My FREE issue of Forbes magazine.
 

One day last week as I was sitting at my computer building a website I decided to take a break and read a bit of business news. I took a quick glance at some of the mainstream news sites but wasn't able to get my fix. Typed in www.forbes.com and found myself in a plethora of great business articles regarding everything from the music industry to latest stock quotes.

After reading an article about the Big 3 falling to Japanese car companies, I noticed a snazzy little button with flashing text "Free trial issue of Forbes magazine." My place is always full of people that like to read an article here and there, so I figured why not. Clicky clicky, I'm bought to a page asking my mailing information. I fill in the required forms and click Submit.

"Thank you Mr. Sly. You will be receiving your free trial issue of Forbes magazine in 4 to 6 weeks." Sweet titties. I'm in no rush, free magazine on its way!

So this afternoon I'm running through my mail, looking for any missed checks before I run to the bank, and I come across an envelope from Forbes Magazine Inc. I open it up and what do my eyes see? A bill for $29.95 to pay for the yearly subscription.

A bill? What the fuck? I ordered a free trial issue, not a subscription to Forbes Magazine. Oh... but wait, now I remember. When I ordered my free trial issue I noticed a disclaimer in small print. Being a webmaster, I've learned to double check these things. In the small print, it stated that I would be AUTOMATICALLY BILLED for a yearly subscription. If I wish to only receive my trial issue and nothing else, I'll need to send back the bill with CANCEL written on it.

If I wasn't web savvy, like many online surfers, I would have been fucked on that little ordeal. Bad Forbes Magazine, tricking the surfer? Tsk, tsk.

Hey at least you didnt also get a bill for Time, National Geographic, and the Wall Street Journal. They could have used cross sales on your ass :winkwink:

Yep, magazine publishers have been getting away with the free trial con for decades. And it works! :1orglaugh

Why doesn't visa attack them instead lol

I can't tell you how many times I've sent off for a "free trial issue" only to be billed before I even receive the first issue. When that happens I mark the bill cancel and I immediately send it back, along with a note that says that I DO NOT appreciate being billed for a magazine before I even get the first issue.

It's so funny that it takes 6-8 weeks to get your first issue but only a few days to get your first bill. LOL! Hmph.

tangible product

i used to sign up for the 2 weeks of free wall street journal all the time..they send you 2 weeks for free then you get a bill to continue..never pay the bill and it just keeps coming every day...for months...when it ends you just sign up your neighbor that you are cool with...that was when i was a starving student though..now i probably just shoot straight

Think it would work if I pretended to be a starving student?