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FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

ftc.gov

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Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#31

Post by tshaddox »

onlyrealcuzzo wrote: post #20
high_na_euv wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How did it even evolve into such a mess? Cannot you just go to random gym, pay for enterance and do ya thing without signing stuff?

Gyms largely make money from people having memberships but never actually going. There's only a few types of gyms where most of the members actually use the gym, and although they're still subscription based, they have entirely different business models.

There are plenty of subscription based gyms that have high utilization and also make it easy to cancel. They’re just usually more expensive (e.g. $200 per month instead of $20 like 24 Hour Fitness).

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#32

Post by delichon »

onlyrealcuzzo wrote: post #20
high_na_euv wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How did it even evolve into such a mess? Cannot you just go to random gym, pay for enterance and do ya thing without signing stuff?

Gyms largely make money from people having memberships but never actually going. There's only a few types of gyms where most of the members actually use the gym, and although they're still subscription based, they have entirely different business models.

A friend of mine worked in sales for a big national gym. Not understanding their business model, he proposed a program that would generate some excitement among the membership and bring many of them in daily to participate. It didn't get shot down, it just didn't get any interest at all. When I explained it his eyes went wide, like it was a new idea to him. This strategy doesn't seem to be widely shared even with their own sales force.

He left and is now working for a company that actually wants its customers to use its product more.

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#33

Post by _ache_ »

hiatus wrote: post #11

Does this apply to every merchant? Like I'll be able to cancel my internet service without talking to support?

In France, (EU maybe ?), it's restricted only to subscriptions made online. That does seems reasonable to not enforce online presence to people/business who aren't present on the internet.

Internet services are not excluded, but you have to make the subscription online (from a library computer, GSM network or previous Internet Subscription for example).

Oh, even if it's mandatory, doesn't mean it's easy. "Free" and "Orange" (French ISPs) hide the "cancellation link" (Résiliation in french) in the footer of the home page and never tell about it in any other way but the link does work.

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#35

Post by llamaimperative »

ranlork wrote: post #25
coldpie wrote: post #4

Passed 3-2 along party lines. Remember this when you're going to vote. Elections matter.

[flagged]

> Of course Republican commissioners are going to vote "no" if the FTC is handing out popular rulings like candy just before the election.

What? Why is that defensible? Make life worse/keep life bad for Americans so we have a better chance in an election? Do you hear yourself?

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#36

Post by irregardIess »

wnolens wrote: post #30
hypercube33 wrote: post #3

Honestly, this is the best thing if it changes the worst experience I've had cancelling something - Gyms. They make it crazy easy to sign up, but a pain in the ass to stop being a member (for example, if you move and forget to cancel good luck - they want you to come in and talk to the manager in a lot of cases)

In these cases, can we not issue a chargeback via our credit card? Or put some sort of block on transactions from a particular source? Seems silly to just accept virtually un-cancellable terms.

Sure you can.

They will just continue attempting to collect money as per the contract you signed, and then send you bill to collections when they can't.

Edit: Credit card companies typically require/ask you to dispute with the merchant and attempt to do get a refund first before they will chargeback. If you try, and the gym can point to contract, you'll lose the dispute either way. Getting your credit card number changed stops the gym from charging you, but you'll still owe them money and you'll typically find out when you start getting calls from a collections agency.

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#37

Post by fooqux »

ajkjk wrote: post #28

There are so many things like this that have needed fixing for such a long time. The fact that something is happening, even slowly, is so heartening. If your reaction is wondering if this is legal then you should be interested in the passing of new laws that make it unequivocally legal. Society should be able to govern itself.

Agreed. The fact that multiple companies are springing up with the main selling point being "help you cancel subscriptions you thought you already cancelled" should be a wake up call to the legislature that this problem has gotten out of hand.

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#38

Post by minkzilla »

randcraw wrote: post #12
coldpie wrote: post #4

Passed 3-2 along party lines. Remember this when you're going to vote. Elections matter.

How could ANYBODY vote against this?

Posted elsewhere in this thread but here is the reasoning why from Melissa Holyoak, who voted no. This rule goes further than just the cancellation mentioned in this article and there are some legitimate concerns with that. It is unclear but I think Melissa Holyoak would have voted yes if it was just the cancellation rule.

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/holyoak-dissent...

Re: FTC announces "click-to-cancel" rule making it easier to cancel subscriptions

#40

Post by mikestew »

kgermino wrote: post #26
ezfe wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

NYTimes already allows cancelling online for most subscriptions, so I imagine this won't be a big issue for them.

That depends on what state you're in right? (i.e. California customers can cancel online, but Wisconsin ones need to talk to an agent)

As a Washington resident, I tested this a while back: nope, you can cancel online AFAICT (I didn’t actually cancel, but the click flow indicated that it should work), and do not need to be a CA resident.
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