First, thanks for being part of Crikey. We’re in our 21st year, and we wouldn’t have been able to make it through the first couple if it wasn’t for loyal members like you.
What you need to know
From March 30, we will move to auto-renewing all our memberships. This brings us in line with almost every other news subscription service and most digital subscription products such as Netflix and Spotify.
This will only affect users who are currently on an annual membership that is not set to auto-renew. To check your account, log into your member portal here.
What you need to do
Nothing now if you want to stay with us. The payment method you use to subscribe will be charged automatically on the day your annual membership is up. We’ll send you a reminder when the auto-renewal is about to go through.
If you don’t want this to happen and you want to stop your membership auto-renewing, we will provide steps for you to opt-out. We have already sent an email to all affected users with an opt-out link. If you have not received this, please check your junk mail or get in touch. We will send reminder emails between now and March 30 as well.
If you would like to speak to us directly, please either call on 03 8623 9900 or email us at support@crikey.com.au. If you’d like to read our full terms and conditions, click here.
When the UK had a Tory government in the 1950’s and 1960’s a person was required to “opt in” to pay union fees automatically from their wages. When there was a Labour government in this period payment was automatic unless you “opted out.” (After 1970 I came to Oz, so what they do now I know not.) It is obvious who benefits from each policy. The motivational aspect is also obvious!
So your policy of having people “opt out” of automatic renewal is simply a slide into the money grab that prevails in the industry.
I would like to opt out; I look forward to getting that email regarding the matter.