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The whole point of a free trial is so that folks can try it out, then decide for themselves whether or not they want to continue. By “Automatically Renew” Japanesepod101 in a round about way takes that choice away from you. Why isn’t it “try it for free (or a $1 in this case), and then if you want to continue then you give Jpod101 permission to do so”? I’ll tell you why, this is a trick they do in marketing, companies do this to rely on folks to forget about it after they try it out (or in my case, fail to read the fine print), and when they notice this charge a month later (more for some very busy folks), they’ve already been charged, and most average folks can’t be bothered to go through all the efforts to get their $25 back, so they just cancel it and be done. Multiply that by xx# and it can possibly add up to a good chuck of change. (This is a proven tactic I studied marketing in college). Though it’s “legal” it is hardly the best and most honest way to conduct business.
Again, let’s take Textfugu as an example. Completely, honest to goodness “free” trial, then, it’s up to the user to decide if they want to continue, only at that point payment is exchanged. Simple, clean, totally honest.
Again, beware of what you’re getting into. Easy simple and honest way to try out a site (Textfugu),
OR, more complicated, take your information and CC info so you can try it, then charge you “automatically” afterward (Japanesepod101).
Who would you rather try out? As an everyday average Joe, I think you know the answer.
ロブ,
you obviously sound like you’re affiliated with jpod101…..Welcome Nathan! I’m a relatively new member here as well but so far do enjoy learning Japanese from this site and find it to be very clear and constructive in its approach to teaching to us. Live your dream!
I agree with both you (Winterpromise and Joel), that Japanesepod101 does have some good stuff for offer, and that in a legal sense the parent company Innovative Language isn’t at fault. It can even be argued in court that it is my fault for not reading the fine print… However, if this was a person, would you be friends with them? Someone who ignores you when you try to make contact, and then not being upfront about things? Just saying… It’s a real shame too, because I actually did think they have some good and helpful videos, and given time and some free or low cost trial I might have signed up for it (for example, Textfugu). Now because they’ve done this I’m not likely to sign up with them and will not recommend them. I think this kind of “trickery” marketing hurts them more than help. I mean, they have a relatively good product, why do this?
Originally Los Angeles, CA
Now Melbourne, Victoria, Austalia
Thanks all for bringing up the 88 temples pilgrimage. Now even more motivation to learn Japanese. Just read on wikipedia that someone did this on a folding bike? You know, like in between a traditional walking pilgrimage and the modern method of trains and buses. I would love to do that someday…fingers crossed.
