Free Trial!

[egbert]

A similar game is played with gift cards. They sell $100 worth of gift cards, and people cash in only $70 or $80 of that $10 overall. There is a built in 20-25% spread above the profit made on the merchandise itself.

I never could understand the rationale behind giving a "gift card." I mean, isn't there a "universal gift card" - it's called CA$H!
Business "ethics" being what they are, Seth's "wealth creators" soon hit on the idea of having gift cards that had expiry dates. It's surprising that government hasn't caught on to that concept, so that the cash in your wallet vapourizes if you don't soon use it!
However, those nasty, nasty lefties among us protested, and the (Canadian) guvmint outlawed the practice of gift cards with expiry dates.
Of course, they had to throw in the usual trap for the unwary, so, once you use the gift card, any remaining balance CAN be subject to "expiring".
As they say, CAVEAT EMPTOR. IOW, the "wealth creators" are out to screw you.

[maiforpeace]

There's no such thing as a free lunch...you will pay, in time or fees.

Like any contract, you better pay attention to the fine print. The way to use a free trial effectively is to figure out how to cancel the subscription immediately after you've signed up for the trial rather than wait until the trial is about ready to be up, so when the time comes to cancel you know exactly what to do. Also, cancel it a few days before it expires, that way if they try to give you a run around, you don't get stuck getting charged automatically then having to get reimbursed which is even more of a hassle than canceling.

[Coito ergo sum]

A similar game is played with gift cards. They sell $100 worth of gift cards, and people cash in only $70 or $80 of that $10 overall. There is a built in 20-25% spread above the profit made on the merchandise itself.

I never could understand the rationale behind giving a "gift card." I mean, isn't there a "universal gift card" - it's called CA$H!
Business "ethics" being what they are, Seth's "wealth creators" soon hit on the idea of having gift cards that had expiry dates. It's surprising that government hasn't caught on to that concept, so that the cash in your wallet vapourizes if you don't soon use it!
However, those nasty, nasty lefties among us protested, and the (Canadian) guvmint outlawed the practice of gift cards with expiry dates.
Of course, they had to throw in the usual trap for the unwary, so, once you use the gift card, any remaining balance CAN be subject to "expiring".
As they say, CAVEAT EMPTOR. IOW, the "wealth creators" are out to screw you.

Government involvement in such trivialities is a waste of time and money. I don't mind government being involved, but I think it should be on important things. Whether a gift card has an expiration date is not rocket science. I feel most folks are able to negotiate that terrain on their own. It's not necessary to make a law about it. Now if the government would focus on the really important stuff, then we might get somewhere.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If you're dumb enough to believe they'll give you anything for free, you deserve what happens next.

[Aos Si]

If you're dumb enough to believe they'll give you anything for free, you deserve what happens next.

Its not a matter of being dumb, trial means trial, free means free. If it isn't then it's a breach of the trading standards. It's as simple as that. And yes I used to be able to get free trials without inbuilt pre subscription all the time. This is quite a new thing. Which means since it didn't happen before you are quite justified in being a little surprised when it happens to you.

[Aos Si]

There's no such thing as a free lunch...you will pay, in time or fees.

Like any contract, you better pay attention to the fine print. The way to use a free trial effectively is to figure out how to cancel the subscription immediately after you've signed up for the trial rather than wait until the trial is about ready to be up, so when the time comes to cancel you know exactly what to do. Also, cancel it a few days before it expires, that way if they try to give you a run around, you don't get stuck getting charged automatically then having to get reimbursed which is even more of a hassle than canceling.

To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if this gets legislation against it as most of these stupid ass things do. Eventually enough people will complain that the OFT will take it to the government. A lot of laws happen that way. They get the cool down periods extended that way and companies got fined and sued a lot for selling insurance options people didn't need, mostly because of the complaints, my mother had payment protection insurance on her life assurance policy 4 times, they never bothered telling her that's what they were signing her up for, they basically called it something else.

[Robert_S]

Free Spam!!!! for information contact emailmarketing@spambots.fu

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If you're dumb enough to believe they'll give you anything for free, you deserve what happens next.

Its not a matter of being dumb, trial means trial, free means free. If it isn't then it's a breach of the trading standards. It's as simple as that. And yes I used to be able to get free trials without inbuilt pre subscription all the time. This is quite a new thing. Which means since it didn't happen before you are quite justified in being a little surprised when it happens to you.

Keep that in mind. They do nothing without including a trap.

[Coito ergo sum]

If you're dumb enough to believe they'll give you anything for free, you deserve what happens next.

Its not a matter of being dumb, trial means trial,

And 60 day trial means it lasts for only 60 days.

free means free.

And "free for 60 days, and then if you don't cancel we'll continue your subscription month to month thereafter for $X a month" means "free for 60 days, and then if you don't cancel we'll continue your subscription month to month thereafter for $X a month."

If it isn't then it's a breach of the trading standards. It's as simple as that.

Is it? Why must all gift cards be unlimited in expiration? Why must all free trials not be contingent on a person agreeing to cancel by a certain date or they accept the subscription?

And yes I used to be able to get free trials without inbuilt pre subscription all the time. This is quite a new thing. Which means since it didn't happen before you are quite justified in being a little surprised when it happens to you.

I suppose it depends on if the advert you are reading says it or not. If you're in the habit of not reading stuff you sign up for, I suppose that ought to be your problem, no?

[LucidFlight]

24 months interest free!!!

* Then pay like buggery for the next 10 years.

[Aos Si]

If you're dumb enough to believe they'll give you anything for free, you deserve what happens next.

Its not a matter of being dumb, trial means trial, free means free. If it isn't then it's a breach of the trading standards. It's as simple as that. And yes I used to be able to get free trials without inbuilt pre subscription all the time. This is quite a new thing. Which means since it didn't happen before you are quite justified in being a little surprised when it happens to you.

Keep that in mind. They do nothing without including a trap.

It used not to be though is the point. Unless you are suggesting these people are so sophisticated they spent 20 years biding there time and then sprung it.

Someone just figured out they'd rope in more people if they weighted the "trial" in their favour lets face it.

[Aos Si]

If you're dumb enough to believe they'll give you anything for free, you deserve what happens next.

Its not a matter of being dumb, trial means trial,

And 60 day trial means it lasts for only 60 days.

free means free.

And "free for 60 days, and then if you don't cancel we'll continue your subscription month to month thereafter for $X a month" means "free for 60 days, and then if you don't cancel we'll continue your subscription month to month thereafter for $X a month."

If it isn't then it's a breach of the trading standards. It's as simple as that.

Is it? Why must all gift cards be unlimited in expiration? Why must all free trials not be contingent on a person agreeing to cancel by a certain date or they accept the subscription?

And yes I used to be able to get free trials without inbuilt pre subscription all the time. This is quite a new thing. Which means since it didn't happen before you are quite justified in being a little surprised when it happens to you.

I suppose it depends on if the advert you are reading says it or not. If you're in the habit of not reading stuff you sign up for, I suppose that ought to be your problem, no?

Because its a trial period, if the result is basically a forgone conclusion if you do nothing then its not a trial. You are the judge not them. In a trial if the judge says nothing people don't assume someone is guilty now do they.

I read it, it didn't say anything about automatically signing you up after the trial period. if it did they made it subtle and easy to miss. Another ploy that they use these days.

[Gallstones]

You are spinning your wheels on shoulds. Profit is always the motive, don't forget that.

[Aos Si]

You are spinning your wheels on shoulds. Profit is always the motive, don't forget that.

I'm well aware of how business works, believe me.

[JimC]

Was it a free trial for marmite ? I'm just wondering why Marmite do a subscription ! I want to try the XO stuff but it's too bloody expensive .

It's expensive because it lasts for ever and it takes years to go "off" it being mould mostly anyway or something like it.

And no it wasn't although that is such a fricking good idea...

Free trial for Amazon prime, I got one free delivery and then I was supposed to make up my mind, so I thought...

Doesn't matter I sent an email mentioning the OFT and they immediately refunded all my hard earned cash. Which I spent on gin incidentally, and some Marmite. Swear truth there, did the weekly shop with it.

What a splendid idea!

(nothing to do with Marmite, just spending the refund on gin...)