Verification Vexation

Well, we made it through the shutdown, and now we're working with the new additions to the editor, which, I have to admit, will give me some trouble for a day or so. That's ok. I've found elements I really do like already, like the Poetry block. I managed to stumble through it with my last piece. With a little practice, I'm sure I'll grow to appreciate it all.

Meanwhile, I'm here to write about that other little thing that recently changed. Yeah, that thing I've been ranting about on social media, and I'm sure a lot of you were tired of my comments. I'm sure Vocal's support team doesn't want to hear from me anymore, either.

Just for the sake of clarification, I was one of the ones that had to have a Stripe support agent call me to get the verification done. I don't think I'm alone in saying that the information they asked for was a little confusing on some points. My business website, for instance. I think the problem is, the version of the verification form wasn't tailored specifcally for Vocal, and Stripe is connected to far more sites.

Another personal issue I had with it was the ID photos. I initially tried verifying on my laptop, and no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't hold the card steady enough to keep the image from blurring, regardless of whether I set it for automatic or manual.

I finally got the bright idea to go through the entire process on my smartphone and it locked in just fine. However, the name you have to use for the process, has to match the name on your ID exactly. A Texas driver's license lists your name in the order of last, first, and middle. So, by using that format for the name, I was finally able to get it to submit.

It wasn't done tormenting me. It took ages for me to figure out the fact that vocal.media was the business website they wanted listed. I know, I'm the only one, right? Anyway, it still didn't work.

I finally got the process done, but had to walk through the issue on the phone with a Stripe agent. It went well, and I was a happy camper. The nagging verification message at the top of my Vocal Home page went away. So, I went to check my Vocal Wallet. Got a notice that I needed to verify. Tried to publish a new poem I'd written. The Publish button said "Verify and Publish".

I gave it some time. It did not change. I gave it a day and then got on the phone with a Stripe agent, again. He assured me that I was verified. He gave me an authorization ID number - a 21-character, alphanumeric code that he told me to give to Vocal.media to use to verify me.

I took him at his word. I opened a support ticket and passed that number on to Vocal Support. Told them to use it. It never occurred to me that the agent didn't know exactly how the process worked on Vocal. I also didn't know that in order for Stripe to recognize the verification check, it had to be submitted as part of Vocal's "Verify" URL.

In my defense, I figured that out on my own. The reason for defending myself? I let that button glare at me for far too long. I udated my support ticket twice. I was already verified! I'd sent Vocal the code to use!

Eventually, I pressed the button. In about 30 seconds, the nice, little checkmark appeared.

Hm, yeah, that image is from a "Shaking my Head" search. Not a great selection, but the block works. It's very slow at the moment, but it works.

N.E. How, I was verified. I'm still verified. And now I owe apologies to a few people. So...

To the admins and members of the groups where I posted my frustrations, I'm sorry. To Justin and the Support team, my apologies. Even if you don't want to hear them. And finally, to Pam and our "girls", I'm sorry you had to put up with my grumpy self for a couple of days. Treats all around.

And, now, I'm going to open that bag of assorted mini chocloate bars and eat every last one of the Snickers. Unless Pam catches me!

See ya' in the funny papers, and thanks for reading!

(Where's the Tip button?) JUST KIDDING!