Automatic Re-order

[S T]

Auto Shipping or Renewal

I guess what some of us are trying to convey is that maybe the vendors should have a "check the box" for auto renew or auto ship, and others of us would prefer simply to receive the renewal notice so we can decide and send a check by snail mail.

Years ago I was on an auto ship/renew, which I was unaware of, and it took me months to straighten it out. I refused to pay the bill because I did not order the renewal or want the renewal subscription. The vendor stated that was the only way that they handled their subscription service, then I was threatened with collections. Not a nice incident.

Sandy

[Scarecrow]

You don't force the book on people and then accept 10% back from the people who payed attention to your tactic. That is not a good way to retain satisfied customers.

I'm not sure he was saying the book should be shipped automatically without their consent. I believe he was just saying he prefers it that way. I do to, on various products that I know I will be ordering from the same company that I need. I like getting the code and regs from RIA automatically. I've tried CCH, but I like RIAs presentation better. They have the easiest format of all of them. I guess the point is, it is a nice feature as long as the customer prefers to have it that way.

caw

[Bees Knees]

Remember, you guys, it wasn't too long ago that bottled milk was left at your front door every morning.
Wasn"t that convenient? Pour a bowl of cereal, look in the ice box for milk, none. Go to the front door, not the grocery store, and there it was.
tweet...

Yes, that is true. Very convenient. And how many people received milk on their door step without first signing up for the periodic delivery? Seems to me I remember that was something the customers ordered.

[Bird Legs]

Free delivery

Remember, you guys, it wasn't too long ago that bottled milk was left at your front door every morning.
Wasn"t that convenient? Pour a bowl of cereal, look in the ice box for milk, none. Go to the front door, not the grocery store, and there it was.
tweet...

[Bees Knees]

anyone who doesn't look at this as a benefit probably is still using DOS. Better yet why don't you send your order for the TaxBook via the Pony Express and pay with a check???

John, it is only a benefit if the customer checks a box on their order card saying they want the book auto shipped every year. You don't force the book on people and then accept 10% back from the people who payed attention to your tactic. That is not a good way to retain satisfied customers.

Is This for Real?

I assume you're joking. It's just a bit scary if you're not.

So I have a Red Baron pizza for dinner, and it's gonna be a good thing that the guy who owns the store decides for me that I'm going to eat Red Baron pizza every night of my life for the rest of my life and it's a great convenience because he'll deliver it to my door? Ay yi yi!

"...if you loved Red baron pizza and ate it every night for dinner, "

Serious? I used to like Red Baron pizza, but the mere thought of eating it every night for dinner just made me not like it so much at all.

And the thought of some grocery store manager making the decision that I had to eat frozen pizza every night of my life sounds more like a nightmare than a convenience.

To each his own I suppose. I'll take the Pony Express any day.

Renew

Everyone is missing the point of auto renew, it is a convience if you loved Red baron pizza and ate it every night for dinner, wouldn't it be great if the grocery store dropped it off and you all you had to do is put it in the oven instead of going out of you way to the store, waiting in line, and then getting home? anyone who doesn't look at this as a benefit probably is still using DOS. Better yet why don't you send your order for the TaxBook via the Pony Express and pay with a check???

[Snaggletooth]

No Negotiation Power

In the old days, the solution was SIMPLE - just don't pay them, and then these companies would have to go to all the trouble, pay freight both ways or pick up (which was often more trouble for them than it was worth), etc.

However, nowadays these companies have your credit card number, and can fashion unto themselves withdrawals out of your bank account if you give them a debit card. Now all of a sudden who has to go to all the trouble?? Writing letters of protests, etc. arranging with the bank to stop drafts, etc.

That's why I chose Norton instead of McAfee, and I told them that. I'm going to buy the Deluxe version TaxBook this year (which incidentally is a fantastic deal -- if you haven't seen it please check it out), but the TaxBook will get a printed order form from me, along with a check.

Regards, Ron J.

[Bees Knees]

I like it too

It would be a good thing if I found a brand new car in my driveway when the dealer decided it was time for me to trade in my old one. Auto renew. Then I won't have to go through the trouble of shopping for a new car.

I also love it when the grocery store decides I’m out of frozen pizza and drops off a half dozen Red Barons on my doorstep without my knowledge. I was also tickled pink when Amoco decided my car needed filling and came in the middle of the night to supply me with more fuel. Of course I have to PAY for all of these kind thoughtful services, unless I decide to RETURN them for a full refund.

There is a difference between me initiating auto pay for my mortgage payment than having them decide on their own to just suck the money out of my account without my consent.

Auto Renew

It would be a good thing if I found a brand new car in my driveway when the dealer decided it was time for me to trade in my old one. Auto renew. Then I won't have to go through the trouble of shopping for a new car.

I'm starting to like this concept.

I've been thinking about buying a new house. I wonder if my old real estate agent will find me a house, arrange for a mortgage, and schedule a closing without ever letting me know he's doing it.

I love this convenience stuff.

autorenew

I love auto renew - just like I do for my mortgage payment, car payment, etc. Some companies help me stay up tp date by making sure I am current and they produce really high quality products

[S T]

Auto Re-Order

I dislike the auto re-order and having to send a cancellation notice rather than making the conscious decision to renew. I do not like "assumptions"

I realize that businesses need to eliminate postage, paper, ink costs, but doesn't a reminder notice (your subscription is at renewal) cost less than shipping the subscription with the printing costs, shipping costs, ink, etc. and hoping that the client will renew and not send it back?

Over the years I have terminated several of these types of subscriptions, however, I will not name "names".

Probably the art of "positive" thinking. If the subscription is delivered, it is too much time and trouble for the subscriber to ship it back, "Non Renewed" or "Not wanted" than the subscriber paying the invoice for another year. After all we have to incur the shipping costs back to the Shipper.

If the Subscription Service utilizes the email service for subscription reminder, that now eliminates or reduces costs for notificiation of renewals. Some of the Services will even offer a discount for early renewal via email. Several of my subscription services are now doing that. With those reminders and incentives, it seems like I renew each and every time.

Sandy

Automatic reordering? Without customers requesting it? Is it legal?

Sounds like a good way to take advantage of larger companies with a lot of separation of duties. I'm sure the invoice is cleverly worded to make it seem as if someone ordered the products. But it also seems it would be a great way to destroy customer loyalty. they'll be found out sooner or later.

[Scarecrow]

Trick

I think companies that automatically ship are trying to trick people into buying their products.

But I thought they cared about us? You mean to say big corporations only care about profits???

caw

[Armando Beaujolais]

Some think it is some kind of customer convenience to automatically ship out an updated product and then send a bill.

I don't think companies that automatically ship are doing so because they think it's a convenience for the customer. I think companies that automatically ship are trying to trick people into buying their products.