Re:Welcome to 'Le Monde' in English
by ajsnigrutin on Thursday April 07, 2022 @09:33AM
(#30944203)
Well yeah, but it's still a very shitty practice, and just that is enough for me to not give them any money.
I think the reason is that France is much less online in these things (at least this is my experience with seeing my in-laws). They expect to subscribe and cancel via a letter, much more than online.
I've had debt collectors sent after me for not updating my card details on a subscription service, granted it's the exception but it happens and I'd imagine blocking the payment would incur a similar wrath.
I wonder if it'd be more convenient for a French subscriber to use a VPN. Or change their address to somewhere out of France before cancelling.
The part with the registered letter (not just simple mail!) is for the regular (French) subscription. But to be fair, the best way to cancel these kinds of subscriptions where they make it hard for you is to just block the payment at your bank. In theory, you can get sued, but in practice, they will simply cancel your subscription. There are strong consumer protection laws regarding recurring subscriptions (because there is a lot abuse) and if the company wants to take it to court, they need a rock solid case otherwise it will backfire, so usually, they don't bother.