Movie Channel ripoff charges

I thought this practice was illegal. (where a company gives you
something for a trial period, but you must then consciously opt out).


The whole concept is sleazy. Get your local newspaper and TV media
involved. Call your local politicians. I'd fight this also.

Actually, they don't owe you anything as I see it. You didn't cancel
the channels, they have a right to charge you. I think offering a
credit on your next bill is pretty nice of them actually.

I always decline them. "But don't you want three free months of HBO?"
they say?

No, because I won't watch it and I know that whether I call in time or
not, they will find a way to charge me and say it was my fault for not
cancelling. Better to not even have to chance it.

But not calling in doesn't entitle you to a refund. It's just a very
expensive lesson (how else do you think a shady company like this can
stay in business?)

This is your own fault. You took advantage of an enticing offer and
then failed to do as you probably intended: Call before the deadline
to cancel the premium channels.

Yup, your own fault.

Yeah, I'm afraid you aren't entitled to the refund.

I use Comcast and they recently gave me HBO for free until the end of
November. It is on ME to remember to cancel prior to that date to
avoid getting billed for HBO.

So, I put a note on my calendar that says to cancel on 11/10/12.

When I put the November page of my calendar up, I'll see the note on
11/10, call Comcast and cancel HBO.

If I'm not mistaken, this is common. I know when I signed up for Dish,
I know I was going to get a few movie channels for free for three
months, but it is known that if you don't cancel after those three
months you will be charged. I think that's the point. The last time, I
simply told them I didn't want the movie channels at all. The rep was
surprised and said, "But they're free for 3 months." I acknowledged
that but told her I knew I'd forget to cancel, so I just didn't want
the channels to begin with. If you're not going to keep the channels,
it really is a good method.

You can file a dispute sure, but that doesn't mean it'll go through.


In fact I'm sure it won't. Not when they show the credit card company
that you signed up for the channels and didn't cancel until after the
price increase.



or... in a nutshell, credit card companies don't reverse charges
simply because the card holder doesn't want to pay a valid bill.