Lynda

We started using Lynda for AutoCad training. Pretty ok for an online course.

But our dramas in dealing with this company started once we wanted to finish with the service.

We have tried for over nine months to cancel this service but to no avail. But they continue to charge.

This company only wants you to use there service. You can never cancel the subscription.

Lynda's online help is pretty faceless and despite all the online receipts for logged problems the charges will only stop after the next bill not when you want it. It seems like they expect you to forget so they can charge you again and again.

Find someone else or cancel your credit card. #lyndahasnoethics

I do think it's poor business practice to not notify people that their free trial is expiring. However, the moment I saw that the transaction had been posted by PayPal, I disputed the charge on PayPal and called my bank to make sure the charge would be refused.

Then I sent an email through lynda.com's email address listed on my PayPal merchant receipt. Then I called Lynda.com. The customer service agent with whom I spoke was polite and responsive. There was no argument, no transfer to a "retention" person (like they do at cable companies).

They just said they would refund the full amount. I got a notification in my email and in my PayPal account within 1 minute stating that my fee had been refunded.

I think their business practice probably costs them a lot in cancellation fees and customer service time and salaries, but that's the price they pay for the additional subscriptions they get by people choosing not to do something about it. I was freaked out for a bit, but pleasantly surprised by the no-nonsense quick response I received from Lynda.com's CSA.

Was billed by Lynda.com for $360 on 12/31/2016 on a personal CC that my wife uses. I never received a renewal email from Lynda.com, so I had no idea of the charge until my CPA asked me what Lynda.com was.

Called them today, 11/17/17, to ask why I've never received any notification or emails from them, she said it was for "security reasons?" The customer service rep could see that I haven't logged into the site in 2017, she said "that's unfortunate, I'll send you a password reset so you can enjoy Lynda.com until your membership expires 12/31/17." Due to the amount of time that passed, I wasn't looking for a refund, but I did expect a reasonable explanation as to why I haven't received any communication from them and possibly an extension of access to the site, so I could, at the very least, have a reasonable amount time to use the site for the $360 they billed me for. Auto renewal with NO notification when they can easily verify that you are not using the site is a slimy business model, and they know it.

So it all started with a free trial. I did a couple of lessons, didn't care much for it and forgot I had it.

Next thing I see is my bank statement with an over $200 bill from Lynda. Most companies at least start charging you month by month if you forget about the fact that you started a free trial, not by year! And the best part is that you can't remove the auto renew option.

It's meant to keep you paying them forever because they obviously don't remind you of that. So if you get an offer for a free trial just don't do it, save yourselves.