TimeSharing Today- now automatically charging for renewals without authorization

I've long been a fan of Shep and Ray, and believe that they have been a great asset to timeshare owners for many years. I know there been many changes- and that Ray has retired- but I still expected a certain type of behavior.. However, I just received a renewal "postcard" from TimeSharing Today that bothers me...

The card is a basic notice form telling me that my subscription will be expiring soon. However, it also includes language that if I don't return the postcard and specifically tell them I DO NOT want to renew- that they will automatically charge the card they have on file for a renewal fee. My real issue with this is that I have NEVER given them permission to charge my card for an automatic renewal. It bothers me that they would just assume they have that right! And I have to wonder how many people never get these "notices".

While I can appreciate the salesmanship of "assuming the sale", I'm still very surprised to see this type of tactic being employed by people I respected. I guess I just thought they were better than this..

If you have a subscription, you'll want to keep an eye open. If you plan on renewing, you may appreciate the convenience. If you don't want to renew, you'll likley have to deal with the "inconvenience" of stopping or disputing their charges...

Did the same to me about 6 months ago! I, too, was upset. Called to let them know I did NOT want to renew and NEVER gave permission to automatically charge my card.

Thanks for the heads up. I will be on the look out for this.

I have seen this unfortunate practice adopted with increasing frequency by many unrelated entities in recent years (including at my local YMCA for membership there, oddly enough), essentially authorizing the entity to charge your credit card ad infinitum until / unless you actually opt out in writing. In addition to being unacceptable, it also exposes your credit card info to more and more entities of unknown or inadequate (or both) internal data security practices.

Frankly, I flat out refuse to ever participate in any such practice. Instead, I offer to pre-pay by a single paper check (...remember them?) for a year (or for whatever the membership term might be) and I will provide absolutely no credit card info or authorization whatsoever. I give them no other choice --- deal with that or I can and will just turn around, walk away --- and go elsewhere instead. Most entities choose to defer to and accept that ultimatum, rather than just lose the business entirely.

It stinks whenever the customer is somehow expected to defer and kowtow to any entity that places the business' own administrative "convenience" over their customer's personal security and or preferences.

Vote with your wallet --- it certainly seems to encourage "better listening".