Does automatic renewal bug you?

Some banks allow making temporary account numbers. My credit union allows me to log into their website and it will give me a one-time use number. If they try to use that number again it is declined. I know that BofA and Citibank offer this service.

I would ask your bank about it too.

All of these auto-renewing services make it pretty clear when you sign up that they are auto-renewing unless you go and cancel it.

But a couple of years ago, my wife signed up for a service to find a babysitter and seemed to forget that it was an auto-renewing membership. We used it for a month, found a babysitter, and stopped. Six months later, I realized I asked my wife about the recurring charge and she was stumped. I was able to get a refund by calling and explaining. Call AVG and talk to someone. Don’t ask for a refund – just ask what the easiest way to get a refund would be.

I’ve gotten a few surprise charges in the past but was always able to get an immediate refund when I asked for it. Now I make it a habit to opt out of all auto-renewals except for insurance premiums and other renewals I can’t afford to overlook. I also keep track of all my renewals on my calendar.

@Patchy the calendar is a good idea. I thought I had canceled the online dating site, that was a total surprise. They actually don’t want to give me a refund even though they acknowledge they see that I never used their site.

@GloPro: “They actually don’t want to give me a refund even though they acknowledge they see that I never used their site.”

You can get a refund. Just call back, stay completely calm, and expect that you will hang up when you have received a refund. With the babysitter site, for example, I was very nice to the people I spoke to, but approached it like this…

“I understand that you do not issue refunds. I’ll be receiving a refund, however, so I just want to help you in any way I can to make this easier. Would should I speak to?”

@hominid They refused to give me a phone number. They only communicate about refunds by email, and at the top of every email they post the cancellation and refund policy, which says no refunds, but if you care to reply to this email, feel free. Then they respond to the email you send with the exact same email. They loop it. The lady on the phone flat out refused to give me a phone number, insisting they do not issue refunds by phone, period. Pretty strong stonewall tactics.

What a shitty company. I’ve never dealt with them. Maybe you could try their Facebook page for help. Have you tried this “request a refund” link? Or this number: 1–855-261–6192?

I would like there to be a law that the customer has to be notified 30 days prior to auto-renewal, with a link to opt out. Any reputable business would have no problem with that.

Brilliant!

Follow @hominid‘s advice and every time you get a stone wall, just say, “Okay, then, I’ll need to speak to your supervisor.”

Another, complimentary tactic is escalation. As you work your way through a staffer, gradually become more and more irate – loud and demanding but no cursing. When you finally get their supervisor, return to calm mode and be perfectly reasonable.

Honestly, people who have heard me on a call such as this have suggested that I start a service. I once hassled the local cable TV company so unmercifully that they gave me a year of free cable. That was not my goal or intention, but I didn’t try to stop them – the manager had made a series of screamingly ignorant mistakes and was sweeping me under the rug.

Find the corporate website and send a general email rather than using the complaint department.

@ibstubro I will gladly have you call these people. I fail miserably.

Consumers Union, the publisher of “Consumer Reports” and a group whose mission is to “protect consumers,” is one of the worst offenders I’ve ever encountered. Use your debit or credit card to access the organization’s online service, and you’ll be treated to nonstop renewals until your card expires. Same thing for a subscription to the magazine; if you pay with a card, you’ll get years of automatic renewals.

I find it repulsive that a consumer advocacy organization would exploit consumers in this manner. I’ve sent email messages and posted letters to object, but nobody’s ever responded.