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Streaming and app subscriptions: the 4 clauses to check

A few euros a month, a free trial, one click. That’s exactly why it’s easy to end up paying for months for something you don’t use.

  1. A free trial that turns paid

    At the end of the trial the subscription starts, on the card you left.

    How it’s usually written

    At the end of the 7-day trial the subscription starts automatically at €9.99 a month.

    What to do: Note the end of the trial on the day you start it.

  2. Yearly renewal

    The yearly plan is cheaper, but it renews on its own for another year, often with a single email.

    How it’s usually written

    The annual plan renews automatically for a further year unless auto-renewal is turned off before it ends.

    What to do: Turn off renewal right after buying: the service stays active until the end of the period.

  3. A price that can change

    The price can go up during the subscription.

    How it’s usually written

    We reserve the right to change the subscription price at any time.

    What to do: Check how they’ll tell you and whether you can cancel before the increase applies.

  4. No refunds

    If you cancel mid-period, the days you’ve paid for don’t come back.

    How it’s usually written

    Payments are non-refundable and there are no refunds for partially used periods.

    What to do: Prefer monthly if you’re not sure you’ll use it all year.

Before you sign, ask yourself

  1. When does the trial end, and what do I pay afterwards?
  2. Does it renew on its own? Can I turn renewal off straight away?
  3. If I cancel halfway, what happens to the money I’ve paid?

The rules

For online purchases you usually have 14 days to withdraw, but for digital content this right can be lost if you agree that the service starts immediately.

Try AnteFirma on your own termsWork out the real costWrite the cancellation letter

General information, not legal advice. For an important contract, have a professional read it.

Other guides

Gym memberships: the 4 clauses to checkMinimum term, renewal, exit fee and freezing: where the real cost hides.Phone and internet: the 4 clauses to checkTime-limited deals, router instalments, exit costs and price changes.Software subscriptions: the 4 clauses to checkRenewal with a price rise, minimum seats, your data and content, liability limits.
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