New York City has adopted a new rule that bans companies from using deceptive subscriptions to trap customers into paying for gym memberships, streaming services and other recurring charges, the city’s consumer protection office said.
The new rule, which will start on 1 October, promises hefty fines and aggressive enforcement for violators. Companies that do not provide a simple way to cancel could pay $525 per user subscription, back fees and additional fines.
The city is also targeting so-called “junk fees” that raise the final price of everything from apartments to sporting events, with a proposed rule that requires sellers to “advertise the total price for any good or service, including all mandatory additional charges and fees, up front”, according to a release shared with the Guardian.
New York would be the first US city to implement such a ban.
This is wonderful news! I hope it inspires other cities to do the same.
It’d be ideal if really big states - like Cali and all of New York - did it. It might influence companies to have to adjust everywhere.
Because California is influential in such areas is the real cause of so much California Derangement Syndrome among conservatives, by the way.
Imagine that something that looks out for the consumer being somehow novel in this country.
Love to see it, though.
This is SOCIALISM! Why do people LOVE Socialism?
-Fox News!
Oh noes! It is the SOCIALIZMZ!!!1111ONE
Apartment renters in the US face a rising tide of add-on fees such as “boiler management” and “lifestyle” charges from management companies, which make true rental costs hundreds of dollars higher than the price stated on real-estate company websites.
boiler
management
Have you ever read The Shining? Shit’s important, yo.
My mom taught me boiler management when I was ~12 years old…
Giving money to schools and now this!?
Pratically a supervillain!
Gawd, what I wouldn’t give to live in a sane place.
NY Governor’s office kills it in 3…2…1…
i dont understand how a city can create laws? a city is not a government, its a municipality
It is a government. A municipal government. A city has its own elected officials, laws and enforcement processes.
Welcome to the US where we have cities, counties, water districts, air districts, school districts, power districts, transit districts, unincorporated areas, and reservations.
They can all share area, all work differently, and are sometimes adversarial.
is there areas where companies can make the rules?
I mean, I know there was, but still now? (Thinking about the song Company store (
Not legally, no, but in effect, yes.
