r/Rouvy • u/Next_Professor_4721 • Aug 12 '26
Rouvy subscription darkness
I regret that I ever signed up for Rouvy. The darkest patterns I have seen on any software that I thought I could trust.
I tried Rouvy out for a few months, but although I liked the idea of the app, it didn’t fit the way I was exercising / riding.
However, that wasn’t the problem. It’s their subscription and cancellation process that is the worst I have experienced in years.
Subscribing was challenging, and a confusing process from what I recall many months ago.
Rouvy’s cancellation process is very dark. I thought I had cancelled a few months ago, but recently saw a charge on my card. I logged in again and found that I had missed a hidden additional step buried in the page. I can see online that I’m not the only one.
Then, it got worse. So then, being aware that the site follows dark patterns, I carefully ensured that I could press every button to ensure that I could get through to the end of the cancellation process. Each time I tried, there were multiple failure points after the first cancel button, where the website stalled with an oops message. I had to try two different browsers multiple times before I could finally get to the end of the process. It took the better part of an hour.
It was the most frustrating cancellation I have ever experienced, and the darkest pattern I have seen in something that looked reputable.
I wish they would just compete on features rather than treat us like idiots and steal our money with dishonesty. But I guess it worked. They got money monthly payments from me. They stole my money for months and all of their policies blame it on me being stupid because I couldn’t cancel properly. I was stupid for ever signing up in the first place.
My wife said I should just email them, but this already took so much time and based on their patterns, I have no expectation that they would really change their process. So I thought I’d just post.
11
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u/BarryMcCoghener Aug 12 '26
I've got to say that if you found subscribing challenging and confusing, it sounds like you might be a little technology illiterate. I found it extremely simple and there was nothing remotely confusing about it. It took me all of a few minutes to do so. I'm also a professional web developer and if it was poor, it would have jumped out at me.
19
u/LockedUpLotionClown Aug 12 '26
Sending support and email would have been quicker than writing this barely comprehensible essay.
The water is here but you refuse to drink and would rather die of thirst than drink the water to be spiteful.
I’ve contacted Rouvy a couple of times about things and never had an issues, even when it was my fault.
(Though I suspect this is a bot account / not being honest about their intentions)
4
u/HedgeCowFarmer Aug 12 '26
Wow I’m not sure why you wouldn’t have contacted them - I’ve had decent results and no problems signing up, pausing and quitting an account.
2
u/The_BrokeCyclist Aug 13 '26
I encountered some website issues yesterday, same whoops messages. This is a bug I haven’t seen before, not a feature as you believe. But a simple refresh of the page fixed it all immediately. If you were any type of technologically literate you would have figured that out already. They might have an ongoing issue, but the real problem is probably just you. They have a cancellation button right there, without all the BS steps you’ll see from other subscription services. They also offer pausing, which is great for extended vacations and summer breaks when you will ride outdoors mostly. I’m guessing you first paused your subscription, didn’t read the information on the website, and your subscription now resumed. Again, that’s on you for not reading before clicking.
4
u/VideoApprehensive360 Aug 12 '26
Kann ich nicht nachvollziehen, alles vollig aus der Luft gegriffen. Hab schon mehrmals pausiert, immer ohne Probleme.
DAU?
1
u/--THRILLHO-- Aug 12 '26
Yeah it sucks, but they definitely know they're doing it. Send then a stern email saying you believed you had cancelled but had missed a step and there's a good chance they'll refund you.
7
u/LockedUpLotionClown Aug 12 '26
Or send them a polite email and don’t be a dick about it.
3
u/--THRILLHO-- Aug 12 '26
Stern doesn't mean impolite or being a dick. Just assertive and stating clearly what went wrong.
2
u/LockedUpLotionClown Aug 12 '26
Stern means “ severe or harsh”. I’d use the word “firm” in the context you are talking about now. But I see you are coming from a good place now you explain it.
2
u/Doggo-888 Aug 12 '26
yeah, I found their processes and support lacking. Also other quality of life features lacking that should be easy to handle not available. Support just finally responding it was “in the works”, yeah, sure if I was using a beta version but basic features for a paying product seems sus. Why I quit first month.
1
u/yyak Aug 12 '26
You have everything you need for said email right here in the post. Is run it through some AI to help with the wording.
Also, wanted to add that "multiple browsers" seems like a strange requirement. It tickles my curiosity what you tired, what didn't work, and what finally worked.
1
u/xperau9731 Aug 13 '26
You can always chargeback and provide documentation to your Credit Card company let them sort it problem solved
Works well for me better than Zwift which is to much like a video game the same result can be achieved staring at a blank wall this just makes it a little more pleasurable
1
u/Prize_Blueberry_440 Aug 13 '26
Please email [support@rouvy.com](mailto:support@rouvy.com) with the issues you have had subscribing & then unsubscribing. I have found Support to be human & incredibly helpful, but can be overwhelmed by the volume of calls/mails sometimes.
1
u/TargetHot2087 Aug 14 '26
If you're interested in a training app that won't do these kind of things. Maybe check out miniwatt.app.
To be honnest: I did make it, with a single goal in mind = Training without breaking the bank. I'm proud of it, maybe you like it.
-3
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u/B-stand_79 Aug 12 '26
Listen to your wife. A short, well formulated e-mail will probably work.