Double-check the Quality of your Free Trial Offers

Last weekend, a friend of mine attended a "Free Getaway Weekend" at a Cape Cod timeshare. The firm offering the "getaway" probably had $50 invested in her, by the time she arrived, given printing, mailing, telemarketing costs, etc.

However, her "free trial" was a total bust:

* The television was broken in the room she stayed in.
* The refrigerator was broken.
* There was no coffee for the coffee maker.
* The carpet was stained.
* The appliances were rusted.
* The ice machine had been "disconnected for the winter."
* There was obvious mildew in the hot tube and the water was slimy

When she mentioned these deficiencies, she was told: "people who take advantage of these value packages usually don't buy."

Needless to say, she didn't.

But, what about your free trials? Do you put your best foot forward, or are your appliances rusty, too?