This post is more like an eye opener and no, there is nothing wrong with opting in for free trials but there are downsides! This post was borne out of my short experience while trying out the service of a website. Trust me, it almost went sour!
Keep reading...
Not to lie, Free trials are cool especially when you are being skeptical about a product or service being offered... It gives you the chance of satisfying your curiosity. At least, you get to know if the product or service is worth your money.
It's OK to order for a sample product but it's lame when you don't intend purchasing it... Anyways, my concern about free trials today is joining premium websites or opting in for premium services on the basics of free trial.
It's OK to order for a sample product but it's lame when you don't intend purchasing it... Anyways, my concern about free trials today is joining premium websites or opting in for premium services on the basics of free trial.
There are lots of websites offering premium services and giving prospective buyers and clients a glimpse of what they have to offer at no cost for a limited period of time. Free trials can run for 2 to 1month as designed by such sites. But there is something most internet users fond of opting in for free trials do not know...
These no cost trials often end up being traps without notice and of course you have no right to hold a website ransom for unsolicited cash debits from your bank account. Below are just a few reasons why you should not sign up up for free trials...
**Why You Should Never Opt in for Free Trials**
** 1. You have Absolutely no intentions of continuing after your trial elapses**
Maybe you are just like me who enjoys trying out new stuff on the internet, yet a little too rigid to part with my money. This is probably a major reason why you should avoid free trials at all cost. If you just want to opt in and enjoy a service for the stipulated time frame then walk away, don't get tempted. Don't attempt a free trial if you are one of such people, reason being that you may forget that you have an ongoing trial. It would turn out not so good if you signed up with your card information.
** 1. You have Absolutely no intentions of continuing after your trial elapses**
Maybe you are just like me who enjoys trying out new stuff on the internet, yet a little too rigid to part with my money. This is probably a major reason why you should avoid free trials at all cost. If you just want to opt in and enjoy a service for the stipulated time frame then walk away, don't get tempted. Don't attempt a free trial if you are one of such people, reason being that you may forget that you have an ongoing trial. It would turn out not so good if you signed up with your card information.
** 2. You don't care about the Terms, privacy policy or billing notice**
It's important that you read the terms and conditions, privacy policy and other information of a website before signing up with them: especially when they offer services, whether free or paid. You may skip some vital information about how their free trial accounts operate.
It's important that you read the terms and conditions, privacy policy and other information of a website before signing up with them: especially when they offer services, whether free or paid. You may skip some vital information about how their free trial accounts operate.
** 3. You have to sign up with your card details**
If your card details turns out to be a prerequisite for signing up, then you might want to reconsider your trial attempt or try as much as possible to look up their reputation as well as read their privacy policy, billing notice and terms and conditions. I once got billed but was lucky enough to get my money back after contacting their customer care. Reverse might be the case for others while some might have signed up with a scam site. You should know that signing up to a site with your card details gives them access to your funds.
If your card details turns out to be a prerequisite for signing up, then you might want to reconsider your trial attempt or try as much as possible to look up their reputation as well as read their privacy policy, billing notice and terms and conditions. I once got billed but was lucky enough to get my money back after contacting their customer care. Reverse might be the case for others while some might have signed up with a scam site. You should know that signing up to a site with your card details gives them access to your funds.
Note that most times your card gets auto billed and your account upgraded once your trial elapses.
Once billed, there is a thin chance of getting your money back! So always opt out before your time as a free user comes to an end...
Once billed, there is a thin chance of getting your money back! So always opt out before your time as a free user comes to an end...
Another problem with adding your card to a site you are just trying out is the issue of the inability to opt out before the trial time elapses. Some websites do not give you the option of opting out of your trial account and the only way to do that is by contacting their customer care but what happens when you do not receive a reply on time?
Your credit card information is confidential, only use it on trusted and renowned websites to avoid being scammed...
I learnt my lesson but good thing I didn't learn it the hard way...
I've doubled checked my recent actions and made sure I wasn't signed up for any free trial!
I followed you from nairaland; I want to chime in to say what a good job I think you are doing.
ReplyDeleteTo your topic, free trials are exactly what they are - trial. The general idea is for you to get a taste of what's to come and to move on if you don't believe it's the right thing for you. Unfortunately, most people just go for the free and forget the trial. It is what it is.
Good job once again.
Thank you... I probably forgot the trial also.
ReplyDelete