Apple forcing app developers to implement auto-billing after free trial

Post by hundchenkatze » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 5:55 PM UTC

valuearb wrote: post #93

berkes wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There certainly seems a bias for Apple in here. What I really don't understand is why Some Random Hacker feels the need to jump into a thread and defend Apple, one of the wealthiest companies in the world.

Apple is the highest valued company in the world because it leads its industry in customer satisfaction. There are things to criticize Apple and the App Store over but trying to reduce subscription scams by making subscription terms consistent doesn’t seem like one of them. Why are you taking the word of a butthurt yogi instead of hearing Apple's side of the story?

Post by vorpalhex » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 5:58 PM UTC

jordansmith wrote: post #104

gentleman11 wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Personally, I avoid signing up for things all the time that have auto billing after trials. I try out a ton of services and the overhead of tracking them all on a calendar is just not worth it. A simple pop up could make everybody happy if it was indeed user friendly: “would you like to begin your subscription automatically after the trial?” Also, in terms of consent and automated systems generally, explicit opt in i…

Don’t really need to track trials, I always just instantly cancel the subscription. You still get to use the site/software until your trial expires and then you’re not billed.

Post by foepys » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 6:02 PM UTC

0xEFF wrote: post #119

grawprog wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, forcing me to supply payment information for a free trial, then forcing the developer to make my free trial an auto subscription unless I opt-out is supposed to be user friendly? In what way is assuming you can take my money unless I say otherwise just because I used a free trial supposed to be user-friendly? I'm so unbelievabley tired of these anti-consumer practices being labelled as 'user friendly' or 'working…

I consistently sign up for free trials with Apple and immediately cancel them. This is consistently a great user experience because on Apple’s platform I get to use the service until the trial runs out, it’s easy to cancel, and I know I’ve canceled it and don’t need to remember.

Post by chrischen » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 6:07 PM UTC

kemayo wrote: post #9

Apple's approach isn't as bad as this title makes it sound. Mostly because they're aggressive communicators about subscription billing -- they send emails well in advance of any subscription renewal, telling you when you'll be billed, how much for, and giving you a link to cancel the subscription. Makes me feel this isn't them hoping you'll just forget and be billed. In fact, I'd suspect this is intended as a user-fr…

Post by csunbird » Wed, Jul 01, 2020, 6:09 PM UTC

prophesi wrote: post #136

thoraway1010 wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except it is very user friendly. Try to cancel your newspaper subscription - you have to call in and jump through hoops. Try to cancel your cable or internet, you didn't realize the rate you got was a "promo" rate that required a two year contract? I guarantee that if apple used the approaches others use, subscription revenue would be a LOT higher. They send you an email saying, here's what will be renewing soon, cli…

Wouldn't it be even better if companies couldn't have those nefarious business practices because they don't have the ability to auto-renew your subscriptions in the first place?