Gourmet Society- Beware of free trial membership

BillSnow

There are several offers running for either 2 months free membership or 3 months for £1 for the Gourmet Society However when you sign up you need to give your credit /debit card number. Then you are automatically debited for a years subscription at the end of your trial period. You can cancel at the end of your trial period but you have to get your timing exactly right. if you don't then there is not right of appeal. The old saying there is there is always a catch to a free luinch is certainly true here. I cannot find any way in taking them up on their trial offer without giving some form of Bank details. I wonder if this is fully legal.

wealdroam

BillSnow wrote: »

There are several offers running for either 2 months free membership or 3 months for £1 for the Gourmet Society However when you sign up you need to give your credit /debit card number. Then you are automatically debited for a years subscription at the end of your trial period. You can cancel at the end of your trial period but you have to get your timing exactly right. if you don't then there is not right of appeal. The old saying there is there is always a catch to a free luinch is certainly true here. I cannot find any way in taking them up on their trial offer without giving some form of Bank details. I wonder if this is fully legal.

Yes, perfectly legal - in my opinion, of course.

There have been several threads about this - here is just one:
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5048283

Use the search facility to find many more.

LilElvis

As you are aware that timing your cancellation at the end of the trial period is important to do within a specific time period then I can't see what the problem is. You take up the free trial, diarise the date you need to initiate the cancellation process, follow the process in full and retain proof that you have done so. Presumably what anyone should do when entering into a paid-for online subscription service.

motorguy

BillSnow wrote: »

There are several offers running for either 2 months free membership or 3 months for £1 for the Gourmet Society However when you sign up you need to give your credit /debit card number. Then you are automatically debited for a years subscription at the end of your trial period. You can cancel at the end of your trial period but you have to get your timing exactly right. if you don't then there is not right of appeal. The old saying there is there is always a catch to a free luinch is certainly true here. I cannot find any way in taking them up on their trial offer without giving some form of Bank details. I wonder if this is fully legal.

Of course there isnt - do you really think they're making money with two months free membership or £1 for three months?

They're clearly trying to rope peope in for a years membership.

Its their offer and therefore its on their terms. I dont really think anyone is going to give you something for "free" for two or three months, without some sort of a commitment that you will take up the services, even if you have an option to cancel.

Its a business, not a charity.

TomLikesSausages

It all a bit misleading. However any company that ask for your credit card number when you are not actually buying something is always blowing close to the wind. If in doubt don't do it.

mfg

I got a free card through Mymail where I did not have to give payment details.


Do they still chase people for money in this case after the expiry date has passed?