This is a slightly odd post for the Wishlist, but I couldn’t find a better place for it…
Earlier this year, my Navigraph subscription auto-renewed for the first time. Unusually, I hadn’t put an entry in my calendar so I didn’t see it coming up - I usually do that for every subscription anniversary so I am always informed, but missed this one.
While I did not want to cancel, I was surprised that:
I did not receive any notification that my subscription was due to auto-renew.
I did not receive any notification that payment had been taken.
I contacted support with feedback but the issue was basically shrugged off as ‘not possible’. Surprising, given how innovative Navigraph is in all other areas!
In an unrelated turn of events, I recently bumped into the new UK legislation that is coming into force, called the “Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024”.
In summary, vendors are required to inform UK consumers about automatic renewals, especially if they are annual (vs monthly), and also offer a 14-day cooling off period after an automatic renewal takes place. This applies for non-UK companies selling into the UK market.
While I do not know all the legal details, nor when each element of this new act will come into force (I believe it’s being applied gradually), I wanted to post here for two reasons:
To protect consumers so they can make an informed choice about their renewals and not be caught out.
To protect Navigraph from potential disputes arising in future, by ensuring you meet your obligations.
Hopefully it’s a change that makes sense for all, and is worthwhile implementing when possible. Thanks for reading!
I appreciate you looking into it and I’m sure nobody would object to it being introduced. It’s in everyone’s best interests because it can only be of benefit and do no harm. (Unless Navigraph purposefully wants to catch out the unwary who don’t set up reminders, of which I am sure there are many. But Navigraph has too good a reputation for me to believe that’s possibly the case.)
You all know how hard some companies make it to cancel subscriptions - or used to until recently. From Amazon Prime which needs you to click 5 tiny links to say you’re definitely, absolutely, 100% sure, hidden amongst the giant “continue with Prime” and “keep my benefits” buttons, to insurance companies that don’t let you cancel online but only via a telephone call after 20 minutes of navigating menus and being on hold. Companies try all sorts of tactics to discourage consumers from cancelling services.
The new Act helps to protect consumers so they are not at a disadvantage. It’s just an ethical business approach to follow that guidance. In my humble opinion.
To look at it another way, Navigraph is the ONLY recurring service I have that does not inform me when money has been taken.