I was offered a ₱0.99 (USD) trial…
I was offered a ₱0.99 (USD) trial subscription for an online service after clicking on a link to explore the website. The offer appeared to be a low-cost trial with access for a few days before any full subscription charge. After the trial period ended, I was unexpectedly charged ₱1,730.58 through GCash without realizing that the subscription would automatically renew at a significantly higher price. I was not actively using the service during this period due to work commitments and did not intentionally continue or confirm a paid subscription. When I contacted the merchant (pay-innerly.com / Innerly), I received inconsistent responses. At first, they stated that a subscription charge had been made and partially refunded $27.99 USD. Later, they claimed there was no subscription linked to my email and that the charge was for a one-time test purchase, which they said was non-refundable. The merchant also referenced an email account that was not associated with my transaction. The explanations from the merchant were conflicting and unclear, and the refund amount did not fully match the charge that was deducted from my account. The situation made it difficult to understand how the billing was authorized and how the final refund amount was calculated. This experience highlights how trial subscriptions can be misleading if the renewal terms and pricing are not clearly understood or prominently displayed. Users should be very cautious when entering payment details for “trial offers,” especially when automatic renewal and higher charges may apply after a short period. UPDATE: I just received their refund but not the exact amount of ₱1,730.58. I initially left a 1-star review due to my experience with billing and support. Since I received a refund, so I am updating my rating to 2 stars. While I appreciate that the refund was eventually processed, the overall experience was frustrating. There was confusion around the trial terms, inconsistent information from support, and it required multiple follow-ups to resolve. I was also unable to properly use the ₱0.99 three-day trial as expected. The issue was eventually resolved, but the process affected my overall trust and experience.