Consumer rights…. Terms changed on blink camera

[Happysinglemum72]

Trying to find out if this is legal. After 2 years, my blink camera has suddenly stopped recording motion. I get alert but to record they have now said I need a payment plan. Think it’s around £24 a year. Is this legal? Can they change the terms of the product like that? Surely not? I’ve been emailing them about it but just get vague evasive responses - no reason for the change.

Can't help with the legal stuff but I had a similar experience with an Aiwit camera doorbell. I got it instead of a Ring one because it didn't have a subscription - or at least not a compulsory one, and three days' worth of recordings with the option to download was OK for me. After about 18 months I couldn't access any of my videos and now I have to pay £29 per year - I didn't see a way round it tbh without buying a new doorbell.

You don't need a subscription to record. You just plug a usb device in for storage. The clips take a second or so more to load.

I don't know the answer but it seems like an important question to try and figure out.
I'm guessing that the sale of the camera to you was a mixed contract for goods and services. Obviously the goods have to be as described and fit for purpose, which they wouldn't be if they simply stopped performing a key function (without having been damaged). But if it was clear in the Ts&Cs that there was a service element (eg continuing provision of updates, cloud storage, etc), then, depending on wording, they can vary the terms of service in this way?

It seems bizarre, in a way, because the 'fitness for purpose' of the physical goods is in effect determined by the terms of service, which can vary. There is a page here that might be helpful: https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/consumer-contracts/mixed-contracts

I can’t see anywhere to plug a usb in?

@Happysinglemum72 I'm the same! Have had my blink cameras for 3 years and now i have to pay a subscription which is really annoying.

I can't see how I would use a usb either.

Just can’t see how it’s legal for them to change the terms of use like this.

This appears to be a mixed contract for goods and services. Without seeing their terms and conditions as they were at the time you bought the camera, there is no way of knowing if they have changed their terms or if they are relying on a term that the courts would regard as unfair. It may be, for example, that the camera only included the service free of charge for a limited time. Even if it didn't, they may have included a term allowing them to start charging for the service.

The usb plugs into the hub. The box that is plugged into an electric socket.

There’s no where to plug it in…. I’ve checked several times…. Can you post a picture of where please?

Which one do you have?

Mine is just called the Blink Outdoor Camera in Amazon.

The usb flash drive is plugged into the sync module.