don't have to worry cause you have that left over crysta.

so i can understand while this still is annoying instead of paying the exact amount every month, but your not handing SE more money than before, and you aren't just losing that excess crysta

[Bayohne]

When you return after having been away from the game (or during a "forget to load Crysta" incident), and wish to resume your billing, you simply need to pay the fee for the upcoming 30 days; that's it.

[Unleashhell]

As long as you have a sufficient balance of Crysta on your account, the appropriate amount will be automatically deducted when the subscription is renewed. However, if your balance is insufficient, the reoccurring option will be automatically canceled. When you wish to reactivate it, you will then need to add Crysta to cover the fee.

Cancelling your reoccurring option (previously Content ID) will stop billing, and yes, you will be able to reactivate it a later time.


People still do not want to use Click and Buy. What exactly is wrong with the current method? Is SE doing this just because they get some kind of kickback from Click and Buy to use their billing service? With all the negative feedback across the internet on this service why did SE choose this one >.<

[Airget]

As for issues with being charged an activation I can see why crysta is used. Crysta is basically an in-house currency which prevents them from being charged any sort of penalties by credit companies if they attempt to take cash that isn't there.

Though I do agree out of the options provided it doesn't really look like they looked into what other payment options there could be. I wouldn't mind if they sold crysta cards or something like other companies with in-house currencies though I'm hoping if enough people do show their concerns about using click and buy or the other game card they'll seriously consider adding antoher option before the 31'st deadline

[Fusionx]

People still do not want to use Click and Buy. What exactly is wrong with the current method? Is SE doing this just because they get some kind of kickback from Click and Buy to use their billing service? With all the negative feedback across the internet on this service why did SE choose this one >.<
Probably has more to do with the fact that SE won't get hit with chargebacks this way. Personally, I'm not a fan of the current Crysta options, I dont want to have to spend more than the $13 a month for XI. I'd rather SE give us a straight up re-occurring credit card payment option that isn't handed off to some third party company that charges extra fees. People haven't had anything nice to say about click and buy since this kind of stuff went live around the XIV launch and SE has yet to do or even say anything about it as far as i know.

This sounds like it could almost be another issue to combat RMT that's hurting the players by making farmers pay more money for crysta and then when they get booted SE still has that money regardless of if all of that crysta is used or not. It wouldn't surprise me if this kind of thing was mentioned while setting this up.

[Patrik]

There are game cards called Ultimatepay (pretty sure i got that right) that you can use as crysta cards. you enter the code on ultimatepay's website and chose to buy crysta from there for your SE account. its not as direct as an actual crysta card could be, but it does the same thing

[Fusionx]

There are game cards called Ultimatepay (pretty sure i got that right) that you can use as crysta cards. you enter the code on ultimatepay's website and chose to buy crysta from there for your SE account. its not as direct as an actual crysta card could be, but it does the same thing
Which requires you to go out and purchase said card, input the code etc etc. When before all you had to do was set your CC info in once and never have to touch it ever again.

SE always has this terrible habit of making it difficult to give them money.

[Unleashhell]

Probably has more to do with the fact that SE won't get hit with chargebacks this way. Personally, I'm not a fan of the current Crysta options, I dont want to have to spend more than the $13 a month for XI. I'd rather SE give us a straight up re-occurring credit card payment option that isn't handed off to some third party company that charges extra fees. People haven't had anything nice to say about click and buy since this kind of stuff went live around the XIV launch and SE has yet to do or even say anything about it as far as i know.

This sounds like it could almost be another issue to combat RMT that's hurting the players by making farmers pay more money for crysta and then when they get booted SE still has that money regardless of if all of that crysta is used or not. It wouldn't surprise me if this kind of thing was mentioned while setting this up.


IMO this will make MORE RMT activity. if RMT use Click and Buy how would SE be able to trace back CC info like they can now. I don't believe SE would be able to say hey click and buy give me your account records for all these accounts. If click and buy handles all the billing info wouldn't that mean SE cannot trace how many accounts go to 1 credit card like they could now? Unless SE had other methods of tracking RMT. I would have thought SE could look into the billing system they have now and say oh look 50 FF11 accounts are linked to this 1 credit card number. /boot all accounts. idk I could be dead wrong on this.

[Patrik]

Which requires you to go out and purchase said card, input the code etc etc. When before all you had to do was set your CC info in once and never have to touch it ever again.

SE always has this terrible habit of making it difficult to give them money.

it just allows an additional option, its not like you HAVE to go buy that card. many people refuse to pay with debit or credit online so these cards are a huge selling point. used to help out at a privately owned game store in town, i realized how many people play WoW simply of the convenience of WoW cards and not having to use their credit cards. so its a plus for the more paranoid older generation, and for younger people or others without debit/credit card.

(side note, it was funny how many people bought WoW cards WITH a credit card)

[Seyomeyo]

From what I'm hearing, you just buy the cards with paypal. but yeah, extra step

[Zumi]

Do any of the Community Reps know if SE has any plans to let people buy the exact amount of Crysta or let people pay SE directly with Credit Cards like the JP players can now, and like everyone else did previously.

[Panthera]

Are you planning to allow us to pay the proper amount of crysta at some point, or are you going to continue to nickle and dime your long time and loyal customers?

The minimum number of Chrysta should be at $1.00

I realize that if you play long enough, the math works itself out. But if you don't, you won't get your money's worth. Not getting one's money's worth is, frankly, a rip-off.

[Patrik]

Do any of the Community Reps know if SE has any plans to let people buy the exact amount of Crysta or let people pay SE directly with Credit Cards like the JP players can now, and like everyone else did previously.

ClickandBuy allows the exact charge option that can just be done automatically every month as usual (if i'm understanding that all correctly), though at the moment, crysta can't be purchased like that.

[Inafking]

I realize that if you play long enough, the math works itself out. But if you don't, you won't get your money's worth. Not getting one's money's worth is, frankly, a rip-off.

if it buggs you so much, you should ask them to make an "i'm-quitting-sad-face-chocobo-plush" that you can purchase for 1000 + remaining balance. Remaining balance should never be over $5.

[Covenant]

The crystal system is very skuzzy in my opinion. Your basically taking extra money out of your account were your making interest on it and giving it to SE/3rd party billing to their accounts(were thousands of players are also giving them) to make interest for the companies themselves. Interest in a single transation might not be all that much but when multiplied by thousands of accounts will make ALOT of extra Gil while providing NO service for that money.

SE, I'm really disappointed that you went this route. I'll still pay, my opinion of this company has dropped a lot. This was one of the reasons I dropped FFXIV service. Hiding behind a buy and swap scheme is belittling to your company.

Just to illustrate, anyone ever see Superman III with Richard Prior? In it Mr Prior lept on a scheme where he wrote a program that funneled all the "remainders" of pennies to a single account. I forget the exact amount, but in o e day he had a few millions. This is the same sort of scheme SE.

[Inafking]

anyone ever see Superman III with Richard Prior?

Hackers was a better movie with the same plot. In any case, the amount they get is less than $5 and that's only when you quit.

Protip:
Don't quit.

-- Edit --
Swordfish is even better still.

[xbobx]

Patrik there is leftover if you decide to quit, but that is not the real problem. the real problem is they are fully capable of allowing you to just pay the same amount, they will lie to us, but we know for sure now that jp can do this. If they can there is zero excuse for us to be able to, it is just SE being greedy, disrespectful and lazy.

[Patrik]

hahaha... makes me think of Office Space

but its just like xbox points, PSN points, and all that. its a common use for game companies, and you never lose those points. but yes the remainders frequently never get used and gives them extra money. this whole new setup isn't too much of an issue for me, and i like that i can use paypal now, but asking to take out the exact amount of crysta for what will now be their most used service for crysta (before now it was just for security token, since XIV doesn't charge) is far from an outrageous request. i hope SE can look into doing this, as it will, apparently, make a lot of people happy

[Unaisis]

Well am happy i will have to deactivate my characters this month due to moving >.> hopefully when i have time to play again, they will have a better way for paying with crysta >.>

[Fusionx]

PSN points
PSN doesn't have "points" They have a 5 dollar minimum that gets added to your wallet and then it'll finish your purchase price to the penny. And it uses dollars, not some weird point system you have to worry about converting.

[Patrik]

sorry, yea its not actually points. though it also has common issues. i've bought several things that end with 99 cents so i have around 8cents sitting in my PSN wallet. was just pointing out that this left over thing isn't just being done by SE, but nor does that justify it.

[Coops]

Care to explain why Japanese players are allowed to pay directly by CC still (as seen in this SS: http://www.playonline.com/home/polshift/imgs/img08.jpg ) while everyone else has been left with C&B? or is it that you don't want to piss your jp customers off and don't care for anyone else?

thanks

[Bilonn]

ClickandBuy allows the exact charge option that can just be done automatically every month as usual (if i'm understanding that all correctly), though at the moment, crysta can't be purchased like that.

Correction to what you said:

ClickandBuy allows the exact charge option, which reoccuringly bills your exact charge (plus a 3.9% processing fee each time).

So, for example:
The basic $12.95 (one character) will cost you $13.46 a month. Mine (six characters for $17.95) would cost me $18.65.

I'll stick with Crysta.

Here's hoping they either add:
A: An option to use credit cards in SE account page direct (as the Japanese accounts can)
B: An option to allow your account to autobuy Crysta using a PayPal account

[Jackastheripper]

Meh, looks like I am quitting. The more and more I read about what is going on, the less and less I like it. I have kinda of worn myself out on this game anyway. I am not buying crysta because that is a scam and I am not going with some third party CC company that has a horrible online reputation. Add a direct payment method through paypal and I would consider it but this seems like more trouble than it's worth.

[Panthera]

if it buggs you so much, you should ask them to make an "i'm-quitting-sad-face-chocobo-plush" that you can purchase for 1000 + remaining balance. Remaining balance should never be over $5.
I don't want to be ripped off for even 10 cents. I don't want to be ripped-off, period. If I short changed you 5 bucks, wouldn't you be upset?

[Lushipur]

At least you all have the option of clickandbuy.

I have a jp pol account.

First i got screwed with the account linking. I already have pol linked to a jp SE account cause of the token. So i cant change to an eu SE account.

Second, i have just two option: jp credit card or crysta.

so im stuck with crysta.

[Cream_Soda]

At least you all have the option of clickandbuy.

lol'd

You obviously haven't been to this thread
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/12120-Petition-clickandbuy-the-only-way-no-thanks.?p=156240#post156240

[Inafking]

I don't want to be ripped off for even 10 cents.

Less than $15 for a plushie sounds good to me. Or don't buy anything and GTFO. Good riddance.

[Kraggy]

I am not buying crysta because that is a scam .
It's not a scam at all, stop being hysterical.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

It's not a scam at all, stop being hysterical.It is a scam to aquire more income from subscribers, but, it is a far better choice then the other option.

[Yokoh]

i have issues with this all too... but! you are all talking as if when you buy $20 of crysta, and use the amount of the monthly fee, the rest just vanishes. you still have that extra crysta, so basically you pay for a couple months, then the next month you don't have to worry cause you have that left over crysta.

so i can understand while this still is annoying instead of paying the exact amount every month, but your not handing SE more money than before, and you aren't just losing that excess crysta

I wish people would understand this. This is my point exactly too.

[hiko]

can no longer pay in $ with eu account ; ;
does SE hate european:
we pay more (12€95=18$), all big update are in Eu prime time....

will wait before transferring, and maybe just stop end august

[Malamasala]

It's not a scam at all, stop being hysterical.

If this was a store, the sign would say "Buy 3 pay for 4". Sure it isn't a scam, it is just abusing gullible people.

[Rosina]

When you return after having been away from the game (or during a "forget to load Crysta" incident), and wish to resume your billing, you simply need to pay the fee for the upcoming 30 days; that's it.

hey you the same dev from the 14 forum? if so omg isn't this daja vue for ya?simple put time cards/point card DO NOT work in exact inciments. They charge even amounts so a person can buy several mnths in advance. So not to points every mnth.

That is simply how they work. Instead of raging over point buying LEARN HOW TO USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. I played Aion and WoW both of these use time cards. I also play on the 360, ps3. And I also played maple story and mabinogi. And learned how point cards work. And use them to my advantage. It is always goo to have extra points in your account to cover any "i want to add a character"

Simply put. Just buy $20 every 2 mounths that should cover the cost.

[Ilax]

People still do not want to use Click and Buy. What exactly is wrong with the current method? Is SE doing this just because they get some kind of kickback from Click and Buy to use their billing service? With all the negative feedback across the internet on this service why did SE choose this one >.<

Probably because EU is closer to Japan and have more player over there, that do not mean SE wont in future add more option like using paypal. Give them time ^^ they just got ride of playonline...

[Defiledsickness]

first i just thought "Why?" but now i remember. every week before the bill is due, playonline billing goes down!! you cant make any changes cuz they are going through every single member trying to figure out who's good. or something. and i know they get a ton of calls about double billing because until i understood it, i would call! this just makes it into you having to pay up front. i never understood why anyone would think we WANT to buy points... then spend them on paying for the game. as if there was any other reason to have this new currency :P

but i agree the old system sucked. even if the new one isnt better for the members. but at least i can cancel my account the day before it bills me now.

[Twille]

I, for one, will be canceling my account as a result of this. There is absolutely no good reason that I should have to sign up with a 3rd party company to pay for a game I've been playing on-and-off for the last 8 years.
Does allowing us to PAY for the game via 3rd party software mean that we can PLAY the game via 3rd party software (windower)?
Horribly move SE.

[Kraggy]

I, for one, will be canceling my account as a result of this. There is absolutely no good reason that I should have to sign up with a 3rd party company to pay for a game I've been playing on-and-off for the last 8 years.
Stop being a drama queen, you DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN-UP TO A THIRD-PARTY TO PAY, it's a CHOICE SE gives you, there are alternatives which don't need a sign-up to anything.

[Finuve]

Stop being a drama queen, you DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN-UP TO A THIRD-PARTY TO PAY, it's a CHOICE SE gives you, there are alternatives which don't need a sign-up to anything.
the problem is all the choices suck, u either sign up for click and pay or lose autobill and overpay every month

[Romanova]

Stop being a drama queen, you DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN-UP TO A THIRD-PARTY TO PAY, it's a CHOICE SE gives you, there are alternatives which don't need a sign-up to anything.

there is only 1 choice they give which you don't have to sign up for anything. Game cards. everything else (paypal,playspan) requires you to sign up to a service.


I wish people would understand this. This is my point exactly too.


The thing is, not all of us have played/will play ffxi for 8 years straight.

I've been playing ffxi since the ps2 release, but I also take breaks anywhere from a month to two + years, to play other games. As is I was planning on stoping in a few months to go try out KotOR. It'll probably suck, but who knows? maybe I'll love it and stick with it for 2years, I have for other games. And crysta expires after 2 years:

http://images.bluegartr.com/bucket/gallery/825ccd7dfc09dc1dc9243776290fc5dd.jpg


The fact I'm being forced to either do click and scam or play ffxi a lot longer than I would anticipate is ridiculous. Especially when the JP can buy crysta in exact amounts/directly pay with a CC. Just because it's ok for you doesn't mean we can't voice our complaints in hopes they make things better.

[Aequis]

It's not really a choice. It's a decision between which is the better of two evils. If you're on a tight budget, then you don't exactly want to be overpaying for something - why should we? I "understand" it's related to the Sony/PS3 data theft incident, but instead of Square-Enix dealing with online security directly, they've dumped that task onto their consumers' shoulders. We are now having to undertake the online security risk ourselves dealing with this "dodgy" third-party company (ClickandBuy).

I'm furious that the Japanese are being given preferential treatment in this matter, as always. If you ever needed proof that Square-Enix treats their playerbase differently depending on where they live, you've got it right there. Not the first time I've seen it and I doubt it'll be the last! We are not second-class citizens because we don't live in Japan.

[Nianny]

Sorry but I'm really, really confused... from what I've been reading I formulated the idea you could use Paypal to buy Crysta. Now, I'm in Europe (Portugal, if it matters) and want to select Crysta as the selected method. While transfering my account I decided I'd buy some Crysta just in case before I did so. I selected "Add crysta", chose the 20€ option and then I can only pick between ClicknBuy and Ultimate Pay. Question is, "How can I buy crysta with Paypal?"
Sorry if it's been asked before, but I really can't sort the mess in my head alone.

[Raxiaz]

The minimum number of Chrysta should be at $1.00

I realize that if you play long enough, the math works itself out. But if you don't, you won't get your money's worth. Not getting one's money's worth is, frankly, a rip-off.

If you're not on the game RIGHT NOW you're not getting your money's worth. 1 month's (30 days) worth of play time = $12.95 , if you don't make use of that full 30 days you're not getting your money's worth. Rip-off.

That's why your logic is flawed.

[Nynja]

I'm def not paying for no crysta, and I'm not using no shady click & buy...so if you want my money, set it up like you set it up for the JP...straight from CC.

[Romanova]

Sorry but I'm really, really confused... from what I've been reading I formulated the idea you could use Paypal to buy Crysta. Now, I'm in Europe (Portugal, if it matters) and want to select Crysta as the selected method. While transfering my account I decided I'd buy some Crysta just in case before I did so. I selected "Add crysta", chose the 20€ option and then I can only pick between ClicknBuy and Ultimate Pay. Question is, "How can I buy crysta with Paypal?"
Sorry if it's been asked before, but I really can't sort the mess in my head alone.


one you get to that screen where it says ultimate pay or click and buy, select ultimate pay. From there you should see options to buy crysta via paypal, gamecard, etc.

[Kristal]

Crysta has another obscure catch: it expires. If you don't spent it within a year, you lose it all.

[Romanova]

Crysta has another obscure catch: it expires. If you don't spent it within a year, you lose it all.

it's 2 years, not one. But ya.

[Nianny]

one you get to that screen where it says ultimate pay or click and buy, select ultimate pay. From there you should see options to buy crysta via paypal, gamecard, etc.
Got it, thanks. Finally got it sorted... geez. :/

[SHJcules]

well, I just bought a few k crysta. Took me ~3 mins to set up and confirm.

Kind of an annoyance, and it is ~3 minutes more than it used to take me to pay for XI, but is it really worth all this rage quitting?

Personally, I'd rather my CC info be shared between my bank and a specialized payment company than an entertainment/game company. Does clickandbuy get hacked like every month or something? everyone says they are shady, if there is actually evidence to this than I will be worried. But it seems legit to me.

[mistmonster]

Well a Chase Bank card rep TOLD me tell were shady. I don't feel like typing my CBS again but here it is cut and pasted from the other thread. Someone else posted that AMEX did the same thing.

"and for something I do know personally. I did not know about clickandbuy when I set it up for FFXIV and when they temporarily charged me $1.00 (which is normal) my credit card security dept went crazy. Froze my credit card, got an automated call to find out if I authorized the charge which I did. Then like an hour later a person from the credit card called me to ask if I knew what I was getting into. Said that they would probably freeze the card every time. "

[SHJcules]

thanks for that heads-up mistmonster. I hope that is just a very isolated incident, but regardless I think I will have to do some research on this company lol

I remember I set up clickandbuy when I made an SE account for XIV, but I haven't really had to use it at all so wasn't sure about them. But I generally trust SE security and don't think they would risk ruining their reputation by sending us to bad companies.

[Romanova]

Same as mist for me, when I tried to set up C&B last year for 14, they kept spamming my card for the "authorization" money. iirc they're only supposed to do 2 (?) amounts but they did like 5 or 6 (it's been a year so I don't remember the exact amounts). Chase blocked it, and when I called them they said that their system was saying it was still trying to spam amounts past the 5 or 6 (sounds like the authorization program was stuck in a loop or something). They then said that C&B was a red flagged company and that they try to block any transactions coming from them and I probably shouldn't use it.

I then had to fight with a C&B rep who definitely didn't want to spend 10 seconds helping me, to get my money refunded and my account cancelled through them.

So ya I can verify what mist said in that Chase doesn't trust them at all. And I trust Chase so no way would I touch Click and Scam again.

[Aver]

thanks for that heads-up mistmonster. I hope that is just a very isolated incident, but regardless I think I will have to do some research on this company lol

I remember I set up clickandbuy when I made an SE account for XIV, but I haven't really had to use it at all so wasn't sure about them. But I generally trust SE security and don't think they would risk ruining their reputation by sending us to bad companies.

Lol, you just used SE and security in the same sentence.

I take it you weren't around for the mass hackings prior to the introduction of token-IDs?

edit: And the complete and utter fail (on SE's behalf) that was the hacking of FList plus that got a couple of accounts stripped/sent to another server.

[Elexia]

Lol, you just used SE and security in the same sentence.

I take it you weren't around for the mass hackings prior to the introduction of token-IDs?

edit: And the complete and utter fail (on SE's behalf) that was the hacking of FList plus that got a couple of accounts stripped/sent to another server.

Lol at bringing up a scenario that hasn't happened in years.

Protip: When you want to act like a smartass, you have to use recent (past month) example, not something from 2007, 2008 era.

[Aver]

Nah, it's all good, I'll continue acting like a smartass and use events that have happened due to sheer incompetence. Perhaps they've gotten better, but those memories will always be there, and will always influence my opinion of SE's "security"

Now if you know of something more recent, you're more than welcome to contribute ;)

[Kraggy]

there is only 1 choice they give which you don't have to sign up for anything. Game cards. everything else (paypal,playspan) requires you to sign up to a service.
I bought Crysta using Play Span, I DID NOT HAVE TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT.

[Romanova]

edit: And the complete and utter fail (on SE's behalf) that was the hacking of FList plus that got a couple of accounts stripped/sent to another server.

kinda a bad example, as Taj is a special little snowflake, but I don't disagree with you either.


NO IT DOES NOT!

I've bought Crysta with Play Span, guess what, I SIGNED UP TO NOTHING! I did not have to create an account with them, I just paid using my CC and SE credited my Crysta!

Do you live in the US? Here are my options:

http://images.bluegartr.com/bucket/gallery/e42c71d48592edfc5932de4ad8c2323c.jpg


I have tried every which way, all over the place it always takes me to the same two options.

[Sp1cyryan]

The fact that people are okay with this or saying that crysta is not a scam is just astounding to me.

This is just nonsensical, the idea that we are going from being able to pay with a credit or debit card to have to buy indirect amounts of crysta (there's the scam, and the hassle to constantly manually do this) or use a shady third party we have to deal with. Is just ridiculous, why can't SE be like the other companies on this planet who don't try to give you an aneurysm when you try to pay for a service?

Imagine if we had to pay our electric bill like this.

"Yeah you want electricity for your refrigerator and things right?"

"Yeah"

"Well sign up with this company who you can pay to then pay us, or buy credits in indirect amounts"

"But why?"

"Well you see, we care more about money and deals with other companies who pay us, than your satisfaction and desire to continue working with us"

I just want to pay my $14.95 and be happy (not something I am expecting or asking SE to do, but making the community needlessly angry is uncalled for). I along with most will not use Click and Buy, and even if crysta was not a scam, and allowed you to pay in direct amounts it still be this needless hassle. Just bill us, don't give us all this silliness.

[Kraggy]

Sorry but I'm really, really confused... from what I've been reading I formulated the idea you could use Paypal to buy Crysta. Now, I'm in Europe (Portugal, if it matters) and want to select Crysta as the selected method. While transfering my account I decided I'd buy some Crysta just in case before I did so. I selected "Add crysta", chose the 20€ option and then I can only pick between ClicknBuy and Ultimate Pay. Question is, "How can I buy crysta with Paypal?"
Sorry if it's been asked before, but I really can't sort the mess in my head alone.
Yup, it's damned confusing, typical SE implementation.

/sigh

To use PayPal you select UltimatePay (Play Span) and use your PayPal to pay them, they tell SE and SE credit you with Crysta. Very easy to do, and you don't have to create an account with Play Span, ignore what some round here are saying about that.

[Romanova]

Very easy to do, and you don't have to create an account with Play Span, ignore what some round here are saying about that.

No one said (myself included) that you had to sign up with play span... We (I) said you had to sign up for a service...paypal is a service you sign up for.

The gamecard is the only thing you don't need to sign up for a service for.

[xbobx]

This does feel like a stop towards micro transactions or p2p. You want to enter abyessa that will be 15 crysta. Not like that would happen

[Ziyyigo-Tipyigo]

I "understand" it's related to the Sony/PS3 data theft incident, but instead of Square-Enix dealing with online security directly, they've dumped that task onto their consumers' shoulders.

The problem is that, in general, the security burden was born by no one, in the name of convenience and ease-of-use.

And implementing stronger security costs money. The options were likely shifting it to a third party that can do it for a reasonable price, or to jack subscription rates up. And looking at the player rage of having to carry a Crysta balance...


I'm furious that the Japanese are being given preferential treatment in this matter,

I'm annoyed by that as well, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, consumer protection laws in Japan are a joke, even by American standards. Merchants are allowed to shift more risk and liability onto consumers in Japan than in S-E's other markets, which means they don't have to care about their Japanese customers' credit card information as much as their North American and European customers. So in Japan it's cheaper and easier to let things continue with busniess as usual.

[Ziyyigo-Tipyigo]

Do you live in the US? Here are my options:

http://images.bluegartr.com/bucket/gallery/e42c71d48592edfc5932de4ad8c2323c.jpg

I have tried every which way, all over the place it always takes me to the same two options.

Step 0: Go to your local Walmart/GameStop/7-Eleven/CVS/etc. and plunk down $20 (cash!) on an "Ultimate Game Card."

Step 1: Click on the "Ultimate Game Card" tab shown in the picture.

Step 2: Redeem the full value of the card for Crysta ($20).

Step 4: Enter in the number under the scratch-and-sniff section of the back of the card, as well as an email address for your receipt (I used my pol.com email address).

That's it. No signing up for anything. This option is available even if you insist on keeping all of your money stuffed in a mattress.

[Romanova]

Step 0: Go to your local Walmart/GameStop/7-Eleven/CVS/etc. and plunk down $20 (cash!) on an "Ultimate Game Card."

Step 1: Click on the "Ultimate Game Card" tab shown in the picture.

Step 2: Redeem the full value of the card for Crysta ($20).

Step 4: Enter in the number under the scratch-and-sniff section of the back of the card, as well as an email address for your receipt (I used my pol.com email address).

That's it. No signing up for anything. This option is available even if you insist on keeping all of your money stuffed in a mattress.


ziyyi read the thread...I already stated twice that the game card was the only way for people in the US to not sign up for a service....I am well aware of it...

really, read the whole convo before jumping in

[Tsukino_Kaji]

If you're not on the game RIGHT NOW you're not getting your money's worth.I'm posting and playing at the same time.

[Panthera]

Less than $15 for a plushie sounds good to me. Or don't buy anything and GTFO. Good riddance. While you may be placated by a plush doll, I am not. I just want to be treated fairly and with respect. And let me assure you that at the moment, the only people who are unwelcome around here are those without the self-respect to appreciate the value of their own money, and show blind loyalty to a company who has sold them out to third-rate third-parties. My post here (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/12185-in-light-of-all-the-payment-raging-%28%28-must-read-%29%29/page3) is equally applicable to you as well.

[Quetzacoatl]

As long as you have a sufficient balance of Crysta on your account, the appropriate amount will be automatically deducted when the subscription is renewed. However, if your balance is insufficient, the reoccurring option will be automatically canceled. When you wish to reactivate it, you will then need to add Crysta to cover the fee.

Cancelling your reoccurring option (previously Content ID) will stop billing, and yes, you will be able to reactivate it a later time.

So for example, let's say I buy $30 worth of Crysta (3,000 Crysta) via UltimatePay, with $14.95 on my account. After the 3,000 Crysta is paid for on the day make my second billing, I'll be left with 10 Crysta from the $29.90 I have paid. Will my account be automatically cancelled the moment I have 10 Crysta or will I have a grace period before the day I am billed again to buy more Crysta?

[Quedari]

So for example, let's say I buy $30 worth of Crysta (3,000 Crysta) via UltimatePay, with $14.95 on my account. After the 3,000 Crysta is paid for on the day make my second billing, I'll be left with 10 Crysta from the $29.90 I have paid. Will my account be automatically cancelled the moment I have 10 Crysta or will I have a grace period before the day I am billed again to buy more Crysta?
Starting balance: 3000. First month billed: 3000-1495=1505. 30 days later, second month billed: 1505-1495= 10. 30 days later, the third month will be billed. At some point during those 30 days, you'd need to put more crysta in your account, or when SE attempts to bill the third month, you'll get canceled until you put more in. Until/unless SE gives us the option to have recurring payments with crysta, I just made a reminder on my phone's calendar to buy more crysta before the next billing time.

[Quetzacoatl]

Starting balance: 3000. First month billed: 3000-1495=1505. 30 days later, second month billed: 1505-1495= 10. 30 days later, the third month will be billed. At some point during those 30 days, you'd need to put more crysta in your account, or when SE attempts to bill the third month, you'll get canceled until you put more in. Until/unless SE gives us the option to have recurring payments with crysta, I just made a reminder on my phone's calendar to buy more crysta before the next billing time.

So, yes, I'll be able to buy more crysta for the third month before the third month is billed?

[Lordscyon]

Crysta ftw Prepaid game card yes please ^^ now if only my account can work properly... /sight having problems log in with Playonline.