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New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

theguardian.com

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Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#251

Post by smelendez »

TulliusCicero wrote: post #195
nkrisc wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried searching for what a "lifestyle fee" is and all I could find is references to "living wage fee" which is essentially a forced tip added to the bill. A service charge for large groups though is understandable as they typically will require much more attention and work from waitstaff than the typical small dining party.

I'm somewhat skeptical that they actually require more attention per person . Does an 8-person group require more than 2x as much attention as a 4-person group?

They do need more attention per person. Doing anything with a group of eight is just more complicated, and you’re more likely to have a person in the group who slows things down for whatever reason plus people trying to help them which can slow things down more.

They’ll take longer per person to order because they’ll be coordinating appetizers and who’s sharing what, etc.

They’re more likely to be celebrating a special occasion which means people less familiar with the restaurant or even people who don’t eat out much at all.

And the group is big enough that people will be having side conversations while one side of the table talks to the server, which also slows things down.

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#252

Post by everybodyknows »

nsagent wrote: post #158
Swizec wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> where a preselected tip is selected. Default should be no. A lot of this push to higher and higher and preselected tip options comes from POS software providers (Square et al) and credit card companies. They make money on transaction volume. Higher transaction -> more fees

The restaurants get to set those values though. A coffee shop near me puts the default options as $1, $2, $3 for low order totals. So if I go in and get a coffee (which is $4.50), the lowest tip option is 22% and the highest is a whopping 66%. I've seriously gotten tip fatigue and have been working to move back to a sane standard. I've noticed the places that have these crazy tips, also pay their staff well.

Recall that they're tax-deductible now -- so tips are the most efficient way to compensate employees. You're feeling the second-order effects of the inevitable business model change.

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#253

Post by everybodyknows »

jonathanlydall wrote: post #160
kombine wrote: post #100

I remember trying to cancel NYT subscription a few years back and it was almost impossible. I didn't expect it from such a reputable establishment.

This is where getting it via Apple’s App Store is nice for consumers. I (a non-American) had a NYT subscription through the iOS app some years back and cancelling it (like any other subscription through the App Store) was as as simple as: - Open Settings - Tap my account - Tap Subscriptions - Tap the New York Times option (or whatever it’s called) - Tap Cancel While the gate keeper aspect of Apple may not be good in…

Does buying through the Apple store also get you access to the web site (in case you're disloyal enough to also use non-Apple hardware)?

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#254

Post by everybodyknows »

CodingJeebus wrote: post #48
gzer0 wrote: post #40

Another one that belongs on this list: AI-generated photos in housing listings. You can no longer tell what the property actually looks like, and the images conveniently erase the problem spots you'd only catch in person. False advertising is getting completely out of hand.

I agree, but how does one begin to enforce a ban like this? Bait-and-switch has always existed in real estate, which is all the more reason to do full due-diligence and inspect the property thoroughly and not just put in an offer sight unseen. If a seller is using AI to that extent, I'd be worried about what else they're hiding about the property.

> seller is using AI to that extent

Useful info for any later negotiation. They've revealed they are:

A: Dishonest

B: Not too bright

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#255

Post by JSR_FDED »

bkeyes wrote: post #57

Funny this should come up today. I just got a notice from my credit card company that Evernote just charged my credit card after 2 'successful' cancellations of my subscription each of the last 2 years, and the complete deletion of my account several months ago. Hopefully these will become more widespread - I'm not in NY or CA.

I was so annoyed with how slimy Evernote had become and how the product regressed and they were clearly not spending money on it, I switched to Apple Notes and have been very happy.

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#256

Post by antonvs »

kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #60
ryandrake wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> proposed rule that requires sellers to “advertise the total price for any good or service, including all mandatory additional charges and fees, up front” This is going to be tough to enact, anywhere in the USA, even New York. There is nothing quite as American as "not knowing what you're going to pay for something until you have to pay." Whether it's your doctor bill, restaurant bill with tips and service fees, you…

FTC has mandated all-in pricing for hotels since last year.

Oh does that explain why Priceline has started quoting prices including fees and taxes up front?

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#257

Post by jonathanlydall »

everybodyknows wrote: post #253
jonathanlydall wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is where getting it via Apple’s App Store is nice for consumers. I (a non-American) had a NYT subscription through the iOS app some years back and cancelling it (like any other subscription through the App Store) was as as simple as: - Open Settings - Tap my account - Tap Subscriptions - Tap the New York Times option (or whatever it’s called) - Tap Cancel While the gate keeper aspect of Apple may not be good in…

Does buying through the Apple store also get you access to the web site (in case you're disloyal enough to also use non-Apple hardware)?

I can’t recall for sure, maybe.

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#258

Post by dzhiurgis »

evolve2k wrote: post #216
erentz wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s not your property they care about. They usually want this because it includes liability insurance if you damage their property or someone else’s, or your negligence causes harm to someone.

In Australia we have very strong consumer protection law, here it’s expected (by the bank usually) the landlord has at least a minimum “landlord insurance” that covers all that stuff. For anything not covered, where a tenant does damage thats what the bond is for. Renter insurance should be optional. Actually I’m surprised that landlord insurance is not already occurring, imagine a building with 100 apartments, I’m s…

If everyone is required to have an insurance - why not bury it in property tax/rates instead?

In NZ we are not required to have third party medical cover because everyone is already covered by yearly car registration fee.

Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices

#260

Post by stingraycharles »

xp84 wrote: post #45

I wonder if the bit about 'junk fees' will include undisclosed hotel fees. I just stayed there last week in a no-frills "hotel" which doesn't include daily room cleaning, has no staff at night, and has no amenities whatsoever, and they charged me a surprise-at-check-in $35 a night resort fee. This fee was not described in the booking.

What the hell is a resort fee?
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