Who's business operates by subscription?

Ozzy · Aug 10, 2026

With Andy Burnham's latest update to move the ban on "subscription traps" forward by three months, got me thinking that subscription model is very important to many businesses, and has been for many years. I completely get that subscriptions have to be clear. If you offer a few months free, of if you offer a discounted sign-up offer, this is all normal marketing in my opinion.
The crux comes that if someone wants to cancel, then it should be easy for them to do so. Not like the experience that @Lucan Unlordly had in their thread over here.

But, does anyone who's business survives through subscriptions feel concerned?
Perhaps feeling there could be a risk of 'by association' that they may well do things good and proper, but because of the actions of others their customers may have concerns about signing up for a trial or discount?

fisicx · Aug 10, 2026

Mine does. You want to use my product, you pay me monthly (or a large one off in perpetuity fee).

Pretty much all tech is now subscription: hosting, office packages, communication, storage, security. Not sure Mr Burham will get far with this new fad.

Ozzy · Aug 10, 2026

fisicx said:
Not sure Mr Burham will get far with this new fad.

I agree, it is normal business and it does also actually make businesses more sustainable in an online world where servers and infrastructure needs sustaining. However, maintenance contracts have existed since I was nothing more than a twinkle in my fathers eye, and subscriptions are no different really.

ctrlbrk · Aug 10, 2026

fisicx said:
Pretty much all tech is now subscription: hosting, office packages, communication, storage, security. Not sure Mr Burham will get far with this new fad.

Isn't this meant to make switching from supplier A to supplier B easier?

fisicx · Aug 10, 2026

ctrlbrk said:
Isn't this meant to make switching from supplier A to supplier B easier?

Yes, but the problem here is how wide does the subscription net spread. If it’s only utilities that excuses a whole load of dodgy subscriptions. If it’s all subscriptions how does that affect your monthly hamster appreciation magazine?

It’s a lot more complicated than the simple Burnham announcement.

Ozzy · Aug 10, 2026

ctrlbrk said:
Isn't this meant to make switching from supplier A to supplier B easier?

That is provider-dependent.

What he's on about is the issues like the example in the news article I linked to, and the issue that @Lucan Unlordly raised in his post. Where providers (usually overseas companies to be fair) have quite underhand, or in the UK would be illegal, practices to block people from being able to exist subscriptions.

Gecko001 · Aug 10, 2026

I got caught in the same way as @Lucan Unlordly was caught, but it was when buying something on Amazon and finding that I had mistakenly signed up to Amazon Prime as well.

Ozzy · Aug 10, 2026

Gecko001 said:
when buying something on Amazon and finding that I had mistakenly signed up to Amazon Prime as well.

Likewise, but for me it was with Uber - I somehow and still no idea how, managed to subscribe to Uber One or whatever it is called when paying for (I assume) a taxi.

Lucan Unlordly · Aug 10, 2026

My issue was that I didn't subscribe, not knowingly at least.

I haven't used the site, it doesn't do what I wanted the free trial for but they occasionally email me, I take a look and a 'subscribe now' box still appears on the front page. I might have signed up twice

I'm not particularly well organised so when I receive, but overlook, notification of eg., an extended Microsoft OFFICE contract I'd like the option to decline to sway in my favour if I miss the email.

Newchodge · Aug 11, 2026

I think there is a huge issue, with fraudulent sign-ups that do not make it clear that, when purchasing an item you also get put on a subscription, which then continues without ever contacting the customer again. There was a case recently of a sportswear company that did this. I have seen suggestion that people should just check their bank account, but that may not enable you to identify who you are paying.

I would also like to see this extended to B2B transactions with cancellation options (after a 5 year contract) that require you give at least 6 months' notice or you are back in for another 5 years, but don't allow notice to be given until the last 9 months of the contract.

I don't think those who give notice before the renewal have much to worry about.

fisicx · Aug 11, 2026

Newchodge said:
I have seen suggestion that people should just check their bank account, but that may not enable you to identify who you are paying.

This is often the case. You buy from Fred Bloggs but the bank statement refers to Fish Slapping Holdings inc.

DontAsk · Aug 11, 2026

fisicx said:
Not sure Mr Burham will get far with this new fad.

It's a very real issue, not a fad.

It should be at least as few clicks to opt-out as it is to sign up, preferably single click opt-out, but businesses don't like that.

It's an even bugger issue in the US, probably where the idea (to crack down) came from.

fisicx · Aug 11, 2026

I agree it’s a big issue. The problem is how to fix it. Getting the likes of Adobe, Microsoft and others to change is going to take years and a whole lot of legislation. Look how long it took to unbundle IE from windows.

And it’s not just paid subscriptions. There are umpteen websites and services where you have to create an account to get something for free followed by marketing emails you can’t opt out of.

Gecko001 · Aug 11, 2026

The IT industry needs to be regulated in my view, and just because it will be difficult to do is not a reason for not doing it. Financial services are regulated, legal services are regulated, health services are regulated, same goes for taxis, haulage industry, gambling etc. but when it comes to IT, it is a free-for-all. IT is as unregulated as the medical profession in the 1700's, the financial sector in the Dark Ages, and road haulage business in the days of the horse and cart.

pentel · Aug 11, 2026

Ozzy said:
still no idea how, managed to subscribe to Uber One

Happened to me too, however cancelling was very straightforward.

EnterprisePro · Aug 11, 2026

pentel said:
Happened to me too, however cancelling was very straightforward.

When you're on the move, on the go, and you might have to switch apps in the middle of a process, it can happen.

Paul Kelly ICHYB · Aug 17, 2026

I recently signed up for an alcohol subscription - it was an offer for 8 free beers when you buy a fridge.

You had to subscribe and give payment details. When the beers (let's be honest, there was also a wine & whisky offer!) were delivered, I tried cancelling all three subscriptions. 10 minutes of 'what about this?', 'have and extra...'. bogof's etc and it ended with 'to cancel, call this number'.

This is bad resistance and a very poor example of good customer service. Sure, I get the trying everything to keep me, but, not accepting the cancellation online is taking the Michael!

fisicx · Aug 17, 2026

Was the beer any good?

Paul Kelly ICHYB · Aug 17, 2026

Not tried it yet, but it was all of that modern poncy stuff - IPAs, specialist bitters, unicorn pee - that sort of stuff!

The whisky was Glenmorangie!

fisicx · Aug 17, 2026

We can discuss the merits of unicorn pee v goblin snot on the 25th. Will have to be on best behaviour as Cyndy will present.

Newchodge · Aug 18, 2026

fisicx said:
We can discuss the merits of unicorn pee v goblin snot on the 25th. Will have to be on best behaviour as Cyndy will present.

I don't think that has ever stopped anyone (including me) before!

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Who's business operates by subscription?

Ozzy

Founder of UKBF

fisicx

Ozzy

Founder of UKBF

ctrlbrk

fisicx

Ozzy

Founder of UKBF

Gecko001

Ozzy

Founder of UKBF

Lucan Unlordly

Newchodge

fisicx

DontAsk

fisicx

Gecko001

pentel

EnterprisePro

Paul Kelly ICHYB

fisicx

Paul Kelly ICHYB

fisicx

Newchodge

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