Just Say No To Subscriptions

It’s Nice To Pay Only Once

Adobe switched from a onetime payment to a subscription model many years ago, which is when I first started using subscriptions.. I was excited. Adobe promised to release new features every year. And by subscribing to Creative Cloud, I could get access to other products I couldn’t afford as a single-operator small business. I was on board. I participated in their marketing promotions. I wrote positive reviews of their products, including my favorites: Photoshop and Dreamweaver. I even tried out new apps.

After a year had gone by, the new pricing model for the subscription arrived and they included more products in the Creative Cloud. But you know what wasn’t included? Any major updates to Photoshop or Dreamweaver. I shrugged, thinking, “they’ve been busy. They promised they’d release new features and keep updating. I’m sure they will.” And after a while, they released a “major update.” This major update comprised changing the color scheme and branding of the products.¹ No new features, nothing useful to me as a loyal fan.

Yes, they have released new features in the decades since then, but not annually like they had been before. Before Creative Cloud, I would buy a new copy of Photoshop every two years. And in the off years, I would pine for the new version that I was skipping so I could feed my cat and pay my rent. But I knew that next year I’d buy the next version, and it’d be great and I wouldn’t have to give up essentials for a software application.

Subscriptions Force Me to Adjust My Budget to a Corporation’s Bottom Line

The only way Adobe would care that I couldn’t pay my rent or feed my cat was if they were leasing me the apartment or had some ownership of my cat. They just want access to my bank account for as long as they can keep it. If they could drain it dry before every other company using a subscription business model could, they would. In a heartbeat.

Not to mention the dishonest business practices that draw people into subscription models. Or the repugnant cancellation policies that rely on you forgetting about the subscription for years (and yes, I’ve been there). I refuse to use any subscription model software.

Also, we’re not discussing the misleading tactics used to attract people to subscription models. Or the repugnant cancellation policies that rely on you forgetting about the subscription for years. (Five dollars a month adds up after a few years. And Creative Cloud costs significantly more than that.) I refuse to use subscription model software.

Even My Mortgage Payment Will End One Day

It will take thirty years, but at the end of that time, I’ll have a physical asset that 100% belongs to me. I’m incredibly lucky that I could afford that, I know. But what will I have after 30 years of paying for Creative Cloud or any other subscription software? Nothing. I can’t even use an older, outdated version of the software. I either keep paying the subscription or I give up access to that app.

That’s Why I Told CleanMyMac I’ll Never Use Their Software on a Subscription

They asked me to fill out a survey about how I felt about switching to a subscription model. They gave several multiple-choice questions that had bogus marketing answers. So I chose “other” on several and I “specified” as they requested.

This is What I Told Them

What is the main reason why you prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription?

All the above, but the bottom line (for me) is no matter what marketing hash you sling at me to “prove” that your subscription is secure, useful for a long time, more cost-effective, and your service is better than the rest, I will not subscribe. In fact, if you switch to subscription-only, I will drop you like a hot rock and will bad-mouth you to anyone who will listen. Luckily for you, my dog doesn’t own a Mac, but if he did, he would NEVER subscribe to your service. Please don’t switch to subscription. My dog begs you.

What would be the most important factor in deciding whether to move to a subscription model?

Nothing. Honestly, when I clicked through to this survey, it said you had ONE question and this is question number four. I don’t trust that you won’t also lie about subscription details just to charge my credit card for a long time. I don’t want my cats to feel that their only option is to eat me because my estate is tied up in recurring subscriptions and can’t feed them cat food. They’ll bring the dog onto their side. PLEASE DON’T SWITCH TO SUBSCRIPTION. Think of the pets!

All Jokes Aside, Subscriptions Are Bad for Consumers

Period.

And I won’t pay for them. You shouldn’t either.

Image by Maryse Rebaudo from Pixabay.