a group trial system is described herein that facilitates an automated group trial of various products or services . the system provides an online platform with distributed networks of local affiliates and consumer trial groups that enable consumers to easily locate , see or try products , or share related experiences directly with friends , before purchase . a trial group can check out trial products or a product as a group from the system . then the trial products will be distributed directly among the group members according to the trial policy , trial setting and scheduling algorithms . the trial status of each group member and states of the trial products are tracked . after the group trial , the products may remain for further instruction , be consumed , be passed to next waiting group or returned to a designated location . this system provides a highly distributed , scalable , dynamic and extremely low - cost marketing / distributing platform .