Goes to Rhapsody.com. Couple of months ago, I decided to try out Rhapsody's music-buying service. I was slightly annoyed that Rhapsody didn't give you any clue about what's in its catalogue without signing up--how do I know if it's substantially different from the selection iTunes has? But I signed up for a free trial subscription. Downloaded the software, but then life kicked into gear and I didn't had time to install it for some weeks. Naturally the free trial rolled over into a billable trial. Mildly annoying, since they should have known I hadn't even used the service. And I'd forgotten what music it was I couldn't find in iTunes that I was hoping to see in Rhapsody. Decided to cancel.
Fat chance.
There is absolutely no freaking way to cancel on the Rhapsody website. And no customer service email. When I log in to "manage my account" I find no features that allow me to cancel the free trial that is now a non-free subscription. Their records show that I have no contracts with them. Okay, so what are they billing me for?
Studied their message boards and find out that my problem--no way to cancel when the free trial rolls over--is far from unique. Apparently this scummy practice runs rampant with Rhapsody. The few customers who successfully negotiated the maze to become ex-customers recommend sending an online complaint, which produces a toll-free number you can call.
So I did that. Waited on hold for twenty minutes, listening to canned music that did not speak well either of Rhapsody's file quality or of their taste. Decided twenty minutes was enough, so I hung up and called my bank card issuer to dispute the charge.
Which Bank of America was happy to do, but unfortunately they can't or won't simply block any future charges from them. Why, I don't know; that would seem to be a necessary feature in today's world, but they say they can't. I deleted my credit card information from my profile on Rhapsody. I can call B of A every month to dispute the monthly billing. And if they still keep trying to bill me. . .
No problem. Bank of America's currently tied for first place in the competition for the banking division of the "Die Greedy Scum" award, so as soon as I use up a credit I have with them, I'll be canceling that card, and Rhapsody can just go perform its inimitable brand of customer service on itself.
I feel better now.
So much better that I think I'll risk waxing philosophical and drawing a profound conclusion from today's small and irritating experience.
How many similar things are we all putting up with every day? Small, irritating things that we would take care of, except it just seems like too much trouble right now. Or we don't know how. Or we meant to, but it just keeps slipping from today's to do list to tomorrow's. . .
Decluttering isn't just physical. If you get a lift from purging and organizing a cluttered drawer, shredding and recycling outdated papers, or emptying your closets of everything but the clothes that make you feel fabulous, why not try making a list of the non-tangible things that are bugging you and see if you can declutter them?
I've got my list started already.
According to Feng Shui clutter is very bad for you - so decluttering helps improve the flow of energy through your living quarters. This decluttering , according to Feng Shui, results in better health, finances, romance, and other good things in life.
Frances
Posted by: Frances | September 23, 2005 at 09:36 PM