Martin Lewis has shared a tip that could help people beat Ring Doorbell’s upcoming subscription price increase.
After buying the video devices, customers can pay a subscription to store footage, download clips and get discounted products.
The price of the subscription is rising by 43 percent in March, from £34.99 to £49.99 per device, per year, for basic plan customers.
Despite the increase, the company, owned by Amazon, maintains that it continues to offer « some of the best value in the industry. »
However, there could be a way to “workaround” this price hike, according to the Money Saving Expert founder.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Lewis wrote: “Beat the Ring doorbell 43% March price hike. I know many are annoyed, so there’s a possible work around (still double-checking but thought I’d get it out).
“-Cancel now get a pro-rata refund (you may lose saved files tho)
-Sign up again at the current price which then locks it in for the next year.” (sic)
He added that there will be a “full checked out” update to come.
Meanwhile, customers have been taking to several platforms to share their frustrations about the hike, with many threatening to boycott the service.
One user wrote on the Ring message board that they felt it was a “complete rip-off”, while another noted that this is set to be the second “40 percent” price hike in two years.
A statement from Amazon reads: “Since Ring launched its Protect Basic Plan, we have regularly found ways to enhance the plan to give our neighbours more value. As we continue to invest in the services we offer, we are updating our Protect Basic Plan pricing.”
The basic plan was priced at £24.99 per year for each device in 2022, which means March’s increase will see costs double in the two years.
Ring customers who opt for monthly payments will see their charges rise from £3.49 to £4.99 per month.
There is an option to use Ring products without paying a monthly subscription, although it offers fewer features.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? home products and services editor, said: “Ring doorbells are popular for good reason but even before this latest price hike, Which? has highlighted the high cost of subscriptions as a factor that might put off some shoppers.
“At a time when many people have been struggling with the cost of living, these latest hikes to monthly bills will be unwelcome.
“Ring must justify these steep increases to its customers, particularly when it is unclear how its services are improving.”
