Unauthorised Auto Subscription Renewal - Streamline.net

ShinyFSE

I wonder if anyone can suggest a course of action with reference to the current predicament I find myself in with Streamline.net?

Just over two years ago, I paid what I understood to be a one off fee for 2 years worth of web hosting (in accordance with the companies T&C's at that time). The site that I set-up was only ever intended as a temporary measure and I did not wish to renew the subscription after expiry, hence aimed to allow it to lapse at renewal.

I now find (unbeknown to myself), Streamline had retained my credit card details for their future use, have automatically renewed subscription without my consent and have withdrawn a previously undisclosed amount of money from my account (far in excess of what I originally paid) without my consent.

Upon challenging Streamline, they have both refused to cancel my subscription or provide a refund. I understand that they aim to keep my credit card details on their system and I am required to cancel subscription when it comes up for renewal in another 2 years.

Streamline state that they changed terms and conditions after I became a customer (specifically in relation to automated renewal) and also claim that they highlighted this in an email which I still have on file.

The main focus of the email to which they refer, entitled 'Important changes to your Home User package' and dated 3 December 2008 was upon systems upgrades and improvements to service (looked like the run of the mill sales / spam email).

The mail made no mention of the fact that subscriptions will be renewed automatically using retained credit card information. This critical information is buried away in amended T&C's contained on the company’s website to which the email included a link (in the small print).

I was at no point given the opportunity of declining the revised terms & conditions to which Streamline refer.

Furthermore, an email received from Streamline on 7 June advising that my account was due for renewal in 2 weeks made no mention of the following:

a) Subscription would be renewed automatically (I understood that I would have to make contact with Streamline to renew)

b) Onus was on me to cancel subscription prior to renewal

c) There was no mention of how much I would be expected to pay for renewal

I am obviously extremely dissatisfied about the manner in which this company have operated and believe that they have deliberately sought to 'pull the wool' over the eyes of their clients in relation to this subject.

I have very much bitten the bullet in this matter as I feel that Streamline have dipped into my account without my prior consent.

Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can cut all ties with Streamline and get my money back?

Many thanks :mad:

AndyHa63

I have EXACTLY the same issue with 123-reg.co.uk... I have built lots of websites for myself, family and friends, but somehow, the last one (for my cousin as it happens) was set to auto-renew.

Now, I'm guessing that I must have ticked some option for this to happen as it has NEVER happenned on any of the other sites that I have built with 123.

What REALLY hacks me off is that 123 send regular reminder emails about when the site will expire - and, as I've done in the past - if I want the site to expire then I don't have to do ANYTHING, and there is NOTHING in the 123 reminder emails that says a particualr site is set to auto-renew.

As it happens, I do NOT give 123 my credit card details but used Paypal instead. When I set-up my cousins website, 123 took the fee from Paypal AND set-up a recurring payment thingumajig ON PAYPAL. I dare say Paypal told me about this at the time, but I don't remember it 12-months on...

As it happens, PayPal DO take the money from my Credit Card. So - when 123 refused to refund the money I contacted PayPal, and when they refused to refund I spoke to the Credit Card Company - and guess what - they refused too because they say I should have known about the auto renewal.

Sorry for the L-O-N-G story, but my point is that the 123-reg reminder emails should highlight the fact that if I do nothing then the service WILL auto-renew - they OBVIOUSLY know that it will and should point this out - otherwise their reminder email looks exactly the same as those without auto-renewal set and people effectively can conned into paying for something they once wanted but now no longer require. It's a fiddle!!!

Andy H.

Esqui

I almost had the issue with Streamline, but in the 2 years I paid for, my card details changed so they were stuck

mr_fishbulb

I got an email from 123-reg this weekend about a domain expiry and instructions on how to let it expire.

I understand that you both are annoyed, but I think auto-renewal is the best option for domain names. How annoyed would you be if this was an important site, the domain expired and someone else got in there and bought it?