| Term |
Definition |
| 2-2-9 |
- the selection sequence on each of the offer pages; the typical selection requirement (shown here) is 2 on the Silver page, 2 on the Gold page, and 9 on the Platinum page; although the first two pages almost always require 2 choices each, the number of Platinum page choices varies depending on the types of products offered and marketing company making the available offers. |
| 2-2-X |
- the generic rendition of the offer selection process in which the number of Platinum choices could be any number. |
| actual cost |
- a dollar value, the discovery of which is what Free Offer Detective is in business for; it is the amount paid out during the participation of the required ad/offers in order to become qualified to receive the main incentive item. This amount does not make the main item less free, but the lower the actual cost can be kept, the greater the value the free incentive item will be for the individual recipient. The actual cost is the total amount of initial charges for the various offers selected, disregarding any continuing charges such as memberships or subscription fees. |
| ad banners |
- the individual image ads (usually 3 across a typical offer page) that show the product or company you will choose for a qualifying free trial or purchase. |
| double FO |
- a two-tiered free offer site that contains another set of incentive items and a new round of silver/gold/platinum ad offer pages that follow the first (main) offer pages |
| FO |
- free offer |
| FO site |
- free offer site; the marketing system that provides a "free" incentive item for visitors to qualify for by selecting various offers from a number of ad banners displayed over a set of offer pages. |
| free |
- cost to the consumer for the "headliner" incentive item at Free Offer sites. The owners of the FO web site use the incentive item to attract consumers to the site, and they give the item away at no cost to anyone who performs the requisite participation in a number of the displayed ad/offers. This participation in the ad/offers, however, will require consumers to use their credit card, while still allowing the main item to be described as "free." |
| incentive item |
- the main gift being given away for completing the required number of offers |
negative option
transactions |
- a characteristic of most RFTs which involve continued deliveries of the product following the free trial period (unless you affirmatively cancel the order with a phone call or e-mail) for the monthly charges specified in the terms and conditions page of the offer (see offer memberships) |
| non-RFT offer |
- an offer other than a risk free trial, usually an outright sale (e.g., a book club where the associated charges are known for a given period of time), or a monthly subscription (such as satellite TV service or a credit reporting service, etc.). |
| offer memberships |
- memberships that occur, usually automatically, following the initial trial period of most RFTs. As a registered participant of an RFT, you continue receiving the product at periodic intervals (e.g., monthly, etc.) for special prices. Memberships continue until cancelled. |
| outright sale offer |
- a Non-RFT that ends in a direct sale when selected (see Non-RFT offer) |
participation
required |
- the key to free; to obtain the main incentive item for no cost, visitors to FO sites must partake of a minimum number of offers (usually 2-2-X) over the three selection pages. |
| RFT |
- risk free trial; an offer that allows you to try a product for a specified period of time if you’ll pay the account start-up costs--usually a small bookkeeping fee, or the shipping and handling charges, or both. |
| S&H |
- shipping and handling costs; an initial amount you remit to begin a risk free trial (RFT) offer. |
| silver/gold/platinum |
- the descriptions for the three offer pages from which ad banners will be selected in order to qualify for the free incentive item. |
| subscription offer |
- a Non-RFT that results in a service with recurring monthly fees (see non-RFT offer) |
