Every so often, a user story surfaces that highlights a problem many website owners don’t realize exists – until it happens to them.
In a recent Reddit thread in r/WIX, a Wix user reported being charged for another two-year plan months after disabling auto-renew, transferring their site to a different platform, and removing their payment method. Support responses cited refund policy limits, leaving a bank dispute as the only realistic option.
This post isn’t about one complaint or one platform. It’s about what these stories reveal regarding billing control, platform lock-in, and website ownership.
“I turned it off 3 times and transferred out my domain. I even took out my credit card number because I had already read about the wix money grab. They still charged me. Luckily I had screen shots of the auto renew turned off,etc. I had read all about the huge price hike and the fraud wix was doing. They still charged me the renewal fee anyway. I submitted everything to the bank and won the dispute since I had the proof. Good luck. It is a recurring charge so they get away with it.”
What the Reddit Case Reveals
According to the thread:
- Auto-renew was turned off well in advance
- The site and domain were moved elsewhere
- Payment details were removed
- A multi-year renewal charge still processed
- Refund requests were denied due to policy windows
Other commenters shared similar experiences, noting that refunds were only successful when supported by screenshots and credit-card disputes.
Regardless of the outcome of any single case, the pattern itself is important.
Why These Situations Happen on Hosted Platforms
Hosted website builders typically control:
- account status
- billing logic and renewal timing
- refund eligibility
- domain and hosting linkage
Even when users believe they’ve canceled, accounts often remain in a state where renewals can still trigger – especially with long-term plans, early renewal windows, or tightly coupled services.
Once that charge processes, resolution depends more on policy enforcement than user intent.
This Is Part of a Larger Pattern
We’ve previously discussed how “helpful” platform automations can create unexpected outcomes when users lose visibility or control.
Billing systems are no different.
When platforms optimize for:
- retention
- bundled services
- long-term plans
…edge cases like this become more likely – even when no one involved believes they’ve done anything wrong.
What Website Owners Can Do
If you’re using any hosted website builder:
- Disable auto-renew and document it
- Keep screenshots of account settings
- Confirm renewal dates and early billing windows
- Don’t assume removing a card cancels a plan
- If necessary, work with your bank or card issuer
Most importantly, evaluate whether you’re comfortable with a platform that fully controls billing and access to your site.
Why Website Ownership Still Matters
These situations are far less likely when:
- your site exists independently of the builder
- hosting and billing are under your control
- canceling a tool doesn’t affect site access
With UltimateWB and the one-time cost website builder, you can download the software and your website files. Your website isn’t locked behind ongoing platform access. You own the files, choose where they’re hosted, and control renewals directly – eliminating surprise charges tied to account status.
Final Thoughts
Reddit threads like this aren’t rare outliers – they’re signals. Not of malicious intent, but of systems designed around convenience and retention rather than transparency and user control.
Understanding how those systems work – and choosing tools that align with how you want to operate – is the best way to avoid these headaches entirely.
Ready to design & build your own website where you can choose the web hosting? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.