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Quite often we receive the suggestion from users that we should offer an automatic renewal option as part of the deviantART subscription service. Reasons for this particular request are numerous and range from deviants not always remembering to renew their subscription before it expires to deviants not wanting to experience service interruptions and desiring a more automated process.
Based on these requests, we're happy to announce that we have launched a new "Automatic Subscription Renewals" feature.
As a result, you will not have to concern yourself with renewing your subscription! How cool does that sound?
Of course, not every one wants or needs the feature so for those of you who do not wish to have automated recurring billing, fret not for that is an option as well.
In order to guide you through this process, we have prepared responses to commonly asked questions that you may have. Please take a read through below and if you have any further questions please let us know here on this article.
And thank you for supporting our subscription program!
I selected a billing package but decided I do not want my subscription to auto renew after all, can I opt out of this?
Yes, you can. If you do not wish to have your subscription renew automatically you will be presented via email with a link to opt out before your subscription is about to expire. You can also cancel the renewal option at anytime during your current subscription by visiting the subscription section of the services page.
I like to purchase subscriptions for other members as prizes to contests, will these auto renew?
No they will not auto renew. You will only be eligible for the automatic renewal program if you have purchased a subscription for yourself.
I wish to use PayPal, deviantDOLLARS or a Money Order to make my purchase, can I take part in the automatic renewal service?
We apologize but this is not possible. Automatic subscriptions renewals will only work with a direct credit card purchase through deviantART.
Will I receive a confirmation email confirming my purchase?
Yes you will receive an email confirming your purchase and the amount you have paid.
Will I receive an email when my subscription is about to expire?
Yes, an email reminder will be sent out informing you that your subscription will be automatically renewed shortly, you will also be presented with an option to opt out of automatic renewals at this time. You will also receive an email once your card has been successfully charged confirming your purchase.
What happens if my order fails?
If your order fails your subscription package will not renew when it expires unless you follow the instructions detailed in an email you will receive following a billing failure.
I have a prepaid subscription package at this time, will it automatically renew?
Prepaid Subscription Packages do not automatically renew. If you at a later date wanted to make use of the renewal service you would need to let your current prepaid subscription expire and then select a billing package instead of a prepaid one when resubscribing.
I wish to purchase a renewal package for one year, but I do not see this option listed why?
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but allowing a renewal option on a 1-year subscription plan is problematic because people often move, credit cards expire, etc. As we thought through the different renewal options, the 1-year renewal option seemed like it would be more problematic than anything else given how much can change in a given year. So, we decided to not offer it. However, at the end of your 1-year subscription, we will send you a reminder to update your subscription. If we get enough user suggestion regarding the 1-year, we would be glad to offer this as an option in the future.
I do not wish to make use of the automatic renewal service at all, can I still purchase a subscription the old way?
Yes. You can, we have two types of packages available those that auto renew and ones that are prepaid and do not renew. You will not be enrolled in the automatic renewal service unless you have selected a billing package.
Based on these requests, we're happy to announce that we have launched a new "Automatic Subscription Renewals" feature.
As a result, you will not have to concern yourself with renewing your subscription! How cool does that sound?
Of course, not every one wants or needs the feature so for those of you who do not wish to have automated recurring billing, fret not for that is an option as well.
In order to guide you through this process, we have prepared responses to commonly asked questions that you may have. Please take a read through below and if you have any further questions please let us know here on this article.
And thank you for supporting our subscription program!
Q&A
I selected a billing package but decided I do not want my subscription to auto renew after all, can I opt out of this?
Yes, you can. If you do not wish to have your subscription renew automatically you will be presented via email with a link to opt out before your subscription is about to expire. You can also cancel the renewal option at anytime during your current subscription by visiting the subscription section of the services page.
I like to purchase subscriptions for other members as prizes to contests, will these auto renew?
No they will not auto renew. You will only be eligible for the automatic renewal program if you have purchased a subscription for yourself.
I wish to use PayPal, deviantDOLLARS or a Money Order to make my purchase, can I take part in the automatic renewal service?
We apologize but this is not possible. Automatic subscriptions renewals will only work with a direct credit card purchase through deviantART.
Will I receive a confirmation email confirming my purchase?
Yes you will receive an email confirming your purchase and the amount you have paid.
Will I receive an email when my subscription is about to expire?
Yes, an email reminder will be sent out informing you that your subscription will be automatically renewed shortly, you will also be presented with an option to opt out of automatic renewals at this time. You will also receive an email once your card has been successfully charged confirming your purchase.
What happens if my order fails?
If your order fails your subscription package will not renew when it expires unless you follow the instructions detailed in an email you will receive following a billing failure.
I have a prepaid subscription package at this time, will it automatically renew?
Prepaid Subscription Packages do not automatically renew. If you at a later date wanted to make use of the renewal service you would need to let your current prepaid subscription expire and then select a billing package instead of a prepaid one when resubscribing.
I wish to purchase a renewal package for one year, but I do not see this option listed why?
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but allowing a renewal option on a 1-year subscription plan is problematic because people often move, credit cards expire, etc. As we thought through the different renewal options, the 1-year renewal option seemed like it would be more problematic than anything else given how much can change in a given year. So, we decided to not offer it. However, at the end of your 1-year subscription, we will send you a reminder to update your subscription. If we get enough user suggestion regarding the 1-year, we would be glad to offer this as an option in the future.
I do not wish to make use of the automatic renewal service at all, can I still purchase a subscription the old way?
Yes. You can, we have two types of packages available those that auto renew and ones that are prepaid and do not renew. You will not be enrolled in the automatic renewal service unless you have selected a billing package.
If Deviantart worries that the users who do bank transfer or something else might not pay the next billing, they can just cancel the subscription automatically. It's easier, people will definitely give a time to go to banks and put in money so their automatic-billing doesn't get cancelled(if the users really don't want the subscription to be cancelled) rather than having to always give out important details of Credit cards. Some people don't trust no matter how the site might be looking trustworthy.
I've been talking to some people and friends about this as well. I've also read FAQ#148 already, I don't think I missed important details... if I did, I apologize.
Ps. I just wanted to voice out my opinion. Thank you for reading whoever read it.
I never join “ANYTHING” that automatically renews and deducts membership fees. I confirmed before joining your site that you “did not” automatically renew. If you want to change the sites policy, it is certainly your right to do so but you should not “grandfather in” members joining prior to the new policy.
At the very least, I should have the “immediate” option to opt in or out at the time the new policy is instituted and not almost a year later as it will be in my particular case.
I personally would rather my membership be cancelled in lieu of the new policy.
Different strokes….for different folks!