There's a sad truth. Our culture has become quite tolerant of predatory business practices. The next time you see a "Free trial" offer, accompanied by some pretty fantastic claims, beware! If they ask for a credit or debit card number, it's NOT free. It's a lot like checking into a hotel. In most cases, a pending charge will go on your card. That will deduct from your available balance, despite the "pending" nature of the charge, and you've actually placed a purchase order for the product. If you want the charge removed from your card, the terms of your acceptance of the "free" offer usually obligate you to take some form of action, cancelling the order. The company won't make it easy.

Here's an example. A Florida company called South Beach Skin Care offers a "free" trial of their "Life Cell" product line. It's represented to be an all in one anti aging cream that replaces six other products. A 2-1/2 oz. tube is $189.00. To remove the pending charge from your card, you must return the unused portion, at your expense...from a post office. The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. On the rating scale of A+ to F, the BBB gives South Beach Skin Care a rating of "F".

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