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These days, it seems there’s a subscription for everything—from music and video streaming to photo editing, and even monthly boxes of exotic snacks. Signing up is a breeze, but canceling? That’s where the trouble begins.

Companies know the harder it is to stop paying for their services, the more money they’ll make from people who either don’t realize they’re subscribed or are too busy to opt out.

The folks you’re about to hear from faced unreal difficulties with hidden fees and impossible cancellation methods. We’ve rounded up some of their most outrageous experiences below. Check them out and share your own subscription battles in the comments!

#1

People Are Sick And Tired Of All Their Subscriptions. Well Played, The Wall Street Journal, Well Played

People Are Sick And Tired Of All Their Subscriptions. Well Played, The Wall Street Journal, Well Played

smikkelhut Report

#2

Walmart Is Charging Me 10 Days Before The Free Trial Ends. This Is Why I Don't Use My Bank Card For Free Trials. I Also Keep It Locked, Just In Case. Google Is Bad About Doing This Too

Walmart Is Charging Me 10 Days Before The Free Trial Ends. This Is Why I Don't Use My Bank Card For Free Trials. I Also Keep It Locked, Just In Case. Google Is Bad About Doing This Too

MoeGunz6 Report

The average American spends almost a thousand dollars each year on subscriptions. With so many to keep track of, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the costs, but stopping them is a whole other challenge. Some companies create entire obstacle courses before you can finally click cancel. The New York Times, for example, is notorious for making you talk to a customer representative on the phone or endure a tedious online chat, as you can’t end your subscription directly through their website.

#3

After Going Through Five Pages To Cancel Your $4 New York Times Subscription You Get This

After Going Through Five Pages To Cancel Your $4 New York Times Subscription You Get This

traviswilbr Report

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ZGutr
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happens more often than you think. They hope you you don't have time to call now and forget about it for a while. When you do call, that you don't wanna wait in the queue for half an hour just to save $4, and then when finally talk to them, they try to convince you to continue the subscription. If that fails you'll get an offer with a discount and so you'll start over the whole process again after six months.

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#4

"Free" Trial

"Free" Trial

jandcryder Report

In some cases, businesses make their cancellation processes so confusing they end up facing legal action. Last year, Amazon was sued by the US government over how hard it is to cancel Prime and claims of ‘nonconsensual enrollment.’

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused Amazon of repeatedly pushing customers to sign up for Prime during their shopping journey, often using big, eye-catching buttons for enrollment and tiny, easy-to-miss links to decline. The suit claims these Prime offers were often not clearly labeled, leading consumers to think they were choosing free shipping or a trial, not realizing they were agreeing to a paid subscription.

#5

Netflix Hides The "Happy Middle-Ground" Option To Entice People Into The Most Expensive Subscription

Netflix Hides The "Happy Middle-Ground" Option To Entice People Into The Most Expensive Subscription

dendofyy Report

#6

My Free Subscription To Paramount+ Is Up Tomorrow And So I Was Going To Cancel Today. No Matter How Many Times I Try, Or Reset My Browser, It Won’t Let Me. This Has To Be Illegal, Right?

My Free Subscription To Paramount+ Is Up Tomorrow And So I Was Going To Cancel Today. No Matter How Many Times I Try, Or Reset My Browser, It Won’t Let Me. This Has To Be Illegal, Right?

Dockle Report

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Wang Zhuang
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got about 5 months for free from Paramount +. They kept giving me a free month every time I tried to cancel. Then I forgot on the sixth month, and got charged $14.99. But I had no problem canceling after that

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#7

I Don’t Print Much So I Canceled My Subscription… Now I Print Even Less

I Don’t Print Much So I Canceled My Subscription… Now I Print Even Less

wanthirtypoo Report

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Wang Zhuang
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just wrong. If you paid for the printer and you paid for the ink, you shouldn't have to pay for a subscription to use the ink!

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With such deceptive marketing techniques, it’s no wonder people get so frustrated. Fortunately, the FTC is stepping in to help. In 2023, they proposed a ‘click to cancel rule,’ which would force businesses to make unsubscribing as easy as signing up.

“I’m sure this is an experience that all of you can relate to, where you tried to cancel a subscription and the company has made you jump through an endless number of hoops,” commented FTC Chair Lina Khan. “Companies should not be able to manipulate consumers into paying for subscriptions that they don’t want.”

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#8

HelloFresh Now Forces You To Talk To A Sales Rep If You Want To Cancel Your Subscription

HelloFresh Now Forces You To Talk To A Sales Rep If You Want To Cancel Your Subscription

_cerulean_haze_ Report

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#9

Trying To Cancel A Subscription, And Suddenly This Happens

Trying To Cancel A Subscription, And Suddenly This Happens

kumquat_may Report

#10

Ultimate Guitar Costs More For A Year If You Use The 7-Day Free Trial

Ultimate Guitar Costs More For A Year If You Use The 7-Day Free Trial

einarekeberg Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are just supposed to see the word "free" and assume we are getting a good deal.

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The ‘click to cancel rule’ is still in the works, but if it goes through, it will put an end to in-person visits, handwritten letters, and hours spent on hold on the phone. Companies would also have to clearly inform consumers they’re signing up for a paid service, get users’ explicit consent, and remind them before services automatically renew.

#11

This Should Be Illegal. If You Allow People To Sign Up For A Plan On Your Mobile Device Or App, You Should Be Forced To Allow People To Cancel The Same Way

This Should Be Illegal. If You Allow People To Sign Up For A Plan On Your Mobile Device Or App, You Should Be Forced To Allow People To Cancel The Same Way

UnLioNocturno Report

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Carl Roberts
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Illegal in California. They have to allow you to cancel via the same way you signed up.

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#12

For Weeks I Couldn’t Figure Out How To Unsubscribe

For Weeks I Couldn’t Figure Out How To Unsubscribe

amylei333 Report

#13

I Keep Canceling, And For Some Reason, The Membership Keeps Continuing. This Is Already The Third Time I’m Canceling My Membership

I Keep Canceling, And For Some Reason, The Membership Keeps Continuing. This Is Already The Third Time I’m Canceling My Membership

JilSonea Report

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Making it easier to end subscriptions could actually be beneficial for businesses in the long run. Some providers who are already transparent about their policies say honesty has helped them retain more customers.

“We had fewer cancellation requests, more saves, and less customer service time,” says Alex Brown, CEO of sustainable cleaning supplies subscription firm Truly Free. “That’s given us the latitude to take a little bit of the pressure off of them, and I think it’s caused more of them to come back in the future too.”

#14

Netflix Won't Let Me Watch The Last Few Weeks Of My Subscription Without Resubscribing. There's No Option To Continue Watching Without Selecting A New Plan

Netflix Won't Let Me Watch The Last Few Weeks Of My Subscription Without Resubscribing. There's No Option To Continue Watching Without Selecting A New Plan

BritestBowlingBall Report

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TribbleThinking
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's outrageous. Surely that must contravene some Trades Description Act (UK here, I don't know what the US equivalent is)? They've got your money, so pony up with the service!

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#15

My $400 Baby Monitor Has Locked Previously Free Features Behind A Monthly Subscription

My $400 Baby Monitor Has Locked Previously Free Features Behind A Monthly Subscription

The app used to send push notifications when the baby woke up. Now I have to pay $10 per month for that privilege.

bshotto1213 Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Classic bait and switch. Sadly the case with a lot of tech that depends on a cloud-based service.

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#16

The Website For My Physics College Textbook Has A Subscription For The Solution Of Questions

The Website For My Physics College Textbook Has A Subscription For The Solution Of Questions

Ryanknik Report

While some companies have made the shift to be more honest and straightforward, others still use sneaky tactics to keep customers locked in. Personal finance expert Clark Howard offers some tips on handling your subscriptions.

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“It requires a mental reset,” Howard says. He suggests reviewing your checking and credit card statements every three months to spot recurring charges you might have forgotten about. If there’s something you no longer use, cancel it.

#17

Trying To Cancel A Subscription Via Text Message

Trying To Cancel A Subscription Via Text Message

J0390 Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please use grammatically correct rude words. It is not "for **** sake" it is "for ****'s sake". ;-)

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#18

Imagine Paying For A Subscription And There Are 5 Unskippable Ads In A Non-Live Show On Hulu

Imagine Paying For A Subscription And There Are 5 Unskippable Ads In A Non-Live Show On Hulu

axolotl_bruh Report

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C .Hunger
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have been adding more and more ads over the past year to all of these services. It's getting to be worse than basic cable.

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#19

My New Truck Requires A $15/Month Data Plan To Use Features My Previous Model Did For Free (Maps, Basic Voice Commands, Text-To-Voice Messages)

My New Truck Requires A $15/Month Data Plan To Use Features My Previous Model Did For Free (Maps, Basic Voice Commands, Text-To-Voice Messages)

reddit.com Report

More importantly, Howard urges consumers to research new services and their cancellation policies before enrolling. Look beyond the service’s website for its cancellation policy and see if there are any complaints about it. It might take some time, but it will save a lot of hassle in the future. “You have to look at how you get divorced before you get married,” he says.

#20

The Color Scheme Of This Email Spotify Sent Me

The Color Scheme Of This Email Spotify Sent Me

ronslaught82 Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they thought were punking certain color-blind folks to think that they just sent a page with nothing on it.

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#21

Get Your 7-Day Free Trial For The Amazing Price Of 200 Dollars

Get Your 7-Day Free Trial For The Amazing Price Of 200 Dollars

reddit.com Report

#22

I'm Not Paying A Damn Subscription To Watch DVDs On My PC

I'm Not Paying A Damn Subscription To Watch DVDs On My PC

thunderup_14 Report

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Carl Roberts
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not a subscription. It's a one time fee. Still b.s. that they now charge for something that used to be free.

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The FTC also recommends watching for prechecked boxes when making a purchase online, as they may sign you up for products or services you don’t want unless you uncheck them. If you cancel a subscription but are still being charged, dispute it with your credit card company and file a complaint on the FTC’s website.

#23

Can’t Reset My Yahoo Password Because I Have A New Number. Went Online And Read That It’s A Premium Feature Now

Can’t Reset My Yahoo Password Because I Have A New Number. Went Online And Read That It’s A Premium Feature Now

I called a customer representative and was told I had to pay a monthly subscription fee for that service (he told me the price was $12.95).

jayandare Report

#25

I Just Wanted To Cancel My Subscription, But Now I Have To Talk To Someone

I Just Wanted To Cancel My Subscription, But Now I Have To Talk To Someone

ThisperraRuisck Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I shouldn't have to talk to an actual person for something like this, the chat feature is how I like to communicate with a human.

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So, the next time you consider starting a new subscription, remember to do your homework and stay vigilant about hidden charges. Hopefully, in the future, better consumer protection policies like the ‘click to cancel rule’ will make managing subscriptions easier and more transparent for everyone.

#26

Learn How Subscriptions Are Getting Out Of Hand (Only For Our Subscribers)

Learn How Subscriptions Are Getting Out Of Hand (Only For Our Subscribers)

Resist_Rise Report

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Castles
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That price is a joke. If I see an Apple News story I’m interested in I just Google the headline n usually it’s in a different news site anyways

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#27

No "None" Option On An Unsolicited Email Subscription

No "None" Option On An Unsolicited Email Subscription

JustCallMeSlips Report

#28

We Refuse Your Unsubscribe

We Refuse Your Unsubscribe

airreturn Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't agree with it, but it is termed "pause" and not unsubscribe or cancel, implying that it will continue at some point.

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#29

Adobe Must Be Joking... £109.82 To Cancel My Plan. Honestly Ridiculous

Adobe Must Be Joking... £109.82 To Cancel My Plan. Honestly Ridiculous

Absolewtely Report

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iseefractals
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah....someone didn't read the T&C. Adobe has subscription option that is paid monthly....or they have an annual subscription at a discounted price. You only get that discounted price on the understanding that you will continue to use the service for a full year. That's the terms you agreed to. If you break that agreement, you're going to be charged the difference.

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#30

They're Trying To Make Us Pay Subscriptions On Everything. Greedy Companies

They're Trying To Make Us Pay Subscriptions On Everything. Greedy Companies

ttv_CitrusBros Report

#31

Brand New Toyota Requires A Subscription

Brand New Toyota Requires A Subscription

Sleep_adict Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dread the day I have to buy a new car. Right now I'm driving a manual car that is so basic that I have roll down windows. I don't even think I can get another car like the one I have now.

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#32

The App I Paid Money For Discontinued Because Their New App Is Subscription-Based

The App I Paid Money For Discontinued Because Their New App Is Subscription-Based

Illithis Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They charged you for the app, with the idea of planned obsolescence coming up

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#33

I Canceled My Netflix Subscription Last July Because I Didn't Want To Use It Anymore, And Ever Since, They Have Barraged Me With These Emails, Trying To Get Me To Come Back

I Canceled My Netflix Subscription Last July Because I Didn't Want To Use It Anymore, And Ever Since, They Have Barraged Me With These Emails, Trying To Get Me To Come Back

Lilith_Immaculate_ Report

#34

CAPTCHA To Uninstall And The Big Cancel Button Instead Of Continuing

CAPTCHA To Uninstall And The Big Cancel Button Instead Of Continuing

DexterSpencer Report

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's what we Privacy Professionals call "Dark Patterns". In the EU this became illegal in 2022 with the Digital Services Act

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#35

A Monthly Subscription And An App Are Required For Filtered Water

A Monthly Subscription And An App Are Required For Filtered Water

hashtagoras Report

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JK
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the problem here isn't that it's charged for, it's that it's a subscription. You're not purchasing bulk credits to use, or paying as you go, you're paying a monthly fee no matter how much/little you use it. And we all know how hard it is to cancel subscriptions, or take a break from them when not required

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#36

HP Printers Won’t Let You Print Without A Subscription Even After You Buy The Printer

HP Printers Won’t Let You Print Without A Subscription Even After You Buy The Printer

Inferior_Jeans Report

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IORN
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Simple solution - don't buy HP or any other manufacturer doing the same stuff. They'll reconsider if money stops coming.

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#37

Water Subscription At My Local Gym

Water Subscription At My Local Gym

mettleh3d Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I always carry my own water with me. And I never go to the gym, So I'm good.

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#38

Can't Cancel My Subscription. Whenever I Try, It Always Leads Me To This Screen

Can't Cancel My Subscription. Whenever I Try, It Always Leads Me To This Screen

InsightBoii Report

#39

UltimateGuitar Shows A Fake Tutorial Video With The Title Of The Song You're Trying To Learn. Clicking It Just Brings You To The Sign-Up Page For Their Premium Subscription

UltimateGuitar Shows A Fake Tutorial Video With The Title Of The Song You're Trying To Learn. Clicking It Just Brings You To The Sign-Up Page For Their Premium Subscription

BadDesignBryan Report

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TribbleThinking
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tactics like that just make me "Nope" out even if I was intending to sign up for a paid service.

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#40

This App Doesn’t Tell You The Full Price Of A Subscription Until You Buy It And Start Paying It

This App Doesn’t Tell You The Full Price Of A Subscription Until You Buy It And Start Paying It

RealPenguingod101 Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This can't be legal? Don't businesses have to tell you the price of thing BEFORE you buy something?

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#41

So I Paid $250 For A Fitbit Watch And Half Of Its Features Are Behind A Subscription Paywall

So I Paid $250 For A Fitbit Watch And Half Of Its Features Are Behind A Subscription Paywall

Flieww Report

#42

What The Hell, Disney?

What The Hell, Disney?

DexterTheWulf Report

#43

Tried Canceling My Newspaper Subscription Online

Tried Canceling My Newspaper Subscription Online

LocalPlankton1561 Report

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Regina Holt
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are times that I want to talk to a human, and times that I don't. I don't need to talk to a human for this s**t.

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#44

Imagine Paying $499 Just To Not Get A Single Match

Imagine Paying $499 Just To Not Get A Single Match

Dexerto Report

#45

What’s The Point Of Paying For A Subscription? What’s The Point Of Paying For The Premium Family Plan If I Have To Pay More To Use It? I Hate Everything About This

What’s The Point Of Paying For A Subscription? What’s The Point Of Paying For The Premium Family Plan If I Have To Pay More To Use It? I Hate Everything About This

Dingusdangus1 Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Subscriptions have usage limits. You need to look carefully at what you are subscribing to.

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#46

Is This Even Legal? Accept Cookies Or Pay 2.5€/Month

Is This Even Legal? Accept Cookies Or Pay 2.5€/Month

J-RJuniorJuniorsJr Report

#47

Snapchat+ Says That You Save More With Their More Expensive Subscription Because You Get A Discount For The First 3 Months

Snapchat+ Says That You Save More With Their More Expensive Subscription Because You Get A Discount For The First 3 Months

Howdee_folks_YT Report

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JK
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is because the "monthly plan" is paid once a month, the "annual plan" is taken out as 1 payment for the full 12 months. Most companies do this, it encourages more people to splash out upfront and save in the long run, the company gets your money quicker and you're also more likely to forget to cancel before the next 12-month payment is due.

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#48

PlayStation Now Is A Joke. Pay For A Subscription And Then You Have To Wait In A Queue To Play

PlayStation Now Is A Joke. Pay For A Subscription And Then You Have To Wait In A Queue To Play

jessynolan Report

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ॐBoyGanesh
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is utterly outdated and not at all typical. If you pay for the premium, PlayStation subscription you have access to new streaming content immediately. If for some reason, you’re on a lower tier or it has just come out, it takes some time for their servers to catch up with the streams. It also has a lot to do with the game’s servers, NOT PlayStation. To be honest, what we’re seeing here is so incredibly rare that it’s a non-issue. What the real problem is with PlayStation now is that if you want to use online play/multiplayer with saves, you have to subscribe to the premium tier.

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#49

Adobe Makes It So You Can't Cancel Your Subscription. Instead, You’re Forced To Contact Them Because There Is No "Cancel Plan" Option

Adobe Makes It So You Can't Cancel Your Subscription. Instead, You’re Forced To Contact Them Because There Is No "Cancel Plan" Option

WooDadooDooRakeYohn Report

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Robert T
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quite clearly they do, as they have documented it. What is likely to be the case is that the "Cancel plan" button is not shown if you are still in the minimum term of the subscription, as there will be an exit fee to pay to cancel it.

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#50

Tried To Cancel My Subscription Since My School Started Offering Access Two Weeks Into The Semester

Tried To Cancel My Subscription Since My School Started Offering Access Two Weeks Into The Semester

Sad-Wasabi-3634 Report

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Bec
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I needed to concatenate two PDF files together- it is pretty much impossible to find a free program to do this simple thing. I signed up for multiple 'free' options, including Adobe to try to do it, but for most you could do it in the program but then must pay to save it.

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