Warning TopCashBack dirty tricks

malc_b

Hi,

Just a heads up that TopCashBack have introduced Memberplus which comes with a £5 annual fee. You automatically get put on the free trial and then automatically get enrolled 3 months later. Unless you happen to log within that period then the next time you can opt to downgrade is a year later. Naturally I have complained to TCB about this high handed and IMO illegal activity.

You cannot change from a free service to a charge service without an expressed permission. Just because someone does not log in for months does not mean to say you then charge them. I've checked back through my emails from TCB and leaving aside the legality, there isn't one warning me the member plus free trial is ending, nor even one saying my membership has been changed at the start of the free trial.

Frankly if this is TCB's new style I'm not sure that MSE should recommend them.

Sooler

couple of long threads on their forum - Topcashback going the same way as Quidco went - downhill!

http://forum.topcashback.co.uk/5-Admin-Fee-m45225.aspx

http://forum.topcashback.co.uk/Downgrade-fromTopcashback-Plus-m44383.aspx

johnk

A warning email would be better - but I did downgrade successfully AFTER the trial period (before making any transactions). Did you try?

Joyceje88

I just had a look into my account and saw I was charged £5, but have not paid yet. So much for a free to use service.. I can't even see an option where you can change your subscription or anything.
I did read on their website that the £5 is deducted from your earnings. Still charging people without any warning or whatsoever is beyond me.

malc_b

Yes, I have lodged a support ticket (aka complaint) to downgrade which their FAQ says is the only way to downgrade after the trial period has ended. And to be fair to TCB they have downgraded my account and told me there will be no fee.

However, this should not have been necessary. It is sharp practice to put it mildly to automatically sign people up.

And it is not just me, my daughter has a TCB account, she didn't know she had been put on member plus either. She is still in the trial period so will be cancelling before that ends.

chris-j

Sooler wrote: »

couple of long threads on their forum - Topcashback going the same way as Quidco went - downhill!

Personally I have never used Top Cashback as find site busy and messy but think it is a bit much saying any cashback site goes downhill - I have used Quidco for past 7 years and averaged over £300 per year for nothing - never begrudged the £5 fee which has now been removed unless you are premium member.
Looks like Top Cashback are actually copying quidco and having 2 tiers with £5 fee offering more offers and quicker payment.
I do find it funny people complaining about getting something for nothing.

chocoholic_chick

Didn't even realise they were doing this until I stumbled across this thread so logged onto my account and low and behold I'm a member of their memberplus scheme and my free trial ended in September?! Completely wrong that they can do this without any notification, I've also sent a ticket in to them so hope they will cancel my subscription.

zenseeker

This is just the same as any free trial period. It tells you to downgrade within 3 months, it's not their fault you didn't. Downgrading is easy to do in your "My Profile" section.

alchemista

zenseeker wrote: »

This is just the same as any free trial period. It tells you to downgrade within 3 months, it's not their fault you didn't. Downgrading is easy to do in your "My Profile" section.

I disagree. They hide this in fine print terms when you register for their website. If they do this, they should make it very obvious on registration that you will be signed up under these terms.

Sooler

zenseeker wrote: »

This is just the same as any free trial period. It tells you to downgrade within 3 months, it's not their fault you didn't. Downgrading is easy to do in your "My Profile" section.

The free trial wasn't optional.

beansy

Sooler wrote: »

The free trial wasn't optional.

Wasn't aware of this as don't login very often so thank you to all who have posted.