While the idea of free trial periods for streaming video subscription services like Amazon Prime is nothing new, the online retailer is now applying that same try-before-you-buy concept to streaming hardware.

GigaOm reports that some Amazon users have begun receiving e-mails with a 30-day free trial offer for the company’s recently launched Fire TV streaming box.

Users who accept the offer will get a Fire TV for a month free of charge. If they like it, they keep it and their credit card is charged the full $100 price. If they return it when the 30 days are over, they are never charged.

While the invites are account-specific, meaning only the Amazon customer who received it can take advantage of the trial, GigaOm’s Kif Leswing points out that one could just buy a Fire TV and then return it to Amazon for a refund. Of course, that’s the hallmark of one particular type of Bad Consumer, and it also means your credit card will carry the $100 charge until the refund is issued.

Back in April, our initial hands-on impression of the Fire TV was that it appeared to be slightly faster than other streaming devices, but it had yet to offer the wide range of third-party apps already available elsewhere. Its audio search was impressive and accurate, but we still question whether people will want to talk into the flimsy, easily lost remote control.

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