Subscription services are businesses or platforms that provide products or services on a recurring basis.
Common subscription services include streaming services; access to phone apps; subscription meal kits or beauty boxes; and traditional membership renewals, such as gym memberships.
Subscription services provide a predictable revenue source for businesses and are convenient for customers, who receive ongoing value from them.
The pros and cons of subscription services include:
PROS:
- Convenience: Automatic access to the item without repeated purchases.
- Cost spreading: Smaller monthly payments instead of a larger upfront cost.
- Access to premium features: Continuous updates, exclusive content, advanced tools.
CONS:
- Recurring costs: The costs can add up over time and may be more expensive than one-time purchases.
- Hard-to-cancel policies: Some companies make cancellation difficult.
- Unused services: If you don’t use the service, it is easy to forget about it, leading to wasted money.
Sometimes while researching a subscription service, you may inadvertently sign up for that service. Accidental enrollment often is attributable to both site design tricks and user oversight. Here are the most common reasons:
- Free trials with automatic renewal. Many services offer a “free trial,” but require you to enter payment details upfront. If you forget to cancel before the trial ends, it automatically converts into a paid subscription.
- Pre-checked boxes. During checkout, some sites autofill boxes for add-ons or subscriptions. If you don’t notice and don’t uncheck them, you’re enrolled.
- Deceptive design. Websites use layouts or wording that may be confusing – such as “Continue” instead of “Subscribe” – and make the “No thanks” button tiny or hard to find.
- Bundled offers. Buying a product or service sometimes includes a “bonus” subscription that you didn’t realize was part of the deal.
- Misleading ads or pop-ups. Clicking on ads or pop-ups that look like part of the site can lead to hidden sign-ups.
- App store settings. In-app purchases or subscriptions can be triggered with a single tap if you’re logged in and have payment information saved.
Here are some tips on how to avoid accidental subscriptions and how to check on and cancel existing ones:
- Read the fine print. Check whether the offer mentions auto-renewal or recurring billing. Look for phrases such as “after trial ends” or “billed monthly.”
- Avoid entering payment information for free trials. If a free trial requires a credit card, consider skipping it unless you’re sure you’ll cancel on time.
- Watch for pre-checked boxes. Always review checkout pages carefully. Uncheck any boxes for newsletters, add-ons, or subscriptions that you don’t want to receive.
- Set calendar reminders. If you do sign up for a trial, immediately set a reminder to cancel before the renewal date.
- Check app store settings. On iOS or Android, disable one-tap subscriptions or require password confirmation for purchases.
If you suspect a scam or an unfair business practice, contact the Attorney General's Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.