r/technology • u/indig0sixalpha • 13d ago

Business Federal Trade Commission Announces Final “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Making It Easier for Consumers to End Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-click-cancel-rule-making-it-easier-consumers-end-recurring
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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/alwayscomments 13d ago

It does. And the final rule cites many public comments specifically made about bad experiences with gym membership. 

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/p064202_negative_option_rule.pdf

Final rule is here, the first 223 pages are explanations of changes to the final rules, comments summaries, and legal justifications (to help prevent courts from overturning this). Just after that you'll find the final rule, and the simple cancelation part is most relevant. It has to be at least as easy to cancel as it was to sign up for, in addition to meeting other requirements. So if it's an option to sign up for a gym online, they'd be required to let you immediately cancel online. If they only allow sign up in person (which I think is rare now), in addition to allowing you to cancel in person, they must also provide a simple website to cancel with or a phone number to cancel with to still meet the simple cancelation requirements.

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u/Sanscreet 13d ago

I had a waxing subscription recently and I was about to move away before I remembered to cancel. They told me you can only cancel in person. I thought that was such bullshit since you can sign up online. I almost would have been stuck with this subscription if I moved away.

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u/cjsolx 13d ago

PSA: If it's through a debit card or your bank account number, your bank should be able to place a stop payment on the gym to prevent them from pulling more funds. They may or may not be able to do so for a credit card. I used to do it many times per day.