# Edge Cases
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md

**There are a few unlikely but possible circumstances that may impact a customer's experience that Smart Subscriptions can handle, and should be addressed in the issuer's app's display and behavior.**

The following are all edge cases that Smart Subscriptions is able to identify and issuers should be conveying to their customers:

* [Binding contracts](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#binding-contracts)
* [Notice periods](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#notice-periods)
* [Third party billing](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#third-party-billing)
* [Subscription bundle](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#subscription-bundle)
* [Multiple subscription identifications](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#multiple-service-business-identifications)
* [Price increases](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#price-increases)
* [Fluctuating dates and amounts](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#fluctuating-dates-and-amounts)
* [One-time payment exclusion](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/edge-cases/index.md#one-time-payment-exclusion)  

### Edge cases in detail {#edge-cases-in-detail}

#### Binding contracts {#binding-contracts}

A popular pricing tier for merchants which enables customers to pay a reduced fee for a locked-in duration.

**Challenge:** Customers wishing to cancel may place payment stop mid-contract, risking early exit fees, contract violations, credit score impacts, and debt collection.

**Solution:** Smart Subscription intelligence informs customers of potential exit fees or binding contracts upon submission. Depending on the agreement, customers are notified of any incurred fees or the inability to cancel.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/binding-contracts.png)

#### Notice periods {#notice-periods}

Some merchants enforce mandatory waiting periods for cancellations, incurring extra charges for the customer.

**Challenge:** Customers seeking to cancel may be unaware of further charges and mandatory notice periods, leading to support calls and disputes raised by the customer.

**Solution:** Smart Subscription notifies customers of additional charges upon cancellation. Once the notice period is active, details of upcoming payment, including date and amount, are shared.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/notice-periods.png)

#### Third party billing {#third-party-billing}

There has been an increase in diverse payment methods through third-party billing providers, and Smart Subscriptions supports those instances.

**Challenge:** Identifying how the subscription was billed and the distribution method to dictate the appropriate cancellation procedure.

**Solution:** Smart Subscription intelligence accurately identifies the billing or distribution method, routing cancellation requests to the appropriate party for a seamless process.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/third-party-billing.png)

#### Subscription bundle {#subscription-bundle}

Subscription merchants are increasingly offering bundled products and services at discounted rates. Identifying and canceling bundled subscriptions may involve consumers wanting to cancel the entire bundle or individual parts.

**Challenge:** Identifying bundled subscriptions and managing cancellations is complex, as consumers may want to cancel the entire bundle or individual products/services.

**Solution:** Smart Subscription intelligence identifies merchants offering bundles and manages them effectively. It empowers consumers to choose between canceling the entire bundle or specific products/services for a seamless experience.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/subscription-bundle.png)

#### Multiple service business identifications {#multiple-service-business-identifications}

As businesses diversify, it is now common for consumers to hold multiple subscriptions with the same merchant.

**Challenge:** Identifying and canceling multiple service business (MSB) services is complex, while customers placing payment stop for specific services may inadvertently affect secondary subscriptions with the merchant.

**Solution:** The Smart Subscription platform intelligence accurately identifies the service customers wish to cancel and assesses if blocking the merchant is safe. If not, alternative cancellation methods are surfaced to ensure that specific services remain unaffected.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/multiple-sevice-business-identification.png)

#### Price increases {#price-increases}

The Smart Subscription platform can identify price increases, so that issuers can label and call them out in their apps.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/price-increases.png)

#### Fluctuating dates and amounts {#fluctuating-dates-and-amounts}

The Smart Subscription platform can identify changes in both prices and dates of charges from a provider that a customer has a separate subscription with.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/fluctuating-dates-amounts.png)

#### One-time payment exclusion {#one-time-payment-exclusion}

The Smart Subscription platform intelligence can detect a one-time purchase amongst other subscription charges.
![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/consumer-clarity/uploads/one-time-payment-exclusion.png)

Next: [Resources](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/resource/faqs/index.md)