Just something I'd like to share...
If you have to give your credit card number for something that is FREE - then, it's not really FREE and you better be reading the fine print.
One of my readers recently clicked through a Google ad and ended up on the Auction Freeway site. It sounded like a good deal so he signed up. Then, he proceeded to get mad at me and requested a refund on his Auction Riches membership because he followed that link because of me and they started charging him a monthly fee for surplus alert that he felt they tricked them into.
Now, don't get me wrong - I am sorry this happened to him - and I do not want their ads showing up on my sites at all because I do think the way they do business is wrong. (Hopefully I have them blocked on my Google Adsense now) But for someone to blame me because he gave out his credit card number to someone else - well that's just wrong.
In any case, I revisited their site tonight to read the fine print. Of course, the fine print isn't available on the first screen - you can only get to it AFTER you give them your contact information.
Read the terms and conditions when you sign up for something - because there are people out there like this.
Here is their fine print... (which happens to be gray in color on top of a little bit lighter gray background - another reason to be suspicious!)
Your Auction FreeWay kit will ship out of a warehouse in Salt Lake City within the next 2-3 business days. Your kit is the perfect tool to start a home-based auction business. You will also enjoy a free trial membership to SurplusAlert.com, where you can buy thousands of name brand products at up to 90% off. Click here for the complete terms and conditions of the trial membership. By submitting this application, you agree to the Privacy Policy of this Web Site, the SurplusAlert.com free trial, and to the following statement: "I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONSUMER TRANSACTION INVOLVES A NEGATIVE OPTION, AND THAT I MAY BE LIABLE FOR PAYMENT OF FUTURE GOODS AND SERVICES UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT IF I FAIL TO NOTIFY THE SUPPLIER NOT TO SUPPLY THE GOODS OR SERVICES DESCRIBED."
NEGATIVE OPTION?! That's a red flag there people. Hit the X button and run. Don't be taken by these guys or any other sites.
READ THE SMALL PRINT and DON'T give your credit card number for something Free...JUST SAY NO!
Be responsible for your actions and please don't blame someone else. This is not the first time I've received negative email about this company. Apparently they also give away one or more of my free eBooks which in some people's eyes, makes me a part of what they are doing.
Rant over...
Robbin