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“Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

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Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#171

Post by vojvod »

quitit wrote: post #152
vojvod wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's IAP?

IAP for in app purchase. There are currently two ways to sign up for the New York times online, one is via the website and the other is via a subscription from the various app stores(an in-app-purchase). To unsubscribe from the website-based subscription requires a call to NYT’s customer service based in New York which have limited operating hours- here they’ll try their best to convince you not to unsubscribe after…

Thanks, it hadn't occurred to me that the app stores would enforce easy cancellation. I'll remember to prefer in-app sign up over website for any new subscriptions in future.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#172

Post by matheusmoreira »

Zanfa wrote: post #7

A reasonable legal requirement should be that customers are able to unsubscribe using the same method used to subscribe and the process should not require more time and effort than the initial subscription.

Reasonable would be lack payment ending the contract. We should be able to simply stop paying them with zero repercussions. Let them deal with the administrative trivia required to cancel a service.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#173

Post by mercy_dude »

Good. The worst experience I ever had was with NY Times when I wanted to unsubscribe I had to go through multiple call/chats with a person and it was almost impossible since it was hard to get in touch with one.

I am glad FTC is doing something others are afraid to do.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#174

Post by drexlspivey »

neya wrote: post #59

Fuck New York Times, I had to go through this chaos once and promised to never ever use any of their services ever again. I even went to the pain of making sure all my ad blockers were in full force when visiting the NYT. I developed a strong sense of hatred after realize what kind of slimy tactics they used to stop you from cancelling a subscription. One day, I found a loophole. I would email them requesting a cance…

I subscribed to NYT via apple pay (through their website not the app) to avoid these shenanigans but the subscription won’t show up in Apple pay. Does anyone know why?

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#175

Post by bopbeepboop »

op00to wrote: post #164
jgb1984 wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would I want to read their woke hysteria anyway...

Reading about opposing viewpoints broaden your horizons, and surrounding yourself with media that reinforces your own world view does nothing to make your life better.

[dead]

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#177

Post by emdowling »

kieloo wrote: post #18

Same thing with The Guardian. Subscribed online and was then told I can’t cancel via email and have to endure a pushy sales call if I want to cancel. Similar experience with The Economist except it was via live chat instead. These experiences honestly make me want to never subscribe to a newspaper again.

Having dealt with The Guardian and others like them to cancel, I say "I will not explain why I wish to cancel nor will I reconsider my decision. Please cancel my account. My account number is x, my email is y and my address is z."

I usually have to repeat it 3-4 times before they finally give in and do it.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#178

Post by bodono »

yodsanklai wrote: post #138

I had the issue with the WSJ. I couldn't believe it was so hard to cancel. My solution was to update my card with an incorrect number, they canceled the subscription after the payment was declined.

I wonder if this strategy could impact your credit rating though?

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#179

Post by lode »

Macha wrote: post #134
lode wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These days you can cancel yourself via myaccount.nytimes.com. Go to Subscription overview, and at the very bottom click "Cancel your subscription". You can also use this to get a better deal. Just start the cancellation, choose "My subscription is too expensive" as reason, click Continue a couple of times and they'll give you a reduced rate to keep you. I now pay 2 euros a month for a digital subscription.

My understanding is this is only available in certain jurisdictions which mandate symmetry between subscribe and unsubscribe options. Others direct you to phone or Web chat.

Aha okay I didn't know that. That's just plain evil then.

Re: “Click to subscribe, call to cancel” is illegal, FTC says

#180

Post by consp »

microtonal wrote: post #169
t0mas88 wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ziggo is similar, very shitty customer service, and you have to talk to an aggressive sales person to be allowed to cancel. The moment fiber was delivered to my area I cancelled them and just hung up on the sales guy lying to me about how their speed was higher (it definitely isn't) than fiber.

Ziggo is terrible. I recently overheard one of their salespersons (at MediaMarkt) claiming that Ziggo is also fiber internet (it's cable). Only when the customer pushed him, he admitted that it is not really fiber, but then argued that it doesn't really matter, because 90whatever percent of the route from the data center to home is fiber.

> doesn't really matter

Their 35/50Mbit upload speed says differently. I'm really looking forward to not having to call them again for discounts (since you otherwise pay more than new customers) because I can then actually leave them when the fiber is installed.

Good to know I just have to hang up on the sales guy.

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