How do I convert my US$ into Linden $

I've added $25 credit to my account but when I'm online in SL my balance in Linden $ is only $4?

How do I get extra Linden $ from my $25 US balance?

I've tried converting via the exchange but keep getting told I've used up my daily limit!

I still have just a basic account - could this be why? Do I have to have a premium account?

I've got money to spend, so please help if you can.

Thanks
Cheers
Dickie

http://secondlife.com/currency/describe-limits.php will list your current billing/trading limit (the highlighted blue column is the limit you're currently at)

The short answer is: just wait 2 days for your trading limit to increase

As long as you're in the first month (the billing clock only starts the first time you put some US$ on your account) you'll have some difficulty depending on how much you still plan on spending.

It's a fraud prevention measure where LL limits how much "new" (see previous paragraph) accounts can spend and is only a problem for the very first 28 days.

Right now you'll be at the "0-1 days" which is limited to $25 (which you used up already by depositing that much), leaving you no leeway to actually use that money to buy L$. A lot of people run into the problem you did, it never was thought through terribly well.

In 2 days you'll be able to use that US$ to buy L$ so just hold on until then .

(Edited to explicitly add that this has nothing to do with being premium or not; even if you were you'd still have the same problem)

Thanks Kitty.

How crazy! Oh well, never mind.

So I can still go on my spending spree in a couple of days even if I've not upgraded to a Premium account?

Really appreciate your help so far.

It depends on when you added the $25 to your account .

If you did just prior to posting, then on Wednesday (PDT time) you should be able to use that $25 to buy L$ .

(You can do it from the site, or in-world by clicking the blue L$ in the top right corner)

---

Just for future reference: you don't have to use the "Increase your credit" way to first put money onto your account which you then buy L$ for (as long as you use market buys, you do need it for limit buys). You could just buy the L$ directly, and it will debit your credit card (or PayPal) in one go.

Also, remember that every L$ purchase carries a 30 cent "transaction fee", so don't buy - relatively - small amounts of L$ multiple times in a row (ie it's a lot better to buy $10 worth in one go than 10 times $1).

That's great advice, thanks.

So just so I'm clear, I don't need a premium account to spend money in SL?

No, you don't .

The only benefits you currently get from a premium account are:
* support (to be honest there's little you absolutely need a Linden for)
* L$300/week stipend
* the ability to own mainland (not entirely accurate, but I don't want to want to dump too much information on you either )

Until you get at the point (if you even do) where you might want to have some land/house of your own you really don't need to think about premium at the moment, and even then rentals are a good alternative too (but you can look into that when/if the time comes ).

Have fun on your shopping spree!

Kitty, you've been an absolute star.

Thank you so much.

Can I be a bit cheeky and ask if we can meet in SL sometime and perhaps you might give me a tour of some good places to go?

Not to worry if you don't want to; I completely understand.

Thanks again.

Cheers
Dickie

It's certainly simpler, but you'll get better rates by learning to do limit buys on the Lindex or SLstreet. It will be worth it if you find yourself buying frequently or in large quantities.

Thanks Kidd