OT

Here’s my PSA for all of you:

NEVER, ever, EVER give up your credit card information to ANY website unless you know for sure exactly what it will be used for.

Last month I was researching some shipping rates and checked out a site called stamps.com. I just wanted to check some rates, but you can’t see them on that site without registering. During the registration process, you have to provide a credit card, apparently so they have one on file to charge if you actually buy shipping through them. It states this right above the fields where you enter your card info.

But buried in the fine print (I know, it’s my fault for not reading it) it ALSO says that after you register on the site you will, after a one month “Trial” period, be on the hook for $15.99/month thereafter for the services of the site.

This came to my attention when I noticed a charge from stamps.com on my online account summary this morning.

I called the 800 number to cancel it and boy did I have fun.

You see people who work cancellations departments make money by convincing people NOT to cancel. I get this. But the thing is, I never WANTED this service in the first place nor do I have any practical use for it. I rarely send any mail period.

First the cancellations rep tried to convince me to just keep the program.

NO.

Then he tried to give me a $10 service credit and some other freebie.

NO.

Then he said he’d waive the $15.99 this month and I could try the services and if I still wasn’t happy I could cancel next month.

NO.

Then he tried AGAIN to get me to keep the services.

At this point I am SERIOUSLY losing my patience and trying my darndest not to go off on the guy. I told him the following: “Look, I’m trying to be patient with you, but I have no use for the service, I do not want the service and I want to cancel it completely right now PERIOD.”

He finally gave in. Now I’ll have to police my bank statement next month to make sure it doesn’t magically appear again. If it does, there will be hell to pay.

I probably could have fought and gotten my $15.99 back, but I’m happy enough to just get it canceled and be done it with it. I know how shady some of these even legit seeming companies can be with billing.