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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

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Rainmaker
4,817,331
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

And they gotcha, Paul.

Jan 09, 2019 11:05 AM
Rainmaker
5,431,570
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

As I always said to my grands... life is hard, then you die! Of course, one could die waiting for the cancellation, as well!

Jan 09, 2019 01:19 PM
Ambassador
5,580,651
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OH my goodness, I've had to stop doing that - the time it takes to cancel has proven to NEVER be worth the 'free' trial!

Jan 09, 2019 01:18 PM
Rainmaker
2,233,960
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I normally don't sign up for free trials. 

Jan 09, 2019 11:49 AM
Ambassador
2,380,769
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

No kidding!  Very annoying.  Anything that requires a credit card for a FREE trial gets their window closed out immediately.  ZAP!

Jan 09, 2019 11:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,273,331
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Won't be doing that again...

Jan 09, 2019 10:47 AM
Rainmaker
5,213,036
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

That is their plan.  I just cancel the credit card when I want to stop one of these.

Jan 09, 2019 10:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,287,654
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Funny how things work like that!! Very irritating 

Jan 10, 2019 07:40 AM
Rainmaker
2,582,148
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Yup! That's why I don't do it any more Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS .

Jan 09, 2019 05:17 PM
Rainmaker
519,824
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

I found out I can't affort any more free trials.  

 

Jan 09, 2019 04:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,438,318
Joyce M. Marsh
Luxury Home Couture - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes & Design

I’ve had too many issues with free trials in the past. I won’t be making that mistake again. 

Jan 09, 2019 02:40 PM
Rainmaker
564,544
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I avoid those 'free trials' like the plague...

Jan 09, 2019 12:52 PM
Ambassador
2,634,880
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

That's why I don't sign up for any free trials any more. Can't be bothered trying to remember when to cancel.

Jan 09, 2019 12:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,952,054
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Some companies make it hard to unsubscribe. I think they feel we'll give up since our time is worth more than a $50-100 subscription. They might be right, but it's the principle that makes us stick with it.

Jan 09, 2019 12:32 PM
Ambassador
2,137,774
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home again, home again...

and that's precisely why I don't sign up for free trials...

Jan 09, 2019 11:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,878,528
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Yes. There was another mention of this on our local news about how you might 'think' you cancelled but they keep billing you until eternity. Only thing to do is claim the cards been stolen & get it cancelled.

Jan 09, 2019 10:59 AM
Rainer
403,187
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

That works exactly as they intend it. Many people will get frustrated and give up or forget and the company gets their money over and over and over...

Jan 09, 2019 10:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,119,652
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I'm not doing a free trial. If I want the product I will buy it and if I don't I will not. For reasons you have already stated.

Jan 09, 2019 10:51 AM
Rainmaker
988,978
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Think it might be intentional.  Usually, the ones you don't want to cancel are easy to cancel and vice versa.

Jan 09, 2019 10:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,123,249
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

I no longer do a "free trial" that requires a credit card and have gone to using throwaway cards online for vendors I have never used before that don't accept PayPal. Once burned, twice shy as my Grandma used to say.

Jan 09, 2019 06:38 PM
Rainmaker
838,267
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

Yes I have! 

Jan 09, 2019 03:31 PM
Rainmaker
788,503
Peter Testa
Kiwi Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

Buyer beware

Jan 10, 2019 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
982,293
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

I have not signed up for a free trial in a while due to the trouble to get out of the trial. 

Jan 09, 2019 05:35 PM
Rainer
400,684
PropertyMinder (AccelerAgent)
PropertyMinder, Inc. - San Jose, CA
Modern Tools for the Modern Agent

As someone who pitches free trials (or test drives), I do my best to FULLY inform prospective clients about the services we do (and do not) provide. Transparency is essential to not just retain clients - but to maintain our integrity and unblemished reptuation. #SpeakTheTruth - Tim

Jan 09, 2019 05:01 PM
Ambassador
6,810,660
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Free trials that require a credit card are not really free, they could more accurately be called TRAPS.

I dont participate in them, and I am glad that you got out of this one.

Jan 09, 2019 01:40 PM
Rainmaker
2,885,638
Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Same as bait on a hook....

Jan 09, 2019 11:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,713,581
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I avoid them.

Jan 09, 2019 11:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,799
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

While visions of dollar signs dance in their heads.

Jan 09, 2019 11:30 AM
Rainmaker
8,283,011
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Yep, many of us have had that experience.

Jan 09, 2019 11:13 AM
Rainmaker
5,774,217
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

We think it is intentional...So now I will only do free trial vithout a credit card, or cancel ahead of time.  A

Jan 09, 2019 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,336
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Oh, yes. 

I don't sign for free trial.

Jan 09, 2019 05:21 PM
Rainmaker
5,387,787
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I so agree with Michael Jacobs ! Once they get you they don't want to let you go!

Jan 09, 2019 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,497,883
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

"Free" is a word with more than one meaning.

Jan 09, 2019 04:46 PM
Rainmaker
4,445,531
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS yes, it did happen to me

Jan 09, 2019 04:20 PM
Rainmaker
3,627,477
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Exactly why I never sign up for a trial on anything.  I either go all out, or not at all

Jan 09, 2019 04:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,767,107
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

I've had that happen a few times. It makes me nervous about free trials. 

Jan 09, 2019 03:29 PM
Ambassador
3,705,545
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

YUP!!  It's kind of crazy and doesn't make want to do any free trials ever again. Done I say!

Jan 09, 2019 03:26 PM
Rainer
133,394
Mike Baltierra
Rise Realty - Eastvale, CA
Full Service at Your Service Realtor-Eastvale CA

That's how they reel you in. I hate it when I forget and then I see a charge on my account.

Jan 10, 2019 06:40 AM
Rainmaker
3,417,759
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Once they have that card, they have you and wont let go

Jan 10, 2019 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

That is why I never surrender my credit card number.

Trials need to be FREE which means no credit card.

Once they get a victim on auto billing they can profitably IGNORE their prey.

And of course the FREE TRIAL need not be connected to resources critical to ones business. Get my point?

I imagine Micky Mouse does a lot of free trials.

Jan 10, 2019 05:07 AM
Rainer
479,982
Realtyna Inc
Realtyna - Newark, DE
WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM

but I sure do love a free trial that doesn't require credit card info :) They are hard to find, unfortunately. 

Jan 10, 2019 04:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,574,716
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

That is the secret genius of their marketing plan.... almost like a car salesman that locks you into an office until you sign!

Jan 10, 2019 04:34 AM
Rainer
131,513
Steve Penner
Royal LePage Dynamic RE / Pro Ledger Bookkeeping Software - Winnipeg, MB
REALTOR® / Pro Ledger Online (owner)

Normaly I like to try before I buy. Although do not like free trials that ask for payment setup etc... Otherwise, in many cases ...yes I actually prefer a free trial.

Jan 09, 2019 07:34 PM
Rainmaker
5,601,041
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Only happened once and I got out of it! What a racket!

Jan 09, 2019 04:07 PM
Rainmaker
5,585,089
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I don't bother doing that...if I sign up for something, I know it's worthwhile.... 

Jan 09, 2019 01:34 PM
Rainmaker
5,318,318
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I knw what you mean

 

Jan 10, 2019 10:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,550,960
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Yes, the more difficult you make it, the more likely people are to throw their hands up and keep paying.  I'm starting to use disposable credit cards (visa cash cards or Blur privacy cards) for stuff like that.  Load it with a couple bucks for their verification and then cancel the card if you don't like the service.  They can't bill you and they'll be in touch with you to help you cancel.

Jan 10, 2019 09:23 AM
Ambassador
3,456,288
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Yes.  It often ends up resolved with my credit card company. 
I notice the same with unsubscribe ... many never remove me no matter how many times I unsubscribe. 

Jan 10, 2019 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,277
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

yes

Jan 10, 2019 06:02 AM
Rainer
365,781
Andy Brown-Climer School of Real Estate
The Climer School of Real Estate - Orlando, FL
The Best Real Estate School in Florida

Ha! Yes!!!

Jan 15, 2019 01:58 PM
Rainmaker
6,079,343
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Paul, they do it on purpose, in hopes you WON'T cancel.

Jan 12, 2019 07:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,762,823
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

So very true, and if a credit card is required to use the free trial, we pass.

Jan 11, 2019 07:59 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,529
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I won't do them anymore

Jan 10, 2019 06:04 PM
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