Hello, fellow Americans. Have you noticed how everyday items are increasingly locked behind subscription-based services? Your coffee maker, house lights, doorbell, car features, entertainment—so many products now come with ongoing fees.
The subscription model isn’t new; it dates back as far as the printing press. When done right, it benefits both companies and customers. Companies profit, and customers enjoy expanded experiences with the products they love.
But lately, something has shifted. Subscriptions are being weaponized to hold the things we’ve already purchased hostage. Companies are using deceptive tactics to squeeze more money out of us, often for features or functions that should come standard with the product.
Take, for example, the HP printer ink scandal. HP marketed their printers with subscription services for ink refills—but when users opted out, their printers stopped working entirely. Features that had nothing to do with the subscription were suddenly disabled unless customers paid up. It’s a classic bait-and-switch: buy the product, then get coerced into paying to use it. (check out the story here: Redirecting...)
This business practice isn’t just unethical; it’s eroding trust. It exploits hard-working Americans, trapping us into paying for things we thought we owned outright. And the worst part? It’s becoming the norm.
Think about it: Are we okay with companies turning ownership into an illusion? Are we comfortable letting this culture of corporate greed creep further into our lives?
It’s time to push back. We need transparency and fair practices that put customers first—not predatory models designed to nickel-and-dime us forever.
What are your thoughts? Have you experienced anything like this? Let’s start a conversation and hold these companies accountable.