Sometimes things are not what they seem…
While I had the intention of giving great value to my subscribers with the free CD offer I made on Saturday, it turns out that it wasn’t as good as I thought… in fact, it’s another nightmare for me because of the way this offer was set up.
Even though the content of the CD itself seems to be very good, their business practices are not. I mean, I knew there was some kind of additional charge involved because this was a CPA based offer. (CPA means Cost Per Action).
But I didn’t know that they have the additional charge in their fine print and not just as a one time fee but set up as a monthly subscription at a rate of $49.95 but even worse:
The trial already ends after 24 hours. I now feel really bad to have endorsed this kind of offer!
It certainly does not comply with my understanding of ethical Internet marketing practices :< (
There was no way that I could have foreseen this, though.
Of course, I’m still expecting that my subscribers do their own due dilligence with that kind of offers in the way like several of my subscribers have done, too, and who notified me of the situation (Thanks to William, Hoss & Graham!).
Let me tell you how I found out about this offer: I stumbled upon this offer while doing research on CPA offers for my niches on Primaryads.com and it looked like a good fit for my subscribers – there are not too many courses on making money from Google’s services suitable for beginners.
I really can’t understand why Primaryads is supporting this kind of dubious business practices, though. But what’s even worse: Why don’t these guys just sell the CD at $49,95 instead of using camouflage tactics with a “free” CD?
As I said, the content itself seems to be good – I’ve heard this from several subscribers who already signed up to this offer.
Here’s my suggestion if you signed up for this offer and you don’t want more CD’s/ additional charges:
Cancel your subscription by phone. In case that you already have a charge on your credit card for this “free” offer – do a chargeback on your credit card if you don’t agree on this.
There also is phone number where you can call them and have the trials cancelled.
The number to call is the following:
888-362-6221 and talk to them or leave a voice mail. They will email you back that they have canceled your trial after doing this.
Again: I am really sorry to have brought some of you into this situation! I had the best intentions with this offer, though.
Note: In the meantime, Primaryads.com has taken the offer offline after I contacted them and had let them know about what these crooks were doing…!!
Thanks Detlev for sharing this. I feel a little better knowing someone else is ‘trusting’ enough to get caught in these traps. I got caught in a similar one, recently, which I didn’t spot for 3 months! Again, the material was good, but the “camouflage” was “deceptive”: a “free CD – no strings”, turned out to be a “membership” in a magazine plus CD, every month = $39.95/month.
This was also a “reputable” (??), well known, online ‘Guru’. I have since canceled every contact with him. Initials of ‘guru’ = RB.
Thanks again for your honesty, that’s why I am signed up with “ethical marketing”.
Thanks for emailing us about the way this company was doing.I called and canceled.I thought i looked at the site very well.Guess i will need to start doing better.You really saved me,thanks again.
Billy
Hi Detlev,
I’ve known you now for close to five years. Back then we were both kicking it together with FFA sites and “Big Dog” programs… Ah the memories!
I’m going to be 46 this year September and throughout my whole life, I can count all my really true friends on one hand … and you are one them.
Why am I writing this?
Well it’s like this
… I know how much you care about your subscribers.
I can recall the many long Skype conversations we’ve had, discussing your ideas on how to provide the best service you can.
I’ve experienced your ups and downs and know when you’re ok or not, just by the sound of your voice.
So what does all this have to do with $0.99 cents CD’s?
It’s simple…
I can publicly vouch for your credibility!
I know you would never intentionally endorse something that could cause potential harm to your subscribers, as well as your squeaky clean reputation.
You’ve stayed at my house, broke bread with my family and supported me not only on a business, but a personal level too… I won’t mention what my girlfriend said you tried to do to her at the family Christmas party 2004
… seriously though, for anyone reading this, Detlev is as “stand up” as they come. I’d go anywhere and lay my hand in fire to back that up (but I’d leave my girl at home)
D, AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED, CASE CLOSED!
Here’s why…
1. You put your hands up.
2. You publicly admitted your oversight.
3. You took action to reduce the risk of this kind of thing happening again.
THAT SPELLS “ETHICAL MARKETER” IN MY BOOK.
Take care my friend and rest assured, you can sleep like a baby tonight and every other night in the future.
None of us are perfect.
But if we all improve just a little each day, the world will be a much better place to live.
You made a little improvement for everyone, so you’re on the right track!
Thanks D.
Bury your anxiety, sleep well — and keep ya hands off my girl!
Your friend,
Stewart
Priority Update:
——————
I have contacted my affiliate manager at Primaryads.com and they have STOPPED the complete “FREE CD” offer after I sent them an email!
That’s really good news I would say…!
Detlev
Thanks for your heads up, Vern. I really appreciate your feedback.
Detlev
hi all
i have watched the blog of this program, and it was always told about that there were another program ,an affiliate one with a monthly subscription( which nobody must join)
i have decided to join, and i`m impressed what is offered there.
i for myself like it very much, lots of tools(and every day coming more, all what the mebers are asking for!!!!)lots of fun, a great comunity , good (live)support, calls, he is doing advertising for the members, and he is showing us the best ways to do and where.
love and light
kirana
This same thing happened to me last year with another Free CD. They really don’t make it very easy to cancel the recurring charge. It did get very frustrating but I was finally able to cancel.
Rod