Making it easier to end subscriptions.

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Ruffian

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The US Federal Trade Commission is introducing a new rule which will ban companies from rolling over subscriptions without getting explicit consent from customers. They will also have to make cancelation easier and simpler.
Great idea - the EU should copy.

US 'click to cancel' rule to tackle subscription traps

New rule requires businesses to make subscribing and cancelling subscriptions equally simple.
www.bbc.com
 
Great idea - even if the EU hasn't got on top of it, the Irish Government could legislate for it !
 
I’ve never found that Irish providers are unreasonable in this regard although they sometimes have to be chased for refunds and do things like sending you out cheques in the post. I think that regulation should strike a balance between giving customers choice and also giving providers a degree of certainty.

For example EU law allows internet service providers a minimum contractual period of 24 months and in many countries that is the default which providers actually enforce!
 
But how many people end up with lots of streaming services that they rarely use or even know they have?
I believe this inertia is hugely abused by the providers?!
 
ClubMan said:
Possibly, but it's really not that difficult for people to check their bank statements/transactions and spot regular payments for stuff that they may no longer need?
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I recently had a longstanding news subscription terminated because my card company changed my card number after a security alert and it was a longwinded nuisance having to get it restored again.
 
ClubMan said:
Possibly, but it's really not that difficult for people to check their bank statements/transactions and spot regular payments for stuff that they may no longer need?
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Of course and for the vast majority on here, I'm sure that's the way.

However, I believe there are many others who, for various reasons, do not.
 
charlie007 said:
However, I believe there are many others who, for various reasons, do not.
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Generally, I believe in personal responsibility but some people just don’t have basic common sense.

It’s a closely guarded secret but I imagine there are probably millions of Netflix on Spotify paying users who no longer use the services.

So I think there should be some regulatory obligation on firms to cancel subscriptions if someone has not streamed in 12 months.
 
Why should there be if people are idiots?
 
charlie007 said:
Surely we should be trying to help and not hinder?!

It would be a simple exercise of having to opt in for those who want the status quo.
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It’s a ridiculous idea. It would be unfair on the companies involved. What’s next, a crack team stopping people from paying for their gym or golf club if they’re not using it? A warning sign when I order my takeaway saying ‘Don’t get the starter, you won’t eat it’?
 
These big companies have rightly judged consumers to be passive, apathetic or idiotic - or a least a good number of them. How else have they been allowed get away with this sharp practice? There should be absolutely no assumed rollover without engaging the consumer in some way. And they should have a simple cancellation process.

For example, it is so simple on a Sky account to order more services or add extras to the subscription - but there is no way to cancel or downscale online. Instead a phone call is mandatory which is answered (or not) after a long wait and then a transfer to the "retention department (not "cancellation") for a hard sell and a series of hoops before the cancellation is processed. This is anti-consumer and totally unnecessary - except to protect the company bottom line. Sky are by no means unique in this. If there is a simple online sign-up there should be a simple online cancellation.

For all annual renewal subscriptions or contracts there should be a requirement to at least notify the consumer in advance and advise that there will be a rollover unless they cancel - as VHI do with annual policies. Again no hassle or pain for companies with their automated processes.
 
Hello,

Interestingly, I've just received a text message from Vodafone, which reads:


"Vodafone Regulatory Notification: You are currently on...(plan name and details removes)...... for your Mobile service. If you’re happy with your current plan, no further action is required. Should you wish to change your services, or view our annual Best Tariff information, visit http......... on My Vodafone. For a full view of the services you are purchasing monthly, please refer to your most recent bill or My Vodafone http........ .Thanks for choosing Vodafone."


I don't see any reason why an annual message like this couldn't be sent out by every service provider, by either text message or email, to customers with an open ended subscription, of some form.

It's a simple, extremely low cost, method of treating customers fairly, imho.
 
I believe these are also regulatory for gas and electric? but the big problem is the streaming services.
I think it's ironic that it is coming in in America because of Democrat votes.
What do their beloved Disney think?
 
charlie007 said:
I've never been impressed with 'thin end of the wedge' arguments but am happy to note you consider yours to be obviously ridiculous.

As for the rest, you appear to be more and more like someone who likes the sound of their own voice.
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You need to read posts more carefully and a little more slowly. Then you’ll understand them more readily. It’ll help you in the long run.
 
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