Thursday, July 15, 2010

Essay: Too Good To Be True Radio Ad

Essay: Too Good To be True Radio Ad: If you hear an ad about "free groceries" do not respond.

A little over a month ago I was listening to the Rhode Island-based alt-rock station WBRU. After listening to several songs I heard an ad by Nelson Research Group about calling a survey and in return I would get $1000 in "free groceries". Against my better judgment I responded to the ad. Before I knew it, I was asked to give them my credit card information (what should have been a giant red flag to hang up). Also, I was signed up for several programs (such as "Auto Savings USA" and "Powerhouse Savings", among others) that I neither wanted nor needed to sign up for. Each of these programs would cost me $19.99 per month on my credit card if I failed to cancel within a month. In the coming month I had to pay at least $50.oo on my credit card for responding to this ad. I successfully canceled all the programs I was signed up for, but I had a hell of a time calling and canceling them all. I must admit I did get a voucher for supposedly 'free groceries', but it is a coupon service; which I have to pay a fee each time I order the coupons. I have yet to order any of these coupons, but I have a feeling I won't save anywhere near what I hoped to save (if any). Hopefully, I won't lose money on the deal. At least I learned my lesson.

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