Peloton announces $95 "used equipment activation fee"

Yeah, I'm sorry. I love empathy but I don't know how to keep a supply of it for folks that willing pay to be in such, dare I say, abusive relationships.

They're entitled to what we call a core technology fee. It prevents customers from potentially abusing the incredibly valuable Peloton IP, while supporting the salaried employees and executives that continue producing content customers love. It's a win-win relationship really, it's only the spiteful regulators that want to see Peloton fail that suggest stopping it.

They're also happy to pay BMW a fee whenever they unlock their cars and a subscription to use their windshield wipers.

They're not making more money by not charging ;)

I suspect Peloton's entire existence is based on ongoing subscriptions so getting each user to sign up and pay is just the whole deal with them. That's just their business model.

If someone wants a bike they don't pay a fee / regular fees for, I'm not sure they should pick a Peloton / that's not their market.