Dropbox free trial - refunds?

fleurdj

I signed up for a free trial to Dropbox - in the end I didn't use the service at all and forgot about the trial altogether. I have been charged £66 when that trial has morphed into a year's subscription. Dropbox refuse to refund me the £66 even though I have no plans to use their service. They are a US company and say they are not bound by EU consumer regulations. Does anyone have any experience of making a complaint/ getting a refund from a US-based online service/company. I have read that Amazon has faced similar complaints about it's Amazon Prime subscriptions/trials and has refunded consumers. Does anyone know if there is any legal basis for the refunds? Dropbox are adamant they will not refund at all. At best I have been able to look up information from the EU on their directive on Unfair Commercial Practices (2005) and the Consumer Rights Directive from 2014. Given that I am an EU citizen but the company is based in the US, does EU law apply?

Stevie_Palimo

Probably in the small print that you did not read saying if you fail to terminate after so many days that you will be charged, Not much you can do really to be frank with you and I use Dropbox and have never been charged a penny so not sure how you did get billed, On a side note here when you input card details to anything in future read the full t&c's.

reehsetin

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

when you input card details to anything in future [STRIKE]read the full t&c's.[/STRIKE]

assume you'll be charged for something and you'll need to cancel if you don't (why else would you enter your card details!?!)

Assuming it was a free trial for pro or business? Business trial says really clearly before you enter any card details that you should select a plan, it shows the cost and says "You won't be charged now"

fleshandbone

I am afraid being absent minded is not an excuse.
Dropbox met there contractual obligation that you signed up to.
Put it down to experience and move on.
We live and learn.

unholyangel

The T&C's state the contracts are governed by the laws of california.

Even if the T&C's didn't state this, it would go by the country the economic activity occurs - which would be whatever US state they're domiciled in.

So no, EU law doesn't apply.


If the governing law was purely based on where the consumer was located, you'd end up with companies being required not only to know all the extensive and complex laws of their own country, but also every other country too.

LilElvis

Make sure you follow their procedure for cancelling your subscription or you will be charged again next year.

cookie365

LilElvis wrote: »

Make sure you follow their procedure for cancelling your subscription or you will be charged again next year.

Which is very very easy to do, they even have nice simple step by step instructions on the website, which are as easy to find as they are to follow.

I don't really understand why the OP thinks it's unfair to be charged for a service they chose not to cancel.

[Deleted User]

cookie365 wrote: »

I don't really understand why the OP thinks it's unfair to be charged for a service they chose not to cancel.

I agree, but they forgot rather than chose. A painful financial lesson.

Hintza

When companies offer a free trial and ask for your CC details you should know what is coming.

DCFC79

OP a tip for you, for future reference write on a calender when these trials are due to end and when to cancel them. Its your own fault for not remembering to cancel.

DCFC79

Hintza wrote: »

When companies offer a free trial and ask for your CC details you should know what is coming.

Especially when they do a free version.