THE OFFER NOTEBOOK
Free trial? Check what happens next.
The first payment may be zero. The next one may not be. Understand the deadline and renewal terms before handing over your card details.
Published · General consumer guidance
Before you sign up
- Find the trial length and the exact cancellation deadline. Check whether the provider specifies a time zone.
- Record the price after the trial and whether billing is weekly, monthly or annual.
- Check for shipping, handling or other charges even when the headline says “free”.
- Find the cancellation method now. Confirm who bills you: the service directly or another platform.
Your trial record
Keep these details in your own notes. There is no need to share payment information with this site.
- Service and official website
- Record from the provider’s terms
- Sign-up date
- Record from the provider’s terms
- Cancellation deadline and time zone
- Record from the provider’s terms
- Renewal price and billing frequency
- Record from the provider’s terms
- Any extra fees
- Record from the provider’s terms
- Billing provider and cancellation method
- Record from the provider’s terms
- Cancellation confirmation
- Record from the provider’s terms
If you do not want to renew
Set a reminder before the deadline, with enough time to follow the cancellation steps. Keep any confirmation and check your next statement. Do not assume deleting an app cancels its subscription; follow the billing provider’s instructions.
If an unexpected charge appears
Check your saved terms and cancellation confirmation. Contact the billing provider about the charge, and ask your payment provider what options are available if it is unresolved. Refund rights vary by location and circumstances.
Concerned about the seller itself? Check the warning signs of suspicious offers.
Source & further reading
FTC: free trials, auto-renewals and subscriptions (US)This checklist is general guidance, not legal advice or a claim that a particular offer is free.