MSE News: Beware costly subscriptions when shopping online

Former_MSE_Andrea

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"Beware costly subscriptions when shopping online ..."

Read the full story:

Beware costly subscriptions when shopping online

I_luv_cats

As an added protection that puts you in control I'd suggest using a Pre-Paid Debit Card so if you do get duped or find it hard to cancel you are in the driving seat!

Doing your research before you sign up too.


You have to watch out for some competitions (even some sent via ITV) that you are not signing up for a text subscription or email\telephone marketing spam!

Caddyman

I actually don't understand why there isn't a campaign to bring to an end continuous payments. I clearly know exactly why continuous payments exist, but personally, I think it's high time legislation was brought in to stop it.

I've been signed up a couple of times via this method using a credit card taking out breakdown cover with a well known company. No issues stopping the payment just prior to renewal date, but some companies I am sure, bank on you forgetting you're signed up using this method. Even worse, there are too many horror stories of people being unable to stop the payments without major problems. I suppose though at the end of the day, consumers should always read the small print.

debsday

I recently paid for postage for 'sample' of moisturizer that was advertised on a well known social website. unbeknown to me I had also signed up for a monthly product! . I only found out because I regularly check my bank account, they had taken almost £200 ! my bank the Nat west refused to give me a refund although they new about the company's dealings. So if it sounds too good to be true IT REALLY IS ! beware.

zenbanana

I've noticed these kinds of offers a few times recently when buying stuff. e.g. Shopper Discounts & Rewards as mentioned in the article but have always steered clear

Are they actually any good? What sort of discounts can you get?

jgriggle

Do a Google search for 'Redsave Scam'

Uncle_Rob

Watch out for using the online shop for Next. They offer you a discounted delivery if you buy their catalogue, but just before I accepted that I realised that the small print said I was signing up to pay to receive the catalogue every year. Worse, you can only shop on line with Next if you open what seemed like a credit account with the usual store account insane interest rate. Be careful to pay in full for any purchase and READ THE SMALL PRINT!!!

jenniewb

Uncle_Rob wrote: »

Watch out for using the online shop for Next. They offer you a discounted delivery if you buy their catalogue, but just before I accepted that I realised that the small print said I was signing up to pay to receive the catalogue every year. Worse, you can only shop on line with Next if you open what seemed like a credit account with the usual store account insane interest rate. Be careful to pay in full for any purchase and READ THE SMALL PRINT!!!

And just to clarify a bit: the Next catalogue is £5 a copy, they used to ask for it upfront but now I think just add it to your accound bill? They opened me an account without realsing a few years back which then backfired because I never asked for an account nor wanted one and they sent me catalogues and left them on the doorstep- never read never ordered and as a result put a bad taste in my mouth. Great way to win customers hey?!

I_luv_cats

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/feb/24/continuous-payments-authority-know-your-rights?newsfeed=true

you can go direct to your bank/card company and ask them to cancel the payments. The Financial Services Authority recently updated its consumer advice to make this clear (see right). It says: "Your bank or card issuer must then stop them – it has no right to insist you agree this first with the company taking the payments."

Just heard this on "BBC YOU AND YOURS" - Sandra Quinn, UK payments said Banks etc. are still getting it wrong and informing customers they can't do anything.

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi

Shopper Discounts and Rewards has asked us to post a response to zenbanana. MSE doesn't endorse anything a company says on the Forum.

Hi zenbanana,

We just wanted to let you know about some of the benefits of Shopper Discounts & Rewards in response to your post. It’s an online savings and discount membership programme, the first 30 days are free and thereafter it’s £10 a month. Some of the benefits included are: up to 10% cash back at more than 800 top online retailers, an initial £15 cash back voucher following another purchase at the website you joined the programme through, plus an ongoing monthly £10 cash back voucher following additional purchases at that same site for each month of your membership.

For more information you can visit the website at https://www.shopperdiscountsandrewards.co.uk.

FIK

Thanks for this information is very usefull. REDSAVE should be called REDSAVESCAM, oh actually they must have had that idea. They have registered the redsavescam.org.uk domain:-)