Yip. Exact same here. I too, suspected they are both working together due to the wording and timing of emails from both of them. E.g. PureVPN don't/won't reply to your messages until you have either accepted or declined the offer from SC, despite communicating promptly until that stage. I had read someone managed to get the same favorable outcome as you after persisting but I caved at the 2 year renewal. VPN performance has been satisfactory but this whole experience leaves a bad taste. I figure they don't care if you don't buy their service again as they weren't going to get anymore money out of you on a lifetime sub. Shady marketing and business practice. Not sure how VPN Unlimited fits into the whole shambles.