Ansible

We were using Ansible, but when we outgrew our plan we discovered they wanted $35,000 per year to increase to a higher server limit. Ansible is a fine product, but that pricing is all out of proportion to the complexity or value it adds. My development team wrote a script to accomplish what we needed to in about a day. $35,000 saved.

When I went to cancel they said that we were stuck with the product for year-- another 4 months of payments. Yes, if you go through the normal "I agree" pages to buying software or services, you will find that in there. Also, you will find that they require 90 days advance notice to cancel the service. These things are clearly spelled out in the multi-page license agreement, so technically it is honest. Just not ethical. I personally despise such coercive business practices. Ethical companies do not require "cancellation windows." Just stop paying when you don't need it.

So, if you do business with Ansible, read the contracts very carefully. Don't just do the usual "I agree." Or, better yet, consider carefully if you want to be doing business with a company that you need to watch that closely.