Apple's .Mac cheap shot: auto renew

I thought these policies were only for cheap, the more I screw you the better I am type of businesses.

When one subscribes at the $49.99 rate to .Mac, the account is set up to automatically renew after one year at the ongoing rate of $99.99. I am sure this is written somewhere in the "agreement" however it must be pretty nicely hidden in some fine fine print. IN ANY CASE, when the rate DOUBLES (I don't care it is a special offer, twice is twice, period), it should be made SUPER clear that such option exists and one must be asked to chose in the first place.

It is a trap, no way out, no other possible interpretation, especially considering the doubling of the price. First come in for "cheap" (relatively speaking) then .... Apple is guranteeing itself a huge number of subscription renewals because the majority of people will not realize this except for when they get their credit card bill - ooooops too late

Geeee, american capitalism is starting to worry me - well it already worries me.

Apple, I know everyone is dying to make a buck these days, especially in this industry, but this really shocked me.

Thanks to Ricardo for his post on this at xr8yourmac.com. I rushed to my account and unchecked the auto renew option. I will consider it then.

Your thoughts are welcome !

dudes,
convenience as opposed to what ? like for ex. receiving an email near the expiration of the account to ask whether one would like to renew is "Not convenient" ? You are only thinking of yourself, clearly $99/yr does not make a difference at all to you.
But the whole point of the $49.99 offer is to let people evaluate the product and decide - I and most people are sufficiently intelligent to do that, Apple does not need to decide for us, thx.

And the other top brain comments.... it is a business of course, look at what is going on with corporate america - right, it is business. I heard tons of record bankruptcies, did you not ? And where did I claim that my business matters to Apple (such an idiotic statement from all angles!!!! ahahahahah) ? And where did I say that I dislike .Mac hence would not renew ? I was commenting on a practice related to a product not on the product itself. Pay attention when you read.

Finally my point, since you did not get it: warn people of the hidden clause, since I am sure the majority will want to uncheck the renew option, like myself (and believe me $99 ain't the point for me either). I will make my decision once I feel the product is giving me what I like.

Peter,
your observations understood.
I am happy with .Mac also (I wished I used more though, but that is me !) however with the exception of the auto renewal, which in my case I feel was not made clear when I renewed my subscription.

ok Gelfin - I guess I will put it in iCal !!!!! (not joking at all).
And rest assured, I have already unchecked mine because I have no doubts in the world that Apple, in this case will remind me, plenty in advance, plenty of times, that my account is about to expire. I shall decide then, no need whatsoever to do so now. Especially no need for Apple to decide for me, doh !

I will however be shocked (happily) if Apple will send reminders to those who have automatic renew on, as you suggest (what is the point of the "auto" renewal otherwise ? ehehehe).