Gah! I really hate the subscription idea!

[cataddict]

Originally Posted by kittybug

This sounds like a dystopian nightmare to me! I'm with you, just NO!!

Exactly!! I think they want you to subscribe and forget about it and pay them FOREVER. My "subscription" to Microsoft Office expired and all it seems to mean is that they don't provide any more updates to the programs. Well, I don't care. The 2021 version is fine with me as I don't use it for work.

I had no idea that more and more companies are requiring subscriptions for what I would consider basic services---the car thing is pretty scary. Our internet company wants you to get the top of the line service but they have to provide the hardware and, of course, you pay for it monthly until it's been paid for 1000 times over. Not exactly a subscription, but still they are forcing you to "rent" equipment that gets outdated quickly. I always buy my own modem and router so I can replace when needed and get what works for me, not just what is best for the company.

I'm afraid to read the rest of this thread as it seems there are so many forced subscriptions out there!!

[wendug]

Originally Posted by cataddict

What printer do you have? I have an HP and they blast me with ads to subscribe but I never have and I get the cartridges at a warehouse store and they work fine. It's about to die though and I don't want to buy one that makes you subscribe!

We have an old brother laser printer that does not work anymore because of a windows 10 update. My husband works in tech and has tried all sorts of things to get it to work with no success. Stupid planned obsolescence! Also, I just read about a new dymo printer that is able to put RFID in paper so it knows if you aren't using their paper and it won't print. What????

[kittybug]

The smart house thing makes me think of this vid.

[warriorprincess]

They actually can't force you to pay to rent their equipment any longer. They finally passed a law in our favor about a year ago.

[cataddict]

Originally Posted by warriorprincess

They actually can't force you to pay to rent their equipment any longer. They finally passed a law in our favor about a year ago.

I don't think this law applies to the service I'm talking about. It's a "whole house" type of premium internet service, and it's provided using their equipment. So I can choose not to subscribe to this particular service since I don't want to use their equipment and they don't force me to pay rent on anything. I don't pay rent for my modem or router with my current service as I own my own equipment.

wendug, just WOW on the possibility that printers will have to use a particular brand or type of paper to work.

[Vintage VFer]

Originally Posted by kittybug

The smart house thing makes me think of this vid.

LOL! Yes!

It also reminds me of a 1950 Ray Bradbury short story called, "There Will Come Soft Rains." An automated home keeps doing all its chores, even though that family is no longer there.

There Will Come Soft Rains

Bleak, but beautifully written.

[fatkat555]

I just saw an ad on TV for a lawn care (fertilizer) subscription called Sunday! So even lawn care is going subscription…. Ugh.

[topfitmama]

Originally Posted by kittybug

The smart house thing makes me think of this vid.

And this one

[kittybug]

Something went wrong with my post...funny vid topfitmama!!

[Vintage VFer]

topfitmama - funny video!