Do Not Order "Free Trials"!!!

[highping]

To all new members that are thinking about getting into the world of PV's (e-cigs)...

Do not order "free trial" offers. Most of these companies offering so-called free trials are thought of as scams by most members of this forum.
I use the word 'scam' loosely, as they are operating under all the policies and conditions laid out in the fine print of their contract, so they are a legal operation. However, the shady practices they use qualify them as scams to me.

They will suck you in with the offer of free goods. Then, once they have your credit card number, you're hooked. After the 'trial period' expires they will charge your card for the device. Usually charging way more than the device is selling for elsewhere.

They will also start you on a plan to send you a supply of prefilled carts each month and automatically charge your account.

Many of these are selling inferior models at triple (or more) the cost that they can be purchased from one of the many suppliers listed on this forum. Do some research on this forum, and determine what model suits your needs best. Then make an informed purchase from a reputable supplier.

If you have already purchased and received one of these 'free-trial' offers, return it immediately! The trial period typically starts when they ship the product not when you receive it, so you don't have much time to act once it's in your hands.

Moderators: Can we get a sticky on this subject? It doesn't have to be this post, but this warning should be one of the first things prospective new users see. These scammers are giving the whole industry a bad name.

Edit Note: To anyone wishing to reply to this post and share their experiences, that will be helpful to others as well. However, please refrain from calling out any company by name. I would hate to see this much needed information have to be taken down due to posts that break any forum rules. I think just mentioning a company as a "free-trial supplier" is enough to cover all such companies. There are many of these companies out there now, and some even seem to change their name on a regular basis. The one that advertises on my local radio station has altered their name twice in the last 6-8 months, yet have the exact same script in their commercial (with just the name changed).

[Richie G]

Excellent post, High.

I don't know if we're allowed to name names so I'm going to refrain from that along that this venue. But, there are two radio commercials here in NY that are played ad nauseum. Unfortunately most people that are unaware of e-cig/PVs and are hearing the ads for the first time fall prey. We've all read the stories here and on the other forums where folks find the forums and all this information AFTER making a purchase.

You give excellent advice, Sir.

[Lab]

I looked into one of those on the radio all the time but i was not about to pay 100$ for something i was not sure would work.. I was waiting to find one on ebay until i found this site..

[xdunlapx]

Thanks for the heads-up. I hadn't heard of these "offers" but now that I'm aware, I'll definitely stay away. Thanks again.

[AngusATAT]

Stickied for good info.

[kalekona]

It was one of these "trials" that resulted in me finding ECF- My mother ordered 1 for my sis but then I found the fine print and she canceled and sent it back, so far no new charges on her card but still being vigilant.

I was not aware of how many different companies are out there doing this until I came here.

[Ryum]

Yeah those free trials are a scam, hearing about a "free" e-cig on the radio is what prompted my starting to look into this whole thing.

Luckily I looked deep enough to see that those trial offers are a scam, but there are actual decent products beyond those.

I was just talking to a buddy about those trials today, we started wondering if those companies are run by big tobacco to try and taint the e-cig concept.
I know if I had got a "free" e-cig then got charged $100+ for that crappy kit I would be pretty put off the entire idea.

First impressions are HUGE and those companies are doing a good job of making a bad one to tons and tons of people

[highping]

xdunlapx: if I saved one person from this fate, it was well worth writing the post.

I have to say, if there is one 'up-side' to these free trial companies, it's that they are making a lot of people aware that PV's even exist.
Fortunately, most ppl will be skeptical of anything 'free', but then will go google 'e-cig', which (typically) will lead them right to this forum where they can get all the facts and help to make a sensible purchase.

Angus...thanks for the sticky! Hopefully it will save a few ppl from some bad experiences.

[NateHevens]

Thanks for this. I got so close to doing a free trial the other day, but then saw they wanted me to pay the $10 shipping & handling. So I just said "don't think so" and decided to learn more instead. Then I stumbled onto this place.

So thanks for the write-up. It's informative and important.

It does suck, though, because a legitimate free trial (or even a "testers club") would be very helpful for newcomers.

[tbl35]

Thanks for posting, this definitely needs to be a sticky! I'm seeing one of these scams ads on Facebook lately, so we'll be hearing a few more sad stories I think.