Free Internet Trial

I'm getting onto my 'soapbox' here. I really think that 'free' internet trials should be banned and WE should all let internet companies that we will no longer tolerate them. Perhaps one way you could do that is by pointing them to this article. If you do do this then leave a comment advising me of such then in this way this article then can act like a petition.

I rarely get caught by them. Note I said ,"rarely". This morning I nearly got 'caught' for my second time.

There is an allied issue that also really upsets me too; that being 'automated debits' but this is another issue. Indeed many 'vital' services such as telephones and internet companies use these and it is impossible to even get an account without setting up these wicked automatic debits. What happened to the 'good old days' of providing a service then sending a bill?

Some people just don't understand my loathing of automated debits. Simple; it disadvantages the poor. It does this by making the debits on particular days of the month and poor people, many of whom live from hand-to-mouth happen to get paid weekly or fortnightly.

In my determination to 'get around' these iniquitous systems I have developed successful strategies (for Australia) but I will write a separate article about this. The two issues are allied in the sense that to avoid the disadvantages you need a 'loadable' visa or master-card account.

Now such things appear to be easy to attain in the USA but here in Australia it is a different story. Firstly there are very, very few companies who sell re-loadable, anonymous visa and master-cards. Here is in Australia there is a company called 'canvas-card' which is where I got one from. But this was no easy matter. I still had to provide the 100-point ID check required here in Australia when opening a Bank Account.

But having done that and 'jumping through the hoops' it is a most useful thing to have and own. Now I can and do always use my Canvas card with 'telco' and internet companies who offer 'free trials'.

I extremely rarely (usually only with government agencies) use my 'normal' visa debit card. Indeed I most often do not make online purchases from companies who do not have Paypal. If a company has Paypal then you do not have to enter your real name and address and whenever I come across a company that I would like to buy from who doesn't have Paypal then I email them to tell them why I think they should offer it.

I think that 'free trials' that require you to give your real name, your address and your credit card details should be banned and, instead I think that more 'reputable' companies '" such as those who provide online genealogy packages should alternatively offer a genuinely free trial; that is one that does not require you to register your details, including your credit card number. After the 'free trial' period ends they should then (and only then) expect you to register by then providing your relevant personal details. Or, if it is indeed justified that they 'need' to verify you (and I'm unconvinced by that argument too) then they send you an invoice that gives you the option of subscribing after their free trial period expires.

The company who 'nearly' caught me this morning was firstload.de Look out for them on the scamming BB's. I downloaded their program then tried to download a song and when that proved troublesome I immediately uninstalled their software and went to the site to de-register myself.

Despite that this morning I received a bullying and threatening email from them which threatened to damage my credit rating. It demanded that I pay them $57.00. Thankfully I had used my Canvas Card and I replied by telling them I would get onto the ACCC (Australian version of the BBB). I didn't bother justifying myself with them and hopefully I will not have to do that.

After reflection I have posted to them the following email; "Please do not send me any more emails, demands or threats. Thanks."
Thanks for listening. Keep posted.