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Trial Offers - Do "Ethics" even exist.

by Caleb Spilchen
4 replies
In the past, I've had problems with trial offers, and the fine print.

For example, once I never noticed that, in the hidden TOS, there was
a $130 CHARGE applied after 14 days, automatically. Even though it just said 14 day trial on the sign up page.

I notice, a lot of marketers have similar practices. What are the ethics to,
hidden trial (after 14 day) fees. Should they be noted in bold?

Specifically, what do you do, to make sure people know what there
getting into.
#ethics #exist #offers #trial
  • Profile picture of the author schabotte
    I usually don't sign up for trial offers because it then becomes an effort on my part to cancel. I guess this attitude came about from all the credit card "protection" offers and such.

    I think it should be clearly spelled out so you can make your decision with all the information up front. I don't like when you find out after the fact or after reading lots of fine print.

    I like Aweber for instance. They tell you its a trial offer for 1 month (or whatever time period) for $1 and then $19.95/mo thereafter. That's cool. I can make my decision before signing up... AND it is easy to cancel the service. Some of these continuity offers make you jump through 100 hoops and you still can't get the darned thing cancelled!
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    When I have done trial offers (for memberships) I have made it very clear. Something like...

    Get Your 7 Day Trial for $1

    Try this offer for a full week, and if it's not for you simply cancel before the 7 days is up. After the 7 days are up you will be charged at the regular rate of only $19 a month.

    I tend to highlight the trial offer, but not at the expense of hiding the conditions. I put the basic terms right by the buy button.

    I'm confident enough that people will like my stuff, but if it's not for them for some reason, I see no need to hold them hostage.

    I will also help them unsubscribe if they don't know how to do so through PayPal.

    All the best,
    Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
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  • Profile picture of the author GhWriter
    Unfortunately this happens everywhere you go from phone companies to online marketing efforts. personally, i think if you are going to charge more, you should not hide the fact in fine print. If you really have a quality product, then you shouldn't hide the fact that you pay if you fail to cancel your trial.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
      If they're not being upfront with the forced continuity and they're really hiding it in their terms that is not just unethical it's illegal. Report their ass to the FTC IF it truly is hidden.

      I had a 3-month fixed term membership and the person thought it was a one-time payment. I make it very clear on the sales page it's a 3-month dealio. They emailed back and apologized so before you all go crazy make sure you didn't just miss it.

      Like I wrote before, if it is truly hidden, report them to the FTC. They need to be held accountable then they might learn.
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