GENMSC-L Archives

Archiver > GENMSC > 2002-06 > 1024054376


From: "Mick Gurling" <>
Subject: Re: ancestry.com's policy and responsibility of the receiver of this service
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:32:56 GMT
References: <3d0952e5.11415351@news.monmouth.com>, <NDBBIEMOKPKPFPELHOOFMEMAKAAA.rfhouston@mindspring.com>


I *think* you're saying 'caveat emptor', always read the fine print
first. Which in this case happens to be true but remember it's not unknown
for providers to play tricks close to the bounds of legality in order to
*trick* users. The call caould have been framed in a form that convinced him
that he had just confirmed cancellation, and it could have been calculated
to do just that, without being party to the call we can't tell. There's
enough comments about Ancestry.com to leave that suspicion open. But yes to
protect yoursel act in advance to cancel don't rely on an automattic end of
service if they have a card number.

MickG
"Rhonda Houston" <> wrote in message
news:...
> I always thought the 'wise' purchaser always read the fine print BEFORE
they
> signed on the dotted line or ask about what was expected of them as well
as
> what could they expect at the end of the subscription time. This being
> agreed upon before a service was rendered...doesn't anyone anymore
> investigate what 'their' part of the AGREEMENT is BEFORE they agree to go
> along with the service that they desire?
>
> Remember, it is as important to know one's responsibilites as well as have
> the priviledge of the service. Also, that it takes two to agree as to what
> is involved which is usually discussed before the service begins, or
another
> way of putting this, is that it is everyone's responsibility to know what
> their responsibility are concerning the service. It's important to know
your
> rights, as well as one's responsibilities BEFORE one accepts to adhere to
an
> agreement.
>
> This practice of Ancestry.com isn't unusual, but commonplace as for other
> businesses, so there shouldn't have been any horror involved. This 'phone
> call' experience should be looked upon as a "gift" because the service
> provider didn't have to call (which could be regarded as a 'warning' of
> things that are yet to take place) because this was what the buyer and
> seller supposedly had already agreed upon BEFORE the agreement concerning
> the beginning of the service began.
>
> Rhonda Houston
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [mailto:]On Behalf Of Genee
> Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 9:23 PM
> To:
> Subject: Re: ancestry.com
>
>
>
>
> After hearing many horror stories like this I sent them a check for my
> membership. I suggest others do the same. It only took a few days.
> I was surprised.
>
> The Cranky Genee
>
> IOn Fri, 14 Jun 2002 01:37:04 GMT, "John J." <>
> wrote:
>
> >I want to pass on some information about ancestry.com. I signed up with
> >them about a year ago for what I thought was a one-year contract. I
didn't
> >find their site very helpful, so I ignored them while waiting for my year
> to
> >run out. Surprise! In the fine print, they announce that they will keep
> on
> >billing your credit card each year, without contacting you. I remember
> >getting a call about a month ago asking me if I intended to renew my
> >subscription to their service. I told them I didn't want their service,
> and
> >told them why. The caller thanked me and hung up. When I got my credit
> >card statement today, and saw a new charge from ancestry, I called them
to
> >complain. The supervisor I finally talked to said, basically, you're
> >screwed. We don't refund. If you want to cancel their service, you must
> >call them just before your year is up, and get a confirmation number.
> >Without that, they cheerfully keep your money.
> >
> >I hope none of you out there is as unwary as I was, but look out for this
> >outfit. There have got to be more ethical sites out there to help with
> your
> >research.
> >
> >
>
>
> ==============================
> To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records,
go
> to:
> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237
>
>


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