What did you buy?

[Aus_Snow]

None of the above.

I mean sure, you might be crazy, and it might have been a waste of money (in theory)* . . . but basically, it comes down to 4e being of no use to me and mine, and therefore 'DDI' as well. Luckily, there are some downright excellent alternatives to both of these things, and I will be taking advantage of those.

* And besides, I had to choose one of them. . . sorry!

 

[megamania]

Why waste my money when my internet system is unreliable and their own site has not been what most thought it would be. Now a hands on magazine....

 

[amethal]

I'm still playing 3.5

I might have signed up anyway (always interested in more gaming stuff), except that I hate their website so the thought of subscribing to a WotC on-line product makes me shudder.

 

[Darkwolf71]

You guys realize that auto-renewal is pretty standard for online subscriptions, right?
Now, I'm sure someone will come along and post that 'XYZ does not require you to agree to auto-renew', and I'm sure they will correct. But, that is certainly NOT the norm.

As for my actions, I haven't decided yet if I will subscribe. Some of the articles could be useful, and the price is fairly reasonable (provided you go annual) but I have almost zero confidence in WotCs digital projects.

 

[SteveC]

You guys realize that auto-renewal is pretty standard for online subscriptions, right?
Now, I'm sure someone will come along and post that 'XYZ does not require you to agree to auto-renew', and I'm sure they will correct. But, that is certainly NOT the norm.

As for my actions, I haven't decided yet if I will subscribe. Some of the articles could be useful, and the price is fairly reasonable (provided you go annual) but I have almost zero confidence in WotCs digital projects.

I just wanted to point out that I have a lot of online subscriptions, both for work and personal use. Until recently I was on just about all of the online dating services, and there aren't any sites out there that are trying harder to get your money (fortunately, that ended happily, no thanks to any of them, but that's another story...).

As you say, many of them have automatic renewal systems, but all of them also have a section for your account info where you can opt out of this. Having to actively call someone to stop them automatically charging you a fee for something like this, rather than having it automated and online, is very unusual. Maybe there is such an option on the WotC site, and in that case consider my objections entirely withdrawn.

--Steve

 

[Tharkun]

I voted against purchasing DDI as we don't play 4E or plan to anytime in the future if at all.

We are still happy playing 3.0 thankfully didn't get suckered into buying the "upgrade" of 3.5 We've even got some good old school 2E action going on.

 

[catsclaw227]

Auto renewal for an online subscription is a fairly standard model. Also, jumping through a couple of hoops to cancel said auto-renwal is fairly standard as well. They haven't done anything extreme here, they just put things together as most subscription services do.

What is the cancellation of auto-renewal like for MMOs? I don't play them, so I am curious how that works.

 

[Darkwolf71]

What is the cancellation of auto-renewal like for MMOs? I don't play them, so I am curious how that works.

MMO's are actually pretty good about providing 'cancel subscription' options. Most of them available with your account information online. The only exception I can think of being FFXI. That one you had to log on to the PlayOnline app and manage your account from there. Even that was pretty easy, though.

 

[Psion]

Auto renewal for an online subscription is a fairly standard model. Also, jumping through a couple of hoops to cancel said auto-renwal is fairly standard as well.

Ob: "That's how they get you!"

Really, it's playing to psychology. Companies KNOW that if you hit a lull and have to consciously decide to by the next issue/year/etc., you are less likely to pour money down the drain on something you aren't currently using than if you are on cruise control and it's automatic.

 

[Darkwolf71]

as you say, many of them have automatic renewal systems, but all of them also have a section for your account info where you can opt out of this. Having to actively call someone to stop them automatically charging you a fee for something like this, rather than having it automated and online, is very unusual.

[cough]aol[/cough]