Have you noticed how many free trials you are offered? Sign up for a free month of X streaming service, or try this media subscription, or here’s a free month of roadside car service. There are offers galore because companies know that most people will let the recurring charges continue. It’s too much time and hassle to unsubscribe — even if people pay attention to the commitments they have made.
When considering a free offer, question whether it will be worth the effort to get out of it before sliding easily into starting it. A “free” month may not seem as valuable when it takes a half hour on the phone to cease service, or when it results in hundreds of dollars of charges for something you don’t fully use.
Companies have no incentive to provide you with a purely altruistic gift. Ultimately, “free” signals it’s a benefit to those offering it, more than the one receiving it.
