The Myth Of Free Magazine
Have you ever received a free magazine subscription with the expectation of receiving one or more magazines? If so, then this article is for you!
The internet has come to be dominated by companies who promote some kind of product for a little bit of money in return for goods and services. Companies will create what are called "free trials", where people have the opportunity to test out their product without having to pay anything up front. This model has become so common that the general public has started accepting it as is. For many individuals, these free trials can lead to recurring subscriptions that cost them hundreds or even thousands of dollars within a year (if they continue with the same company). To make matters worse, many people believe that there is a such thing as a "free magazine". You can't blame them because most companies will promote their subscriptions as "free trials", or simply state that they are free.
Most companies will give you the impression that you are paying nothing for your free trial or free subscription. They might even specifically say that the product is for FREE! In reality, you are probably signing up for some type of paid service (even if you don't realize it at the time). While this isn't always true, it is something to be aware of.
There are many ways companies deceive people into thinking they are getting something for absolutely nothing. Depending on the exact situation, you could be paying for the trial or subscription through fine print, or you might have to pay extra in order to get what you really want. In any case, it is your responsibility to read each offer very carefully. Make sure that you are not signing up for some type of trial or subscription. Once you have done that, you will be able to take back your money and cancel any further attempts to sign up.
What is a free magazine? [ Image Source ]
At this point, you may be wondering what a "free magazine" actually is. The first thing to realize is that there are two types of free magazines in this situation: free trials, and free subscriptions. Most people who receive these magazine offers are receiving a subscription for some type of product or service (this could be for the free trial in order to see how things work out, or it can simply be for the main product itself). In order to make their advertising more effective, many companies say that the products are "free". This is probably because the product is either free for a certain period of time, or free to try out. In any case, you can't blame them for trying to get new customers.
Unfortunately, nothing in life is really free. If you're receiving a "free subscription" you are likely not paying cash up front. Instead, you will most likely be signing up for some type of trial or membership to the company's main service. This means that they will automatically bill your credit card each month until you cancel it yourself. These subscriptions can often run hundreds to thousands of dollars if they are left unchecked over the course of a year (or more).
How to Avoid Free Magazine Subscriptions / Charges [ Image Source ]
You may be feeling a bit confused by this point. How do you know whether or not you're really getting a free magazine subscription? Here are a few tips that will help you avoid this situation:
Don't Get sucked in by the term "free trial" : This is what most companies use to attract new customers, because they want the subscription to continue. They might say something like: "we will send you a free trial" or "try our product for free". These are all t ies . Instead of accepting these, find out the exact price (if it isn't obvious) and then ask for the details.
: This is what most companies use to attract new customers, because they want the subscription to continue. They might say something like: "we will send you a free trial" or "try our product for free". These are all . Instead of accepting these, find out the exact price (if it isn't obvious) and then ask for the details. Read all of the fine print : This is important in general, but even more so with offers like this. You want to make sure that you can cancel at any time and that they won't keep trying to charge you.
: This is important in general, but even more so with offers like this. You want to make sure that you can cancel at any time and that they won't keep trying to charge you. Double check the pricing : You will have to review the details carefully in order to avoid signing up for something you don't want. If they say that it is free, then what are they actually selling? Sometimes companies will try to sell a product or service while saying it is free.
: You will have to review the details carefully in order to avoid signing up for something you don't want. If they say that it is free, then what are they actually selling? Sometimes companies will try to sell a product or service while saying it is free. Call them : Most companies will have a phone number listed in the fine print. If there isn't one, then you can find out their number using the internet. Once you have located the company's headquarters, you will be able to contact them directly using the phone, email or other means.
: Most companies will have a phone number listed in the fine print. If there isn't one, then you can find out their number using the internet. Once you have located the company's headquarters, you will be able to contact them directly using the phone, email or other means. Call them back: After you have contacted the company, it is time to follow up by calling them back. Keep in mind that many companies will not give you the full details up front.
Keep these tips in mind and you can avoid the pitfalls of free magazine subscriptions. You should always read the fine print in order to make sure that your money isn't going toward a company's profit instead of a product or service. If you are unsure about an offer, then it is better to be safe than sorry.
More Information:
Are You Being Charged for a Magazine Subscription or Trial? (tutorial)
What Does "Free" Actually Mean? (video)
How Much Does Online Advertising Cost? (infographic)
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Conclusion: Avoid Free Magazine Subscriptions
As you can see, this type of subscription is not really what most people would expect. They generally describe it as a "free trial" or "free subscription", which leads many to believe that they will pay nothing. In order to avoid getting stuck with a free magazine subscription, you need to read the fine print carefully. Anyone who is serious about minimizing their debt should avoid these types of offers. You never really know how much something costs until you find out the actual price, be it in cash or by giving your credit card away (or both). Most companies will offer a payout in cash if the user isn't careful enough to cancel the service before they charge their credit card.