TechSoftwareBuying software or a subscription this Black Friday? Put it in your calendar or you might regret itDeals are brilliant, but watch out for automatic, full price renewalsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechSoftwareBuying software or a subscription this Black Friday? Put it in your calendar or you might regret itDeals are brilliant, but watch out for automatic, full price renewalsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Deals are brilliant, but watch out for automatic, full price renewals
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: EyeEm Mobile GmbH via Getty Images)
(Image credit: EyeEm Mobile GmbH via Getty Images)
Quick SummaryThere are often great deals on subscription services and software during Black Friday, but be careful not to get stung when they auto-renew.Take our advice and mark the end date in your diary.
There are often great deals on subscription services and software during Black Friday, but be careful not to get stung when they auto-renew.Take our advice and mark the end date in your diary.
There are often great deals on subscription services and software during Black Friday, but be careful not to get stung when they auto-renew.Take our advice and mark the end date in your diary.
There are often great deals on subscription services and software during Black Friday, but be careful not to get stung when they auto-renew.
Take our advice and mark the end date in your diary.
I likeBlack Friday deals, and every year I get a goodBlack Friday deal on my PlayStation Plus membership– 30% off for a year of online gaming and tons of games.
However, I also have to be careful, because if not then my existing discounted membership will automatically renew at full price – even though a newBlack Fridaydeal on the same subscription is just about to drop.
Sony’s pretty good, and lets me know in advance when the renewal is coming up so I can decide what to do.Apple’s quite good too. But not all software and other subscription providers are so customer-friendly.
Two years ago, my discounted subscription for a very expensive bit of software automatically renewed without warning – a renewal I didn’t want at a price I definitely couldn’t afford. And, when I tried to cancel it, the company told me that “all sales are final”.
I got a refund in the end, but it took weeks. And that taught me a valuable Black Friday lesson: put expiry dates in your calendar to make sure you never miss them.
Don’t forget about renewal dates
There are two key reasons why you should keep an eye on renewal dates.
The first is that the companies have usually got your card details (and this applies to free trial periods too, most of which now ask for card details up-front so they can automatically charge when the free period ends).
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The second reason is that when you’re buying from overseas firms – and most software firms are overseas – you have virtually no comeback because you have virtually no consumer rights.
If you’re buying from a UK firm when you live in the UK you have various rights including a 14-day right to cancel for most purchases, including digital ones. But those rights don’t apply when you’re buying from Detroit Dave’s Software ‘n’ Stuff or some far away megacorp.
That’s not to say Black Friday deals are bad. The legit ones will save you tons of money. Just make sure you put the renewal date in your diary. You’ll thank me this time next year.
Today’s best LG OLED65C4 deals$2,699.99$1,446.99ViewLow Stock$1,997$1,696.99View$1,799.99$1,699.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG OLED65C4 deals$2,699.99$1,446.99ViewLow Stock$1,997$1,696.99View$1,799.99$1,699.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG OLED65C4 deals
$2,699.99$1,446.99ViewLow Stock$1,997$1,696.99View$1,799.99$1,699.99View
$2,699.99$1,446.99View
$2,699.99$1,446.99View
$2,699.99$1,446.99View
$2,699.99$1,446.99
$1,446.99
Low Stock$1,997$1,696.99View
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
$1,997$1,696.99View
$1,997$1,696.99View
$1,997$1,696.99
$1,696.99
$1,799.99$1,699.99View
$1,799.99$1,699.99View
$1,799.99$1,699.99View
$1,799.99$1,699.99
$1,699.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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