Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#1

Post by gt565k » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 1:09 AM UTC

I expected better from Udacity, but apparently it's not enough to click the "cancel" button on your subscription. You have to chat to an agent that has to convince you Comcast style why you shouldn't cancel.

Funny enough, they'd put a "cancel" button and then a popup shows up telling you to chat to an agent.

Granted chatting with the "agent" took about 5 mins, but it's still kind of a sh!tty pattern.

If I can enroll online by clicking through and filling out my info, I should be able to cancel just as easily, not be coerced into chatting with an "agent".

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#2

Post by iab » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 1:20 AM UTC

You are not based in California I presume? Maybe try the change-of-address trick next time. It is a terrible practice though, I agree

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#3

Post by rohitpaulk » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:00 AM UTC

iab wrote: post #2

You are not based in California I presume? Maybe try the change-of-address trick next time. It is a terrible practice though, I agree

What's the change-of-address trick?

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#4

Post by voltagex_ » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:01 AM UTC

I'm pretty sure most of these patterns were thought up by the brain geniuses on this very site.

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#5

Post by tehlike » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:01 AM UTC

rohitpaulk wrote: post #3

iab wrote: post #2

You are not based in California I presume? Maybe try the change-of-address trick next time. It is a terrible practice though, I agree

What's the change-of-address trick?

If you are in California they have to give you easy cancellation option

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#6

Post by enjoyyourlife » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:03 AM UTC

rohitpaulk wrote: post #3

iab wrote: post #2

You are not based in California I presume? Maybe try the change-of-address trick next time. It is a terrible practice though, I agree

What's the change-of-address trick?

Change your address to an address in California

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#7

Post by fartcannon » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:04 AM UTC

Management decisions like this policy are indicative of a sick company. This is your canary in a coalmine scenario. Get out before it becomes too toxic to survive.

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#8

Post by toomuchtodo » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:05 AM UTC

enjoyyourlife wrote: post #6

rohitpaulk wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the change-of-address trick?

Change your address to an address in California

Use a fictional general delivery address from a hand picked California post office. If you have not spoken with a postmaster, a received mail piece would bounce, but no one is going to send you mail there if you’re using the address just to leverage California consumer protection capabilities.

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-Delivery

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#9

Post by MattGaiser » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:07 AM UTC

voltagex_ wrote: post #4

I'm pretty sure most of these patterns were thought up by the brain geniuses on this very site.

It has worked plenty on me. Am I really going to make a phone call over $10 month? For months and months, no, I will not.

Re: Tell HN: Udacity dark pattern to cancel a subscription

#10

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Feb 08, 2022, 2:10 AM UTC

[deleted]