JulesAug 16, 2023
Yoko's Asterisk 🏳️‍⚧

I'm always surprised when people don't know that you can sign up for a streaming service and immediately cancel a minute later. That way, you get billed for one month and then it doesn't autorenew.

I find if I wait until later to cancel, I'll forget. So I just subscribe and cancel at the same time.

Aug 16, 2023 at 5:16pmWeb
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 16, 2023
@charliejane My technique for monthly subs is to set a calendar reminder to go off 14 days after I sign up. If I'm using it regularly after two weeks, fine: keep it. If not, cancel immediately. Same principle, though—don't give yourself an excuse to forget to cancel.
Show threadYoko's Asterisk 🏳️‍⚧Aug 16, 2023
@cstross The problem with the calendar reminders is that I'll be doing a hundred other things when that reminder pops up. When I've literally just hit the subscribe button, I'm already on the page and focused on this.
Show threadCharlie StrossAug 16, 2023
@charliejane Yup, valid point: it entirely depends on how you handle interrupts.
Show threadDon WhitesideAug 16, 2023
@cstross @charliejane This is what I use the app Due for. It’ll harass me till the end of time.
Show threadDodo & the BrawnAug 16, 2023
@charliejane I usually do this but didn't work for me when I got MAX through Prime. They prorated me my days. 🤪
Show threadbioluminescentlyAug 16, 2023

@charliejane The last couple of times, I've had a nasty shock. I'm very good at seeing through the bullshit layout design and multi-step process tricks they use to try and make you click the "do NOT cancel" button.

But despite absolutely, positively cancelling them earlier this year, both NOW and Disney took money from me the following month. I successfully got refunded by each after going through customer services, but I suspect they hope people just won't notice.

Show threadL EllisAug 20, 2023
@charliejane that’s what we do, works great.