4 ms·

I use a very simple solution for this: whenever I'm handing my credit card information to some service, if there is a slightest chance of such bullshit (which i

I use a very simple solution for this: whenever I'm handing my credit card information to some service, if there is a slightest chance of such bullshit (which is always the case with any subscription-based service), I just use a virtual card with just enough money on it to pay for whatever I intend to pay. Then they can prolong the subscription, sneak their stupid extras all they want.

distances 6y ago
This may work in the US (does it, really?) but mostly not in Europe. If the service provider thinks you are a subscriber and don't pay, you will eventually end up in collections. You can't just "stop paying", that will not terminate your subscription.
- IG_Semmelweiss 6y ago
  This is true, but Most of the time it doesnt make a difference. You can make up any persona on the account and they wont know who to pursue. The account name and address can really be anything... and this is also true for the CC on file.
  - unixhero 6y ago
    Although this is true and will work. It also amounts to some degree of fraud.
    - michaelt 6y ago
      Fraudulently avoiding being defrauded? Poetic.
      - unixhero 6y ago
        Capitalism and the machine usually wins.
      - yanderekko 6y ago
        Does it really come as a shock that you don't have a blanket right to lie about your identity to protect yourself from possible exploitation?
    - IG_Semmelweiss 6y ago
      I would agree that in most cases this is true. But we are talking about really deceptive sales practices by Adobe. Fighting fire with fire in this instance seems particularly reasonable. That aside, engaging this tactic on transactions with merchants with reasonable cancellation terms would be borderline fraud. If you use the services and they satisfied your needs, you really should be paying for them.
      - alisonkisk 6y ago
        How about not giving money or mindshare to a company you think is scummy?
    - jrockway 6y ago
      Another option is to ask your state's attorney general's office to send them a letter. Companies do not like letters from the government.
    - BryanBigs 6y ago
      True. But any refill that doesn't state the fact upfront is also fraud. If a company is transparent that you will be automatically charged every year, and has an easy way to cancel before the date, well then that's on me. I've paid those obligations even if I'm not using the product. But if the rebill terms are hidden during the marketing process, and buried away in fine print....good luck collecting from Sammy Davis, Sr, Dirtbag Co.
- jle17 6y ago
  It mostly work though, although it might not be legal, most companies will drop your subscription after some time if you stop paying. You might receive some letters from collection agencies, but as long as the sums in question are an order of magnitude lower than what is worth bringing in front of tribunal, they will stop after some time.
  - yanderekko 6y ago
    Does Europe not have credit scores? Would these sorts of things not end up as derogatory events on them?
    - corty 6y ago
      Yes, there are things like credit scores, e.g. "schufa" in germany. Also, collecting via court order ("gerichtliches Mahnverfahren") costs around 20 Euros in fees and isn't that complex, you hand in 1 form in triplicate and wait for the money.
    - sofixa 6y ago
      Depends on the country, but mostly no, and thank fucking $deity. Credit score systems are an abomination that go against privacy and are used to entrap people into debt and keep not knowledgeable people poor. I find it ridiculous when Americans speak about the Chinese social score system - judging people on debt management and spend is marginally better than on communist-aligning speech. Especially when it's done by for-profit companies that have zero incentive to get anything right. In most EU countries when you want to take out a loan, the bank takes a look at your current status ( employment, expenses, family, etc.) and debt history stored by the central bank ( which is basically you had a loan of 10k for 5 years, don't own anything anymore) and judge based on that if you're credit worthy or not.
      - alisonkisk 6y ago
        You're saying it's OK to order stuff and not pay for it, as long it costs less than the cost of going to court?
- dave84 6y ago
  Yup, I didn't update my card details and forgot to cancel hosting with a UK provider and they sent a collections agency after me for £16.
- BryanBigs 6y ago
  Why would you use your real name/address for a cloud subscription trial? I know with my disposable card provider, pseudonyms are a-ok. Sir Donald Mallard IV may have a ding in his credit report, the old chap, but I still can sleep and night somehow.

distances 6y ago

This may work in the US (does it, really?) but mostly not in Europe. If the service provider thinks you are a subscriber and don't pay, you will eventually end up in collections. You can't just "stop paying", that will not terminate your subscription.

IG_Semmelweiss 6y ago
This is true, but Most of the time it doesnt make a difference. You can make up any persona on the account and they wont know who to pursue. The account name and address can really be anything... and this is also true for the CC on file.
- unixhero 6y ago
  Although this is true and will work. It also amounts to some degree of fraud.
  - michaelt 6y ago
    Fraudulently avoiding being defrauded? Poetic.
    - unixhero 6y ago
      Capitalism and the machine usually wins.
    - yanderekko 6y ago
      Does it really come as a shock that you don't have a blanket right to lie about your identity to protect yourself from possible exploitation?
  - IG_Semmelweiss 6y ago
    I would agree that in most cases this is true. But we are talking about really deceptive sales practices by Adobe. Fighting fire with fire in this instance seems particularly reasonable. That aside, engaging this tactic on transactions with merchants with reasonable cancellation terms would be borderline fraud. If you use the services and they satisfied your needs, you really should be paying for them.
    - alisonkisk 6y ago
      How about not giving money or mindshare to a company you think is scummy?
  - jrockway 6y ago
    Another option is to ask your state's attorney general's office to send them a letter. Companies do not like letters from the government.
  - BryanBigs 6y ago
    True. But any refill that doesn't state the fact upfront is also fraud. If a company is transparent that you will be automatically charged every year, and has an easy way to cancel before the date, well then that's on me. I've paid those obligations even if I'm not using the product. But if the rebill terms are hidden during the marketing process, and buried away in fine print....good luck collecting from Sammy Davis, Sr, Dirtbag Co.
jle17 6y ago
It mostly work though, although it might not be legal, most companies will drop your subscription after some time if you stop paying. You might receive some letters from collection agencies, but as long as the sums in question are an order of magnitude lower than what is worth bringing in front of tribunal, they will stop after some time.
- yanderekko 6y ago
  Does Europe not have credit scores? Would these sorts of things not end up as derogatory events on them?
  - corty 6y ago
    Yes, there are things like credit scores, e.g. "schufa" in germany. Also, collecting via court order ("gerichtliches Mahnverfahren") costs around 20 Euros in fees and isn't that complex, you hand in 1 form in triplicate and wait for the money.
  - sofixa 6y ago
    Depends on the country, but mostly no, and thank fucking $deity. Credit score systems are an abomination that go against privacy and are used to entrap people into debt and keep not knowledgeable people poor. I find it ridiculous when Americans speak about the Chinese social score system - judging people on debt management and spend is marginally better than on communist-aligning speech. Especially when it's done by for-profit companies that have zero incentive to get anything right. In most EU countries when you want to take out a loan, the bank takes a look at your current status ( employment, expenses, family, etc.) and debt history stored by the central bank ( which is basically you had a loan of 10k for 5 years, don't own anything anymore) and judge based on that if you're credit worthy or not.
    - alisonkisk 6y ago
      You're saying it's OK to order stuff and not pay for it, as long it costs less than the cost of going to court?
dave84 6y ago
Yup, I didn't update my card details and forgot to cancel hosting with a UK provider and they sent a collections agency after me for £16.
BryanBigs 6y ago
Why would you use your real name/address for a cloud subscription trial? I know with my disposable card provider, pseudonyms are a-ok. Sir Donald Mallard IV may have a ding in his credit report, the old chap, but I still can sleep and night somehow.