evernote_user_682048

OK, so others don't think this is a big deal. That perfectly explains why Evernote can engage in this practice.

As you might guess, I don't use Evernote anymore and was recently surprised to see an annual charge. When I did use Evernote, I loved it and was happy to pay.

I was careful in picking the word sneaky. I get how auto-billing can be a feature for some users. But after considering the lack of advanced warning, the lack of any grace period for canceling annual subscriptions, and the EULA (specifically the definitely non-standard language related to credit card chargebacks), the totality indicates to me that Evernote has optimized their policies to harvest accidental billing.

As I said, nothing illegal -- they just took a page from the gym membership industry.

My stupidity cost me $45. That's how I'll remember Evernote which is too bad since I was an evangelist for Evernote and this'll be the story I now tell. A lot of companies might believe that positive word of mouth is worth a lot more than $45.

Hence the suggestion to revisit the billing policy.

Can we revisit Evernote's rather unfriendly practice of auto-renewing annual memberships without any notice?  I get that you need to make money and that quietly billing people is a great way to make money from people who aren't paying attention.  On the other hand, users who love and use your product will happily continue to pay.  Being a good corporate citizen would be as easy as emailing an annual auto-renew email 30 days before the renew date.

While Evernote's billing practices are neither illegal or deceptive, they are a little sneaky.

Thanks