<![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone - Consumerist Comments]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/consumerist.com.png <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone - Consumerist Comments]]> http://consumerist.com Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:42:46 EST Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:42:46 EST http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3572979 I waited a day too long to cancel my trial napster account and they canceled and gave me my money back without a problem. But that was almost a year ago.

t0ny-p40

]]> 31:339232:c3572979 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:42:46 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3511726 @sven.kirk: A weak explanation on the part of the person trying to cancel or on the part of the person asking why they're canceling?

Rectilinear Propagation

]]> 31:339232:c3511726 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:01:22 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3508718 @elliepants:
As Brookeln mentions, companies can still charge expired cards. Your better bet is to cancel the card or get another number and makes sure the credit card company won't allow further charges on the previous card.

@lorddave:
BTW, Netflix lets you cancel on their website. I've canceled and restarted an account before. No problems there.

mechanismatic

]]> 31:339232:c3508718 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:14:35 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3505134 @sven.kirk: I thought it was a really good one.

Buran

]]> 31:339232:c3505134 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:24:18 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3505130 @Rectilinear Propagation: What's really funny is that this is NAPSTER we're talking about. "All our music has DRM"? Exactly why I quit using Napster when they dropped their original service!

Buran

]]> 31:339232:c3505130 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:22:44 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3504066 I canceled Napster a couple of months ago because I was trying to cut down on recurring monthly expenses. It was a quick and painless experience. Though I was mildly annoyed at having to call a number instead of being able to cancel online, and somewhat concerned the call would involve heavy tactics to retain my membership, the rep offered me a couple of free months of service and that was that. The whole thing took less than 5 minutes from start to finish.

To cancel Comcast, on the other hand, I finally resorted to telling them I was moving to another state because I failed miserably at canceling that account.

facework

]]> 31:339232:c3504066 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:58:53 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3503187 That's not very honest, but when the rep starts getting annoying with it's questions, I just tell that I'm moving to England/China/France.

Victo

]]> 31:339232:c3503187 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:08:22 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3502932 This is why I'm avoiding future monthly bill services. I've been tempted by Netflix and such, but I don't want to call to cancel. If I even begin to consider one, it has to have cancellation on the website.

lorddave

]]> 31:339232:c3502932 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:34:48 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3502544 Here is another annoying one: 1&1 Internet. If you purchase a domain + hosting package through them and decide to cancel it later, they make you fax or mail in a form to them that you really want to cancel the domain.

I got a free domain + hosting package one time (just for giggles, since it was free). 6 months went by and I canceled it. Had to print out the stupid form to do it, despite signing up completely online.

DallasDMD

]]> 31:339232:c3502544 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:46:53 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3502346 Ok. It sucks that it took so long to cancel. Truly it does.

But, "because it has DRM," is a really weak explanation.

sven.kirk

]]> 31:339232:c3502346 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:28:13 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3502276 @brookeln: This is one of the things I love about Consumerist. Learning how other people blow through the customer service blockade.

On a definitely related note, shouldn't there be a law that you can cancel in the same way you signed up? If you sign up on the website, you should be able to cancel on the web site. If you have to wait 20 minutes on the phone to cancel it should only be because you had to wait 20 minutes to sign up!

ColoradoShark

]]> 31:339232:c3502276 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:21:00 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3501753 So I waited and waited, my customer nonservice rep (sean) came back online and said, sorry, only 3 months. I asked him to check back with his supervisor and find out who their agent for service is in CT (where I live). Sean says the manager (Mercial) won't give that info out, just their address in California. I let them know I'm on Consumerist right now and adding to their already sorrid history. Next I'll give small claims a shot, can't wait to see how much they spend responding to that. Truly a huge waste of time. I cannot for the life of me remember why I tried them instead of iTunes or Limewire etc.

festivusfreeforall

]]> 31:339232:c3501753 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:24:33 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3501686 Been on the phone with them for 35 minutes so far. This is the third time I've called to cancel. They just keep billing me, now close to 6 months. They offered 3 months of refunds. I mentioned small claims court. I'm on hold now. Can't wait to hear the final answer.

festivusfreeforall

]]> 31:339232:c3501686 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:18:53 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3501458 I had the same experience, although I managed to get mine canceled online after mentioning the words "fraudulent business practice." The e-mail string follows:

ME:
Please cancel my subscription immediately. I have been trying to cancel for months and there is NO WAY to do it on your web site. Please cancel IMMEDIATELY.

THEM:
Thanks for contacting Napster Support. To cancel your Napster subscription, please contact us by phone at 800.839.4210, and we'll be happy to assist you in your request.

ME:
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE CONTACTED YOU. PLEASE CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION IMMEDIATELY. Let me reiterate, I would like you to please cancel my subscription immediately. I should not have to call in order to cancel. It had been made exceedingly difficult for me to cancel, and I have been trying for months, yet you still keep charging my credit card even though it has been EXPIRED for months. This could easily be considered to be fraudulent business practice. I insist that you cancel immediately.

THEM:
Thanks for contacting Napster Support. Per your request, your Napster subscription service has been cancelled.

brookeln

]]> 31:339232:c3501458 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:58:19 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3500526 Napster hasn't charged me in several months for service. I simply stopped using it. No logins, no music searches or downloads or nothin'. They didn't charge me.

Then the credit card they had on file expired this month. They're not gettin' a new number out of me.

So, couldn't hurt to try it.

elliepants

]]> 31:339232:c3500526 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:51:52 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3500320 It's a sad commentary on the state of corporate ethics in the US that I see this headline and think "Hmm, that isn't half bad, why no 'above and beyond' tag?"

TechnoDestructo

]]> 31:339232:c3500320 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:40:42 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3500197 Here's how you do it.

Go to the California Secretary of State's website.

Get their corporate address for service of process. They are required to read mail there. Send a cancellation with your information so they know who you are.

It worked for me.

storm

]]> 31:339232:c3500197 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:32:27 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3500049 Lars: "Napster baaaaaad! Beer goooood!"

JessiesMind

]]> 31:339232:c3500049 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:23:10 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499819 ironically there's absolutely no hassle when subscribing or canceling a p2p account, like napster used to be.

royal72

]]> 31:339232:c3499819 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:08:55 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499801 I never give a reason when I cancel something. All I get are attempts to get me to stay if I go into any kind of specifics. My mantra is "I no longer need this service." It usually doesn't generate too many follow up questions. Except that one electronic fax serice I tried to cancel a couple of years ago: the rep kept me on the phone for about half an hour with weird, random questions. They totally held me hostage, I was afraid to hang up and try someone else for fear of having to go through that whole slew of questions again.

The only exception is if they have done something phenomenally wrong - then I will give them the reason so that they know what they did and hopefully, and I know this is just a pipe dream, they will use that information constructively. And then I follow up with "And just cancel it, please."

DrGirlfriend

]]> 31:339232:c3499801 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:07:53 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499761 "I don't understand, because all of our music contains DRM."

Holy crap. ROTFL!
Because, clearly, the savvy consumer demands DRM on all of their media.

Rectilinear Propagation

]]> 31:339232:c3499761 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:05:25 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499654 @qwickone: True. I think a good compromise would be to give them one explanation and if they keep whining to ask you to stay, that's when you say "Just cancel it" until it gets through to them that you are not going to change your mind.

Buran

]]> 31:339232:c3499654 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:58:52 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499601 Similar to the Rhapsody cancellation experience.
[www.pcworld.com],128206-page,10-c,webservices/article.html

dvdchris

]]> 31:339232:c3499601 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:56:26 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499592 lol....reminds me of when I cancelled my g/f aol account back in the day. That was a hassle.

Neurotic1

]]> 31:339232:c3499592 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:55:54 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499314 @Buran: I always tell them why because if enough people give the same reason, maybe they'll change their ways. I think it's responsible of the company for them to ask what they're doing wrong.

qwickone

]]> 31:339232:c3499314 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:41:00 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499301 You don't want to give them a reason, like they care. they are getting paid $7 hour and they can't realy make any changes to your complaints.

so just cancel it, and if they ask then tell them or just say I don't need it.

Coder4Life

]]> 31:339232:c3499301 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:40:28 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499229 I guess they are just hoping that you get fed up waiting on hold and hang up.

DojiStar

]]> 31:339232:c3499229 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:36:11 EST <![CDATA[Canceling Napster Takes 30 Minutes On The Phone]]> http://consumerist.com/339232/canceling-napster-takes-30-minutes-on-the-phone#c3499076 I wouldn't have bothered to justify a reason. Just said "It doesn't matter why, I want to cancel." over and over. But that's just me... I mean really. Someone says stop charging, you stop charging.

Buran

]]> 31:339232:c3499076 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:23:50 EST