Leave a Review Upkept
Scammy - disappointed in CR
I understand the concept of “in app purchases.” But after you go to the trouble of signing up and adding an appliance, you are informed that the app is only good for three months, after which time you must subscribe for five bucks a month.
This is not a “freemium” type product. The app is entirely useless if you don’t subscribe. This should be made clear in advance. Shame on CR.Show lessLiveJazzLives
Developer Response
Hi LiveJazz, We work to be very upfront about the cost, and you can see the price mentioned both on our site and in the app store page in addition to when you use the app. It wasn't our intent to hide anything.Shame on you CR
I expect you to protect me from parasitic apps that I do not need. Free trial followed by a $60 annual fee CR you have let me down and permanently changed my opinion of your organization. I am on the CR insights panel and will definitely let the organization know how disappointed I am with you!rlifter
A come-on for a costly subscription
After the first few bits of data that I entered, the app went to a page to accept a trial subscription, with an automatic $4.99/mo. added if you forget to cancel. There was no way to decline and just try more of the app without getting a trial subscription. I just had to quit the app.
Come on, Consumer Reports, that is *not* consumer-friendly! The app should provide a basic level for free, and have an option of a subscription (non-intrusively) for the advanced mode.
I deleted the app.Show lessJim Corbin
Developer Response
Hi Jim, App subscriptions are managed by—and follow the rules of—the Apple App Store. The Upkept app does have a monthly fee after the 90 day trial. We work to be very upfront about the cost, and you can see the price mentioned both on our site and in the app store page in addition to when you use the app. It wasn't our intent to hide anything. The monthly fee funds our work so that we can focus on creating the best possible product without selling our users' data, which is how most free apps make their money. We're working hard to make improvements and add new features to bring even more value to the app and hope that you find it's worth the small fee for the tools it offers.Should be free for subscribers
The app works well enough, and has good information, but I’m disappointed that you’re not including the app’s features among benefits of subscribers to the magazine/website. I greatly dislike the ridiculous amounts apps charge for subscriptions that provide nothing near the amount of benefit for what they change, and CR has now added themselves to the list of miscreants.Show lessQuantumpanda
Developer Response
Hi Quantampanda, The Upkept app is a separate service from CR Membership. The app is designed for new homeowners and provides over 250 personalized maintenance plans, schedules, and how-tos on caring for and maintaining a home all year long. The monthly fee funds our work so that we can focus on creating the best possible product without selling our users' data, which is how most free apps make their money. We're working hard to make improvements and add new features to bring even more value to the app as we go.Too Expensive!
I’d pay a flat fee of $4.99 but $4.99 per month is crazy. As CR would say, save your money and use your free calendar app to schedule routine maintenance and put the $60/year you save towards repairs.Chicago Steve
No tips, just schedules! Fee required!
A glorified to-do list for home and appliance maintenance. Three month free trial, then a monthly fee is required.Deezle001
Worthless without customization
Owned my home 13 years. Worked in home improvement for 10.
This app highlights some basics, but doesn’t include features that actually need upkeep. Off the top of my head: sliding glass doors, shower doors, hinges and locks, ceiling fans, patio furniture and features, grills, outdoor lights, pools, pest control, exterior cleaning and pressure-washing… I could go on.
Second, without climate customization, many of the tasks are useless. I live in FL. It’s 90°F and rains daily in summer, but I don’t have to “winterize” anything. Also, my roof will only last 15 years because of the heat and sun. Adding a lawn but not being able to customize the grass type and climate is also a waste. Same with plants - annuals and perennials are different. What about fruit trees or deciduous trees? Everything about a home is based on local climate. I put in my zip code when I registered and it still shows me plans for insulating pipes to prevent them from freezing.
Overall, too singularly focused on superficial appliance and fixture care without consideration of all the other *actually* critical parts of a home. I’d even be satisfied if it just let me add my own tasks and frequency, but that customization just isn’t there.
If anyone thinks this app is a one-stop guide to home care, I’d hate to visit your house. If anything, this app is a distraction from the things that really matter.
For $4.99/month, the value just isn’t there. You’d be better off making a spreadsheet or adding reminders to a calendar app - and making good friends with the local folks at the hardware store, of course.Show lessOrlandoJoe
A homeowner’s dream!
This app makes it so useful to maintain those easy to forget maintenance items for my home.Family Man NYC
A must have for all homeowners
I just bought my first house and have been a little stressed over maintenance. This app is exactly what I was looking for. The maintenance plans are easy to follow and contain valuable tips. Absolutely brilliant app 🙏🏼Dirk Powers
Developer Response
Congrats on your first home! We love hearing that Upkept is what you've been looking for and is making things easier for you.
