I appreicate what you said about renewals. Before changing the streamers, I'd require Substack to alert subscribers to renewal. Thus far I have only received notification for renewal from The Bulwark, Zeteo and only ONE sole proprietor. What I now do when I subscribe is I immediately go in and unsubscribe so they cannot renew me without my consent. That is a poor way to run a business.
A couple of thoughts regarding auto renewals for subscription services. Do not store your card with the merchant. I do not because i want to protect myself data from a data leak. If you try to cancel a subscription and cannot and are charged, call your credit card company and dispute the charge. Next set up automatic alerts at $1.00 with all of your credit cards. Yes, it is a pain to get notifications for every single charge, but in time you will appreciate it. If you receive a charge you do not recognize, take action! Ask your family members did they buy/order you do not recognize? If you have an iPhone you can check what subscriptions you are paying via Apple. See something you no longer want, cancel it, although Apple will remind you in advance of an upcoming renewal payment. If you have active credit cards you no longer use, cancel them and do not worry if your credit score is dinged. While it may be true, I believe keeping unused credit cards open is a ploy to get you to spend money on things you do not use. Apple users, sign up for the Apple Credit Cart and set the card to extra security setting, which randomly changes your three digit security card number. Use the Apple Credit Card for your subscriptions because if the subscription service tries to use your card it may be stopped because they have the wrong security code. And lastly use an application, like Quicken Simplify, to track your expenses. Yeah it is a pain to set up but it is the last line of defense against unauthorized transactions from any source. Good luck
I watch about one movie a year, but I love to read good movie reviewers to get an idea of what is happening in the culture and to inspire thought. So, I appreciate you, Sonny. I think of you and other good reviewers as philosophers.
On the theme of getting stuck in a loop, I was glad to stop and reflect. I recognize that happening in life. I don't recognize it happening myself. I experience getting stuck as frustration, etc.
I do see it when it happens in the lives of friends and family, people I care about. Interesting to view it that way, and hopeful. If I stay sane, if I can avoid getting caught in their looping, it helps them. That's what I believe.
And thank you for the observation that Disney wants to move to more ad-dependent subscriptions. Interesting.
Yeah, my understanding is that all the streamers are basically trying to jack up prices to the point where most people switch to the ad tiers. It's super annoying!
It's worth mentioning that the current administration in NYC just announced a click-to-cancel initiative. If memory serves, past mayoral administrations have taken similar stances; I believe the de Blasio administration worked on making it easier for people to cancel gym memberships without being hit with abundant fees, for instance. I'm not sure what will come of this most recent move, but I'm glad someone's trying...something.
I’m no lawyer either Sonny, but I actually read your link to the court’s decision vacating the Biden Administration FTC’s “click-to-cancel” rule, which would have been important to consumers faced with proliferating streaming services, and it seems to have been (?) a procedural violation of the FTC, i.e., not one of substance. If the negative economic impact, e.g., on streaming services, and including other industries, exceeded $100 million, then the FTC had to follow certain steps that it did not do. So sure, streaming services (again, as an example) benefit economically from customer inertia due to cumbersome and difficult procedures to cancel services prolonging, perhaps by a number of months, revenue accruing from your credit card. But the economic loss from expedited cancellations, that is incurred by business firms by click-to-cancel, is exactly matched by consumer savings. Wasn’t Congress’s goal for the FTC (1914) oriented to protection of consumers and not protection of businesses. Oh, I forgot, Republicans are now in charge of the executive branch!
Another solution to Congress not taking care of the business we desire is -- the proposed U.S. Constitution Amendment to allow VOTERS to directly pass FEDERAL Laws via Ballot Initiatives -- the Voters Voice Amendment (VVA) at VVA.US.
For all of US that vote for change that doesn’t come. A way to pursue ideas we want, not the power brokers. To get voters excited about voting.
The goal is to create a broad coalition of people to push for the VVA.
There is a Voters Voice Amendment Linked In group as well.
THEBULWARK has an important voice that can help make the VVA happen.
It really should be as easy to cancel as it was to subscribe. I got stuck with an Instacart subscription that I paid for 2 years because I could not cancel it. I tried everything I could think of to cancel it and Instacart had made it basically impossible. And then one day in 2024, on my credit card statement was a 800#, and I called it and a person answered and I was able to cancel the subscription. Before that moment, Instacart did not have a phone number published anywhere. I don't know what happened, but I am so grateful. That charge on my credit card bill every month used to send me into a rage for a day because I could not cancel the subscription. All services should be this easy to cancel.
I've had that happen before too. And all the games you have to play to get a better rate. It's annoying. I think automatic renewals should require the subscriber's approval. I have had to cancel some subscriptions simply by blocking the charge on my credit card. No other way to do it. You certainly hear from them when the charge doesn't go through.
I was wondering when The Bulwark app would be ready...
Onboarding was super easy; it picked up my membership info without any hiccups.
Thanks to the team for this!
I appreicate what you said about renewals. Before changing the streamers, I'd require Substack to alert subscribers to renewal. Thus far I have only received notification for renewal from The Bulwark, Zeteo and only ONE sole proprietor. What I now do when I subscribe is I immediately go in and unsubscribe so they cannot renew me without my consent. That is a poor way to run a business.
Yeah, not getting a heads up on renewals is bad, I really think there should be more transparency rather than less.
A couple of thoughts regarding auto renewals for subscription services. Do not store your card with the merchant. I do not because i want to protect myself data from a data leak. If you try to cancel a subscription and cannot and are charged, call your credit card company and dispute the charge. Next set up automatic alerts at $1.00 with all of your credit cards. Yes, it is a pain to get notifications for every single charge, but in time you will appreciate it. If you receive a charge you do not recognize, take action! Ask your family members did they buy/order you do not recognize? If you have an iPhone you can check what subscriptions you are paying via Apple. See something you no longer want, cancel it, although Apple will remind you in advance of an upcoming renewal payment. If you have active credit cards you no longer use, cancel them and do not worry if your credit score is dinged. While it may be true, I believe keeping unused credit cards open is a ploy to get you to spend money on things you do not use. Apple users, sign up for the Apple Credit Cart and set the card to extra security setting, which randomly changes your three digit security card number. Use the Apple Credit Card for your subscriptions because if the subscription service tries to use your card it may be stopped because they have the wrong security code. And lastly use an application, like Quicken Simplify, to track your expenses. Yeah it is a pain to set up but it is the last line of defense against unauthorized transactions from any source. Good luck
I watch about one movie a year, but I love to read good movie reviewers to get an idea of what is happening in the culture and to inspire thought. So, I appreciate you, Sonny. I think of you and other good reviewers as philosophers.
On the theme of getting stuck in a loop, I was glad to stop and reflect. I recognize that happening in life. I don't recognize it happening myself. I experience getting stuck as frustration, etc.
I do see it when it happens in the lives of friends and family, people I care about. Interesting to view it that way, and hopeful. If I stay sane, if I can avoid getting caught in their looping, it helps them. That's what I believe.
And thank you for the observation that Disney wants to move to more ad-dependent subscriptions. Interesting.
Yeah, my understanding is that all the streamers are basically trying to jack up prices to the point where most people switch to the ad tiers. It's super annoying!
It's worth mentioning that the current administration in NYC just announced a click-to-cancel initiative. If memory serves, past mayoral administrations have taken similar stances; I believe the de Blasio administration worked on making it easier for people to cancel gym memberships without being hit with abundant fees, for instance. I'm not sure what will come of this most recent move, but I'm glad someone's trying...something.
https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/04/mayor-mamdani--commissioner-levine-announce-first-in-the-nation-
I’m no lawyer either Sonny, but I actually read your link to the court’s decision vacating the Biden Administration FTC’s “click-to-cancel” rule, which would have been important to consumers faced with proliferating streaming services, and it seems to have been (?) a procedural violation of the FTC, i.e., not one of substance. If the negative economic impact, e.g., on streaming services, and including other industries, exceeded $100 million, then the FTC had to follow certain steps that it did not do. So sure, streaming services (again, as an example) benefit economically from customer inertia due to cumbersome and difficult procedures to cancel services prolonging, perhaps by a number of months, revenue accruing from your credit card. But the economic loss from expedited cancellations, that is incurred by business firms by click-to-cancel, is exactly matched by consumer savings. Wasn’t Congress’s goal for the FTC (1914) oriented to protection of consumers and not protection of businesses. Oh, I forgot, Republicans are now in charge of the executive branch!
Good comment, and thanks for the laugh!
Men in black was my first DVD I bought. Absolute classic. Still holds up really well too.
It’s really good! Pure charisma from Will Smith, it’s no wonder he was so big.
I'm grateful daily for The Bulwark team and it's worth every penn.
Thank you!
One reason the increase from Disney+ does not bother you ia that it is a deductible business expense.
Yeah I’m going to subscribe regardless. But I still think this would be a good pro-consumer reform!
Good day,
Another solution to Congress not taking care of the business we desire is -- the proposed U.S. Constitution Amendment to allow VOTERS to directly pass FEDERAL Laws via Ballot Initiatives -- the Voters Voice Amendment (VVA) at VVA.US.
For all of US that vote for change that doesn’t come. A way to pursue ideas we want, not the power brokers. To get voters excited about voting.
The goal is to create a broad coalition of people to push for the VVA.
There is a Voters Voice Amendment Linked In group as well.
THEBULWARK has an important voice that can help make the VVA happen.
I look forward to working with you.
Thanks
BobBrown@VVA.US
It really should be as easy to cancel as it was to subscribe. I got stuck with an Instacart subscription that I paid for 2 years because I could not cancel it. I tried everything I could think of to cancel it and Instacart had made it basically impossible. And then one day in 2024, on my credit card statement was a 800#, and I called it and a person answered and I was able to cancel the subscription. Before that moment, Instacart did not have a phone number published anywhere. I don't know what happened, but I am so grateful. That charge on my credit card bill every month used to send me into a rage for a day because I could not cancel the subscription. All services should be this easy to cancel.
I've had that happen before too. And all the games you have to play to get a better rate. It's annoying. I think automatic renewals should require the subscriber's approval. I have had to cancel some subscriptions simply by blocking the charge on my credit card. No other way to do it. You certainly hear from them when the charge doesn't go through.
I’ve run into similar problems. It’s outrageous!
I agree with click to cancel The rest of it is up to the consumer