Jim WinsettQ: On more than one occasion I have been misled by "free offers" on the Internet and print ads, paying only for delivery. What tips does BBB have to help consumers avoid this type advertising?
A: Regardless if the product is a gym membership, a magazine, a weight-loss program, a teeth whitener, or a wrinkle anti-aging cream, low- or no-cost introductory offers are a frequently used marketing tactic. They grab the consumers' attention and later your money. Astute consumers should stay aware and know that there sometimes is a catch.
The Better Business Bureau offers this advice regarding free trial offers. Critically, first check the fine print that will be included in this type offer. Continually, since days of the mail-order record clubs, consumers have been falling for attractive introductory offers of products. Once committed, the consumer provides credit card or bank account numbers. After a few weeks, they find themselves receiving an endless supply of the product, along with the invoices for those shipments.
Product hawkers assume that you are just like many others; a person who scans or does not look at the fine print before clicking the "I agree" button. Once they have your interest and received response, you are hooked. The most important advice that can be given to anyone considering signing up for such offers, is to pay close attention to the terms and small print of the agreement.
BBB advises consumers to consider these points:
* The smaller the print, the more likely it contains information that they do not want you to know.
A frequent trick used in fine print is the spelling out of numbers. They know that numerals are more eye-catching and that some people scan quickly just to see if numerals are in the agreement.
The type may be gray in color, or in a color that is hard to read against the background color.
* Look for pre-checked boxes. That box may be giving the company permission to continue the offer past the free trial period. Or it may sign you up for additional products for which you must send payment. Click to uncheck any boxes that you do not want to agree.
* If the agreement wording is unclear or confusing and you do not understand the agreement, do not sign up for it.
* When considering introductory offers, pay attention to the scheduling of the offer. Most have a time limit. Once it passes without you canceling your order, you may continue receiving the product (or other products) and you may be billed for those shipments.
Suggestion, it is a good idea to literally mark your calendar to remind yourself of when the offer ends. And remember to check your credit-card statements monthly to be sure unwanted charges are not on your card.
* Find out what the conditions are, especially concerning cancellation procedures. Is there a limited time to respond if you want to cancel? Determine exactly what the procedure will be for canceling and if you have to pay for an unwanted product.
* Research the company online. Type the name of the company along with words such as "complaints" or "rip-off" into your search engine and see what others have to say about their experiences. Do not rely on "testimonials" that the company may have placed in their ad. Those can be faked along with the accompanying photos of "happy customers."
Check out the company with the BBB to see if there is a history of unanswered or unsatisfactorily answered complaints at www.bbb.org.
Jim Winsett is president of the Better Business Bureau in Chattanooga.