Deceptive Tactics Used to Make Money Online
Beware of the "Free CD" Offer
Recently I became aware of a deceptive tactic used by a very well known internet marketer used for the sole purpose of making money online from unsuspecting customers.
The offer was for a "free CD" that would reveal the "Insider Secrets to building a million-dollar list."
The sales page was typically full of hype.
It went on to state that the CD is "Yours Absolutely Free, Without Commitments, or Obligations".
This is simply NOT true.
To get the CD you have to pay a nonrefundable $5.77 shipping and handling fee for USA orders, and $11.77 for international orders.
I know for a fact that the marketer is making money from these S & H charges.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg…
Opting in to get the "free CD" actually enrolls you in a $29.95 monthly membership that begins a prompt 7 days after you order the CD.
And this is where the real deception starts.
The sales letter states:
"When you order your CD, you will receive four (4) bonuses worth a total of $539.95 which includes a free report, free strategy session, free newsletter and our product creation blueprint."
No mention of the monthly subscription there.
Then there are 4 bullet points "hyping" the "free" bonuses.
Here's the third bullet point from the top (edited):
Bonus #3: When you get your CD today you'll also receive a free 7-day trial membership into _____ so you can immediately put this listbuilding information to work for you and your bank account. Plus, if after the 7 -day trial period you decide _____ isn't for you you can cancel your $29.95 membership at any time! (Value $29.95)
When you click through to the order page, again there is no mention of the monthly membership fee, just a bullet point third from the top.
But this time the wording changed.
The bullet point is now shorter and says that you are "entitled" to a free 7-day trial of ____that is worth $29.95. And that's it.
Is this deceptive?
In my opinion, you're bloody well right it is.
Further, I have heard that support tickets to cancel the membership are ignored.
I have also heard that the CD itself offers nothing of value and just hypes the membership.
The Lesson
Read sales letters carefully.
Avoid offers that include free CDs.
Are you sick of this kind of marketing?
Then sign a petition started by Rich Schefren called, appropriately, "We're Fed Up and We Aren't Going to Take It Anymore".
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