2,838 reviews for JibJab are not recommended

These reviews are not recommended because our content quality algorithms have determined them to be less useful for users researching this business. Our content quality algorithm makes decisions based on a number of proprietary evaluation factors, and is constantly updating and improving over time. Even though these reviews are not displayed by default, they still factor into the overall number of reviews and the average rating for the business.

Jade K.

Ireland

1 review

1 helpful vote

Predatory Business or Wantonly Naive

December 30, 2020

JibJab signed me up for the yearly plan instead of monthly, as well as auto renew without asking, which screams of predatorial business practices. If you're thinking "maybe they pressed the wrong button and didn't read carefully", I work for a multinational company where everyday I talk people through how to set up their online businesses so that they're user friendly and how to avoid chargebacks. I paid careful attention while going through the sign up process and, despite my Spidey senses telling me this was likely a scam, I put my trust in the company because my dad had been using them for a couple of years and hadn't noticed anything suspicious (that said, he also doesn't pay careful attention to his bank account). After checking my account and finding the error, I went to their site and saw my account now said auto-renew was setup. It took 10+ clicks and filling out info just to turn auto-renew off, and even then it still said it was on but then no longer gave the option to turn it off. The refund procedure was worse- 15+ clicks, as well as two lengthy and misleading forms (far too difficult for the average person to get through). When I did finally get through that the response was prompt and included a full refund (or at least that's what I've been told, I suppose we'll see in 3 days if I need to request a chargeback with my bank). Here's the thing most people don't realise- for a predatorial business it makes sense to make the forms difficult to get through and then to issue a refund for those who make it through without giving up. They do this because it 1) it avoids chargebacks (if you're persistent enough to get through lengthy forms, you're likely the only ones persistent enough to bother issuing a chargeback with your bank, especially at the holidays which is money making season for businesses). Usually chargebacks result in a business's web host and payment gateway banning them, so even predatory businesses like to avoid this. 2) the lengthy forms mean most people won't bother so they keep maximum profits from their scam- which is to have a business that charges for a service that costs them nothing but hosting fees, scams people into being charged more than they signed up for, deliberately hides the auto-renew in fine print, makes the routes to turn them off or request refund nearly untraversable, all in the effort to gather as much money before the holiday season ends as possible... And yet, sure they gave us a refund- they might be legit and just not great at following well standardised practices online yet, right?!? I mean a lot of new businesses do not understand those best practices yet, and they've only been around how many years now?!? Essentially they keep you wondering just enough, and they do have a good product, so you want to like them... So you're the next to her scammed.

Message for the company: trust is hard to come by online. You had mine through word of mouth from my father. Then in one week you lost two customers. If somehow you genuinely care to improve your business, you may wish to study online business practices that could help you improve your system to ensure once you gain customer trust, that you don't then lose it due to negligence. I give you that advice still unsure if you are just naive or in fact a predatorial business, and it is that uncertainty that will have me never try this service again despite loving your product.

Tip for consumers:

Auto-renew and yearly subscription are the only options, regardless of the monthly option it gives you.

Products used:

Card maker

Date of experience: December 30, 2020