"Zero dollars per month" ads

[disneysteve]

I've seen a number of commercials advertising that something is "zero dollars per month". Why don't they just say it's FREE? It seems so awkward to word it that way.

Maybe people are so conditioned to think only in terms of the monthly payment rather than the actual cost that companies just went with that wording to appeal to that mindset. It just sounds so strange to me.

[scfr]

Maybe it's not free? Is there a one-time or initiation fee?

[kork13]

Maybe it's not free? Is there a one-time or initiation fee?

That was sorta my thought... rather than monthly payments, they charge for whatever it is in 1-time or annual fees.

[disneysteve]

Apparently the zero dollars cell plan is ad-based so it is actually free except for buying a phone.

[kork13]

Apparently the zero dollars cell plan is ad-based so it is actually free except for buying a phone.

Ugh.... What, so you have to watch ads for idiotic smartphone games before you can make a call?

Tells you how valuable advertising & your personal information is, if you're willing.