There are a lot of aspects wrong with the functionality of our American society, and if Timothy Leary was still walking among us, I’m sure the Opt-out feature that we have been slowly forced into would be on the list of societal qualms. The Opt out function is frustrating, and ethically irresponsible. I find myself scouring my monthly transactions to see what ‘auto-transactions” are being charged to my account, and usually finding something I didn’t know was going to auto renew, or something I thought was just a trial. Like the time my NBAtv membership auto renewed for $249.00, over drafting my account and causing a painstaking fight with the company to get my money back.
It is at times like these where I find my faith in humanity wavering. So what do I see today circulating the web, but a sign of hope from the most trustworthy and noble institutions in this country. A lifeline sent from a company that has had my back since day one. The credit card company known as Mastercard.
Mastercard recently announced that they are “banning automatic billing after a free trial.” This seems like a rather stunning Opt-in sort of move, in an Opt-out kind of world. Now, they will require a confirmation via text or email that you want to continue the service, as opposed to just automatically charging you. A major corporation making things easier on the consumer? Maybe the world really is coming to an end. Now if only Mastercard will forgive the copious amounts of debt I have acquired, things will feel right in the world.
Do you guys think this will set a precedent for other credit card companies to follow suit? Do you like this move by Mastercard, or no? I know that I will no longer have to set alarms and calendar reminders whenever I want to sign up for a free trial from now on. What other Opt-in type moves could be made, or would you like to see made that could help out the common consumer like this one?
I think what Mastercard is doing is extremely important. I have never seen companies in America do anything that has to do with opt-in. This is critical because it makes me and others want to a Mastercard. I tend to test out services for the free trial. If I don't like them I will stop the service as anyone would. This feature is a game-changer for a lot of people. The fact that it will remind you and ask if you want to continue is important especially for me who forgets and then gets auto-charged. I like this idea a lot and it could get a lot of attention. If it does get a lot of attention then other companies will follow in suit. I believe this since it is so helpful for so many people who do tend to forget.
ReplyDeleteI think that having the companies who auto charge you contact you instead would be an even bigger game changer. That won't happen though because we are living in a money-driven world. Companies want to find the best ways to get people's money. I do not think this will happen, but it is an interesting idea to have for those companies.