My email inbox has been barraged with offers from a new cat litter brand, “Pretty Litter.”

They have designed a product that turns color if your cat’s urine indicates one of several possible medical issues. And they have an online plan of regular deliveries that will supposedly keep your cat’s litter boxes fresh and odor-free.

Oh, did I mention the add prominently states, “Free Shipping”?

Okay, I was willing to go along and give this product a test, something our three elderly cats would certainly do.

This morning there was a new come-on, a promised 30% Memorial Day discount.

So I started an order for a one-month supply of Pretty Litter, supposed to be sufficient for three cats.

I included three bags of litter plus a fourth bag, “free.”

The $71 was reduced to $51 by the 30% discount.

But then there was the unexpected, dropped in without comment despite the previously featured “free shipping” claims: A $196 fee for shipping.

The product was $51, the shipping quoted at $196.

The way I figure, that’s a 384% shipping charge.

Nay, nay!

A very, very long way from “free,” I would say.

And apparently no bargain for anyone in Hawaii.