How to Avoid Adobe’s Cancellation Fee (Step-by-Step Guide)
Adobe's cancellation fees are some of the scummiest business practices in the world and are finally coming under scrutiny, potentially being a completely illegal practice. Thankfully! Even before an official ruling has been declared there is a nice little workaround you can use to avoid paying Adobe's cancellation fee. While we can't guarantee it will work forever it has been working for quite a while now.
How to Avoid Adobe’s Cancellation Fees
If you’ve decided that you no longer need your Adobe subscription and wish to cancel without paying the penalty, there is a method that users have shared as a workaround. This approach utilizes the built-in options within Adobe's cancellation process:
- Log in to your Adobe account and go to your current subscription plan.
- Choose the option to cancel your plan. Adobe will typically guide you through a series of prompts, including offers to change your mind or switch to a different plan.
- During the cancellation process, choose to switch to another plan instead of completing the cancellation. Select a different, typically lower-cost or monthly plan that best suits this temporary transition.
- Confirm the switch and ensure the new plan goes into effect.
- Once the plan has been changed and confirmed. Initiate the cancellation process again, this time for the new plan.
- Adobe typically waives the early cancellation fee if the newly chosen plan is cancelled soon after being activated. This means you should be able to cancel this plan without incurring the original annual plan’s penalty.
Check your bank statement or account to ensure you are refunded for any charges tied to the brief switch to the new plan. Adobe’s system often issues refunds for changes within a short timeframe, but you should keep an eye on it.
Keep an Eye on the Following After you have Cancelled.
-
Document the Process: Take screenshots or keep records of each step during your subscription changes and cancellations. This ensures you have evidence in case there are disputes about refunds or charges.
-
Verify Billing: Double-check your billing statements to confirm that any erroneous fees are corrected and refunds are issued.
-
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on any updates to Adobe’s subscription policies or legal rulings related to cancellation fees. This ensures you are aware of your rights and any policy changes that might affect future subscriptions.
Why This Approach is Considered Ethical (Who Cares, Everyone Hates Adobe!)
Many consumers view this method as an ethical response to an unethical policy. Here’s why:
-
Transparency and Fairness: Adobe's terms of service can be complex, and many users have been caught off guard by the early termination fee. If a fee is deemed potentially illegal or unethical, consumers should not feel trapped by confusing terms.
-
Consumer Rights: If a court case or consumer protection agency confirms that these fees are unjust, taking proactive steps to avoid them aligns with protecting your rights as a consumer. While Adobe’s system technically permits this workaround, it leverages the options the company itself provides, keeping your actions compliant with its platform rules.