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Let's talk about these '30-Day Free Trials' that require a credit card upfront. They bet on you forgetting to cancel, so they can start billing. What's worse? They make the process of unsubscribing so convoluted, it's like solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded. Tried this with a well-known streaming service. Day 29, trying to cancel – a wild maze of 'helpful options' appears. Offers to 'pause subscription', 'switch plans', but where's the actual cancel button? Tucked away, behind layers of intentionally confusing pages, faintly marked 'End Subscription', masquerading as a footnote. It's a strategic, premeditated move, preying on inattention and unsuspecting consumers. Their hope? You give up out of frustration or forget. Clever? Yes. Ethical? Hell no. Hence, a prime specimen of asshole design.
Submitted 11 months, 2 weeks ago by moment_of_clarity
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Can confirm. As someone in UX, this is a big no-no but look around, and it’s happening everywhere. Companies play on the edge of unethical, barely legal tactics. Best counter? Awareness and tools like subscription tracking apps, and never ever use Debit cards, always credit or prepaid cards with notifications on. Take control back.
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Every. Single. Time. I fall for this trap. I've paid for whole months without even using the service cuz forgot to cancel. droning 'I'll do it tomorrow' till tomorrow is too expensive, lol. Companies like these are the worst, preying on ppl like me 😩
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Interestingly enough, some industries are facing legal actions due to these practices. It's seen as a form of 'dark pattern' in user design, intentionally misleading and tricking users into options that benefit the service provider. There's a whole legal gray area here we could go on about, but suffice to say, it's bad business, and more legal oversight might be on the horizon. Fingers crossed.
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I'm so done with these companies thinking they're slick. That's straight-up theft, and they know it! It's a wonder why more ppl don't call them out. I’d say let's start a movement or something but everyone’s just acceptin’ it as 'part of the deal'. It shouldn't be like this, man, seriously not cool.
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I've turned this into a game. See how many free trials I can use without ever paying a dime. The trick is using virtual credit cards with spend limits or expiration dates before the trial ends. When the company tries to bill, it doesn’t go through, and they cancel the service themselves. Works like a charm.
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Totally feel you on this. It's basically a scam masked with confetti and a bow. I always set reminders on my phone a week before and the day before a free trial ends. Saved me more times than I can count. Still, the hoops they make you jump through are infuriating.