On my AMEX a while back I got a great offer for 12 months of Sirius $6.99 (all in) per month.

I thought that was a pretty good deal.
The fact can use the service in most calls and on your phone is pretty cool. It also works (International) around the world and comes in handy on select days – chilling with new friends or discovering new music.

Fast forward 13 month’s later. I loose track of the promotion.
Price goes up to $24.95 per month (4X price increase)

Now I learned this over a weekend a few weeks back (I get notifications on certain CCs) while I’m out with friends. Being a little shocked at the new charge I actually stop what I’m doing, to go on the app, and cancel or downgrade to a cheaper option.

I come to find out… they updated the terms of my contract <via email> just before my year was about to end. One of the change of term policy updates, now I can’t make changes to a lower price plan or cancel service from my mobile.

But of course you can upgrade your service and pay more with the click of 1 button.

That annoys me, but that night I don’t want it to affect my mood. So I tune it out for a bit and forget about it… till the next month

DING

Now, I’ve been doing Consulting work for media and tech companies (like SXM) for the last couple years.

I get that I should have made a calendar invite to remind myself – BUT!!!! I didn’t because 13 months ago I pre-paid for the service, setting it up to not auto renew. The fact they put “terms subject to change…” <like most companies> is something you cant’ really get around.

What pissed me off was the calculated way the contract terms were changes and messaged.

100% non-ethical business practices. It is illegal but the clause I later read to make it now is – during the end of the promotional period you have a 1 month grace period where you can cancel and be refunded for the non-promo price adjustment –

It’s not clear and it’s buried in a hyperlink – paragraphs deep – in the contract.
I never recommend any of this to my clients, it’s disrespectful and malicious in nature.
Now, I eventually call (bc I have to!) to cancel. 15 minutes on hold. Can’t call later because of the business hours so I wait ….

The person I speak with starts trying to sell me.
First $15 a month
then $9.99 ,
then $8,
then we get to $5 a month!
I accept, all in $60 a year

Once again WTF!!! I would have renewed at the same rate before this back and forth.

Shortly afterward, I realize: because they got the $24.95 from me last month. It <basically> pro-rates to be the same as last year.

So to the Harvard Business School A-hole and subscription marketing people who approved this – congratulations you are cleaver.

But – also know this: You’re a piece of 💩

Bad things will happen to you and the ones you love.
This country isn’t trending in the right direction because of people like you.
– The loss of respect for one’s neighbor
– Lack of community to teach and raise people with values (morals + ethics)
– Acceptance that capitalism can go unchecked, coupled with an agreement that negative business practices are acceptable because of the cost-benefit-rationale

All the these actions basically mean
“I’m going to do me, and get mine – F the rest”

Can we draw the line at some point? All of this BS is based upon the insane amount of data that has been collected , processed, and analyzed - to such a degree – that you know exactly the protocol, timing, and likelihood to convent.

If you keep f-ing with people like this, eventually it will break them and then you’re dealing with unstable people who have nothing to loose.