SEVERAL FOLOWUPS LATER...this is now SOE's story:
Response (TSR Richard M.) - 06/09/2006 07:16 AM
On June 12, 2005 Sony Online Entertainment officially increased it's subscription price for EverQuest. Prior to this date Sony Online had offered subscribers two different promotions. From 4/11/05 thru 5/10/05 EverQuest subscribers were offered a 6th year EverQuest Anniversary promotion that allowed customers a recurring yearly promotional subscription of $99.99. Between 5/11/05 thru 6/11/05 EverQuest subscribers were then offered an interim promotion that allowed a one-time year subscription for $99.99 with the next subscription reverting to the current subscription price of $143.88. The promotion you received is determined based on the date you updated your subscription for the promotion.
[edit] and salt on the wounds--my credit card billing statement shows SOE charged me on May 8th, 2005 ...
