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Is this ethical?

by NeoGuerrero
16 replies
First of all, I'm new to IM, I just stated researching about it a couple of months ago. I recently decided to take action, I decided to try a PPL program, I eventually quit because either none of the traffic I was sending was opting in or maybe the leads (somehow) were not being credited to my account.

I decided to check out the squeeze page myself and signed up to receive the free ebook they were offering. Ever since, I'm being BOMBARDED with the same offer every day, from different people.

Obviously this person, sold/traded my email address, as far as I know this isn't technically illegal?

I don't care about that really, the part that I find unethical and I'd like the opinion of the community about it, is how all these people are pushing the offer, they're all promoting the same product/program and they're all using the same type of emails, these are some of the subject titles:

[PENDING], claim your $7,302.29 deposit
Alert: $1,098 For myemail@gmail.com
Congratulations: You've Made A Commission!
[PENDING] Electronic funds transfer for $8,392.21 (is this yours?)
In regards to your deposit... Immediate action required!

Etc. etc. I have dozens of emails like that. I just started out in IM, but I know they're trying to trick me into buying or signing up into something.

I really don't see that much of a difference between those emails and the scam Nigerian emails I used to get years ago. Is this a common practice in IM? I ask because as far as I know the guy running the PPL program is someone known and respected in the IM world, or at least he was recommended by someone who has sold a lot of popular WSOs here.

I'm not trying to throw this guy under the bus, that's why I won't even mention his name; but like I said, I'm just starting out and I'd like to know if this is an accepted practice and if so, is it considered ethical?
#ethical
  • Profile picture of the author joseph7384
    I usually get these type of subject lines in my spam folder and they are not "A" typical of an ethical marketer.
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    • Profile picture of the author NeoGuerrero
      Originally Posted by joseph7384 View Post

      I usually get these type of subject lines in my spam folder and they are not "A" typical of an ethical marketer.
      That's what I thought. I was surprised to get these emails because I'd expect them from blackhat emailers but not from people who are (or call themselves) legit marketers and/or "entrepreneurs".

      Originally Posted by joecason View Post

      This is common. I have messages like that in my inbox as well. Technically, sending emails like that to get sales is a form of internet marketing. That does not mean you have to do that. I have no respect for people who send those emails. Think differently and do things your own way! You don't need to be like them. There is a difference between just "making quick money online" and running an actual business. If you want some good real business information, you can read some good blogs like Okdork and Mixergy
      Well, I would never send emails like that. I think is dishonest to try to trick people like that and even if I was a dishonest person, I'm smart enough to know that most people are smart enough not to fall into the trap and that there's a greater chance they'll unsubscribe from my list than they'll actually get to buy anything. I hate when people try to insult my intelligence, and I think these emails try to do exactly that.

      Thanks for the links. I'll make sure to check them out!
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  • Profile picture of the author JosephC
    Originally Posted by NeoGuerrero View Post


    I really don't see that much of a difference between those emails and the scam Nigerian emails I used to get years ago.
    Your 100% right.

    Originally Posted by NeoGuerrero View Post


    I ask because as far as I know the guy running the PPL program is someone known and respected in the IM world, or at least he was recommended by someone who has sold a lot of popular WSOs here.
    That really doesn't mean much. Most people sell out for money.

    Originally Posted by NeoGuerrero View Post


    I'm just starting out and I'd like to know if this is an accepted practice and if so, is it considered ethical?
    This is common. I have messages like that in my inbox as well. Technically, sending emails like that to get sales is a form of internet marketing. That does not mean you have to do that. I have no respect for people who send those emails. Think differently and do things your own way! You don't need to be like them. There is a difference between just "making quick money online" and running an actual business. If you want some good real business information, you can read some good blogs like Okdork and Mixergy
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  • Profile picture of the author NeoGuerrero
    I've collected $773,249 of unclaimed deposits BTW, in a couple of weeks I may have enough to retire.
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Blue Planet
    I get similar and if I collected buy would I be rich. ha!
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    • Profile picture of the author NeoGuerrero
      Originally Posted by Big Blue Planet View Post

      I get similar and if I collected buy would I be rich. ha!
      I'll wait until I hit a mil to claim the cash.

      There are many unethical marketers out there. It is common in this industry because most people thing emails are robots that are going to buy everything they send them.

      Obviously you need catchy email titles to get good open rates but in my personal opinion I think titles like yours are not ethical. They are spammy and they certainly don't deliver any value. Most people in IM see people as a $ instead of as a person that has real problems and is looking for solutions.

      At least you were smart enough not to buy into any of their products

      Cheers,
      Esteban Gomez

      P.S: I just collected a million dollar check some random guy sent me haha
      Well, I kinda have an attitude like Don Corleone in the sense that it doesn't make any difference to me what a man does for a living or how they do it, I just didn't expect to see that amount and quality of emails in my inbox. I would've expected to see them in my spam folder from a domain like gggggggggggggggggggggogle.com, not from a (supposedly) respected marketer.

      don't ever reply these type of emails. Its a trap to fool and scam you.
      I'm learning about email marketing, I've entered my email on a lot of squeeze pages to learn how established marketers send their offers and what type of offers they send. I've definitely learned a lot about what not to do from these emails.
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  • Profile picture of the author Esteban Gomez
    There are many unethical marketers out there. It is common in this industry because most people thing emails are robots that are going to buy everything they send them.

    Obviously you need catchy email titles to get good open rates but in my personal opinion I think titles like yours are not ethical. They are spammy and they certainly don't deliver any value. Most people in IM see people as a $ instead of as a person that has real problems and is looking for solutions.

    At least you were smart enough not to buy into any of their products

    Cheers,
    Esteban Gomez

    P.S: I just collected a million dollar check some random guy sent me haha
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  • Profile picture of the author vishwa
    don't ever reply these type of emails. Its a trap to fool and scam you.
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  • Profile picture of the author elcidofaguy
    That is why I have a number of email accounts to test/check various IM offers... The amount of spam is shocking these days...
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  • Profile picture of the author HelpingYouBeAnExpert
    I talked to one of the Nigeria/Ghana scammers and they are very good marketers but un-ethical. Un-ethical works or they would not be doing it.

    When the guys says "claim your $7,302.29 deposit" it's un-ethical but X% of people will believe or maybe out of desperation maybe out of greed but they will bite the hook. Once you bite the one thing they do well is follow up! Try it one time, I did just watch them operate they don't stop and are very very persistent!
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Welcome to the world of Internet Marketing!

      The good news is that's only a part (and hopefully dying part) of it. It's what I would call part of the under belly. Not to be envied, copied or even given much attention. Only avoided ...and pray someone or something will one day wave a magic wand or "regulatory pen" and make it vanish ... or at least shrink.

      The other side of this underbelly is a dedicated bunch who want to ...
      • Provide value in the products and services they market.
      • Form relationships with the people they "serve" (not just sell to).
      • And do their best to help others do the same.
      Those are the one's to put on your watch list. And the one's I pray every morning to take over, rule and dominate this industry some day. It'll be better for everyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    is how all these people are pushing the offer, they're all promoting the same product/program and they're all using the same type of emails, these are some of the subject titles:
    They've all joined the same program and are getting "leads" that are all the same. They are probably being told the leads are unique but they are providing a bunch of people with the same addys.

    Learning to tell the real from the BS is the most important skill you can develop.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben Holmes
    Originally Posted by NeoGuerrero View Post

    [PENDING], claim your $7,302.29 deposit
    Alert: $1,098 For myemail@gmail.com
    Congratulations: You've Made A Commission!
    [PENDING] Electronic funds transfer for $8,392.21 (is this yours?)
    In regards to your deposit... Immediate action required!
    These are the sorts of email titles that have me immediately unsubscribing.

    It's a pet peeve of mine, and I even took the time to write a web post on the topic... in summary - if you have to 'trick' people with financial claims that virtually force them to open the email - you're going to get a lot of people unsubscribing.

    You still see this sort of stuff, but not from anyone who's built a real list.

    I can't imagine that these people do very well with such titles...

    Just my opinion.
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    • Profile picture of the author HelpingYouBeAnExpert
      Originally Posted by Ben Holmes View Post

      These are the sorts of email titles that have me immediately unsubscribing.

      It's a pet peeve of mine, and I even took the time to write a web post on the topic... in summary - if you have to 'trick' people with financial claims that virtually force them to open the email - you're going to get a lot of people unsubscribing.

      You still see this sort of stuff, but not from anyone who's built a real list.

      I can't imagine that these people do very well with such titles...

      Just my opinion.
      looks like you are not getting the same scam emails most of them you CAN'T UNSUBSCRIBE the scammers don't give you that option!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeffery Moss
    And, likely this person adapted their page/emails from those scam Nigerian emails you were talking about. It's still the same scam if it defrauds someone out of money or makes them believe they are getting something they never do.
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  • Profile picture of the author valley
    i get tons of similar emails
    the best way is to send them to junk folder and never bother to reply or follow them.
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