So I decided to go and check out the latest "free" adventure offered and I was surprised to be forced through the same hoops as if I was buying a book at full price. Name, address, billing info, including my credit card info. I am wondering what kind of shifty stuff they are trying to pull, demanding credit card details for "free" things on the site? Perhaps the bi annual payments I make for my subscription aren't enough? Is there some hidden fee they need to apply for "free" digital content now? Or, is it (and most likely is) a case of too lazy or unskilled to actually run "free" things through a less invasive process?
I am guessing they want to limit the number of "free" things claimed and the easiest way to do that is to make it as cumbersome as a full purchase, even to the point of requiring a proper payment method. Of course, things can "go wrong" and end up being charged to my credit card, as many other blatant scam sites do. Then, because the charge is small ($3-$5) it isn't worth the effort of fighting, filling out 13 forms for reversal of charges, so the "buyer" lets it slide.
All told, it is a pretty greasy way to run promotions. Disappointed in DDB for this, as they could (and used to be) much better. I guess the hard drive for profit has finally dipped into the "free promotional offers" realm.
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Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
The explanation that requires the fewest assumptions is most often the correct one. They changed the DDB store when they started selling physical books and physical + digital book bundles, and now all digital content has to be "purchased" through the marketplace, even if it's free. It's janky, but it's not malicious.
I don't know how often you get free products on the internet, but this is actually pretty standard. No, it's not a scam or a conspiracy to not let people have the free things they're offering, that's extremely silly.
Most everyone is using a shopping cart module that someone else created, and the particular ones selected are chosen for all kinds of Reasons that rarely have "it handles free stuff properly" as a major decision factor.
If they do charge your card, absolutely fight them, but I've actually never had that happen in a case like this.
IE, it's stupid once removed, not malicious, though certainly deeply inconvenient and limits access.
I periodically check into "free" things on the internet and full stop when they start asking for my credit card details. My issue, primarily, is the change in DDB and how they allow access to their "free" offerings. I find around 60% of the "free" things on the internet require CC info, and ALL look for it for tangible goods (to cover shipping, which is fair) None of them asking for CC info for non-tangible product claim to be scams and they all say numerous times during the enrollment/sign up that there is no charge. Fun fact, in a court of law, a fee is different to a charge. Semantics aside, I don't offer my CC info for anything free. THAT is silly, IMO, not being wary of the provider's intent. If a local vendor offered you free product, then insisted you show him cash to claim it, would you not wonder what game he was playing? Just because "It's the internet" doesn't change suspicious acts.
I was more curious as to how others in the community felt about this new process and it's limitations on those not already paying monthly or annual fees to the site. Also worth noting, MOST "free" things on the internet require you to cancel within a period or you'll be charged. In many cases, cancellation process is broken or convoluted enough to make it very difficult to actually cancel and avoid unwanted charges. While it's all outlined in terms and conditions (all 32 pages of them) it's still what many consider shady practice.
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Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
Unfortunately their "new method" means I can't access it. For some reason it keeps rejecting my "payment" for the free item (despite it being the same funding source that I use to purchase the not-free items).
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Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
I'm an old enough user of this site to remember when there was just a 'click to claim' button. No info, just a few seconds of loading and then you could use the resource. They even did this old method with the Lego dice, which I think(probably check this, because I may be wrong) was after the marketplace reboot.
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Pokemon Master, Hero of Hyrule, Jedi Knight, Minecrafter, Celestial Being Beyond Comprehension, Bounty Hunter, Salmon Runner, Nailmaster, Yarn Yoshi Enjoyer, Animal Lover, Math Rock Roller, Nerd King in all Aspects.
(And, of course, Dragon Tamer. It is in the name, after all)
Can’t say it bothers me one way or the other. They’ve already got my payment info saved so it’s not like I’m giving them anything they don’t already know by clicking on a payment button with a zero charge and as others have said it’s pretty common across the internet for sites selling a mix of free and paid content. It’s bad design but I think you’re being paranoid thinking it’s anything more
I don't think it's anything other than laziness - not wanting to code it so you can bypass the payment section. It's easier just to let it take zero payment. However, my experience is that usually when websites do something like this, they don't demand the card details. You have to enter your name and stuff, but it recognises that there's no charge and allows you to move on without entering the card details. Even that would make me more comfortable - although any information they can gain other than that can be gained by just looking at my account info so it's redundant.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
So I went ahead and “bought” the new free encounter it sounded like it might be fun to run. However I can’t figure out how to actually access it. Maybe I’m an idiot and I’m missing something obvious but does anyone have a suggestion? When I click on the link to the encounter it says I own it, but I can’t get to the content.
As someone who doesn't have a Credit Card, and can't get one as I don't qualify for one here in the UK, and who's bank Debit Card can't be used for overseas currency purchases, this new change blocks me from ever getting access to "Free" products here on the site/ap now.
Actually it was the newest one, with the banner advertising it I was looking at. Not actually actively looking for something, just looking to check out the adventure, to see if it might be something I would run for our group. I have looked over and downloaded several of the genuinely free things from that thread and another (Free campaigns, I believe it was) I was simply making note of the change in how "free" things are now offered here changed and, as another member mentioned, lacking a credit card to "buy" the "free" content is a paywall, even if there is "no charge" for said item. It's more like an adult website where they need credit card to verify one's age.
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Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
I can't get past the first screen of checkout - I've got a valid address and phone number etc - is it because I'm "overseas" i.e. not in USA? I just want to "claim" the "free" adventure...!
It's getting their hands on entirely unneccesary personal data - whic, I'm sorry, is malicious.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I'd like to point out that there was a thread about this from two months ago was was less charitable to D&D and, when deciding to "unify" these threads they closed the old one with more posts and keep this one which is more forgiving.
This shows that there is no problem on the backend, we can still use the "claim" system to add content to our accounts, and the making "Hold Back the Dead" need a credit card was a deliberate choice.
My guess is that by getting you to enter and save all your purchase info through the incentive of something for free, now that you have all your info in the system it makes it just a little easier when you're on the fence or making an impulse purchase. Sometimes when making that impulse purchase if you hit a spot where you have to take the time to enter stuff that gives your brain more of a chance to say, "maybe not" and cancel the order.
So I decided to go and check out the latest "free" adventure offered and I was surprised to be forced through the same hoops as if I was buying a book at full price. Name, address, billing info, including my credit card info. I am wondering what kind of shifty stuff they are trying to pull, demanding credit card details for "free" things on the site? Perhaps the bi annual payments I make for my subscription aren't enough? Is there some hidden fee they need to apply for "free" digital content now? Or, is it (and most likely is) a case of too lazy or unskilled to actually run "free" things through a less invasive process?
I am guessing they want to limit the number of "free" things claimed and the easiest way to do that is to make it as cumbersome as a full purchase, even to the point of requiring a proper payment method. Of course, things can "go wrong" and end up being charged to my credit card, as many other blatant scam sites do. Then, because the charge is small ($3-$5) it isn't worth the effort of fighting, filling out 13 forms for reversal of charges, so the "buyer" lets it slide.
All told, it is a pretty greasy way to run promotions. Disappointed in DDB for this, as they could (and used to be) much better. I guess the hard drive for profit has finally dipped into the "free promotional offers" realm.
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
The explanation that requires the fewest assumptions is most often the correct one. They changed the DDB store when they started selling physical books and physical + digital book bundles, and now all digital content has to be "purchased" through the marketplace, even if it's free. It's janky, but it's not malicious.
I don't know how often you get free products on the internet, but this is actually pretty standard. No, it's not a scam or a conspiracy to not let people have the free things they're offering, that's extremely silly.
Most everyone is using a shopping cart module that someone else created, and the particular ones selected are chosen for all kinds of Reasons that rarely have "it handles free stuff properly" as a major decision factor.
If they do charge your card, absolutely fight them, but I've actually never had that happen in a case like this.
IE, it's stupid once removed, not malicious, though certainly deeply inconvenient and limits access.
I periodically check into "free" things on the internet and full stop when they start asking for my credit card details. My issue, primarily, is the change in DDB and how they allow access to their "free" offerings. I find around 60% of the "free" things on the internet require CC info, and ALL look for it for tangible goods (to cover shipping, which is fair) None of them asking for CC info for non-tangible product claim to be scams and they all say numerous times during the enrollment/sign up that there is no charge. Fun fact, in a court of law, a fee is different to a charge. Semantics aside, I don't offer my CC info for anything free. THAT is silly, IMO, not being wary of the provider's intent. If a local vendor offered you free product, then insisted you show him cash to claim it, would you not wonder what game he was playing? Just because "It's the internet" doesn't change suspicious acts.
I was more curious as to how others in the community felt about this new process and it's limitations on those not already paying monthly or annual fees to the site. Also worth noting, MOST "free" things on the internet require you to cancel within a period or you'll be charged. In many cases, cancellation process is broken or convoluted enough to make it very difficult to actually cancel and avoid unwanted charges. While it's all outlined in terms and conditions (all 32 pages of them) it's still what many consider shady practice.
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
Unfortunately their "new method" means I can't access it. For some reason it keeps rejecting my "payment" for the free item (despite it being the same funding source that I use to purchase the not-free items).
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
I'm an old enough user of this site to remember when there was just a 'click to claim' button. No info, just a few seconds of loading and then you could use the resource. They even did this old method with the Lego dice, which I think(probably check this, because I may be wrong) was after the marketplace reboot.
Pokemon Master, Hero of Hyrule, Jedi Knight, Minecrafter, Celestial Being Beyond Comprehension, Bounty Hunter, Salmon Runner, Nailmaster, Yarn Yoshi Enjoyer, Animal Lover, Math Rock Roller, Nerd King in all Aspects.
(And, of course, Dragon Tamer. It is in the name, after all)
"It's like I said. I'm smarter than you."
Can’t say it bothers me one way or the other. They’ve already got my payment info saved so it’s not like I’m giving them anything they don’t already know by clicking on a payment button with a zero charge and as others have said it’s pretty common across the internet for sites selling a mix of free and paid content. It’s bad design but I think you’re being paranoid thinking it’s anything more
I don't think it's anything other than laziness - not wanting to code it so you can bypass the payment section. It's easier just to let it take zero payment. However, my experience is that usually when websites do something like this, they don't demand the card details. You have to enter your name and stuff, but it recognises that there's no charge and allows you to move on without entering the card details. Even that would make me more comfortable - although any information they can gain other than that can be gained by just looking at my account info so it's redundant.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
So I went ahead and “bought” the new free encounter it sounded like it might be fun to run. However I can’t figure out how to actually access it. Maybe I’m an idiot and I’m missing something obvious but does anyone have a suggestion? When I click on the link to the encounter it says I own it, but I can’t get to the content.
edit: never mind I finally figured it out.
As someone who doesn't have a Credit Card, and can't get one as I don't qualify for one here in the UK, and who's bank Debit Card can't be used for overseas currency purchases, this new change blocks me from ever getting access to "Free" products here on the site/ap now.
So yeah, it sucks big time.
"I am The Ancient, I am The Land"
I don't know which adventure the OP was looking for in particular, but FWIW this thread has quite a few free adventures and I just checked, still require no payment flow. https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/187017-a-small-list-of-hidden-free-d-d-beyond-stuff?page=6
Actually it was the newest one, with the banner advertising it I was looking at. Not actually actively looking for something, just looking to check out the adventure, to see if it might be something I would run for our group. I have looked over and downloaded several of the genuinely free things from that thread and another (Free campaigns, I believe it was) I was simply making note of the change in how "free" things are now offered here changed and, as another member mentioned, lacking a credit card to "buy" the "free" content is a paywall, even if there is "no charge" for said item. It's more like an adult website where they need credit card to verify one's age.
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
I can't get past the first screen of checkout - I've got a valid address and phone number etc - is it because I'm "overseas" i.e. not in USA? I just want to "claim" the "free" adventure...!
It asking for physical delivery address and credit card details for a 'free' digital product...
Nope.
I use DriveThruRPG and their store is smart enough not to ask for this when no payment or delivery is needed.
It's getting their hands on entirely unneccesary personal data - whic, I'm sorry, is malicious.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
I'd like to point out that there was a thread about this from two months ago was was less charitable to D&D and, when deciding to "unify" these threads they closed the old one with more posts and keep this one which is more forgiving.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/d-d-beyond-feedback/212049-why-do-you-need-my-cc-info-for-a-free-gift
This shows that there is no problem on the backend, we can still use the "claim" system to add content to our accounts, and the making "Hold Back the Dead" need a credit card was a deliberate choice.
Here's the link to it if anyone missed it: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/category/DB0000157
My guess is that by getting you to enter and save all your purchase info through the incentive of something for free, now that you have all your info in the system it makes it just a little easier when you're on the fence or making an impulse purchase. Sometimes when making that impulse purchase if you hit a spot where you have to take the time to enter stuff that gives your brain more of a chance to say, "maybe not" and cancel the order.
Same thing happens with the free St Valentine's day dice. Free, as long as you give your credit card and address.