Subscriptions Are Ruining Our Lives. Here's Why They're Everywhere Now.

[@ARandomDonut]

If buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing! >:)

[@EnderSnailz]

I got the reason, time to make the money (⁠・⁠∀⁠・⁠)

[@thomas45081]

I HEARD THAT 💯!! 🟪

[@MiraBoo]

Exactly!

[@Meenaia]

I believe a tech guy said that it's basically our duty now :3

[@leaf16nut]

Arrrrr!!

[@ispep8882]

It gets worse. You get a subscription for a streaming service. Now if you don’t pay for the premium version you have to watch commercials again. A subscription on a subscription.

[@jasonvors1922]

And don't forget if you pick a lower tier subscription some content is locked behind a higher tier subscription.

[@ZePopTart]

And eventually, you can’t opt out of ads. Like cable. :(

[@Lilyanna_Foxtrot]

All the more reason to buy or keep your cd music and vhs takes or DVD 😮

[@eudofia]

That is what cable did. In the beginning, you paid for cable TV primarily because you got sick and tired of the ads on regular TV. Then you start having ads on cable TV that you already paid for. In other words, the cable companies are double dipping. And they claim it is to keep prices down. Yeah right.

[@shaypope4732]

​@@eudofiaI still have cable n they really do

[@punkagrrlzero]

This needs to be illegal.

[@ddwkc]

@@RealShaktimaan I guess the marketing portion should be better regulated. Lot of subscription services have sketch marketing and contracts. Also, some practices should be looked at like easy to subscribe but hard to get out interfaces. I'd not say turn subscription illegal, but some types seem to not add anything and have no reason to be one and the "free" market is failing to react to them. Maybe what can become a subscription should be more specific.

[@resterAnonyme]

@@RealShaktimaan Wait until you can't buy any printer without a subscription, then you won't have a choice.

[@cattigereyes1]

@@RealShaktimaan explain? Your physical device requires money to use monthly after purchase? How is that legal? Answer wisely..

[@RealShaktimaan]

@@cattigereyes1 which device requires subscription?

[@roxaskinghearts]

Imagine voting republicant to deregulate systems hurts people

[@aidenronchin]

Needing a subscription to read an article about why people are upset about subscriptions is just diabolical

[@levelintent]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rubifranco5576]

😅

[@Peacefulblissorelse]

Best comment

[@thisandthat1233]

Magazine and newspaper subsciptions existed before the internet lol

[@Sleep133]

Theres easy bypass to those articles. I also use free online streaming sites for movies and shows. KZbin is the only one I'm forced since I use audio content to fall asleep.

[@jennifersvitko5997]

Thus the reason I only buy "dumb" appliances. I don't need a fridge nagging me that my milk supply is getting low.

[@jeromemckenna7102]

My wife bought a dumb refrigerator just a few months ago. In this case it is truly stupid to buy 'smart'.

[@noclipp]

I agree but I also enjoy wireless printing and in the future there may not be dumb appliances, unfortunately

[@RealShaktimaan]

Anyone who purchases Smart appliances are stupid.

[@andrewdashmusic]

Beep boop "You can only buy GE Brand milk!"

[@cameronf3343]

Is… is this a real thing? A fridge costing a monthly subscription? Or are you just using a hyperbole example?

[@jneff6456]

I actively avoid subscriptions. Can't buy it standalone? Then I don't need it.

[@TheStarBlack]

Exactly! The sooner we stop buying, the sooner these companies will stop their scams.

[@cattigereyes1]

@@TheStarBlackno they will force it by NOT allowing usage. Withhold from the consumer and force subscribers. Hahaha thank you AI..

[@boines]

imagine if everybody was like you XD but most ppl love subs as she mentioned when sales force and ms office started doing this. boo on those ppl who can afford paying for something they don't use every sec.

[@Watch-0w1]

​@@cattigereyes1what you mean ?

[@hidicproductions4849]

​​@@cattigereyes1I didn't knew, that my old DVD-Player has AI to stop me from watching my DVDs, instead of subscribing to Amazon+ and DisneyPrime... 😂😅

[@ri3sch]

That’s why right to repair and ownership laws need to be focused on

[@JustaReadingguy]

Yes, but politicians want money and businesses want power.

[@NomanAhmed3]

Exactly there was never a democracy 💀 ​@@JustaReadingguy

[@9852323]

@@JustaReadingguyyup politicians and companies are in bed together.

[@DaveE99]

Yes yes yes, right to repair is so much more expansive than people realize.

[@vf1923]

@@JustaReadingguy Email/call your politicians and ask them to talk about this and make it clear it's connected to your vote. Politicians are happy to trap us in issue-free ideologies, it makes their lives easier. I'm glad people are getting mad about real shared issues, because hopefully it will trigger some politicians to actually solve problems instead of just being People in Power.

[@marcosicolo4542]

We have the power to change this by stop paying for subscriptions, but instead, people keep buying them and a lot of them not only don’t see the problem, but they also defend this unethical business practice. Thank you for making this video and raising awareness on the topic, we should be talking about this way more

[@matthewcaldwell8100]

Subscription models have allowed companies to transform consumption into a form of rent extraction.

[@meditationsoothingmusic156]

I call it blackmail.

[@erkinalp]

and rent extraction means perpetual control over the working class

[@williamyoung9401]

Steam games! 😓

[@Mischievous_Moth]

@@williamyoung9401 Yeah, you can't even GET physical copies of a lot of games now, and even when you can it's the 1.0 version with no updates or bug fixes... and we all know how bug-free many 1.0 versions are now.

[@boslyporshy6553]

Tax cuts so they can tax you?

[@cellochel1582]

“I couldn’t read the article”. Do you know how frustrating it is when you want to keep up to date on current news but EVERY SINGLE WEBSITE needs a subscription to even see ONE article?

[@darajoyce5514]

oh my fucking god oh yes! it's trapped in a paywall and I can't read this and that whew

[@AGloom6159]

It's also terrible if you're trying to do school work and trying to do research not on wikipedia, cause any source not on there is pay or die

[@dont-worry-about-it-]

If you know there will be a paywall, when you open the article, click ctrl+A then ctrl+C and open a text or word doc and ctrl+V Happy reading :)

[@antinutjobs]

​@@dont-worry-about-it- is there a similar hack reading from smartphones?

[@VladGrim]

Don't read from articles anyway, they just copy the same basic info from other sites.

[@ZeyMighty]

Apps with ridiculous subscription prices deserve to be pirated

[@piotr.aviation]

I paid for RFS and I need to pay 29.99 PLN a month for all features.

[@maureenmuiruri6591]

Like Microsoft Windows 😅

[@williambrennan5701]

@@maureenmuiruri6591 i havent bought windows since windows 98se

[@hiimred1851]

Adobe my beloved /s

[@deshrajdabhade7537]

​​@@maureenmuiruri6591 they promote piracy dude it's free if u don't mind little corner of your screen saying please buy it

[@MihoshiChama]

This is such an important issue, that we don't see enough people talk about. Everything is turning pay-to-usr these days, and the days of buying a software licence versus a monthly subscription seem to be waning, and that is quite scary. We're getting lulled into a reality of big companies taking care of our "best interests" for a fee, and that us just not something they should be trusted with. Thank you for giving this attention.

[@virsapiensfortisest922]

Everything is becoming a rental. Very scary because you will never be free if you’re always trapped renting everything.

[@leavemealone854]

wow you make a big point

[@chanchanCan3891]

"You will own nothing, and you will be happy" -World Economic Forum, Agenda 2025, said at 2016 meeting.

[@Zerpentsa6598]

Companies are now using cloud services without realising what they are getting into. The cloud services providers can kill their business if they don't keep paying. The companies don't own anything. One flick of a switch and the company grinds to a halt.

[@camrenmugabe3062]

​​@@chanchanCan3891You are taking that quote out of context.

[@Millwork1075]

It's gotten to the point where love is rental.

[@FicoosBangaly]

It's important to note that when you canceled your newspaper or magazine subscription. The existing copies didn't disappear from your house. You could also buy individual issues at a reasonable price.

[@mightymight365]

I sense hoarding tendencies.

[@amonoceros]

I'm still annoyed with the change in newspaper or magazine subscriptions, though -- it used to be that you'd pay for a year of deliveries. Then they'd send you a notice, asking you to pay for the next year. If you didn't pay, they stopped delivering. Now, you are subscribed, whether you like it or not, and have to actively cancel to get it to stop. Subscriptions should be, by default, opt-in, where, at most, one willingly turns on auto-renewal, rather than being forced to cancel in order to turn it off.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Good luck canceling your newspaper subscription. I had one for a while and even though I was able to sign up online, I had to call them in order to cancel. I have no idea how that isn't an ADA violation.

[@thatnerdygaywerewolf9559]

⁠@@SmallSpoonBrigade Same with a carwash subscription I had. I looked all over the website for a cancellation, but had to submit a support ticket instead.

[@frequentlycynical642]

@@amonoceros What's the problem? You need an annual reminder you are subscribing?

[@Marozi1]

When Netflix took off, movie piracy decreased but nowadays there are multiple different streaming services that show different movies, as a result movie piracy has become more popular than ever.

[@killiansirishbeer]

Right ! With so many different streaming services who pay to have the monopoly over a movie or series, most people cannot pay for all streaming services. They have to pick and choose the one that suits them best and if they really want to watch something from another service well... There aren't many options. Maybe streaming services should bring back loaning a movie or series for a price for those who don't want to subscribe, but really want to watch that one movie they heard about. Goes against their subscription ideology, put more profitable than piracy and there is always the chance that after "loaning to watch" a few movies or series from one streaming services, someone decides to subscribe after doing some simple maths 🤔

[@funkyfranx]

Goes to show, people aren’t cheapskates or thieves. If something’s reasonably priced and conveniently packaged, people will pay for it. When the pirates offer a better service for free than the companies who demand money in exchange, guess where people gonna go?

[@ScottDieken]

i do it.

[@ScottDieken]

when they take something off one service and put it on another service that was the final straw.

[@supereliptic]

True. Sales of physical media are down a lot compared to 5 or 6 years ago, but BluRay, CD’s and even LP’s are being kept alive by a growing realisation that ‘online everything’ is not a good idea.

[@kairoocb6533]

We will miss you Lina Khan. You fought so hard to save our souls. You sacrificed your own career and welfare, you faced down threats, you became a target for every billionaire who does business in America, and no one will ever even know your name. There ARE real life superheroes, and Lina Khan is one of them.

[@Gavo172]

For fucking real. An absolute fucking icon, exactly what the FTC commissioner should be. Alas we're off to kleptocracy plan so sayonara

[@roxstix]

We've bought only HP printers for decades until recently when it detected a 3rd party ink cartridges. It's now in trash and we bought an Epson with refillable ink chambers.

[@prithviraj1080]

The new models are all junk. The old ones allowed for 3rd party cartridges.

[@krux02]

@@prithviraj1080 Just forget about HP entirely. Treat them as what they are, scammers.

[@kids.cats.crazy.]

I get non OEM ink cartridges for my Canon printer, they thankfully haven’t locked consumers into branded refills.

[@amonoceros]

It's annoying that one has to do research on whether or not a given printer will scam you, once you take it home. On the bright side, I've had good luck with Brother laser printers. They don't have a history with useless subscriptions, and hopefully it stays that way.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Mine detects the 3rd party cartridge and complains about, but prints anyways. I only have it because I got it for free from somebody that was replacing it. I'll be replacing it with a color laser printer from a reputable brand like Brother when I've got the money though. I do so little printing that by the time I need to print, the ink tends to be low or the nozzle clogged anyways.

[@user60521123]

This is actual piracy by the manufacturer. You paid for the car, its components, and the electricity; however, the manufacturer’s holding your car or components hostage until you pay an additional ransom. It should be illegal under the Internet Piracy Act!

[@ReflectedMiles]

You might want to review the definition of piracy. That is either you not doing your homework on what you want to buy, or it's you agreeing to a bad deal and incentivizing a sales model that you then want to bitterly complain about.

[@ReflectedMiles]

@flippy66 Yeah, typical American. “Our culture peculiarly honors the act of blaming, which it takes as the sign of virtue and intellect.” (Trilling) Take responsibility for your choices.

[@B_Bodziak]

​@flippy66 at least they're still in business. What's going to happen to Fiskar owners? Imagine shelling out 60k plus taxes only to find out a year later that your car will be completely useless ... and many will still have a payment due

[@zah936]

Yes

[@looneyburgmusic]

No it is not piracy. Ffs, you act like you are being FORCED to buy these things. Just don't buy.

[@jaerockchalk3216]

if buying is not owning , piracy is not stealing . Long live the high seas ! 🏴‍☠

[@frances4797]

Right. It's "borrowing" 😆

[@PY37Video]

Yarrrrh! 🦜🏴‍☠️

[@hidicproductions4849]

Joho joho, a pirats life is joy! 😂

[@ProleDaddy]

I'm right there with you, brother 🏴‍☠️🦜

[@Volkbrecht]

Good look pirating hardware.

[@phecalelafia7850]

You'll own nothing, and you'll be happy, they said

[@deltadom33]

The worst thing is when all of your subscriptions go up at the same time and your wages stay the same

[@jungefrau]

Amen!

[@DoctordoomYou-fc2zv]

Hack it 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@Ron_Burgundy1009]

Just cancel if you dont depend on them... it is not rocket science

[@agamersinsanity]

my wages go up, but so does my rent, my subscription, electric, phone, internet bill. I even have to pay for basic TV streaming (IPTV).

[@jennifermarie3158]

I don't have this problem because I don't subscribe to anything. Control your consumption.

[@Anthem76]

People out there dropping 50k+ on a car and the dealer has the audacity to charge subscription fees for features built into the car. THAT THEY PAID FOR

[@Sam-bm6yf]

This is why I won't buy a new car my car is almost 20 years old all the buttons are IN THE CAR and not a single screen, I dont want screens in my fucking car

[@unoriginalname4321]

​@@Sam-bm6yfthat was my plan until someone decided to run a stop sign. I don't have a point, just angry 😡

[@TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive32]

@@Sam-bm6yf I don't mind screens so long as it's only use for controlling the entertainment system. I don't want to use a screen to turn the air conditioning on/off or the windscreen wipers.

[@zencat55]

customers rebelled against BMW and they stopped the heated seat subscriptions. more of that needs to happen

[@fetB]

its a tricky thing because people buy the cars. Its why people need to look closer and thorough, but that would require effort

[@JanyaAndromedaGalactic]

it is ILLEGAL TO circumvent software to USE the thing you OWN but its LEGAL for corporations to BRICK IT? This is top level anti consumer crap right there! we need to restart life on earth NOW!

[@davidperry4013]

Repeal DMCA and make copyright laws that are designed to protect individual creators instead of mega corporations.

[@airtale.p]

this is only going to get a LOT worse, Trump1s administration will remove any and all consumer protection and anti-fraud laws

[@legionxiv7045]

​@@davidperry4013 there is such a thing. Its called open source. Mega corporations always denounce it. Why? Becuase if forces absolutely transparency and allows you to "open up the hood" and modify any compent you don't like.

[@noobartz0890]

kinda glad i am not in "DeVeLoPeD" country and can pirate shit

[@RobGodwin]

These capitalist tactics are exactly what leads to corporate paranoia and anti-trust in the government.

[@dalejandro7924]

Your documentaries are so eye-opening, well made, and researched. Thank you for giving people a platform to voice so many injustices and bringing light to the endless corporate greed.

[@dysaster4521]

I cant believe its illegal to bypass a block a company put on YOUR product that you've paid for. Once you buy it, you own it and can do what you want with it

[@generationwolves]

Maybe we should start charging rent for keeping it on our property.

[@LRM12o8]

Yeah, somehow it's considered sabotage when you circumvent or remove restrictions from your own computer, yet somehow it's not considered sabotage that the manufacturer puts them there to prevent you from using the device in the expected way to begin with! Any reasonable judge would say "sucks to suck" to any manufacturer who failed to implement a bulletproof DRM program, but money talks...

[@marioluigi9599]

​@@generationwolves You can try charging rent if you want. The chances are, they won't want you as a customer. But try it. Let us know how it goes

[@bingusbongus1656]

As a CompSci major, just do it anyway. Take Fisker for example, if the servers go down like they say they will, how are they going to remotely find out you bypassed their restrictions? It's an interesting idea I've had an something I've been considering career wise; get into exploitation and then find and develop ways to bypass these restrictions on appliances and posting them to GitHub for anyone to use.

[@WonderfulBoness]

it's my printer though

[@a.g.8871]

This is why I simply cancelled ALL subscriptions and do generally not accept anything that's subscription based. If it means I can't have something - OK. No subscriptions, no depths of any kind - works great for me.

[@itsme.5864]

Same here. I rather just read books at this point:)

[@ALEakaKorwin]

A purchase is an amortization amount, a monthly subscription amount, if you will. You can pay once or many times. Where do you put those videotapes you bought in the 80s? Or those CDs that stopped working after 10 years? They are yours, but their lifespan is over.

[@a.g.8871]

@ALEakaKorwin That's true - but everything has a lifespan. Something you own has a value. It deteriorates, or maybe it gains in value. But it always has a value. With a subscription you only get the right to use something - like music, or a car. It never has a value, but still costs associated with it. Being an economist and in the business for some time now I totally understand the idea of letting people buy small sums for renting stuff - it's so muxh easier to subscribe than to buy. Just 5€ a month don't hurt....but it adds up. And then there's the question how much you actually use something you subscribed for. If you have several subscriptions for pay TV or VoD....how much do you use every single one? What costs the actual hour of watching in the end? Subscriptions are so successful because it's simple psychology - and in the end it's like in a casino....you might have a lucky day, but in the end the bank always wins.

[@skycloud4802]

Problem is that it's not stopping the subscription creep. It works for now, but what happened when _all_ appliances require subscriptions. There needs to be pro consumer laws to protect us against this

[@becks0816]

Same here. No Netflix, no Amazon prime. I avoid HP hardware like a plague, and because I have the feeling that MS tries to push Windows to a "OS as service", just like it did with Onedrive and Office, I am replacing Win 10 with Debian 12. Still ongoing, I miss some workflows, but I am almost done

[@MyReviews_karkan]

Y'all need to get with Louis Rossmann. He's been screaming about this from the roof tops for freaking years. EDIT: KZbin just shadow banned me for mentioning this man's name. I can't even reply to comments on this comment. I keep commenting and they don't show. EDIT2: I still can't see my comments.

[@JiNXX9500]

yessssssssssss

[@junbun3642]

Yeah. He complains but that's about it. All bark, no bite.

[@MyReviews_karkan]

@@junbun3642 If you had been truly following what's been happening, you wouldn't have said that. He's actually been working physically to get things done. He's attended so many court cases and recorded them. He even hired lobbyists for good chunks of money (albeit, not out of pocket, but donations from concerned people). He's been working hard and has helped pass some of the most famous right to repair bills in the country. I suggest that you actually watch his videos and truly follow.

[@UnevenCircle]

@@junbun3642crazy how many court cases he’s been through to put up his own fight. Perhaps watch his past videos and you’ll have a more refined commentary on someone you obviously don’t know much about yet feel inclined to make empty statements. He’s opening the eyes of many whom will have never been exposed to it otherwise. That seems valuable to me.

[@Viper40758]

​@@junbun3642 thats why he consistantly writes government bodies and gathers groups to vote against these practices. He does a lot.

[@majormojo]

No one is forced to pay a subscription. Stop buying products that require them. Vote with your dollars.

[@SiennaCarter2904]

I'd be so scared if I had a "smart" home! Imagine coming home late from work and the house refuses to let you in because you haven't paid your subscription or because you came home outside of normal business hours, or because you didn't clean the house, or forgot to put the rubbish out, or the house heard you say something nasty about it!! THIS IS JUST PURE NIGHTMARE FUEL!! Not just another financial burden. This is horrifying and disgraceful.

[@Liusila]

It might also act ultra protectively like apps do sometimes and without “recognising” you it calls the police or attacks you itself lol

[@Nirrini]

Sounds like something straight out of Black Mirror.

[@weebly_]

All things a vindictive spouse can do

[@ethelmanyaka9623]

​@@weebly_😂

[@ethelmanyaka9623]

😂😂😂

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

RIGHT TO REPAIR! FULL OWNERSHIP RIGHTS! MY STUFF, MY RIGHT TO MODIFY!

[@ticklemebreathless1394]

Right to repair is so important!

[@patrickscott1487]

Heard that they're making a part 2 and mentioned repairs. Oh boy I am hyped for that! I hope they can bring in or talk to iFixit

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

@@patrickscott1487 also talk to Louis Rossman, he's a KZbinr who's been very active on this topic for years.

[@obiwanjebroni505]

you can make the law say you own it all you want, but they can still make you need a sub to use it or acquire refills etc.

[@puffinjuice]

True. I'd like to see them take the product back at the end of its lifetime if we dont own it. Oh wait, they're not interested in trash.

[@traviscutler9912]

Planned obsolescence should be illegal. Period

[@WestOfEarth]

My brother is a farmer, and still using a tractor we used to use when were kids. It's 50+ years old, and still working fine. Needed refurbishing every ten years or so, but that's cheap compared to the cost of a new tractor.

[@autecheee]

As much as I agree that it should be illegal….sneaky engineers, CEOs, corporate lawyers and lobbyists will make certain it never happens or make legal excuses why an update to a phone OS caused it to slow down or brick (as an example)….. along with the economic flow of money from having us update our phones, cars, TVs, computers every 2-3 years.

[@NightmareRex6]

@@WestOfEarth should see the old light bulbs that never burn out i think i have one.

[@Bolidoo]

It is illegal in most countries. The problem is it’s very hard to prove. A company just needs to find a way in which their product can be considered marginally better to have plausible deniability on the fact that the product’s lifetime is horrible.

[@YagamiKou]

this is not always the best idea its hard to explain why exactly but its easier to see, if you imagine the exact opposite what happens if nothing ever broke down? well the entire technical repair sector is gone this is the sector that has one of the highest average incomes that requires one of the highest average education levels this would cause major economic collapse and infact, it almost did after WW1 iirc stuff was manufactured to last a war the war stopped; manufacturing stayed the result was less repair jobs and because you needed to buy less items a reduction in all jobs that created new things in the first place your car lasts decades, why buy a new one? oops the car company can no longer afford to exist this caused some government panic this was the actual reason ford made coloured cars (he promised there would never be a coloured car) color was a form of making you feel left out this was *design obsolescence* and doubled ford income iirc there are records of officials suggesting that maybe we should pass laws that ensure all purchases have an expiration date and that they would create a department to monitor dates when the 4 year date on your car is up they would come and crush it themselves in an effort to ensure economic participation i agree - planned obsolescence is sh*t but in a most forms of economy perfect devices arnt exactly "good" either as i understand it, we need to create a system without money its not just a capitalist issue to solve its a problem of moneys existence in a system of trade and since we have no idea how that would work or if its possible making actually good laws, for the current system will be a very difficult task - its not a blanket yes or no let alone actually being able to tell if the laws been broken

[@scottsherrard]

Glad you’re bringing attention to this deceitful practice.

[@naptimelaser]

I told my boss I can’t work late because they didn’t pay extra for the premium plan. I was fired.

[@HerbyDeslorge]

He wasn’t your boss stop calling your employer boss. You worked for the money it’s not free.

[@naptimelaser]

@@HerbyDeslorge Yes boss

[@EjayT06]

@@HerbyDeslorge Nothing about the definition of boss says that you need to work for free

[@blackphillip564]

Working extra hours means...more pay and time-and-½ .

[@quinnbloodmoon1112]

Get a lawyer and sue

[@Shuichii808]

You should also cover owning games, movies, programs, and other digital media. You pay $30 for a movie, $80 for a game. But then Steam or Amazon can just remove it from its service with no refund.

[@bakgammon]

Paying for the same games/movies is insanity. Noticed this at a young age

[@RealHomeRecording]

GOG for the win, Alex!

[@SomeGuyAsWell]

On steam they have not removed access for people who already have the game on their account. This includes games that have been delisted and are no longer available for sale. Other services operating similar models for games or media have so they probably could legally. If they did I think it would destroy consumer confidence and thus the company. They did recently change some language to indicate that people are paying for a license. I think that was more to get ahead of regulations coming up.

[@10secondsrule]

@@SomeGuyAsWellyou don’t own your games on steam.

[@blademasterzero]

@@SomeGuyAsWellthe crew by EA would like to have a word with you, it was delisted and removed from peoples accounts

[@AceChina]

Never buy hp ANYTHING. I learned this lesson a decade ago.

[@2dents513]

Do you know what printer to get for an artist? I have an hp printer currently. Thankfully, I'm not paying for some ridiculous subscription. But I feel like I can get a better printer.

[@01skullz01]

@@2dents513The Canon PIXMA MG25515 is quite good, I have it and take GCSE Art at the minute, I believe it also has a photo copier and scanner as a part of it, but you will need to buy ink obviously. EDIT: it comes with two ink cartridges, one colour and one B&W

[@mey101]

​@2dents513 Get an Epson printer and you won't go wrong.

[@Greenious]

@@2dents513Not canon, they’re not far off HP in the printer business. Try either Brother or Epson. I’ve heard good things about them and they don’t seem to be nearly as scummy either. I’d also recommend colour laser printing if you’re printing often enough. The quality varies heavily but it’s considerably cheaper than inkjet or even inktank.

[@robbietorkelsonn8509]

@@2dents513 get into a better form of art

[@brian752]

And they make it difficult to stop the subscription. Hiding the phone number - if there is any at all, or keeping you calling back because "all lines are currently busy". And then when you do cancel they always manage to squeeze in an extra month or two out of you due to 'technical issues'. Using emails to cancel that don't exist. It goes on and on....

[@dvdv8197]

It's incredible how every "win-win service" over time turns into "only the company wins services". 😫😩😤😤

[@TheStarBlack]

That's the plan all along. Offer a temporarily better service until you destroy all completion then hike prices and reduce quality as much as you like, they don't have a choice anymore.

[@hidicproductions4849]

​@@TheStarBlackSure there is a choice. We turn our backs and go back into our local communities. Libraries, sharing media, piracy (not illegal if the companies are run by criminals too) and programming our own stuff. Yeah, we have to work again and start being creative. But that's better than being bloodsucked permanently by these greedy billionairs, who want more money than they can digest.

[@sodiumfluoridel]

dude can you stop spamming generic comments

[@wasd____]

I mean, duh. The company wouldn't do it if _they_ didn't win. And once they do, why should they care about you?

[@dvdv8197]

@@sodiumfluoridel nahh 🙈 Btw, how is this one supposedly "generic"? It's literally the first time this one got posted... 🥺🥴

[@drac124]

As a customer, your only power is not to buy those. Buy and then complain isn't helping. Companies need your money. Don't give it too easily.

[@onionknight249]

Exactly how dumb can people be investing a lot of money without thinking twice

[@arsenii_yavorskyi]

consumer boycotts never work. what we need is regulation.

[@onionknight249]

@@arsenii_yavorskyi it will take some very major shit to happen until laws are changed

[@Me-eb3wv]

Exactly Corporations and investors don’t care if people gather up outside a store, warehouse, headquarters or factory to complain, they only care the second they start loosing profit. Vote with your money

[@geography__jackson6139]

Vote with your dollar. If everyone or even 10% of people stopped giving these companies money, it'll show and they will have to make adjustments or just miss out on money.

[@TheXangelus]

My dad had to literally do weeks of research when I needed a new laserjet printer. Almost every option was connected to a subscription service. It’s just insane what subscriptions have come to these days Edit: for anyone wondering it’s the hp laserjet mfp m234dw and wil run you about 130 euro or probably 150-160 bucks

[@ricahrdb]

HP makes the non-subscription option somewhat hard to find but it should be available when you install one of their printers. Not sure how it works with other manufacturers but HP supposedly has the most aggressive form of pushing subscriptions.

[@vintagejaki751]

Did your dad find one that is non-subscription?

[@adoptsalot]

I think the key with HP, is 'never to sign up' for the refill service, or anything else. Then you can use refilled or new HP cartridges. Once you agree or sign up, you can't go back or change your mind. I think. Can't stress that enough. That's how mine works, but it is older. Ugh. They are all making it harder instead of easier, and more expensive instead of more affordable.

[@memediatek]

@@adoptsalotyou cant setup the latest ones without their software that makes you sign up and connect it to wifi

[@TheXangelus]

@@vintagejaki751 yes we found one. It’s a hp one that wants you to subscribe but this model doesn’t require it. I can look up the exact model number if you want? Edit: for anyone wondering it’s the hp laserjet mfp m234dw and wil run you about 130 euro or probably 150-160 bucks

[@brettonrockwell]

we HAVE to stop letting these companies do this to us.

[@Foofrarf23]

Imagine your refrigerator not dispensing ice and water because you didn't pay a subscription for something you already own... What's next? The whole refrigerator shuts off because of the same issue? That's absolutely absurd...

[@Iwwilolnatchu]

Don't give them ideas...

[@BloxyExpo]

Give them ideas

[@BestSharkis]

Most fridges don't dispense ice or water anyway, so there's that.

[@myoutuber77]

People pay their utility bills every month. Why are they not complaining about that? - Effectively it is a form of subscription, and one that practically support life. Let's be consistent here.

[@pagandragon830]

I'm 50+. One thing wrong in this is the cable thing. Sure, it had a better signal but what they used to sell it was no commercials. Then commercials came in and you were just paying for regular ass TV. I no longer have cable and refuse to pay for all of this crap. I've got CDs, movies and video games. And if I can't access that I've got books and board games. These greedy companies can F OFF!!!

[@cetriyasArtnComicsChannel]

yep, going back to the library and better hobbies.

[@soninalphin2771]

Amen

[@Arisaem]

Yeah. Tubi is free and I think it has fewer ads than cable TV, Pluto use to be worse but it's gotten a little better. I'll never understand people who'll pay for things riddled with ads.

[@RealHomeRecording]

​@@ArisaemTubi's video and audio quality are bad though. Some are willing to pay for a premium experience

[@notpublic8961]

You sure you're just 50? You could have said, "and get off my lawn!" and it would have fit in perfectly.

[@Sarah_Killian_fine_arts]

We bought a Sonos bluetooth speaker some months ago. It wouldn't play KZbin videos unless we connect a paid youtube account. We retuned that speaker immediately. We just wanted a speaker - not a device that forces us into subscriptions just to use its basic function: to play sound.

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

I call bullshit.

[@DoctordoomYou-fc2zv]

It simpl hack it like indians 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@Jokkkke]

@@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074Yeah. Pretty sure they just needed KZbin premium in order to play the music while the device was locked. Has nothing to do with Sonos

[@Kami-Sama197]

wtf, goddamn this is getting out of hand

[@FuknNoName]

OMFG farcical.

[@LyleBialk]

I got rid of Netflix long ago. Crazy paying every month, but not finding anything new to watch. DMCA has ALWAYS been an incredibly stupid and unfair system. It's like a factory worker getting a royalty every time you drive your car or mow your lawn. I paid for a product, I should be able to use and share the product.

[@JohnSpo]

I smashed my HP printer when it tried to force me to update the firmware. It was so cathartic. I'll never buy anything with HP branding again. I also don't buy any "smart" appliances.

[@ronlevon4294]

I have old HP printer before this subscription crap. I can do anything there, but I had to dissemble and assemble it already twice to clean and repair it . Not everyone will do it at home.

[@rickrandall3174]

There was a great "vent your anger on the desk printer" scene in the classic movie Office Space 😄

[@whensonzhou4174]

Based. Would smash my office hp printer if they allow me to.

[@kaasmeester5903]

There are some good choices for smart appliances. I always look for the ones that require no cloud, no subscription, or that are "cloud optional". Even a lot of the cheaper security cameras are like that. Z-Wave and Zigbee are protocols for smart devices like lights and doorlocks designed to work with a local hub, without subscriptions. A great example is the Doorbird smart doorbell. They offer a (free) cloud solution that makes it really simple to set up and use, but... all of the device's functions are exposed in standard protocols: you can get the camera feed with RTSP and get 2 way audio using SIP. But yeah, HP... I dropped them years ago. If a device does not function when I firewall it off from the Internet, I'm not buying it. But we're seeing this sort of behaviour more and more often: devices that don't really need the Internet will demand it to function. Smart TVs and vacuum robots that require "activation". Or these "mandatory" firmware updates. Now Philips is about to do the same thing with Hue lights; the hub stops functioning and requires an update... and at some point it will demand that you set up an account with them.

[@JohnSpo]

@@rickrandall3174 PC LOAD LETTER PC LOAD LETTER PC LOAD LETTER PC LOAD LETTER

[@Sythemn]

That instant ink thing is just theft. You own the physical asset. The board of directors from HP stole your physical asset. Ergo, they are guilty of burglary and should be charged accordingly.

[@huizhechen3779]

I think the proper term is "theft", not "burglary".

[@krux02]

I think the proper term is destruction of property value.

[@shorgoth]

@@krux02 yeah it's downright sabotage

[@DarknessUnresolved]

I used to own an inkjet printer, but let it go maybe 15 years ago - got sick of paying $20 or $30 something for cartridges, plus I really didn't need to print stuff at home. Had NO idea this is what printing at home has devolved into! WHY would anyone agree to that?!

[@realSamAndrew]

It depends on the specific language of what they describe is happening when they send you ink. Just because you hold something in your hand doesn't mean you own it. It could be on loan or consignment. If you sign a contract, you agree to the shitty terms.

[@rexawrex4947]

I give the library money and print things there. Support your local library and do all your printing there

[@Friggsdottir]

Support turning kids gae

[@gildedpeahen876]

my local library gives like 500 pages free printing per week per card. they are incredible

[@chalkylover]

Why are you people printing stuff? Go digital

[@chalkylover]

Also BTW they still have HP machines at the library so you are just shifting your cost of printing onto the general taxpayer , and HP still getting their money. Ur complicit in your own greed to print things for free

[@gildedpeahen876]

@@chalkylover most of my printing at the library is for my AA and N.A. groups lol

[@Leanzazzy]

Subscriptions only make sense when the product is repeatedly being made(e.g. newspapers, daily coffee/meals etc) or constantly adding more value(e.g. TV channels, Netflix). Paying a subscription for a static product is just as greedy as it gets.

[@dvdv8197]

Greed is not the desire for more, it's the desire for more at the expense of others.

[@Xeonerable]

thats not really any different.

[@tiberiussempronious6252]

Greed is never being happy with what you have. I have a nice house, I need another one. I have a nice car, I need another one. I have a big boat, I need a bigger one. On and on and on

[@ERG173]

I agree with you, more money at the expense of others will eventually cripple a nation. Inefficiency is the new way to get rich.

[@goofusmaximus1482]

Or the desire for more is completely insatiable.

[@iceman9678]

I guess it's everyone's fault for my greed. If it weren't for them then I would have nobody to take advantage of.

[@tss337]

I am personally so glad that Hp is getting smacked about instant ink! I wrote so many lengthy complaints to them last year before canceling! This is so out of control and in 2024 I began my financial diet and cut my $279 subscription bill down to a lean $139. Its still more than I want to pay

[@chewielewis4002]

Thats why I wont ever buy an HP printer. I hope more and more people avoid them like the plague as a "BAD investment" customer and they go out of business.

[@Chthonian121]

What are you paying for that’s $140?? I only have Apple Music, and Amazon Prime. Both on fake student accounts for $13 a month total

[@tss337]

@@Chthonian121 I have a family of 4 that I share the Apple One service with, a business mail service, our domains, cloud service, prime, Netflix, disney, my daughter’s one video game

[@jamesphillips2285]

@@Chthonian121 What do you pay for Internet access? That can easily be $100/month.

[@NightmareRex6]

cancel all them besides internet and VPN and start pirating fk copyright laws its for rich only ZERO resepect deserved the fact even old copyright law disney is allowed special prvilages just for being rich AF. and SEED YOUR TORRENTS!

[@darkknight17]

I will NEVER buy a HP printer after watching this.

[@EllieBumble]

They tried to pull that with me in the UK. I called them up and went ape shit.

[@StarCheesy]

That's why they call it Hateful Printers

[@rayanzaidi2793]

It makes me so frustrated how HP is treating me with limits on even printing and making me connect to the internet and using their printer ink.

[@GameReplays-]

I switched to samsung mono toner.Much cheaper.F*ck ink cratridges

[@G_Machine_Joe]

Don't buy one. This is not the only time I've read or seen this cartridge scam issue come up.

[@cheesypoofpoofs7700]

The consumers can change this. STOP BUYING IT. Fight back.

[@HankyBeagle]

Very happy to see this being discussed. I had an epsom printer that wouldn’t let me print black because my color cartridge was empty, even though the black cartridge was full. Recently Mazda shut off my remote start unless I pay them $10 a month. Now we’re paying it and it’s still not working and calling their customer service makes me want to bash my head into a wall. No one speaks English, they all sound utterly miserable and they have no idea how to identify or resolve the issue. I’m starting to believe the Amish people were correct and could foresee this hellish dystopian technological nightmare we are in.

[@Dan86130]

Having to pay a subscription to use your car's remote is just straight up criminal, as is any subscription locking something you bought with yet another paywall

[@jessicab331]

Remote start is literally already a feature “upgrade”… that is ridiculous!!!

[@dangduong1581]

I was in the same position as you are with my Epson printer, as it wouldn't print unless it detects the correct chip for the cartridge. Therefore, I converted the firmware (not sure how much I've paid for it since it's been a while) so that it fools the printer into thinking all the ink cartridges are full. From there, I've spent less than $50 for ink and refillable cartridge and I've been using it for almost 1.5 years now with only slight issues when the ink runs out, but given the quantity of ink that I still have, it would probably run for a pretty long time before the need to buy more ink. So glad I did that and saved hundreds of dollars on ink cartridges that probably take Epson less than a few dollars to produce .

[@sjg5994]

What makes me more bothered is that not only HP has the subscription, but the minimum subscription I have says I have to pay money for each sheet I print over their limit......but yet I buy the paper.😒

[@HankyBeagle]

@ There’s no shame to their greed. Get us for every penny they can. I’ve given up and no longer have a printer.

[@tmc6799]

I'm in my seventies, my kids become frustrated with me for not "buying new", repairing or buying refurbished used. My vehicles don't sew on my buttons or talk to me, I put the key in the ignition and drive on my own where I want to go. I can believe that there are people who pay huge amounts for subscriptions, I know I pay zero. If I want to listen to music, that's what my radio is for, I can use the dial on my thermostat to change the temperature in my house. Connecting so many household appliance through a phone or internet is asinine, we are getting more tech at the expense of our mental acuity and financial health.

[@hhjhj393]

Children just don't have the perspective. It's something you gain from being screwed over a couple times. If you want kids to understand you have to figure out a way for them to experience it personally. Once someone has been screwed over a couple times by something they will realize.

[@tmc6799]

@@hhjhj393 My feeling is the social pressures are causing the major problem. No more job applications at a business, cars that only have outlets for some gizmo, or worse only blue tooth connections. The list goes on. I am retired and can say stick a sock in it, no thanks, they can't.

[@Chimerapulse]

Yeah.... When I started seeing "smart fridges" or vehicles where you had to pay to use the heated seat feature in the vehicle you literally own!? ...... Humanity dropped several IQ points I'm afraid will take decades to reverse and/or the sun finally blasts a massive EMP and we get a few months technology free.

[@thecrackin-u8p]

Not.mention very unsafe....everything is being hacked ...having everything so connected is a VERY bad idea

[@liamgryphon7942]

As a software engineer, I agree mostly with the message, but also, I kinda like smart home automation. It seems like a fun hobby to setup my own temperature sensors and connect it to my aircon so it has more accurate information about the room temp. It's also kinda cool to work on creating a home inventory system that tracks my foods and can automatically compile my shopping list. And work on a way to import receipts into that system so when I buy things it can automatically update. I dunno, I guess my main message is don't blame the tech, blame the scummy companies behind them.

[@samvandam1766]

I strated noticing this trend few years back With Ms-office. It bothered me then. Now every service provider is trying to loot you with some subscription model. Thanks for covering this topic.

[@really2345]

I have Microsoft Office 2007. I finally bought 2024 not leasing 365. I bet there is not much of a difference from 2007.

[@stephenr6913]

I use Open Office, as does my local municipality. How many features do you need in your word processor or spreadsheet software?

[@dandansfu]

you should probably blame adobe, I believe they started this , at least for the software app side and they dont even offer paid version if I am not mistaken. at least you can still buy out ms office. also I love the 365, 1tb for 55 a year plus the office suite and some odd feature, for me, is great. of course I am sure there are cheaper way , and not defending for subscription.

[@teresabarger6823]

12/16/24 , so this is why the economy is in such a state . And upon purchasing an item that is designed to break down so you'll have to buy a new item of same thing . . We need to stop with these kinds of needless spending . The greed in the world today ! GEEZE

[@tmrwtoas]

This video should be shown to everyone. Younger people, show your family this, honestly. Help them discern what's actually helpful vs. straight dog doodoo.

[@dvdv8197]

“This country has socialism for the rich, rugged individualism for the poor." -Martin Luther King, Jr. Still as true as ever today.

[@ysf-psfx]

Worse

[@everythingisfine9988]

Marching towards indentured servitude

[@AdmiralBison]

it only becomes more obvious as time goes on. still too many Americans don't realize it yet and keep cheering on billionaires

[@johnkillean5970]

Important-Read this content creater>> the fact that software companies have to include all the conditions etc., they deceivingly dozens of small print pages of technical and confusing content! They should include a bullet point short statement that’s “to the point “ and very exact about pricing and cancellation and more. This is a horrible situation and only getting worse!

[@im_cart8656]

@@AdmiralBison 'Americans don't realize it yet and keep cheering on billionaires' dont you find it so disgusting.. i think alot of them are too immature and think that will be them one day.. but its not

[@silencesays228]

My car is almost 60 years old. I was thinking about maybe getting a new one. You convinced me to keep my old car.

[@Kathywake23]

"Keep your old car!" Now you got a 2nd opinion. A 60 yo car that still runs is an absolute gem.

[@barbarabigelow9110]

New cars today are actively listening to you and tracking where you're going, etc., and selling that data

[@benjaminkaminski5569]

What kind of car is it?

[@meditationsoothingmusic156]

Do not , keep your old car. The new ones with software are nightmares. Not only the car takes all the data from your mobile if you are using the navigation system, hand free calls etc.. No regulation about that and they can sell the information or use as the fell as fit. But worse, I have one of these cars with lots of gadgets, I had an accident thinking it was my fault. Thank goodness I had witnesses to confirm what I said. I was reversing to park but when I went forward and brake, the moment I put my foot on the brake petal, the car zoomed like mad and I went though someone's garden. After 7 months it was repaired, it did again but this time, I recognised the noise and took my feet off , the computer then used the automatic brake. It took over 2 months for them to figure out the problem. I went online and found at least over 15 people had the EXACT same problem when they were parking and the exact same car. Now , next week it goes back to the garage because one of the system , ABS or reverse sensors or the auto parking or the tyres sensors is broken. So they need to diagnose the problem before he said it trigger the others and I will need to change all of them. And they are lots of these in the car. The dashboard gives the 4 warnings at the same time. I miss my old car with no computer.

[@russellmania5349]

@@barbarabigelow9110 New cars also break down a lot faster.

[@1wildwackywoman]

Thank you for investigating these issues!

[@FebreGundam]

You really got me with the WSJ article about people being tired of subscriptions requiring a subscription. So, yes, you got yourself a subscription to your channel

[@benjamindare5590]

I recon you could have gotten one more use of the subscription: "So, yes, you being subscribe-able got yourself a sub..."

[@k1t2m3g4]

This is why we need very robust right to repair laws

[@oatmeal710]

never gonna happen when politicians' pockets are wide open

[@DeenanTheKemon1]

​@@oatmeal710and plump full.

[@Padraigp]

Right to buy laws first.

[@lukeusername]

Kamela Harris' VP pick, Tim Walz, did Right to Repair in Minnesota! So vote blue

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

​@@lukeusernameis this accurate?

[@stephenriggs8177]

"I'm assuming--I couldn't actually READ the article." 🔥

[@Pensandoci9]

the same people saying this typically use ad-blockers all the time and complain about the ad industry. At some point, the people providing the service need to make money, including journalists.

[@jamesphillips2285]

@@Pensandoci9 Many news organizations claim that "Privacy Badger" is an ad-blocker. All privacy badger does is block cross-site tracking. But it blocks common ads by interfering with the real-time bidding process used by online advertising.

[@kaiparker1756]

@@Pensandoci9There’s other ways for journalists to make money other than paywalling articles or shoving ads everywhere on them

[@jiremyjanga9995]

@@kaiparker1756name a few

[@kaiparker1756]

@@jiremyjanga9995 Merchandising, licensing, subscription/membership models for exclusive content or other benefits, etc.

[@ayoungtricknamedjim5498]

I called this inevitable future 15 years ago. Fortunately, my family looks inward, rather than externally for joy. We do have Netflix for the occasional mindless entertainment (a couple of times a month), and Spotify to assist in my wife's work. This video wouldn't exist if people were taking care of themselves and doing shadow work.

[@murenorocha]

And that's why I'm still buying CDs, Blu rays and DVDs whenever I find them. I'm tired of companies trying to make everything a subscription, especially for things I already own.

[@yossiitzinger]

Rip them, and host them on your own Plex or jellyfin server. Streaming at full quality, and no one can take it away from you

[@janea8093]

I just pirate the movies for free😂😂

[@nikicarrie4071]

@@janea8093heros don't wear capes

[@tias.6675]

Same here. Books too !

[@tiefensucht]

sooner or later the discs corrode

[@alecphoenix6631]

I canceled all my subscriptions. A couple of companies made it extremely difficult to do/ So I took them to small claims court and won. Based AF.

[@GirishPandit-y7v]

Based

[@nikicarrie4071]

Good for you!

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

So, you paid more to cancel the subscriptions than the cost of the subscriptions themselves? 😂😂😂😂🤡

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

The longest it took for me to cancel a subscription was 5 minutes. And that took longer only because I demanded they remove my credit card info permanently.

[@TheCowboy4000]

​@@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074or order a new credit card.

[@WaseemM2]

the tone and delivery of the anchor is so refreshing. Calm and on topic. No sensationalization.

[@davidcarp5935]

She should sound a little more pissed off

[@WaseemM2]

@@davidcarp5935 No dude. too many people screaming these days causing too much noise. this is better. back to the 50's

[@looneyburgmusic]

Also wrong about almost everything

[@FocusedFighter777]

​@@looneyburgmusic God forbid someone compliments another person. You're just mad it's not you. Smiff

[@looneyburgmusic]

@@FocusedFighter777 You are "complimenting" someone who is lying to you. Let me guess, Trump supporter, right?

[@ethxo6734]

My husband bought me a nice digital calendar that doubles as a digital photo book. Loved it until it hit me, wait this doesn’t need a subscription right? Of course it does. Great, another subscription. Instantly turned my enthusiasm around.

[@MrGhostsword]

just avoid anything with a subscription, either buy it outright, or avoid it.

[@Red_Groke_plans]

Unfortunately, the enshittification of apps works around it. I made a one-time purchase for my disabled son’s AAC app. Worked well, but then a couple of months ago they rolled the subscription model! At first they were assuring us that people who made the one-time purchase won’t be affected. Guess what? When the app updated itself it people needed to change their device (which happens often with disabled kids - things break) - your account automatically became subscription based! I hate it. Now I have to make monthly payments to give my son a voice.

[@allyssasolana]

@@Red_Groke_plansI’m so sorry about that omg

[@Learn_Daily]

You are subscribed to your ISP, they will become more necessary and more ubiquitous unfortunately.

[@Learn_Daily]

​@Red_Groke_plansthat's beyond messed up, poor kid held ransom by big wigs. Shameful display.

[@dvdv8197]

We HAVE TO stop putting profits over EVERYTHING ELSE. IN EVERY SINGLE INDUSTRY. 😤😤😤😤

[@JohnGeranien]

We? Not we. They.

[@bakgammon]

​@@JohnGeranienExactly.

[@jeffzebert4982]

Many of us might well have to set up and live in "Scrap" villages! Each "Scrap" village will be populated by people known as "Scraps", who will have divorced themselves from money and all other aspects of mainstream society. I figure that each "Scrap" village will be built around a hand-dug well; and that each "Scrap" will live in a grass hut. At least each "Scrap" will actually OWN their grass hut and all of its contents, and won't have to pay subscriptions for any of them! The term "Scrap" comes from the movie "Demolition Man". In that movie, the "Scraps" were people who didn't like the idea of living under Dr. Raymond Cocteau's draconian regulations. These people therefore literally lived underground, beneath San Angeles. The "Scraps" in "Demolition Man" were led by Edgar Friendly.

[@Ugfromumantman]

Good luck with that

[@RealShaktimaan]

No one is starting a business to run as a charity. They take risks to make money

[@Audiogeek-kf2ez]

I have walked out of many places when I asked it any part of this unit requires a subscription. When they say yes, I simply say I am buying from the EU.

[@RowenaSnow-px3jg]

Lol should organize a dozen or more people to go to this store. One after the other, each asks if a subscription is required for the item. One after the other, hearing that it is, they say they will take their business elsewhere and walk out. If this was a large scale campaign hitting many stores might make an impact 😂

[@spektred]

That's why I use Eufy for my security/door camera. Local storage of my video and no subscription!

[@nikicarrie4071]

⁠thank you

[@ratchabay74]

Me too, that was the condition to get one​@@spektred

[@Octavius145]

@@spektredJust for your awareness, Eufy does store thumbnails of your event recordings in the cloud. And those are always a picture from the recording. Otherwise you could not see them in the app before the camera is accessed. In default settings your Eufy app can access recordings from outside of your home network, which means there is an internet connectivity to the local SD card storage that theoretically could be exploited by the company. Eufy is owned by Anker, a Chinese company. Make with that information what you feel is right.

[@beni_benyei]

Makes me physically sick to my stomach

[@skylerlightning4620]

That printer story really tells how poor regulated US actually is as that something 100% Illegal yet here it being completely allowed with nothing done.

[@meditationsoothingmusic156]

It isn't only in the US. In the UK too, I bought a HP printer after a month, it asked me to subscribe but I refused since I have a printer with lots of ink but not usable. I decided not to give them another penny because they are forcing me to do so. I bought another printer from another company instead. And from then I decided I will not buy another product from HP.

[@iaing9028]

@@meditationsoothingmusic156 About 5 years ago H&P decided to stop all their printers working that were not using genuine H&P ink, this was actually done instantly, it was set for a particular date in the future. When I heard about this I also decided to never buy any H&P product, I have an Epson printer I can use generic ink that is very cheap, but even this printer wasn’t immune, as it stopped working as it has reached the maximum paper count! So they decide how many sheets it can print until it reaches the end of its life! Luckily I managed to pay a guy in Vietnam $9 to reset the printer counter so it was as good as new again!

[@michaellane5381]

This is what was really great with California's new law that forces Steam and other services from noting video game purchases are not "purchases". We need this for ALL products, and price regulation on "rentals" If HP is going to lock my ink cartridge "I" better be getting my own damn "storage" fee and THEY need to be responsible for recycling THEIR Cartridge, unless it's in an accident not a sngle cartridge better end up in a landfill, they are invoking a heavy carbon tax on the world doing what they are doing.

[@vf1923]

And I'm super glad this is becoming an issue because it shows a real and concrete role for government that isn't just fooling around with sociology and ideology. This is what government is FOR, it's to stop companies from running rampant. If the person you're voting for isn't talking about this, they're not doing their job fully. Stop letting people get away with doing half a job and demand they consider how regulations protect people from exploitation.

[@orirune3079]

Why are Europeans like this

[@engrtun]

Dumb products will make a come back soon enough.

[@tahderich]

This all depends on broke and ''dumb' buyers, The box clearly says it works on the instant ink program. If people would rather pay for home delivery cartriges than to order cartriges when the time comes. They should at least look up the product to know that HP will disable the printer without it instead of complaining after.

[@andreas7944]

Well, my new washing machine sends me a notification on my phone instead of going like "beep beep MF" in the middle of the night. It may not seem like much, but it really had an impact on how I use it. So products getting smarter is not really a problem - what's being done with their new capabilities is a problem.

[@Psalm2710_]

And the prices will put those of us who have been buying them out, so get what you want now before they label it all 'vintage" in a specialty store.

[@nadiabashnin6629]

Let’s start cancelling these shady companies. Is there a full name and shame list?

[@vancouverbill]

Good call. Mass avoid buying hp products and other big offenders and companies will learn the hard way they can't abuse their customers

[@halucinator1]

John Deere, BMW, HP, Adobe to start the list. If I bought a physical item. It's mine to do as I please.

[@MrSamoDude]

@@halucinator1 Even if it's not a physical item, if I bought it I should be able to treat it the same way as a physical object. If I 'buy' a movie or video game or piece of software, I should be able to lend it to my family to use, should be able to sell it when I no longer need it etc. If I'm not 'buying' the product then don't show me a buy button, show me a rent or lease button instead!

[@halucinator1]

@MrSamoDude I agree. $70 for a game should get the same rules as a library book. Lending without licensing.

[@SilverTester]

​@@halucinator1i would add that if a game can get pulled from an online store without notice, its value should be refunded since its no longer available. Allowed exception would be a game available for over 10 years (from purchase, not from availability) and even that should be on print in terms and conditions.

[@foodismed1cine]

Excellent reporting. I'm glad to say, aside from my smart phone, I don't own anything "smart" and actively avoid it. Will do so for as long as possible.

[@movezig5]

I hope you talk to Louis Rossman about this. He's been fighting back against these kind of practices for a while now.

[@mattspawn1975]

He is the GOAT on this topic!

[@BitTheByte]

Not a chance, these people’s politics are entirely contrary to Rossmanns

[@unggrabb]

Avoid buying anything which requires a connection to a vendor

[@нитинк]

Internet connection

[@MooiMeissje]

iCloud for iPhone and all the other iPhone stuff to keep the iPhone running

[@ThatAverageMTBer]

@@MooiMeissje You don't have to use icloud

[@erikalesi7603]

Yanis Varoufakis terms this “Technofeudalism”. And get ready to have subscriptions for everything from groceries to gas to restaurants. It’s coming soon.

[@michael50694]

They already have that.

[@TheUniverseWatchesYou]

It's already over here. One of the large companies pushing "services" for their cars, Volkswagen, is currently close to bankrupcy :)

[@suddenly_radical4558]

I think blue apron or a company sends you "fresh ingredients" and how to prepare them for a small price of your left kidney per month

[@V1kt0rS0]

...flashing toilet will also be a subscription. 10 times a day let's say.. If you want to flash more, you have to pay more. and If you want your family use the toilet you have to pay for family subscription. but only for those who live with you under the same address. that's pathetic. people should hold together to fight subscription hell.

[@lycanwarrior2137]

Yeah he wrote an article about it. Particularly how he used to work for Valve and how Steam enabled this reality.

[@rebelwithacause5217]

NOT ME! All independent news people want you to pay for their subscriptions too! I want to be informed but I can’t subscribe to every individual independent reporter! They need to join with other reporters under an umbrella organization.

[@1MSally1965]

I don’t do this. When I have to pay, I just quit watching it.

[@LUM-kb2rl]

Everyone has known for decades that printers deliberately drain your ink cartridges unnecessarily. The most famous example is printers mixing color cartridges into black ink for a "richer tone." Knowing how shady they are with wasting your ink on purpose, trying to sell us a system that wastes your ink then buys more automatically is wildly tonedeaf 😂

[@chucknorris1920]

'shady' 'tone' deaf, that is common humor in the amongst the printing community.

[@nyanko8972]

Printers are the devil

[@thecrackin-u8p]

*greedy

[@foolishlyfoolhardy6004]

Damn, that's why I couldn't print when I only had black ink. They're being even bigger as*holes than I had imagined. I don't have a printer anymore at least.

[@erkinalp]

Wasting? Did you actually test black ink only black vs. CMYK-full black?

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

Subscriptions are one of many examples of how wrong the 21st century has gone. 50 years ago, even suggesting something like this would have gotten you laughed into oblivion.

[@sarahdiehl9156]

I think one of the worst subscription scams I have come across is when we were apartment hunting, on the biggest market website in my country, you would need a 'premium' subscription to apply for certain apartments. There was no workaround, since there were no other contact information available. 39€ a month just for the chance to apply for an apartment that is already way overpriced. Of course after having found an apartment, I now have to still pay for that for another 4 months for absolutely nothing.

[@PaulaRoxana-pi3gj]

So I've met with even a bigger scam. We have original websites for apartments in our country, but also some common ad sites (a bit like marketplace, but different - some specifically only focus on serious ads like houses, cars, jobs etc). So sometimes agencies or landlords also put their own ads on those sites, hoping more people will see it. You open the ad, see some rooms, get to a link to the original housing website where the original ad is from (only way to see it or contact them) - NOPE! Need to pay to even OPEN THE AD TO SEE THE HOUSE. How tf do I first pay for a subscription, without even being able to see the ads and houses, hell what if I pay and turns out this site offers nothing I'm interested in, then what, just a waste of money. You won't believe how many of them are like that too - I'd need to take out a subscription to literally every single site (30 euros each) and like I said just to be able to browse their ads and very possibly find nothing you like since we have housing crisis as it is. Ended up being limited only to ONE site where yes you had to pay to contact the landlords, but at least it allowed you to first see the ads so at least when I was sure I will contact five people it didn't feel like paying for nothing. Still, I wouldn't but it's literally the only option if you want to avoid agencies and their extra costs. I cancelled the subscription the same month (so only paid once) the second I signed the rent contract.

[@Zerasion-]

Had the same issue as well. That's awful

[@chebetanita]

OMG the same happened to me I had to pay for a service to have access to available accomodation options which I ended up not finding any, and only realized later that the payment wasn't a one time thing, so I had to cancel the subscription, so messed up that subscriptions have inflitrated all aspects of life

[@Froggynarrations]

I’d write down all the info for places you like so after the four months if you need to move you won’t need to buy again. Yes, you’ll have to cold call to see what’s available but still better than wasting money

[@chasemer6]

I found this for a job listing once. To submit a resume, you have to pay.

[@mattias1234]

"You'll own nothing and you'll be happy" (alternatively "You'll own nothing and be happy") "-Quote From World Economic Forum (WEF)"-

[@DeepMasterFunk]

And people still consider you a conspiracy nutjob if you mention anything the WEF is already applying on society.

[@Tom_Quixote]

It's a quote from a Danish youth politician asked to write an essay about life in the future. It was meant as a warning.

[@1MSally1965]

Claus Schwab. Satan himself.

[@frankmckenneth9254]

This is why I adore the software piracy scene, I despise this business model.

[@crusherven]

I hate it. The scene you love incentivized businesses to adopt these models.

[@connorlomas1108]

​@@crusherven I seriously doubt that. Anti-piracy far outdates these subscription models

[@skyisreallyhigh3333]

@@crusherven No, businesses adopt these models because of how many people will pay for the service without ever using it. A gym is a subscription service, a service that would not be profitable if there weren't swaths of people who sign up for a gym, use it a few times, then dont go back but keep paying for it for a long time.

[@crusherven]

@@connorlomas1108 most of those techniques were ineffective, which is why the went to subscription (or always online). You don't have to believe me, companies have stated that as one of the reasons

[@lindabcarpentersings]

​@@crushervenha. I wish ending piracy would stop subscriptions. But no, investors, the stock market, and companies wanting infinite growth bc greed is why it's ended up this way. Oh and lobbying stopping laws to stop this stuff

[@603Madison]

I have a laser printer from 1993 that still works fine, and I'm holding onto it for dear life. In it's lifetime, it's had the rollers replaced twice ($30 for a set), and has gone through a 3 or 4 toner cartriges ($40 each), and it still works great!

[@vaderladyl]

yep, I went laser and never looked back.

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

I used such laser printers at work. Absolute garbage. The toner cost 5x the price of the printer and the quality was shit.

[@blobtv7444]

bought my laser printer 10 years ago and still on the same cartridge

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

@blobtv7444 Absolute bullshit. The cartridge would have been dried-up years ago. I know, I used one at work everyday. The cartridges cost more than the printer.

[@tcyk1500]

​@@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074I don't believe you have a job anywhere. You're trying to compare a 200 lb office printer used by 50 plus people daily to a household desktop used by a family?

[@TechnoSan09]

year 2100: 6.99$ per day for oxygen supply

[@dusty4047]

If a company goes bankrupt and out of business there is no longer any copyright. We use a program 15 yrs old and company no longer exists so we were able to make multiple copies to use internally for our use.

[@meditationsoothingmusic156]

You could make it free source for other people to be able to use as well. Just an idea.

[@denelson83]

It does not work that way. If a copyright-holding company goes out of business, other companies end up with all those copyrights.

[@vf1923]

@@denelson83 It depends, and it's an absolute nightmare to work out. If you inquire, a lot of companies will just ask for the money as if they own the thing. Never trust a company to tell you if they own something; most will just say yes. Unless it's a very litigious company like Disney, and unless it's blatantly obvious what happened to the assets, I think people should just do it and dilute this powerful control companies exert over us. Just build yourself in an escape clause, like a reissue. If a living individual isn't being harmed, there's no actual ethics involved.

[@snintendog]

@@vf1923 ITs a night mare GOG goes through everyday. HELL they could have the Main Devs and previous owners ready to put it on GOG and a CopyTroll will showup claimin its theirs with this BUllshit Paper from a two bit lawyer. DMCA is broken and the Copyright and Patent offices dont Give a Shit and just Rubber stamp EVERYTHING Infront of them.

[@akse]

There is also this abandon ware thing. I know a game which was abandon ware and now they repackaged it to a game store and it's no longer abandon ware :) The game is from 1995 or so.

[@afterhourscinema782]

*"Welcome to your Future Car 3000! Would you like to start your engine? Subscribe to start your car!"* TRUST ME, it's coming...

[@nebbykoo]

Cars will be like rental scooters. 'INSERT CREDIT CARD HERE'

[@dvdv8197]

"I'm sorry, your card has been denied. Please call your bank and accept a special "My Car Credit Card" in order to get out of the car."

[@yummyfunnybunny5167]

"I'm sorry, we have found that your political ideologies are not inline with the current established view. For your safety, your vehicle has been shut off"

[@chrislindsay3104]

BMW floated the idea of offering heated seats through a $18 a month subscription but got backlash.😂

[@1986jon19]

If we get rid of gas powered cars and have an unlimited no charge battery, then yes.

[@pmarcusb]

Subscriptions make you broke. So many people don't realize what they spend on it. I had a pest control knock on my door wanting me to subscribe to his service for 20 a month. Told him, that's crazy. Get out of here. 😂😂

[@aritragupta4182]

Sounds like a one-man/small business trying to make it big, which is OK. If it were a big corporation, I'd ask them to give me a demo on eliminating the pest I see standing right before me before I consider signing up.

[@pmarcusb]

@@aritragupta4182 no, he mentioned, you probably see our vans in your neighborhood all the time. I told him no I don't. Since then, I can't think of a time I've seen their vans.

[@Quantdummy]

😂atleast let the pest guy make a buck

[@vf1923]

My bank was trying to sell me a subscription to their alert service, and when I asked how much it was it was something absurd like $25/mo. I told them upfront how silly that was.

[@la6136]

I mean if you have a pest problem that is a good deal

[@keywestalert6329]

Other than a direct service to you, the company gets free money. The software industry slowed down when subscriptions started. You will own nothing...

[@lavahotpocket3886]

Thanks to this video, I discovered almost $100 worth of bunk subscriptions being charged to me every month. Subscriptions for products YOU PURCHASE YOURSELF need to be made illegal.

[@johnathansilva2823]

The BMW and Benz lockouts are craaaaaaaaaaaazy. Soon they won't let you put air in your tires unless you pay a subscription. No changing tires unless you pay subscription.

[@andreas7944]

Same with most other premium cars. At least you have access to the spare parts. Try that with Tesla.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

I wouldn't be surprised if you need dealer activation to install new government mandated tire pressure monitors.

[@AlGossett-rn1ph]

I just bought a NFL subscription for 6.99 only to find out to watch the current games you have to pay another 14.99 a month. I'm about to throw my TV in the trash 😂

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

Wait, so you are blaming the subscription rather than the NFL who sell the broadcast rights? The stupidity....

[@wantblack2133]

​@@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074 he just irritated man. It's human

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

@@wantblack2133 His irritation led to his irrationality and stupidity by blaming the wrong people.

[@superpotatobro]

​@@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074I think the blame may lie equally on the NFL and the subscription service. While the NFL is at fault for selling the broadcasting rights to shitty services, I don't think it's productive to just excuse the existence of shitty subscriptions by putting all the blame on the rights holder. The predatory service should also be held accountable.

[@yxmichaelxyyxmichaelxy3074]

@superpotatobro Nope. The League is entirely responsible. How much are players paid again???

[@awkwardguineapig]

Thing is that this development wouldn't happen if customers just flat out refused. People keep buying these subscription based devices, and then complain about having to pay a subscription.

[@gcmoney]

I agree. My rent subscription is killing me.

[@vf1923]

For reals.

[@DLTonYT]

If you think subscriptions are bad, cover HOA's next. My HOA fee in Arizona is over $600 a month, ontop of my $500/month land lease. They do nothing and have been caught embezzling money in the past, yet we can't stop paying without losing our housing. Yay.

[@erinl4111]

Have you seen John Oliver's segment about HOAs? kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6PMq6B3pJZqhdU

[@thecrackin-u8p]

Can't wait to live in bum fuck nowhere

[@dawnhoughton4533]

Why rent or buy if there's an HOA?

[@thecrackin-u8p]

@DLTonYT exactly why you never buy a HOA housing

[@CyphDragon]

@@thecrackin-u8p thanks to corrupt politicians, there are vast swaths of the country where you can't find housing that's not part of an HOA. Especially here in TX, if you want to live any kind of reasonable distance from a city, you're going to have to put up with an HOA, and they essentially form another layer of government with the full power to do pretty much whatever they want.

[@Suburp212]

I have exactly zero subscriptions. Perfect.

[@mho...]

same, its all online "one click away" anyways!

[@beaualoevv]

brokie. netflix and spotify is a must have. you watch movies on these sht sites in low quality and music with ads or you download them one by one lol. not to mention playstation monthly games subscription

[@endlessorbaggins8223]

Your phone line is a subscription. Your internet connection is a subscription. Do you go to Costco? If so, its a subscription.

[@MrWackozacko]

@@endlessorbaggins8223 Thats right, phone and internet are the only two that you need. All else is a scam, And the phone should be bought outright the subscription is only for the network and data

[@deezboyeed6764]

Nope you can get a phone thats not a subscription and internet really isnt a subscription when you get a fixed contract​@endlessorbaggins8223

[@bookbag6432]

What is the government doing to stop this? This is crazy as hell.

[@Lmnop913]

Luis Rossman does a great job covering this topic every day. Its outrageous where we are as a society and we all need to work together to push back against these greedy and anti-consumer practices.