Go ahead, try it for 30 days. The $$$ balloon payment comes later.

You’ve seen the ads for fitness equipment, tools, juicers, grills, hair removal devices and other expensive infomercial products. Try it for 30-Days— free, or a small amount like $14,95 or even $1. These marketing tactics are hiding the true cost, which can be hundreds of dollars. After the trial period is over, you’re going to be billed for the full cost of the product, either in one big balloon payment or several smaller monthly payments. Plus, you’re likely to pay more than if you paid the full price in one lump sum.

For example, let’s look at the popular Ab Circle Pro fitness machine. The infomercial and Ab Circle Pro website invite you to try it for 30 days for only $14.95. Sounds good? Let’s add up the total cost, which you can determine by reading the offer details. There are multiple other ways to purchase, but let’s compare with Walmart.com, where shipping to your local store is free.

Look at how your $14.95 trial has ballooned into $250, $100 more than you’d pay at Walmart.com. And if you decide to return your Ab Circle Pro within the trial period, you don’t get back the $14.95 trial fee or the $34.50 shipping charge. Plus, you have to pay to ship it back to the seller.

Ab Circle Pro is just one of many products that hide most of the cost behind a free or low-cost trial offer. Some don’t reveal the payment details until after you’ve already entered your personal information. Be sure you know upfront how much you’re really paying before you agree to a trial offer.

As UnSeen On TV: The Top Ten Facts Infomercials Fail to Tell You

Introduction #1 – Shipping Charges. #2 – Other ways to buy. #3 – Returns are difficult. #4 – Biased online reviews. #5 – Some products don’t work. #6 – Recurring billing. #7 – Post-trial balloon payment. #8 – Spam, telemarketers and junk mail. #9 – Third party programs. #10 – Allow weeks for delivery.