I'd upload some Bitcoin to an Instawllet and send them the link.
As you say, that way you can reclaim it if they never take it. I don't like the idea of the recipient only having 14 days to claim bitcoinmail, but then, the service is free so they need to pay for hosting somehow.
The 14 day claim period is a huge stumbling block. The last thing I would want to have happen is not being able to get the funds back in the even that the person was somehow *not* able to claim the funds.
Yeah, the 14-day claim period is not only a marketing disaster, it might also be illegal if this service is based in the US (depending on the state). For example, in my state it's illegal to offer gift cards with any time of limited claim period. The law is written in such a way that it applies to any goods or services that are purchased in advance can not "expire" after a certain waiting period. Regardless, let's just say the FTC would frown upon this practice.
But it's all academic anyway since I think very few people would be willing to send money to a friend or family member if there's a risk that the service could claim the money after two weeks. That is, unless they don't happen to read the "fine print", which I'm sure some people fail to do.
I agree that the service has to make money somehow, but why not implement a very small fee? Better yet, one of the exchanges could do this in order to stir up new business.