Live data from Hacker News

Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

bleepingcomputer.com

101–110 of 166 posts

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do they charge $12.99 a month for this feature? I can’t find it

This feature is part of the YouTube Red subscription. Which doesn't really add that much in addition, aside from partial ad removal and video downloads, all completely free on PC.

It adds more support (10x to 20x) for the content creators than ads, with the bonus of not watching ads.

For some people, this is quite valuable.

As a side note, the video downloading is made available in the mobile app as well.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#102

Before people go on a reddit like hate trail, it should be noted is in parallel with a full recall and reimbursement of all the treadmills

Yeah, since they were pressured by the government into issuing a recall, they figured it would be a good time to shed customers that don't provide them recurring income which will offset the cost of the recall.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#103
What's next, a kettlebell bolted to the floor until I agree to a monthly subscription?

I can't imagine paying this much money to _just_ run. Okay, run and have someone encourage me. I get that they're successful, and lots of people seem to want a treadmill or bike that doesn't move, but I don't personally understand it. I'm starting to feel old fashioned with my workout technology, shoes and shorts.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#104
Peloton introduced a 4-digit passcode to improve product safety. But the passcode only works on their $39.99/mo. subscription tier. Give SaaS business models an inch and they'll take a mile.

Can we go back to 1995 when $9.99 VHS exercise tapes were still an option?

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Microsoft has been testing the concept with Office 365...just you wait.

No HW involve though?

I was thinking more, that they rent access to the operating system, and push hard for locked down secure boot so Linux is hard to install.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#106
post #23

'The company has cited "safety and well-being" as a reason for introducing the membership fee.' I've noticed the "fake because" lately seems to be getting more and more brazen from corporations. This is about the third or fourth "for your safety and convenience we're helping ourselves to more of your money" I've seen in the last couple months, and unfortunately all the other ones I've seen are for products or service…

They do it because it works. There are more than enough idiots out there who will nod and keep giving them money to make up for those that won't. "Vote with your wallet" doesn't work, because too much of the population are lemmings.

Voting with your wallet also doesn't work in an economy where companies are either backed by VCs or can borrow at near-zero interest rates. Companies like WeWork and Uber can lose billions per quarter by undercutting competitors, yet stay afloat because of the SV money hose.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#107
post #104

Peloton introduced a 4-digit passcode to improve product safety. But the passcode only works on their $39.99/mo. subscription tier. Give SaaS business models an inch and they'll take a mile. Can we go back to 1995 when $9.99 VHS exercise tapes were still an option?

> Can we go back to 1995 when $9.99 VHS exercise tapes were still an option?

Exercise DVDs in that price range (same nominal price, substantially lower real price than $9.99 in 1995 dollars) are readily available and DVD players are cheap.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#108
post #96
post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably Vegetables like all other Fruits that are Vegetables...

People always bring up tomatoes. Where's the love for cucumbers, squash, eggplants and peppers?!

And don't even get me started on berries!

Fun fact, eggplants and tomatoes are berries, raspberries and blackberries are not.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#109
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These are competing with fitness studios like Soul Cycle- which charges $40+ a class after shoe rental and water. The bike is more like $2000 at least for the standard bike, not $3000. My wife bought one in November 2019, and both joined the "century club" (100 rides) by the middle of 2020 and she takes the Yoga classes as well and I have done a few strength classes- its not just about the bike. We had never previous…

The Soul Cycle (and copycats) business model boggles my mind. I can even understand people paying $200+/month for an Equinox gym. At least it's unlimited use. But paying $35+ for a single one hour spinning class?

But paying $35+ for a single one hour spinning class?

Pricing like this happens when there are enough people that can afford it without thinking about it, and they don't want to be surrounded by people who can not afford it.

It's a smaller scale version of a town with very high taxes, and no extra benefits for those taxes.

Re: Peloton's $3k treadmill now comes with surprise 'subscription fee'

#110
post #56
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These are competing with fitness studios like Soul Cycle- which charges $40+ a class after shoe rental and water. The bike is more like $2000 at least for the standard bike, not $3000. My wife bought one in November 2019, and both joined the "century club" (100 rides) by the middle of 2020 and she takes the Yoga classes as well and I have done a few strength classes- its not just about the bike. We had never previous…

>I hate group fitness and cycle studios, and am currently on a 65+ week streak on Peloton. The value is there for me, I understand the value proposition of an internet-connected "virtual class" for motivation, competitive pacing, social gaming, etc but my limited research showed that one can get these benefits with just the Peloton app[1] (the software) without buying the hardware (Peloton branded bike/treadmill). Th…

In terms of just using the app and not the bike: The bike hardware is very good. Peloton claims to only break even on it and I can believe that - it’s an extremely sturdy bike.
Post reply on HN