Russians Persist in Paying for Unnecessary Subscriptions, According to VTB
Updated Article:
**April 29, 08:09**Alexandra Marunina
In a VTB poll, over half (54%) of Russians cling to their paid subscriptions, with the hope of utilizing them in the future. Other prime reasons include apprehension about sacrificing discounts and sheer confusion about how to terminate a subscription.
The conundrum of managing subscriptions looms large for most Russians: over one-third (33%) juggle two to three paid subscriptions, and another quarter (25%) handle just a single one. Regrettably, about one in four (25%) has experienced unwarranted payments for subscriptions not used in the past year. One-third (33%) endure these charges two to three times yearly.
Unutilized but paid-for online cinemas head the list of neglected paid services, with a staggering 46% of respondents continuing to finance them. Multi-feature subscriptions followed in second place (39%), with music platforms at a distant third (28%). Among the unused services also included cloud storage (17%), gaming subscriptions (13%), fitness apps (10%), educational platforms (8%), and digital magazine or newspaper subscriptions (6%).
The monthly financial loss due to these forgotten subscriptions can be substantial: Nearly 4 out of 10 (39%) spend between 300 to 500 rubles monthly on disregarded services. A disheartening 8% of Muscovites admit to losing between 2,000 to 5,000 rubles on a monthly basis, possibly due to their substantial number of connected paid services.
The subscription situation tends to vary regionally. For example, Muscovites seem more inclined to spend on unused fitness apps (15%), whereas residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region favor educational platforms (16%).
The main reasons for not canceling subscription payments revolve around optimistic expectations of future use (54%), fear of losing discounts (24%), a lack of awareness of charges (20%), the complexity of canceling subscriptions (16%), and a general disinclination towards managing details (13%).
The poll was conducted in April among a representative sample of 1,500 Russians aged 18 to 65 in cities with a population of over 100,000.
As for why Russians continue to pay for unused subscription services, the answer likely echoes broader global trends. Consumers worldwide often persist in paying for services they seldom use due to inertia, a lack of awareness, or the inconvenience associated with canceling subscriptions. Commonly disregarded subscription services globally include streaming platforms, gym memberships, music services, and more. Russia's unique subscription services may align with these trends, although specific data is scarce due to regional preferences and availability.
Financial constraints or changing consumer behavior might influence Russian subscription habits, especially given the current state of the economy and international sanctions that may affect consumer activity. However, there is a lack of specific data on discarded subscription services in Russia and the reasons for Russians continuing to pay for the ones they don't use.
- Despite the financial loss, over half (54%) of Russians continue their subscriptions due to optimistic expectations of future use.
- A quarter of Russians (25%) have unwarranted payments for subscriptions they haven't used in the past year, with one-third (33%) experiencing this issue two to three times annually.
- In Moscow, the monthly financial loss due to forgotten subscriptions can reach as high as 5,000 rubles, with a significant number of residents paying for unused fitness apps.
- The reasons for not canceling subscription payments across the globe and in Russia are similar, often attributed to inertia, a lack of awareness, or the complexity of canceling subscriptions.
