In general, people tend to be cautious about internet shopping—and for good reason. There are more ways for determined web-promoters to get your money than you probably think, and if you’re not careful, you could be helping these nasty little profit-gurus to stay alive in the shady world of internet cheats.
Many of our common internet schemes are easy to spot—tempting “click-on” advertisements that lead you to spammy sales pages, questionable websites that ask for credit card information, random prize offers, job offers, business offers and so on.
Most people know to stay away from these kinds of gimmicks. They’re normally a waste of time and not worth an ounce of your trust. But what happens when well-known, more authoritative websites begin to bleed your time and money with convincing (but generally deceptive) promotional offers?
Free Trials and Special Discounts…You’ve got to be Kidding
I’m not saying that nothing in life is free, but come on…are we really expected to trust in any random offer we come across on the web?
Well, if there’s such a thing as being too good to be true, you can find it on the internet. Or more specifically, you can find it on Amazon.
Let’s be real. It’s much easier to “sink the knife” when you’re trusted. And while many of the big names on the net (like Amazon) have established a positive reputation by being honest, fair and straightforward with their online business practices (like Amazon), a good track record doesn’t always seem to be enough to prevent them from turning to “the dark side” of internet marketing (like Amazon).
Amazon…I Can’t Believe You Did This to Me
I love books. I love bookstores. But dammit…I needed a book and couldn’t find it on the shelf. So thank god for Amazon. I knew I could find what I needed, and I did. I knew I could get it shipped fast, and it was. But what I didn’t count on was paying $175.00 for a twelve-dollar paperback. But yes, it happened.
Like you, I have to entrust Amazon with my credit card information if I want to get my package. And since its Amazon, I know my personal information—along with my money—is safe. They would never take money from my account without my personal consent. They’re much too big for that. The problem, as it turns out, was that I had no idea I was giving my consent. But I did.
In a single word, this is a scam.
I LOVE Free Trials. But not YOUR Free Trial. Because YOUR Free Trial SUCKS.
To make a long story short, Amazon offered me a free trial of their no-cost shipping. After making my selection, I was asked: Would you like to try Amazon’s no-cost shipping for FREE? Click here! (Or something like that).
And yes, of course I wanted to try free shipping. I’m not stupid. And by clicking their special little link, I instantly saved like 10 bucks. Good deal. My book arrived the next day, and it was a great book.
Thank you so much, Amazon…
…but why in the hell did you take 160 bucks out of my checking account over the following 2 months?
Oh, yeah. I agreed to it. I just didn’t know it.
Amazon, apparently, has a little disclosure about their “free” trial. In it, you’re informed that by accepting the free trial, you consent to some kind of monthly, eighty-dollar membership fee. This eighty bucks is taken directly from your checking account each and every month until you cancel.
But How Are You Supposed To Cancel Something When You Have No Idea it Exists?
I wanted free shipping. And I got it. But had I known about the 80-a-month membership fee, I’d have gladly paid the 10-dollar shipping—hell, I would’ve paid 20. But there’s no way in hell I’m joining some expensive, stupid Amazon club.
In this case, it didn’t seem like I had a clear choice because they didn’t make it the offer clear enough. It was deceptive. Plain and simple. And that’s it. That’s the scam. That’s why I paid $175.00 for a flimsy, 100-page paperback book.
Shame on you, Amazon. Shame. On. You.
But hey, we all make mistakes. In fact, aren’t I the guy that just a few weeks ago was blogging furiously about the importance of reading the fine print?
