Norton tries to be tricky in locking people into automatic subscription renewal and deceptive in trying to dissuade or block people from choosing not to have automatic subscription. Tricks include taking very early payment and putting hurdles to people selecting to cancel auto subscription. Why? It makes the company look like petty crooks, and it is so unnecessary when the products are good!!!
Agreed, they auto renew way too early to trap us. But here is the answer to your question — the auto-subscribe is a way to overcharge us!
If you auto-subscribe then they charge $110 (everything I quote is in CAD).
Turn it off, and go into chat, and they will offer as much as 50% discount - so about $55. But that is as low as they can go.
Or wait until 30 days left in subscription, and then they automatically offer renew for $35 in frequent emails and pop ups. So if you want an easy one click renewal then wait for this.
I personally buy another fresh subscription from Amazon which cost $20 last time - then the day before it expires, in Classic view, press Help, and then select Enter Product Key. This way I can get a 3 device package, which is not available online, but the 3 device package is all that I need.
So in my case, I spent $20 but auto-renewal would have charged me $110 for the same thing!!!
I have a BIG resentment that they try to MASSIVELY overcharge existing customers. Yes, I got caught by this in the past but noticed I could buy it much cheaper in the store and online, so started paying attention. They should give us a discounted auto-renewal. But same old thing - always trying to get new customers by offering cheaper deals, and then try to get as much as they can from existing customers in the future because they “gotcha”. Frankly, they are making us feel like suckers for falling for this, and I resent it.
The other thing I resent is the strong pushing for other Norton software using scare tactics. Things like implying you need a service to clean up your personal information on the internet - they make is sound like you are in peril when in fact you are fine.
Apparently loyalty is a one way street with Norton, so in my case, I have ZERO loyalty to Norton, and that is entirely because of this mistreatment of existing customers.
So I have auto-renewal turned off. I have removed all credit card info from my account. And there is another product that is equally as good as Norton, so I am ready to switch if and when they ever decide to block other cheaper options.
The solution seems quite simple if you choose.
Remove auto renew.
Remove billing info.
Uninstall Norton.
Install product of your choice.
Why complain and remain with Norton?
I agree with your sentiments, rarely do you see loyalty rewarded these days. On the other hand, I have had clients who ignored renewal messages and ended up not being protected, I also have had clients going with other cheaper/free offerings rather than pay the high auto-renewal costs.
So auto-renewal has its place, it would be better if loyal customers were given a better deal.