Do Not Order "Free Trials"!!!

[junquedujour]

i'm so glad you posted this! i told a friend of mine that i had spent the past two days on the computer researching the e-cig options as i was going to make the jump. she said that she found a "free trial" for just the cost of shipping and she wanted to give me the info. i declined because just from the research i had done, i knew that it would eventually be more hassle than it was worth. besides, for the cost of the shipping on a free trial (around $8-$10) i could go to the smoke shop and buy a disposable one -- with never any strings attached.

 

[newbizmau]

My parents are both smokers and my father is trying to quit. My father saw one of those Free Trial commercials and told my mother to order right away. Both parents are about 70 years of age now so of course she didn't do any research, that is usually what I'm for, the son. But she didn't ask me an ordered anyway. Well when I found out I did the research right away before it arrived and after much comparison of other e-cig products I immediately knew the scam and that the e-cigarettes she order were inferior. The result was I was dead on correct and after only 2 days of having the product the smoke became weak and hardly worked at all. We canceled right away. The company told us there was no need to return the e-cigarette they sent us. I have found a product that we are happy with but don't know if I can say the name of the company here. I'm new to this forum and not sure of the regulations yet.

 

[vampcatt]

Had the same thing happen in my world. My Hubby and I have been researching like crazy and learning all we can. Mentioned it to my Mom in law, and she tells me a few days later that she ordered one, not to worry it is a free trial. I said " oh gods, I hope it wasn't Prada.. they are like $149.99 and 49.99 a month. ( It WAS Prada) I warned her to call and get an RMA before it even arrived. Then a few days later again, they talked her into staying, they'd waive blah blah. She only paid 69.99 and 25.99 a month. <rolling eyes> I insisted she return it all, that her son and I would find her a good e-cig and not one of these shysters and last I heard, she was still out the $69.99 and they weren't going to refund it ( She is in Cali and we are in OKlahoma, so..hard to "push" her to do stuff via phone/online.

So... word to the wise.. if it looks to good to be true.. it probably is!!

 

[GayleMarie]

Thanks, I try to stay away from free (other than shipping) but I do love good products on sale!

 

[silentt]

Great info thanks! Only thing i fell for was the 20 dollar ecigg at 711. But it worked okay and still does lol.

 

[iluvnewfies]

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).

I agree. I signed up for one of these but luckily my card was denied before I got stuck!

 

[Illini]

Yes If i had only know the ECF before my first purchase of SafeCigs. Cost me $130 Bucks. now I have 150 rapped up in my Ego-T. Wow what i have learned on this website alone. Im 18 clean from anologs however. God Bless the E-Cig. I tasted my first real steak for the first time since I was 15 and started smoking.

 

[Illini]

Yes If i had only know the ECF before my first purchase of SafeCigs. Cost me $130 Bucks. now I have 150 rapped up in my Ego-T. Wow what i have learned on this website alone. Im 18 clean from anologs however. God Bless the E-Cig. I tasted my first real steak for the first time since I was 15 and started smoking.

I take that back That was not the manufacturer however it was expensive and they wanted over half the money for 30 day gaurantee! I would have gotten 45 dollars back out of my initial deposit!

 

[Illini]

Where do you go to get the vaping signs on your posts

 

[Illini]

Just wanted to post my banner

 

[Illini]

I dont believe after 13 years of anolog smoking I would ever stop. I started at 15 years old now at 28 I can officially say I never want another one. I love the pv.

 

[airpoff22]

anything that sounds to good to be true it probably is, as far as free stuff.

 

[sinbadfishing]

I dont believe after 13 years of anolog smoking I would ever stop. I started at 15 years old now at 28 I can officially say I never want another one. I love the pv.

lol nice one

 

[Frank Quit]

Good call, I almost got taken on this last week, read the fine print. The ecig was free, but you had to buy all your juice from them.

 

[Andygev35]

Great post, I love it when unscrupulous business practices get exposed...

 

[Joe.0]

Aside from the free trials, I purchased my first e-cig kit based on a review from some website. It turns out I paid way too much for it, and it wasn't that good. I live-I learn. Finally came across this forum and did some research. Got myself a nice kit and some juices, and I couldn't be happier!! Lots of good info on here.

 

[greysha]

I am fairly new to the e-cig world. Your info about free trials is good to know. My friend tried that and it scared me away at first. Thanks.

 

[greendragon]

I started vaping about 4 days ago, and didn't fall for the free trial offer "scams". What I did fall for was a $60 kit at the local head shop that had all of the accessories (wall, car and USB charger, battery, atty and 10 prefilled carts). The whole set up lasted me 2 days before it started breaking, the carts were all dried up and would only last about 15 puffs before they died, and finally the USB charger broke. It ended up being an expensive mistake, and luckily one of the suppliers that posted on this forum operates close by. I bought a 510 setup with 2 batts, cartos, an atty and carts (for variety and home use), juice, charger, etc. for about $50 and couldn't be happier.
The lesson I learned (the hard way) is to do your research, and make your purchases based on the recommendations of people who are actually a part of the vaping community! I smoked analogs for 15+ years, but after my 510 with some strawberry juice in the carto, I'll never go back to the nasty analog habit again!

 

[pendragon]

I did a trial, 4.95 shipping, got batt, atty, 10 prefilled carts, wall charger and usb. but then i did some research and got a very nice setup. I've yet to start vaping seriously. 60 years old, smoked analogs most of that time. but I'm gonna try.

 

[DC2]

I did a trial, 4.95 shipping, got batt, atty, 10 prefilled carts, wall charger and usb. but then i did some research and got a very nice setup. I've yet to start vaping seriously. 60 years old, smoked analogs most of that time. but I'm gonna try.

Did you cancel that free trial yet?

Because if not, you're probably on the hook for very expensive monthly shipments of refill cartridges.
And when I say very expensive, I mean way, way, way more expensive than they should be.

In fact, that is the whole scam right there.