Be Careful With Your Customers’ Trust

I got tricked. Sort of.

I had a subscription that I’ve been trying to cancel, and I thought I had. But alas, I just got the email indicating that this month’s purchase is on its way. I immediately sent an email (no phone number or even an AI chatbot). They replied with “sorry, the order is too far along to recall it now. You may send it back with this return code and a 15% restocking fee.”

Alright, you got me. This time.

The Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA) requires businesses selling online through automatic renewal to:

Provide “simple mechanisms” to stop recurring charges.

That last phrase is the actual language. ROSCA doesn’t prescribe a required maximum number of clicks or method of visibility, but like art, you know it when you see it.

I’m sure someone could walk me through exactly how to cancel my subscription and why they meet the intent of this statute.

But c’mon. I’m annoyed.

You got me. This time.

Was it worth it?