Westmoreland Review

For many consumers, subscription services have become a regular part of obtaining goods and services. However, the concept of "subscription creep," as coined by CNET, refers to the unexpected increase in subscription costs. A recent article highlighted that American consumers spend more than $1,000 annually on subscriptions.

C+R Research found that consumers often underestimate their monthly subscription expenses. While they guessed an average of $89 per month, the actual figure was over $200. The research suggests that companies make it easier to sign up for services than to cancel them.

To address this issue, the House has unanimously passed legislation aimed at making subscriptions more transparent, particularly regarding cancellations. The bill seeks to amend Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL), which currently does not cover subscription practices. It mandates clear communication about cancellation processes when a service begins and requires any promotion to include a transparent description of post-promotion pricing and cancellation deadlines.

If enacted, this legislation would empower Pennsylvania's attorney general to enforce laws against unfair competition and deceptive practices related to subscriptions. House Bill 116 has moved from the House to the Senate for consideration.

In other news, Election Day is approaching on November 5th with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day. Additionally, daylight saving time ends on November 3rd; residents are reminded to turn clocks back one hour and check smoke detector batteries.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission warns drivers about increased deer activity during this time of year due to daylight saving changes. Pennsylvania leads in animal-collision insurance claims with drivers facing a high risk of accidents involving deer.

Lastly, the Pennsylvania Farm Show invites singers for its "Oh, Say, Can You Sing?" contest with submissions due by November 17th for a chance to perform live at the event in January.