GENMSC-L Archives

Archiver > GENMSC > 2002-06 > 1024640152


From: Terry <>
Subject: Re: ancestry.com's policy and responsibility of the receiver of this service
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2002 02:15:52 -0400
References: <3d0952e5.11415351@news.monmouth.com>, <NDBBIEMOKPKPFPELHOOFMEMAKAAA.rfhouston@mindspring.com>, <IvkO8.241260$%o.20466959@bin3.nnrp.aus1.giganews.com>


Mick,

You're right. Ancestry.com changed their T&C's where they no longer
allowed subscribers to NOT have auto-renewal. We then learned that
they used another ploy to kill the old acocunts that still had this
feature included. Thankfully, I kept screen prints of the old
account.

Terry


On Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:32:56 GMT, "Mick Gurling" <No Spam
> wrote:

> 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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