Conned into 1-year subscription by The Times

benjii

Hi,

Do you happen to know where I can appeal against The Times who say that I cannot cancel my subscription with them?

Background:

I signed up for a free trial with The Times in May 2012. In the end I decided to use their website after the trial ended and I basically paid the monthly fee via the Direct Debit. I believed that I would be able to cancel any time.

However, when I phoned them today trying to cancel they told me that when I signed up I received an email with Terms & Conditions which should explain that if I don't cancel the subscription during the free trial period I will enter into a 52-weeks period contract with them. They refused me to cancel on this basis.

I've checked my emails, and in deed I received an email from them, but 1) the terms and conditions are only available if you click the hyperlink and 2) the 52-weeks clause is sneaked onto the the very end of the website under the heading 'Important information, please read this first' :mad:.

I find the above very unfair and I believe that this kind of information should be very visible on their email. In the same way as 'key facts' documents sent by banks.

Would you happen to know who can help me (e.g. any consumer rights watchdog) in cancelling this membership on the basis that a key piece of information was hidden in their T&Cs.

Do you know any newspaper columnist that I can write to with this case?

Many thanks.

client1_2

benjii wrote: »

cancelling this membership on the basis that a key piece of information was hidden in their T&Cs.

You seem to have found it though.

Always a good idea to read the T&Cs BEFORE you've gone into a contract.

People can't even be bothered to read KEY FACTS nowadays.

wealdroam

Hi, you haven't told us which webpage you used to sign up for the free trial. Can you provide a link?

Just as an example, I went to The Times website and found this page offering a £1.00 a week for three months trial.
Couldn't find a free trial... maybe that offer has ended, or maybe I didn't look hard enough.

Anyway, if you were to click on Terms and conditions on that webpage you will see...

Terms and conditions TIMES NEWSPAPERS LIMITED SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Important information, please read this first:
During a trial period (if applicable), if you do not cancel your trial subscription in accordance with the subscription terms and conditions you will automatically renew onto the minimum 52 week contract at the full pack price.

Note that that text is the first text in their T&Cs.

As far as I can see that T&Cs link is on every page of their offers.

And when you do subscribe, you will see this (with a tick box)...

Terms and Conditions
I have read and understood and I agree to the terms and conditions governing the websites to which I am subscribing or for which I am registering. I confirm that I am 18 years old or older.

benjii wrote: »

Do you know any newspaper columnist that I can write to with this case?

How about one on The Times?

bris

You weren't conned, you just failed to read the T&C's.

pickpocketlocket

benjii wrote: »

'Important information, please read this first'

Think about this logically - what does the above mean? Now having thought about it, why did you choose not to do as it said?