What cheeses me off

[MARTINE]

That's a reasonable compromise/outcome from Woolies IMHO.

I agree with what others have mentioned previously which is that it's exceedingly rare that you can sign up for any of these trials without providing some sort of payment method from the outset. They're cleverly designed to prey on apathy or people simply not clock-watching and will regularly catch people out for at least 1 paid period. You aren't the first and you definitely won't be the last.

Watch this space as new legislation coming in this year to avoid these traps. Relevant minister I heard on radio today. He said it will become as easy to sign up as leave ie no more online sign up but need to speak to a human in business hours (as if) to cancel.
I think the phrase he used was currently ‘you can check in anytime you like but you can never leave’.. I appreciated that.

 

[Quickstatus]

Watch this space as new legislation coming in this year to avoid these traps.

(In addition).
I think it would be better if such subscriptions are only valid for a certain period of time. Say 12 months?
And if no activity, such subscriptions are autocancelled after 1 month.

 

[DejaBrew]

Watch this space as new legislation coming in this year to avoid these traps.

Interesting - thanks for sharing. I wonder if this will result in many of these companies doing away with free trial periods? They may not see the additional admin burden as being worth the effort. I can see (potential) pros and cons to such legislation.

 

[MARTINE]

Government pulls the plug on subscription traps and sneaky fees

The Albanese Government is gearing up to ban unfair trading practices, cracking down on subscription traps and hidden fees.

businessbuilders.com.au

 

[VPS]

I'm one of those boring people that has a subscription reminder list. I get the Times UK for £1 per month and the trial has finished so I cancelled and they have offered me another six months at the same price instead £9.99 a month. If they don't play ball just get another email address and sign up again

 

[mrsterryn]

The most difficult cancellation we had to do was Binge, it was just so difficult. Even if they have a special again I wouldn't go back just cause of the amount of angst to cancel

 

[Quickstatus]

I think the current ACCC consumer guarantee lacks enforcement teeth. Hopefully the changes will be effective.

But will the legislative/regulatory changes to subscription extend to overseas websites?

 

[DejaBrew]

The most difficult cancellation we had to do was Binge, it was just so difficult. Even if they have a special again I wouldn't go back just cause of the amount of angst to cancel

Agree Binge is a difficult one, especially given they require you to confirm about 3 or 4 times that you want to cancel and don't make it obvious that you have not actually cancelled (yet). I also tried to cancel my one month period (used for Status on the Ground promo) and found it failed repeatedly at the final step. I'm sure it took me about 20+ attempts across multiple devices before it finally worked.

 

[VPS]

Credit card payment due Friday 2/1 Still not taken off the credit card or debited to my savings account. Plus with the scam payment still not cleared I've hit the limit. I can't be bothered ringing them so other payments will just have to wait

 

[JohnK]

Do you think it provided much utility for your mother?
For me an adhoc delivery slot is either $2 for a 6hr slot (usualy day after) or a $15 cost if a less than 6hr delivery slot is selected

It provided nothing other than assistance once during trial. We have not used in 3 months which was a reason they refunded the fee.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Credit card payment due Friday 2/1 Still not taken off the credit card or debited to my savings account. Plus with the scam payment still not cleared I've hit the limit. I can't be bothered ringing them so other payments will just have to wait

I wouldn’t expect the payment to hit until monday midnight?

 

[anat0l]

WCMO is people who remove a lid for a container or retract a sliding screen for a container that contains items that are frozen or need to be kept very cold (ice is the main item here)...

...they take some items and don't replace the lid or close the container.

Like, in which household did you learn it to be normal to open the fridge but never close it again, you oaf?

 

[Pushka]

The most difficult cancellation we had to do was Binge, it was just so difficult. Even if they have a special again I wouldn't go back just cause of the amount of angst to cancel

Like Optus. We wanted to cancel a data plan. Didn't need it. Had to call, can't go into an office. Stated my case. 'Oh, we can increase you data then.' No, we don't need any data. This convo did a rinse and repeat for a few times. She finally cancelled. Then the dreaded 'let's look at your overall plans'. 'Oh. You don't use most of your data. Maybe we can cut that back'. Sigh. I had this convo in a shopping centre in a quiet space. Just as well I was in public though or I would have started using all the swear words I could muster.

 

[VPS]

I wouldn’t expect the payment to hit until monday midnight?

Still nothing happened.

 

[Quickstatus]

Like Optus.

Like Foxtel

 

[Aeryn]

Only two subs i ever had trouble cancelling were Foxtel, I had to request a supervisor and a fitness first membership both well over a decade ago now.

Binge is owned by Foxtel so doesnt surprise me in the least people have had trouble.

 

[blackcat20]

Some of the meal box subscriptions can be tricky, and they are cracking down on them. I signed up to one, saw that none of the meals suited us, and cancelled. but apparently you "aren't allowed" to cancel the first box, and it charged and shipped anyway, with meals we hadn't selected.

 

[VPS]

You used to be able to download all your phone calls from Telstra and now you have to request them. I couldn't find the link so set up a chat. They gave instructions which included go to the Billing tab and you can do it yourself. After a few minutes of searching I asked where the billing tab was and they said Oh I'll have to put you through to someone else who said oh no you can't do it yourself you have to request it and here's the link. I know I'm hot and cranky but FFS

 

[dajop]

OK it's summer, it's beach time, and I mourn the loss of Australia's wonderful beaches, they feel worse than European beaches now. Cluttered and ugly as ....

This week been down at the local beach near our holiday house, and several times we struggled to find a small patch of sand to put a couple of towels on. It never used to be like this (last summer was when it really turned, but this summer is worse), but the total and absolute dominance of Cool Cabanas that are predominantly used to store stuff whilst people lay on their towels in front of them, is now in plague proportions and seems to take up every inch of the beach.

Sunsmart and all that, not totally opposed to them, but it would be nice if some parts of the beach are designated as Cool Cabana free, like in Europe you get deckchair free segments on many beaches. The view would be much better and that particular space less cluttered.

Nevermind, I'm not going back this month, but probably will be back during second half of Feb when the weather is more consistent, the water is warmer and the crowds have subsided (IMHO optimal time for beach in southern Victoria is mid Feb - mid Mar).

 

[Pushka]

OK it's summer, it's beach time, and I mourn the loss of Australia's wonderful beaches, they feel worse than European beaches now. Cluttered and ugly as ....

This week been down at the local beach near our holiday house, and several times we struggled to find a small patch of sand to put a couple of towels on. It never used to be like this (last summer was when it really turned, but this summer is worse), but the total and absolute dominance of Cool Cabanas that are predominantly used to store stuff whilst people lay on their towels in front of them, is now in plague proportions and seems to take up every inch of the beach.

Sunsmart and all that, not totally opposed to them, but it would be nice if some parts of the beach are designated as Cool Cabana free, like in Europe you get deckchair free segments on many beaches. The view would be much better and that particular space less cluttered.

Nevermind, I'm not going back this month, but probably will be back during second half of Feb when the weather is more consistent, the water is warmer and the crowds have subsided (IMHO optimal time for beach in southern Victoria is mid Feb - mid Mar).

And there's Adelaide. Our beaches are deserted because of Algal bloom. Seems to be ok of late but people have given up. This is low tide which does make it worse. But no boats. No fishers. No fish. Well, the dead fish get cleaned up by council each morning if needed.