Be Careful Using the Free $100 Google AdWords

So, this blog is more or less a warning to those who sign up for those free $100 in Google Ads. Be very careful how you set up your account because I had no idea that Google automatically sets up automatic payments without putting that upfront for you to see what they are doing. I got an e-mail today saying that my old credit card was declined and that I owe them nearly $50.

Wow, I was a little shocked but I thought it was just some confusion so I called the customer service representative. (Note that I could not actually find an e-mail form to send them an online message. They want you to call customer service.) My phone call with the service representative turn out to be quite unsuccessful as they put all blame on me. I remember setting up the account as a prepay, but they denied that all together. (I had made $5-10 pre-payments before.) Take note I was very friendly with this rep, but they ended up demanding the money from me at which I refused to pay them. I did ask to turn in one of those special requests and they refused that as well.

So, today I went ahead and closed down all of my campaigns that I have with them and I will be no longer doing business with Google Adwords. This is a lesson all in itself that you need to read the fine print before signing up for accounts like this and just because you think you set it up a certain way doesn't mean the company with not pull a fast trick on you.

I feel somewhat responsible to pay for these ads, but because I had no idea this was even set up then I am refusing to pay them and closing down my Google Adwords account.

I am used to being treated nicely when working with accounts problems and such. Most of the time they want your business enough to help and assist you, but Google I am afraid is completely out of control at this point and I feel they are in the wrong on this or at least partially for not making things clear.

So, life is good! Lesson of the day: Pay attention to where and how you set up online accounts, especially when they have your bank information.

-Peter Freeman