[pct-l] Warning to SPOT users who don't want to renew

[Tortoise]

Well Don, we disagree.

checking the expiration date on your first aid supplies is like and 
medications  is important.
I take several medications vital for my emotional well-being and the VA 
requires I submit refill requests timely and even monitor those Rx's for 
expiration so I then request the RX be renewed.

If one is using a Spot, it behooves the user to check that his unit is 
functioning correctly before leaving on his trip such as enough batteries 
and that the unit will send a message and it is received on a website. 
Checking the expiration date of service is no different.

Not having a Spot, I'm not familiar with its display. But my Tracfone cell 
phone has a constant reminder of my available minutes and expiration date.

My opinion is that Spot's automatic renewal especially since this feature 
is not obvious and the cancellation is bothersome is that Spot just wants 
to keep the money coming from those who are not using the unit any more.

Tortoise

<> Because truth matters! <>

On 08/23/10 09:10, Don Billings wrote:
> Sorry. A safety device is nothing compared to a phone or power bill.
>
> Putting your desired cancellation date on the calendar isn't hard to do.
>
> In the meantime with auto renew, nobody has to worry while in the desert heat or
> some blizzard... "did I renew SPOT ?"
>
> But I do agree that some consumer products are annoying with their auto renewal.
> I've had a couple of
> those renew on me despite my intention to cancel. And, in one case, I contacted
> them days after they
> charged me and was essentially told, "too late." Just the same, I never
> considered them sneaky. I
>
> was the one at fault.
>
> Don
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Tortoise<Tortoise73 at charter.net>
> To: Don Billings<dbillings803 at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Sun, August 22, 2010 5:23:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Warning to SPOT users who don't want to renew
>
> Whether it is sneaky or not depends on how Spot handles the automatic renewal.
>
> If it is something one has to check yes or no, it is probably not sneaky.
> But if Spot does the auto renewal unless one finds the not-obvious way to
> opt out, then it is.
>
> Lots and lots of things can put one at risk -- like not paying your phone
> or power bill.
>
> Tortoise
>
> <>  Because truth matters!<>
>
> On 08/22/10 10:15, Don Billings wrote:
>> I wouldn't call such a thing sneaky.
>>
>> SPOT is a safety device and to require a manual renewal of the service would,
>> without a doubt,
>>
>> put some hikers at risk. That is to say, an automatic renewal prevents an
>> unintentional cancellation
>>
>> of the safety service.
>>
>> Just mark your calendar to cancel if you aren't sure of retaining the service.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Pct-L mailing list
>> Pct-L at backcountry.net
>> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>
>> List Archives:
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>