jasonl70

I joined up with a CPA program a while ago, and every now and then I check out what is available.

Well, I've noticed a significant shift in the programs offered - they are now full of these sneaky continuity programs.

For example, look at what I found in the small print for a free trial offer for an info product:

"By ordering this package, you agree and understand that your card will be charged for the monthly fees of $86.31 for access to <product name removed>, $29.95 for <product name removed>, and $7.95 for <product name removed>."

Evidently, 1 re-bill program isn't enough - they get you onto a few more.

I removed the product names, but here's what makes it worse: 2 of those products are not even related to the niche!

-Jason

Scott Ames

I hate this way of marketing. I'm sure it works but it's downright unethical. Usually I try them out beforehand and see what they offer. Sure enough I've gotten trapped by some with very cleverly hidden terms.

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Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter

While I understand you didn't want to be too negative, it might be good for people to actually see the offer. It's not simply a continuity program, it makes it appear you are simply signing up for something free and there is barely an allusion to the payments:

Auction_Profit_Center

You MUST read the fine print to know there is any billing involved. Though I do suspect once you give you credit card info there may be more information provided. Maybe not.

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jasonl70

I don't normaly post 'complaining' sort of threads, but that site just really got to me. And I'm seeing it more and more.. : (

-Jason

JasonValens

The forced continuity offers like these seem to be growing, probably because they offer such a high initial payout to the affiliate when the customer just pays a few dollars shipping and handling.

So, there's an apparent low barrier to entry (when people don't read the terms or do their due dilligence), high payout incentive to encourage massive affiliate promotion and a massive lifetime customer value for the company (not to mention the percentage for the CPA company).

The customer is the only loser. Though i'm not in any way saying I approve of it.

LegitIncomes

I see a crackdown on these type of offers in the future....similar to the Google Money Tree.

I'm not saying they are illegal, but enough people will complain and something will be done (even if it shouldn't necessarily be).

Catalyst eMarketing

I agree there are more and more of these shady programs and they make the whole industry look bad.

If the networks and affiliates don't start self policing the government is going to step in and do it for us. And in some recent cases where the FTC got involved, affiliates were caught in the cross fire and fined too. So be careful what you promote!

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tjk1058

In essence they are the same as the acia berry continuity programs and other similar cpa offers that the FTC is cracking down on currently.

While they all offer something different they still all tend to try to sucker the customer in before they know that they have signed up for a monthly billing option and then I'm sure most are hard to cancel once in.

Personally I wish they paid less and offered better terms to the customers so that you wouldn't feel bad about promoting the offer. That is why I don't really promote a lot of cpa offers anymore because once I read the terms I can't see promoting a sham.

TedK

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Joe Giannetti

about 6 months ago.....you were all raving how great they were...cpa

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JayInOrlando

Just wait till all those "high payout" offers disappear since it's an unsustainable model.

Jay

scotteno1

well this leaves us with the immpresion that there is nothing really new that will nopt end up like other programms.

Rich Creal

These type of offers are brought to you by fly-by-night companies. They rise fast and die fast. What is worse is the CPA networks *know* that these offers are not substainable so they "milk" the companies and affiliates as fast as possible ... aka "turn-and-burn".

It's an ugly mess. Yes there's money to be made, but how can one promote such offers without feeling the need for a shower?

PPC-Coach

Hang on, aren't a lot of Internet Marketing courses and sites doing this very thing?

"Pay $1 for the first month only!"

"Pay $4.99 for shipping and handling!"

Then they rebill for $100 or more per month. I know it's in their terms but it's the same as the "shady" acai offers out there isn't it?

Kenster

People ought to read everything before making a purchase or checking a terms of service box, but advertisers shouldnt 'deceive'.

These rebills are pervasive and some are legit, but many are not.

Promote them if you are comfortable with it and dont if youre not. I only like to promote offers that my grandmother wouldnt "fall for"

krishnaGopal

ive had a lot of hassle with this too, especially with free trial offers!I had a customer who bought rom my page on expecting to pay S+H but that was definately not the case..it sometimes gets passed down to you as a 'bad lead' or something so the company doesn't have to deal with it much and just ban you for no reason!

mithu

There are scams spread all around to trap us. But let us make the failures our pillars of success!

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