Ask HN: Why doesn't NYTimes allow me to cancel my subscription online?

Does anyone else find it ludicrous that they allow new subscriptions online, but not cancellations? Their FAQ asks me to call customer service to cancel, but when I call on a weekend, they ask me to call during regular working hours, from Monday to Friday.

Is there a reason, other than trying to retain customers by banking on their lethargy, for this kind of behavior?