There probably will already be a topic about this problem, and I do apologize for the (possible) doublepost.
But this seems to be the only way to actually get some answers. replying in an established thread will either not yield any answers at all, or one half-assed remark wich leaves more questions than you start with.
In any case, this is how it is: I've bought STO: CE. I've bought a lifetime sub, and paid via paypal (it has just cleared yesterday) But my account hasn't activated (wich it should have, as soon as I paid, 'cause you get 30 free days with the CE. Right?)
In my account screen it just says: "You have no products"

I've been waiting for almost a week now, and I've even shelled out the big bucks without ever setting foot online yet :S So, several questions arise: Should I wait the additional days? will I get somekind of gamecard-code to activate lifteime? Basically this is a 'what now' situation.
I've tried contacting billing support already, but they seem to be on an extended vacation. I hope somebody here can help. Thanks in advance!
Comments
This sounds like you need to activate your keys... http://www.startrekonline.com/activate
Thats the whole problem
First, are you sure you are activating the proper account?
Did you buy the lifetime before or after the end of headstart? I think lifetime membership is an account feature technically and still requires you to subscribe; although it also causes you not to get billed in the future since it is active on your account.
Pick the cheapest subscription and start it up; then if it shows that you are going to be billed for the sub you can cancel it.
At first I thought I would have to wait until payment got trough (paypal takes 4 days or so) but then I remembered the included 30 free days and got worried. And now here I am
Are you sure that would work? It sounds a little like getting a mobile phone subscription and canceling before the first bill (wich the company would never accept...) And if I do so, will I have or get the lifetime I paid good money for?
Most other games, I have not tried it here, allow you to sign up using the CC# and then cancel it right after it is activated. This allows you to continue playing without worry that they are going to charge the card.
(USA)
+1-408-404-1714
(UK)
0870 490 0617
Having consulted paypal as well (great service) I'll wait 2 more days before I try calling. It seems they had taken my money, but they haven't payed Cryptic yet. Careful study of my account revealed it is suspended until the 18th.
That UK number, is it the exact number I need to call? no country code? (Im from the netherlands)
I'll get back you you all after the 18th. If it isn't solved by then I'll raise some hell
You may need to add a countrycode. I'm not certain though. UK is +44
Huh, where'd you get that idea?
i activated it and could get back on the site. servers were down at that exact moment i saw.
i made an alternate account just to be able to submit a ticket. on wich i stil haven't received any response.
prob i get is that the site and game say my account isn't recognised, but my product is registerd. otherwise i would retry it with this alternate account.
any toughts on how i can get a "faster" reply on the ticket i send?
greetz,
bulle
ps belgium here
I am starting to think that the best way to get any answers is to continue to post on the forums. The Devs seem to spend more time here than reading tickets.
And why is that? I bought the Retail CE version and entered the serial code from the manual like a good boy.
On another note: Today it's the nineteenth, so payment should have been delivered already! :mad: How can I adequately scream for some friggin' help if I haven't paid yet?
This thread can be closed now, unless more people have a similar problem like the title says
When I try to activate my account, it asks for the activation code, which I found on the back of my manual. It then passes (so I assume it is then accepted) to a second screen (Add Subscribtion) where is stated:
"You are subscribing to:
* Star Trek Online - Retail
With 30 free days"
But how do I activate those 30 days? The only 2 options I have in that screen are
1. Recurring subscribtions with monthly paying through credit cards
2. Non recurring subscribtion via game card
After those 30 days free I want to pay with prepaid game cards. But now I can't get past this screen. the activation code printed on my manual is not accepted, I recieve a message then like:
'This is not a valid Game Card key.'
???
What am I doing wrong?
Do you have use of a credit card or paypal to activate the account? Don't worry. You wont be charged if you use one. It's used purely to activate the account. Once its active, just head back in to the account page, and switch it to time card. All credit card details will be removed, so youll never have to worry about it being charged.
NOWHERE on the package of the game is mentioned that you need an additional game card to start, the box clearly states:
"30 days game time included with puchase"
How are those activated??
Are you completely sure it won't be deducted?
"When will I be billed?
If you are just activating your retail key and purchasing the lifetime subscription, you will be billed right away. Otherwise, you will be billed 30 days from today for your first subscription period. If you are changing an existing subscription, then you will be billed at your new rate at the end of your current billing period."
I read this as if I will be charged at the end of those 30 days for that period...
You will get your 30 days, however , you still need a method of billing to activate your account. Once this is done you can remove it.
You will Not be billed anything until your 30 Free days have expired.
Every MMO does this. It's purely a verification check. thats all.
If you look on the box, it clearly says, paid subscription required to play. Could it be worded much better? Yes, most definitley it can. However, thats the Publisher that controls that, not cryptic. And that message is standard throughout all MMO distributions, so it is VERY unlikely to ever change.
I'm sorry as i know that isnt what you wanted to here, but it's how things in the mmo industry work.
You will not be deducted until the 30 days of free time is up. But be warned, your bank will authorize $1.00 to Cryptic for about 2-3 business days as a way of checking if the card is real.
You're quite safe using the card, activating it, then removing the info.
MMO gametime is charged ahead of time, so the first $15 you pay would be for the month ahead.
MAY authorize. Only certain institutions do it, and even then it's only to make sure the account is there.
Sorry for not seeing it clearly at first...
So I'll do what you say and change the subscribtion option afterwards...
Thx !!!
Hehe! I've learned that in the world of phone support, "may" or any other "gray" area notifier definately means definately the way the person you are talking to thinks about it. :P
So in this case, "may authorize" means "will not authorize". :P
Better to set them expecting the worst and when it isn't they will be happier.
I have a paypall account that I didn't use anymore in quite some time, wanted to use it for the registration, but I couldn't remember the password anymore, so I couldn't go any further, but my account has been activated nontheless...
the box should also say subscription required