Subscriptions

Have you noticed the rise of subscription services? Subscribe to a company, and for a price, they’ll deliver razors, socks and underwear, cigar food, beer, wine, or fruit, along with the more traditional things, like magazines and entertainment, every day, week, or month.

I’ve recently been metaphorically bludgeoned with offers for monthly cat food subscriptions (mostly for Chewy.com). A new twist (for me) was added today: cat litter. Yes, subscribe to Pretty Litter, and fill out their chart, and they’ll send you your required kitty litter each month.

I understand the attraction to subscription services. NetworkICE began by selling its computer security products, but we really wanted to be on a subscription model. A subscription basis makes budgeting easy for customers, and allows companies a smoother, consistent, and predictable revenue flow. Scaling up and down improves on both ends.

Still…I guess I’m startled that you can buy kitty litter. I thought the dental subscriptions and air travel being offered were out there, but I suspect this is the future.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen offered as a subscription service?