Having trouble with buddy key

TARDISjunkie

So I got a buddy key from a kind & thoughtful stranger (thanks again, dude!), created a Station acct, downloaded & installed the client.  The launcher asks me to log in, so I do...and it's denied.  A popup window asks me if I want to go check my account status, so I do.  Sure enough, there I am: "Trial Active".  (That's my status, btw, not my Station name.)  So I go "hunh" and try to log in again.  Still no good.  The only available links are the ones to enter credit card information...but I'm on a trial, damnit!  It's only $15, but still...I'd just as soon not pay ANYTHING if I don't like the game (that's the point of a TRIAL, isn't it?).  I'm out of ideas here, guys...anyone have any suggestions?