Free Trials

Free trials usually deal with a service. Since a service is not much of a tangible item, some would argue that this page doesn't belong on site that emphasizes actual, real, free items. Once the trial is over, the person who participated has nothing to show for it since they no longer have the service. However, by definition, a service is a product. Though temporary, free services can also alleviate expenses on budget. In many cases, a free trial comes with a free gift. Also, a discussion of free trials will prove useful for the next page, Rewards Programs.

The key with free trials is to make sure you request that the service be canceled before they charge your credit card. If you accept the free trial and then forget about it, you'll be charged every month or year after the trial period is over. Mark the date on your calendar. Program your email to remind you. Do whatever you have to so that you don't forget. Because they've got your credit card number in a machine, and it never forgets.

Often when you call to request that they cancel, the representative on the phone is trained to find out why you are canceling. If you just wanted the service in the first place because it was free, then tell them you're done with it and don't give them anymore information. If they ask, "can you tell me why you're done with it?" Politely say "no, I'd rather not". They'll use any information you give them to try and convince you to keep the service.

However, if you are actually interested in the service, this conversation with the representative on the phone is a great opportunity for you to get them to sweeten the deal. This is the moment where you tell them what you want and they will probably give it to you just to keep you as a customer.

A perfect example of this type of conversation can occur with cellular phone companies. On two separate occasions I explained to T-mobile that since my contract has expired I might be ready to change services. And on both occasions they switched me over to a "specialist" who gave me more for my money and the cellular phone that I wanted for free.

Note: If you are interested enough to try free trials, and diligent enough to make sure you won't get charged, then I'd recommend reading the next page before trying any of the free trials listed below. You can get more for free by participating in a free trial than simply what the trial offers.

The following websites offer Free Trials:

Video Professor

Colombia House

etc.

If you know of a free trial that runs consistently throughout the year, then you're welcome to submit it for review. If the trial offer is for a limited time, or only occurs seasonally, then you're still welcome to submit it and it might appear on other ActuallyFree sites.

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