Video door bell company Ring has frustrated its customers after announcing a huge price hike for all its services – but money expert Martin Lewis has revealed how to beat the rise.
The basic annual subscription has been increased by 43%, jumping from £34.99 to £49.99 per device.
Customers of the firm, which is owned by Amazon, can pay a monthly or yearly subscription to store footage on the cloud, download clips and get discounted products.
There is an option to use Ring products without paying a monthly subscription, but customers have access to fewer features.
The doorbells detect movement outside the house and allows you to see who is approaching.
Customers were sent an email stating the new prices will start from March 11. If customers don’t cancel before then, their plan will renew at the new price.
Those cancelling their subscription will no longer be able to save, review and share video recordings to their Ring account, and all recorded videos will be permanently deleted.
However, Martin Lewis revealed how to lock in the lower price for another year.
Writing on X, he said: ‘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.’
Despite Ring insisting that it still provided ‘some of the best value in the industry’, customers have taken to social media and the Ring message board to voice their frustrations.
X user Asa Elliott said: ‘Less than 18 months ago, the price for the @ring doorbell subscription was £24.99/year. Then it went to £34.99/year and today it’s announced it’s going to be £49.99/year.
‘That’s utterly scandalous. You pay good money for the hardware and then this?
‘Nah mate. #RingDoorbell’
Another user, Wayne, asked for alternatives: ‘Recommendations for alternative to @ring door bell? After their latest price increase of £1.50 p/m from next month, I’m not going to be held hostage by @ring_uk.’
Brett Johnson also voiced his opinion on X stating: ‘So @ring doorbell, you made a huge mistake in highlighting at £15 increase service increase, per device, for a capability no one actually uses. Pleased to say I have cancelled my subscription and I can still say Hi to the delivery driver. #ringdoorbell #ring.’
Other customers on the site have said they have also cancelled their subscriptions, and are now looking for alternatives.
In a statement, Amazon said: ‘Since Ring launched its Protect Basic Plan in 2015, we’ve regularly found ways to enhance the plan to give our customers more value.
‘As we continue to invest in the services we offer, we are updating our Protect Basic plan pricing.’
This price has now doubled since 2022, when it cost £24.99 per year for each device.
Customers who pay monthly are also seeing a price hike from £3.49 to £4.99 a month.
The doorbells themselves range from £49.99 to £169.99.
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.’
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