Buzz
Next time you're shopping on a site offering discounts for membership, take a moment to thoroughly inspect your cart before finalizing the order. Some retailers may add memberships—and associated monthly fees—without you realizing it.
A recent Vox article reveals how lingerie brand Savage X Fenty (Rihanna’s clothing line) employs deceptive tactics to trick customers into signing up for memberships:
For instance, if you select the “2 for $29” bralette deal, a Savage X Monthly Membership is automatically included in your cart to unlock the discount. You won’t be charged for the membership until it’s billed to your card later.
Even if you don't click on any VIP offers and simply add an item that appears to be full price, the site will automatically add a Savage X Monthly Membership along with a VIP discount. The membership details are hidden in a lengthy sidebar next to your cart, and you can remove it just like any other item. However, if you don’t stop to read what may seem like irrelevant text, you could end up with a recurring $49.95 monthly charge. Additionally, there’s no option for guest checkout, so everyone who makes a purchase must create an account.
Once you’re stuck with the $49.95 monthly membership fee, the only way to cancel it is by contacting customer service—there's no online option to opt out.
I tried shopping on Savage X Fenty's site, and although it clearly stated that becoming an “Xtra VIP Member” wasn't necessary to shop, the site still added a membership to my cart after clicking on an item. Only after removing the membership could I proceed with checkout at the “Basic” (non-member, pricier) level—and even then, the site kept pushing me to join Xtra VIP.
As Vox highlights, Savage X Fenty isn’t the only retailer with hidden membership fees. Fabletics also charges $49.95 for a VIP Membership, and although it's clearer how to make a non-member purchase, the site still uses design techniques like color and contrast to encourage you to sign up for VIP status.
(Fabletics provides an option to cancel your membership through online chat, which is a nice feature.)
To be fair, both Savage X Fenty and Fabletics allow you to redeem your membership fee for products. Here’s how Fabletics describes it:
Make a purchase or simply click “skip”
by the 5th of each month
(they’ll remind you!)
If you don’t shop or “skip” by the 5th, your credit card will be charged
$49.95
on the 6th and will continue until you cancel. This fee becomes a credit in your VIP account and never expires.
You can spend it at any time!
In other words, unless you make a purchase each month (or inform the retailer that you won’t be buying that month), you’ll incur a $49.95 charge. You could use the $49.95 as store credit, but remember that the retailer already has your money—it’s not like you’re getting a deal or anything.
It’s similar to our previous conversation about gift cards earlier this week: essentially, you’re offering this retailer an interest-free loan.
So, make sure to review your cart carefully before finalizing the checkout at any retailer offering a membership (or a subscription, or any monthly fee). Ensure you’re not unintentionally committing to memberships or subscriptions you don’t actually want. If you end up with an unwanted membership, cancel it immediately—even if that means reaching out to customer service.
