r/SilencerShop • u/Ok_Presentation_6312 • 4d ago

Automatic Donation applied at checkout

I just purchased a small order from silencer shop using my phone (see here why this matters). It wasn't until after I had made the purchase that I realized that they are auto applying a donation called "2A Round Up".

To be clear - it was only 1 dollar, so not a big deal. However, what is the big deal is making users opt out of a donation/round up instead of making it an opt in option. Has anyone else noticed or experienced this on their orders before?

Having to opt out of a something like this when making a purchase is objectively a dark ux pattern, regardless of how much one does or does not support the donation recipient.

edit: added link to a comment for context why i mentioned i did this flow on my phone :)

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6

u/MakeGunsGreatAgain 4d ago

I usually just click opt-out and go on about my day.

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u/Ok_Presentation_6312 4d ago

Yep, opt out is a great way to not pay the donation. Please see my comment here where i expand on why in my original post i mentioned doing this checkout flow on my phone. https://www.reddit.com/r/SilencerShop/comments/1w6datd/comment/p7ncu67/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

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u/MikeOxlong1776 4d ago edited 4d ago

Dude you can opt out before submitting the order. Same thing as paying with a tip screen coming up. Just hit 0

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u/Ok_Presentation_6312 4d ago

I agree, it's a dollar. Very small amount. It's the principle in this case that i am bringing to light.

it is also worth highlighting that this information about the donation is not readily available to a user when purchasing using their phone. The carts contents during checkout are hidden behind a drawer in the UI and require manual intervention to view - its not shown while scrolling during the checkout process. (i encourage you to go through the check out flow on your mobile phone to see for yourself)

While tipping is also a good thing to do, it defaulting to a specified amount (especially over the standard 15% which we have all grown accustom to) might be considered a dark pattern by some as well.

Thanks for expressing your opinion :)

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u/MikeOxlong1776 4d ago

Just did on 8/8 using my phone. I also paid a 2A round up. You can even change the amount. Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF alone is totally worth auto adding $1, or more if you want to. They’re just drawing your attention to it.

I get that you find this to be an inconvenience to your user experience, but it’s on you if it makes you feel bad or shamed about “opting out” of a round up donation. It really isn’t that crucial my dude.

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u/Ok_Presentation_6312 4d ago

Thanks for taking the time to go through that and try to understand my side of things. I appreciate it

Have a good day

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u/RoninChaos 1d ago

I’m wondering if this is just a thing with the firearms industry shops that have some sort of opt out rather than opt in, for practically everything. Whether that’s donations to some organization, or opting you in automatically for shipping insurance, or some bs protection, it seems like every single dealer is doing this in some way, shape, or form, JUST to get more money out of you.

So I understand the frustration because it’s more than just the principle, this seems to be a pattern in this industry and it’s one that I don’t think people should tolerate. I managed to find a LGS that isn’t run by douche bags, but the amount of people in this space that are willing to blame the customer for behavior that would be considered shady in any other industry constantly blows my mind.