SPOT Account Help? - WhitneyZone Message Board

I am trying to find out how to cancel my SPOT account, so the automatic charge does not hit the credit card it is on. Anyone know how to do this?

Help is not available there on weekends.

I received a notice that the charge will automatically renew. No "unless". No reply. I cannot find anything in my online account info on how to cancel. The credit card update page contains no cancel option: it will not accept anything but a current valid credit card entry.

Have you had any experience cancelling an automatic CC charge from SPOT?

Thanks.

I found this:

Quote:

How do I cancel my SPOT Service?

To cancel your Service Plan, you must notify SPOT in writing within 30 days of the end of your Service Plan's Term. You must email your notice of cancellation to customerservice@findmespot.com and provide your name, your address and the ESN from the SPOT for which you want to cancel service (located in the battery compartment, under the battery of your SPOT).

You may call our customer service center at SPOT at 1-866-OK1-SPOT (651-7768) or from outside of North America: +1 (408) 933-4518 to cancel or if you have questions. You still must confirm in writing by sending an e-mail to customerservice@findmespot.com.

They don't make it easy. I know other companies that make it nearly impossible to cancel. I've seen where people insist on paying by mailing a check. What I want is a credit card that automatically expires in 12 months and sends me a new number each year. That way outfits like that would never have the correct renewal number.

Thanks for this Steve. I'll give it a try.

I am wondering if there is a difference between canceling and not renewing. I had a one year plan last year, and had no idea it had an automatic renewal. The email I got from them specifically says renewal, so I don't think I am cancelling a Service Plan.

If anyone out there has actually succeeded in doing this, I would really like to know what works.

From an REI review:

Quote:

1 out of 5 stars.
ORbackpacker
7 months ago
My major concern is the company has an "auto-renew" policy regarding the service. they take your credit card number and then make it very difficult to cancel the auto renew so your credit card will be charged yearly without authorization. They also increase the cost of the service without telling you and charge the higher rate. When I asked to cancel the auto renew, they said it was not possible and there was a narrow 30 day window during the year when I could do this. The "customer service" reps were very rude and unhelpful.

Unfortunately the bulk of Spot's business plan is a scheme to trap you in a difficult-to-cancel, auto-renewing charge rather than provide a useful service.

Originally Posted By: 63ChevyII.com

From an REI review:

Quote:

1 out of 5 stars.
ORbackpacker
7 months ago
My major concern is the company has an "auto-renew" policy regarding the service. they take your credit card number and then make it very difficult to cancel the auto renew so your credit card will be charged yearly without authorization. They also increase the cost of the service without telling you and charge the higher rate. When I asked to cancel the auto renew, they said it was not possible and there was a narrow 30 day window during the year when I could do this. The "customer service" reps were very rude and unhelpful.

Unfortunately the bulk of Spot's business plan is a scheme to trap you in a difficult-to-cancel, auto-renewing charge rather than provide a useful service.

Yes. Thanks Chevy. I know. That's why I am asking for help. From Anyone who has successfully cancelled.

Several years ago, I had two accounts -- I loaned my first unit to a friend. I had no trouble cancelling it after the year's subscription.

I think you should just email their customer support address given in the notice. If you don't hear back after a few days, call and ask about it.

Thanks, Steve. Doing just that that when they open up tomorrow morning. Do you remember what you had to do to cancel back then?

I think it was the same as now: Send the email.

If you email them, and then they still charge your credit card, I am sure the CC company would refund the amount if you contested the charge. Of course that has to be in writing, too.

I don't think any company wants to be put on the CC company's abuser list. I'd bet there are some additional charges and fees (or higher percentage extracted by the CC company) if they abuse customers.

Last time I looked at merchant rules it looked like the credit card companies take a very dim view of such practices. I suggest contacting them if you have any trouble canceling the renewal.

Should have updated this. The first firmly worded email got the right response.

I'm due to auto-renew on July 9. I just sent then an email telling them not to bill me and that I am cancelling my SPOT services. We'll see how it goes. Thanks to everyone who took part in this thread for reminding me I needed to do this.

With the availability of two way messaging these days, SPOT seems way too expensive for what it is.