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Does CPA ever make you feel guilty?

by AnnaHamer
51 replies
So I was looking through some of the CPA networks while the hubby is watching the football. He usually finds the products for our project, but I am working on a solo one.

I started to feel a bit guilty when reading the T&Cs of some of these 'free trials'. Some tell you that you need to cancel, but then don't tell you how long the trial is for. Some charge like 80 bucks for the original free trial, if you decide not to cancel.

I realize I am probably going to get slated for posting this on a IM forum. Maybe I am looking at it the wrong way; maybe I am too honest for my own good. I do realize that it is up to the consumer to read the T&Cs, but something feels a bit fishy. :confused:
#cpa #feel #guilty #make
  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    Don't do something you feel compromises your integrity.

    There are a lot of assh*les out there. The world doesn't need any more.

    Just because it is possible to make some quick bucks scamming people doesn't mean one will keep it. More and more the crackdowns are coming.

    There are lots of good CPA companies and offers around if that is what you are interested in.

    Do the right thing.

    Sam
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    • Profile picture of the author AnnaHamer
      Originally Posted by TelegramSam View Post

      Don't do something you feel compromises your integrity.

      There are a lot of assh*les out there. The world doesn't need any more.

      Just because it is possible to make some quick bucks scamming people doesn't mean one will keep it. More and more the crackdowns are coming.

      There are lots of good CPA companies and offers around if that is what you are interested in.

      Do the right thing.

      Sam
      That's the problem, it's seems to be all of the CPA companies I really am dedicated to make money on line; lots of it. But there has to be a better way.

      I am doing a weight loss site at the min, and every thing I would like to promote feels a bit scammy.
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  • Profile picture of the author butters
    Originally Posted by AnnaHamer View Post

    So I was looking through some of the CPA networks while the hubby is watching the football. He usually finds the products for our project, but I am working on a solo one.

    I started to feel a bit guilty when reading the T&Cs of some of these 'free trials'. Some tell you that you need to cancel, but then don't tell you how long the trial is for. Some charge like 80 bucks for the original free trial, if you decide not to cancel.

    I realize I am probably going to get slated for posting this on a IM forum. Maybe I am looking at it the wrong way; maybe I am too honest for my own good. I do realize that it is up to the consumer to read the T&Cs, but something feels a bit fishy. :confused:
    You are not going to get slated, I wouldn't promote some of the stuff in the networks... Anything to do with health, medical, loans, really the major markets I stay away from. I go for stuff like free ring tones or smileys, something which doesn't cause the user harm.
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  • Profile picture of the author KristiDaniels
    CPA isn't the problem.

    Technically ALL affiliate programs are CPA. The action is sometimes a click, sometimes a subsribe and sometimes a sale. They are still "cost per action."

    The problem is with scam artists, trick forced continuity programs, worthless junk, unauthorized credit card payments and high pressure sales based on lies.

    Not all CPA programs use these tactics. Those tactics directly led to the new FTC rules. Don't support those tactics. Being an affiliate for scam artists is just as bad and being a scam artist.

    And don't pretend the "free ring tones" is a nice clean business model that helps people. Ad ware trickery is just as unethical. They are promising free ring tones. They are delivering a trashed computer that isn't capable of doing anything anymore except serving up forced ads.

    Focus on helping people and avoid all of the misleading and deceiving programs and you will make a LOT more money. Take a look around. Do you see Microsoft, Google, Amazon.com, eBay, Yahoo or any other major player in this business being deceptive with "free ring tones" or "free trials" that aren't "free" at all?

    If being a liar was so profitable, then how did those companies make it without those kinds of deceptive offers?
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
      Usually I try the offer myself first. If I feel duped I won't promote it at all.
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      • Profile picture of the author wordwizard
        Originally Posted by Scott Ames View Post

        Usually I try the offer myself first. If I feel duped I won't promote it at all.
        That's also a scary prospect. Catch 22. I certainly wouldn't want to find myself "selling" scams to people, but the prospect of having to try them all out and finding myself scammed and with endless rebills is not encouraging.

        Are there CPA networks that are known for reputable business practices?
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        • Profile picture of the author blalock61
          Here is my feeling on the whole deal. People must do their do diligence when purchasing anything. Whether online or off? They have to be responsible for their own actions, investments, purchases, etc. We also as affiliate must be responsible for what we promote.

          Now before I promote anything, I do a little background work on the product, company, etc. to see if they are honest, reliable, and worth creating a relationship with. I do this for all areas, not just CPA.

          Now here is a little info about the main CPA network I promote for. I will not tell you the network, you must do the research for your self. This CPA company is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business and receives passing marks from them.

          Here is what the BBB has on their site about their rating of the company:

          "Our opinion of what this rating means: A high rating. The company would generally have demonstrated good business-consumer relations, and we would expect any consumer complaints not to be of a serious nature and to be satisfactorily handled by the company."

          The BBB also has a section called 'Other Considerations, Advertising Review, and Additional Company Information' about the network and it gives it a passing rating.

          After looking at this info, I will work with that network. It does not mean that I will promote all of their products, but it does mean that I will work with them.

          But, that is my experience and opinion, for what it is worth.
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          • Profile picture of the author ExRat
            Hi,

            Imran,
            sometimes people are happy to sign up to these "free trial" offers.

            It is like going out to buy something or subscribing to a magazine - you have to make sure you read the terms and conditions..
            They're happy at first thinking they got a freebie. They're not happy when the 'rest' kicks in.

            Yes, they should read the terms...sigh.

            Shoaib,
            It's just business, pure and simple. It is the end user's responsibility to read the terms and conditions before they sign their life away.
            Actually, 'business' is way more complex than 'anything goes.' That's why there are countless books and university courses based upon studying small aspects of it.

            Business has got a lot more to do with convincing decision makers who have spent their lives building up a company to do work in partnership with you, than it has to do with slapping up misleading landing pages that lead to even more misleading product pages, for the purpose of extracting cash via stealth from desperate consumers.

            If you want to justify anything and everything by calling it 'just business', fine. Just don't come here and start spouting it and expect it to wash, because then you're trying to mislead others too.

            Yes, they should read the terms...sigh.

            The Archer,
            Uhm, does a car dealer feel bad after he sold you a lemon?
            No, he feels great when he gets paid.

            But he doesn't feel so great when either he, his wife or his kids get ripped off and stressed out because THEY didn't read the lengthy small print.

            I imagine most people would continue the denial by saying to themselves, 'well I can handle a few rip offs because I make so much from promoting scammy CPA stuff'.

            Good luck to you. You are obviously so smart that you've got it *all* worked out. Of course, there are absolutely no *hidden* consequences from making yourselves a few dollars by contributing to the negativity, smoke and mirrors, slight of hand and general **** that people have to wade through in order to make a decent purchase.

            Presumeably, that's why the economies of the countries that most of us come from are in such outstanding shape - because we're all so adept at turning a blind eye to the obvious, and making shallow, pathetic excuses for our sleazy behaviour - 'it's just business.'

            Good to see that you're making the most of the talents that have been bestowed on you.

            No, CPA doesn't make me feel guilty. Yes, I've taken a good look at the offers available. CPA, and the people who are in denial in this thread, just make me sad. I hope you're happy once you're desperately gathered all of your trinkets, toys and gadgets around you in order to prop up your fragile egos and lack of self-worth.

            Or instead - grow a spine, have some social responsibility. Ask your non-marketing friends (if you have any) what THEY think of the crap that's pervading on the internet and in the world around you.

            Do you think that what you do doesn't matter or make a difference? Therein lies the problem.

            If you're willing to build a business around CPA, entrusting the networks to pay you when a great deal of them are clearly involved in underhand dealings, don't be coming here whingeing when they stiff you on your payments and retort - 'it's just business.'
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  • Profile picture of the author createrk
    Stay away from that weight loss programs offering free trial. They are official rip off's in my opinion.

    There are lot more you can do in IM which would be good for our karma
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    • Profile picture of the author davidjames42973
      Hi Anna,

      I know what you mean. I decided to quit promoting CPA products altogether. For one, there are a lot of CPA offers that are shady and for another, everybody is promoting CPA offers now. I like to be in the elite club and promote affiliate products nowadays.
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  • Profile picture of the author kkrueger
    I agree with all the other posters. Here is my take. When I find a CPA offer that looks harmless, and is only a zip/email submit, I will give it a try with a junk email that I don't care about and see what I get. I did it with a coupon CPA...I really did get a bunch of coupons, but got some spam too...but it didn't cost me anything, and if I were really a coupon hunter, I would have loved it! LOL

    So if it's just a zip submit or email submit, I will try it and see what the customer will experience. The only thing is, these will only pay 1.00 or 1.50 They are not the high dollar offers.

    The other thing about CPA that bugs me, is I will build a site to promote an offer and 5 days later, I get a notice that they are pulling the offer. Geeze...then you have to somehow keep track of the sites that have those offers and replace them with something comparable.

    But I agree about the Karma. I have heard horror stories about marketers checking their emails that had a bunch of people complaining that they don't know how to stop the automatic shipping.

    ...just my 2 cents

    Karen
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  • Profile picture of the author ryangb74
    Originally Posted by AnnaHamer View Post

    I started to feel a bit guilty when reading the T&Cs of some of these 'free trials'. Some tell you that you need to cancel, but then don't tell you how long the trial is for. Some charge like 80 bucks for the original free trial, if you decide not to cancel. :confused:
    If weight loss is indeed what you are in, and you are looking for CPA type offers, then the T&C are going to always be something you would probably object to personally.

    I would suggest MarketHealth for you, they have a good affiliate program and they offer their products as straight out purchases or CPA free trials.

    This way, if you wanted, you could explain to your potential customers the difference, and with which they come out more ahead
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      I do good with Paid Surveys CPA Offers and Dating CPA Offers. You only make a few bucks but it adds up overtime. And is good since people are not paying money, just signing up !!
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      • Profile picture of the author Seattle Mike
        Thanks for posting this Anna. I have spent hours trying to find a CPA that I would be comfortable advertising. Thought it was just me and I was being a bad marketer failing to get on the CPA bandwagon. But I have only found a couple good ones so far.

        And like someone else mentioned, the offer ended within 2 weeks. Still looking.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    yes, i had people emailing me how they got scammed and why i promote that cr*p on my site.

    aka ****, Colon Cleanse, or

    "Get a FREE* [insert whatever here]"
    * with program requirements

    where "program requirements" means you need to sign-up for a visa, american express and 5 other credit cards, and c**p like that. Getting sick of that stuff.

    Needless to say its NOT good for your reputation if you have websites promoting such things.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Having been a victim of the free trial thing that ended up costing me over $300 and I just had to cancel my credit card to get rid of them, I simply don't promote any offers that offer free trials, any work at home offers that sound too good to be true, any "health" offers with unfounded claims, etc. I promote things that I would buy or offer value to customers.
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    • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Having been a victim of the free trial thing that ended up costing me over $300 and I just had to cancel my credit card to get rid of them, I simply don't promote any offers that offer free trials, any work at home offers that sound too good to be true, any "health" offers with unfounded claims, etc. I promote things that I would buy or offer value to customers.
      which is like 90% of what your CPA programs offer and HYPE <---
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  • Profile picture of the author JackPowers
    CPA networks remind me of those mail order catalogs before the internet. Blatant lies and unathorized charges to your credit card, impossible to cancel members clubs and so on.

    90% of the stuff on those networks are scams.
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    • Profile picture of the author Imran Naseem
      Banned
      Originally Posted by JackPowers View Post

      CPA networks remind me of those mail order catalogs before the internet. Blatant lies and unathorized charges to your credit card, impossible to cancel members clubs and so on.

      90% of the stuff on those networks are scams.
      I disagree with you there.

      If 90% of these were "scams" CPA would not be the most lucrative industry right now.

      CPA Networks are multi million dollar corporations and are in business because these Advertisers will always be desperate to promote their product or service. The FTC have come down hard on some of these Advertisers but calling 90% of them "scam" is jumping to conclusions.

      Sure - some offers are misleading but that is down to the advertisers and the copyrighters.

      I have come across lots of excellent CPA offers - most of them are worth promoting.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave d
    I think at the end of the day there are many aspects of affiliate marketing that may seem shady or dubious. Its up to the individual affiliate to promote only what he or she feels comfortable with. The same goes for promoting your own products with over hyped sales letters and dubious income claims and then the product itself maybe its just PLR rubbish.

    Just do what you feel will give you a clear conscience, that is if you want one.

    Dave d
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  • Profile picture of the author JackPowers
    Ok, I am only member of one network (a major one) and it's not major corporations. Major corporations go with CJ.com.

    The ones in my network are the latest weight loss fad, 'free' credit reports, Wallmart cards you will never receive, surveys where you will never see money and a few dating offers.

    Sometimes I read a post on here and get motivated to try some CPA and then I log on to my account and look at the offers, then close it 10 seconds later.

    I have no problem with these email submits and such, but those CPA's paying $30 for a trial are scams.
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    • Profile picture of the author Imran Naseem
      Banned
      Originally Posted by JackPowers View Post

      Ok, I am only member of one network (a major one) and it's not major corporations. Major corporations go with CJ.com.

      The ones in my network are the latest weight loss fad, 'free' credit reports, Wallmart cards you will never receive, surveys where you will never see money and a few dating offers.

      Sometimes I read a post on here and get motivated to try some CPA and then I log on to my account and look at the offers, then close it 10 seconds later.

      I have no problem with these email submits and such, but those CPA's paying $30 for a trial are scams.
      Again you are assuming all "High paying CPA Offers are scams".

      That is your opinion. The point is I have had excellent success promoting these offers and sometimes people are happy to sign up to these "free trial" offers.

      It is like going out to buy something or subscribing to a magazine - you have to make sure you read the terms and conditions..
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  • Profile picture of the author Shoaib
    It's just business, pure and simple. It is the end user's responsibility to read the terms and conditions before they sign their life away.

    That does not at all mean that you should promote c*ap on your website. However, you should promote offers that will make you good money, free trial offers being one of them.

    If money-making offers make you feel guilty, why not just put some Adsense on your site to earn $0.03 per click and call it a day.
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    • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
      I recall an IMer here talking about how much they had made from CPA offers.

      Then, one day they started a thread asking how they could cancel because they had signed up for a CPA offer themselves and got scammed out of $300.

      As always, the answer probably lies between the two extremes expressed here. If you personally try out the CPA offer before promoting it and are happy with the way they do things, go ahead.

      As with internet marketing in general, ask yourself this question

      "Would I feel comfortable promoting this to my friends and family?"

      However, this is a two-edged sword. High principles and making big money in IM seldom seem to go together.

      Martin
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      • Profile picture of the author roderick
        Why should you feel guilty about CPA if you weren't doing it someone else would. People who sell tobacco products do they feel guilty about selling something that kills people?
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        • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
          Banned
          Originally Posted by roderick View Post

          Why should you feel guilty about CPA if you weren't doing it someone else would. People who sell tobacco products do they feel guilty about selling something that kills people?
          Well, there you have it. If it makes money, do it, even if it kills people or puts their credit cards over the limit or they have to cancel their credit cards to kill the charges. Anything goes in pursuit of the buck.
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        • Profile picture of the author eibhlin
          I'm taking the middle ground. I only promote free trials (etc.) when I think my readers will genuinely like them and decide to subscribe.

          However, if I see something in the T&C that they might overlook (and feel scammed), I tell them about it. They've been warned, in plain English.

          I usually follow that by explaining why I think the freebie is worth trying, anyway, with a closing reminder saying something like, "Just be sure to note on your calendar when you'll need to cancel, if you decide the program isn't for you."

          Even with that caveat, some people decide to try the program/service/whatever. Even one click a month can be a nice addition to your income.

          Regarding the free ring tones, etc., I've spent too many hours cleaning garbage off my computer. My basic rule is: The cuter the free offer, the more likely it is to include spyware.

          I'd rather promote a CPA "free trial" with a tricky clause (that I tell my readers about) than recommend something that will require AdAware, Spybot, CCleaner, and who knows what else, just to get their computers running smoothly again.
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        • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
          Originally Posted by roderick View Post

          Why should you feel guilty about CPA if you weren't doing it someone else would. People who sell tobacco products do they feel guilty about selling something that kills people?
          If i go the the store and buy tobacco...does it say "FREE Tobacco" - and then i buy the tobacco and get billed crazy amounts each month with no way to stop the rebills? The last time i checked in the store everything had a price and i paid exactly what's on the tag.

          There is a difference between if a customer is KNOWINGLY irresponsible...eg. by consuming/buying something where he knows what consquences it might have - as opposed to blatant being LIED TO by a 3rd party.

          99% of colon cleanse and **** is scams and 100% lies in regards to what those people claim on their sales pages.

          It's also a lie to claim something is FREE but requiring me to purchase sign-up to 5 credit cards or whatever memberships first.
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  • Profile picture of the author AnnaHamer
    WOW! not the reaction I was expecting! I thought the majority of you were going to get on this thread and tell me to get over it.


    I am interested in creating an authority site in the weight loss niche, not just throwing up a page to promote certain offers. I do have other sites that I have done that for, and they do make money. The offers on those pages keep me completely guilt free.

    Thank you all for you comments!
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Ski
    CPA is a good business but just with any other form of affiliate marketing,
    you're going to have your bad apples.

    There's lots of other things you can promote besides the free trial offers... To
    me they've pretty much been proven to be a big headache and all around rip
    off.

    People have said, "but if they don't work business wouldn't be booming"... Really?
    Weight loss pills and silly work out machines have been around for ages and
    people have been blowing their money on them for as long as I can remember.

    People are lazy and as long as you change the name of your weight loss pills
    and have a good name, hook, and story line they have no history of your
    business so they just fall into the hope trap and say, "Maybe this is the one
    that will finally give me those instant results".

    So you say, "Well that's their fault for being foolish"... Damn! Do these people
    try to fix and bet on the special olympics too? Don't follow moral standards just
    because it's a new FTC regulation or something's against the law, do it because
    you have some sort of dignity and pride in yourself and your business.

    I stopped promoting them a while back after I called about 20 different
    "customer support" numbers just to see if they'd pick up... I was going to say,
    "Yes, I'd like to cancel my subscription please". I never bought anything I just
    wanted to see what they'd say...

    Well, I never got that far because all I ever got was either a generalized
    answering machine that never got any results, no answer, or a disconnected
    phone line... and I tried this on more than one occasion.

    The fact of matter is (in my opinion) to be profitable with those types of
    products especially is the weight loss, beauty, make money industries you
    pretty much HAVE to be a shady person...

    How else are you going to pay affiliates $30 per lead, where a lot of the
    people are just going to cancel their subscription outright just to test out
    the product.

    14 days isn't going to give you the right amount of time to see if crazy berry
    pills work (or make money, muscle building, or whatever else you're pushing)...

    So my guess is people go for the free trial thinking they'll buy the free bottle,
    test it for a month or two and if they see any results then they'll get on the
    subscription plan...

    Unfortunately they usually find out the hard way, that's not how the game is
    played...
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  • Profile picture of the author AnnaHamer
    I guess the option is there to create my own product. It is very daunting, but I know I have the right skills to be able to do it. I guess instead of getting down about not being able to find an offer I am comfortable supporting, I could use that energy to get the ball rolling on my own project.
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    • Profile picture of the author richdirtygirl
      Originally Posted by AnnaHamer View Post

      I guess the option is there to create my own product. It is very daunting, but I know I have the right skills to be able to do it. I guess instead of getting down about not being able to find an offer I am comfortable supporting, I could use that energy to get the ball rolling on my own project.
      It really IS easy to create your own products when you have something to say.

      The trick is not to get caught up in seeking perfection.

      For the first time, get a plr in the subject you want. Get really pissed at it and the nonsense it says, and change it as you like. When you finish you have the heck of a product 100% original.

      Laura
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      • Profile picture of the author AnnaHamer
        Originally Posted by richdirtygirl View Post

        It really IS easy to create your own products when you have something to say.

        The trick is not to get caught up in seeking perfection.

        For the first time, get a plr in the subject you want. Get really pissed at it and the nonsense it says, and change it as you like. When you finish you have the heck of a product 100% original.

        Laura
        I am sure there are many in the weight loss niche.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by AnnaHamer View Post

      I guess the option is there to create my own product. It is very daunting, but I know I have the right skills to be able to do it. I guess instead of getting down about not being able to find an offer I am comfortable supporting, I could use that energy to get the ball rolling on my own project.
      I agree. When you create a product and it is high quality and your customers love it, not only is it lucrative, but it's also satisfying. It's my main online business.
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  • Profile picture of the author AnnaHamer
    @sbucciarel- how do you sell your products? Do you use click bank? Although I am sure I can write a product and do the design and sales page, I don't know how about getting a shopping cart on my site or anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author The_Archer
    Uhm, does a car dealer feel bad after he sold you a lemon?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jmn187
    Its a love/hate thing with me. I love the revenue from cpa's. But i've also been caught in some of those ultra shady ones and lost money or been charged some crazy fee.

    Ive pretty much given up on them for this very reason. I think I only promote like one these days. Moved on to bigger and better things.
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  • Profile picture of the author ExRat
    Hi honestbizpro,

    Hmmmm, I also wonder if Corporations feel guilty for giving themselves huge Bonuses for running a company into the ground?
    That's my point.

    At the time they think they're the smartest kid on the block.

    Then when their kids go out into the big wide world and find the mess they've made (I'll spare you the details) they either feel that guilt, or continue to live in denial and blame someone else.

    History suggests it's the latter.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurenceh
    The other spin here, is to actually point out to your visitors the ts and cs and make sure they read them.

    Sure your conversions will drop but at least you have done your bit to point out the pitfalls.

    People will still sign up. Just not as many.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rupps
      I've tried looking into CPA networks and it just took too much time for me looking into one after another of these bogus offers trying to find something I was comfortable in promoting. Once I found a program I liked, usually the restrictions on promoting them kept me away (no websites promoting or no PPC, email only)

      Finally I about gave up (I still do promote a couple of them). I love the revenue model and it makes sense, just too time consuming.

      I think there is definitely a market for a new CPA network that only promotes ethical (read non-deceptive) programs. Once someone offers me that and knows what a CPA offer is then I will want to join for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author AnnaHamer
    To the people on here that say it is only business. I really think you should really look at the way things seems to be changing. The average consumer is changing how they spend money. People are becoming more and more wary about when, where, why and how they spend their money. I have seen more and more big companies start to take the moral high ground. People want to be loyal to companies. Are you happy to just have one sale off of someone, and they go away thinking they have been ripped off, or do you want to build good relations with them so they come time and time again, and bring their friends with them?

    Now that is good business.
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    • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
      Originally Posted by AnnaHamer View Post

      . . . or do you want to build good relations with them so they come time and time again, and bring their friends with them?

      Now that is good business.
      Anna,

      In the last year it's been quite amusing to see some big names in IM advising people the days of smash and grab are gone, that you need to develop integrity and **** like that.

      I think there was even a WSO entitled "Develop Honesty And Integrity Overnight And Rake In Millions!"

      Martin
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  • Profile picture of the author Emily Meeks
    Just because an offer holds a high price-tag, doesn't mean it's a scam.

    There's no magic supplement that will instantly help you lose weight, burn fat, or whatever else you're trying to do. However, these supplements can *help* you, not just by their ingredients but the mental affect they have on people... if you thought you had the greatest and best pill in the world, surely you'd feel more confident - it's a placebo effect. The mind IS indeed a powerful thing.

    There's a bunch of cell phone offers that offer text prescriptions, no harm done to your computer. I personally wouldn't pay $9.99/mo to have useless knowledge (fun as it is) texted to me every day, buttttttttttt it's their perogative.

    They CHOOSE to sign up to these offers, and shell out their credit card information. Nobody's holding a gun to their heads to sign up, let alone skip over the T&C without fully understanding.

    I learned the hard way - when I didn't look over the offer carefully, I paid more than I'd bargained for. My "ripoff" wasn't so bad in the grand scheme, only $25/mo for Disney DVDs shipped to my door. I only tried to cancel because it had put my credit card over the limit, but hell... now that I understand what happens after signup, maybe I'll go back to it again when I can afford it. If you want the product, you understand what's going to be charged AND you can afford it, then how the hell is it a scam?

    Sure, the fine print is hard to find, but legally they have to put it there. If it's hard to read, copy-paste into a word document and put it on 20pt font. Better yet, do all of the above and have a lawyer look at it for you.

    That doesn't mean I'll blindly promote anything. I personally don't care for most of the biz-opp CPA offers (the only one that looks half-decent is eToro - forex is, after all, a legit money-making method and is a hell of a lot better than "post links on Google") - why promote that s**t when I could show them real ways to make money online, and show how it's profitable for both of us?

    People who buy into the fad weight-loss stuff are likely looking for a magic solution to all of their problems, and if you don't supply it, they'll find someone who will. (Maybe if they got off the couch once in awhile, they'll see you can find magical weight loss pills at ANY drugstore.)

    I've said it before, I'll say it again: I'll protect the innocent, but I won't bother to protect the stupid.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tony@OperationInfinity
    Well, honestly, people these days should know how Trial Offers work nowadays. Also, if they decided not to read the Terms, than it's not really your fault.
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  • Profile picture of the author AnnaHamer
    @moneysoapbox- I know that not all high paying CPAs are scams. There are several that I promote successfully, and I am quite happy about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Brock
      Let me share a story.

      I was promoting a product that was a CPA offer and apparently what they do is have call centers call you up all day long once you purchase a product.

      Basically the initial product you sell them is just the entry point for them to sell a bunch of sh*t to your customer.

      I had this one lady contact me saying the offer was a scam because they called her up and used sales pressure to make her opt in to some monthly contract.

      She said yes, so they started to charge her card. I got an email from her saying she reported everything to the FBI because they charged her.

      What happened was she gave into the sales person and said yes when she really didnt want the product, so in order to justify her error she said the whole thing was a scam.

      I think people are going to call something a scam regardless if it is or not.

      I will agree though, there are some shady CPA offers out there...
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    • Profile picture of the author Emily Meeks
      Originally Posted by AnnaHamer View Post

      @moneysoapbox- I know that not all high paying CPAs are scams. There are several that I promote successfully, and I am quite happy about it.
      I know, but I put in my $0.02 because that's the most common complaint I hear in general.

      I'll play Devil's advocate for a moment... say it was super-simple-easy to cancel a free trial offer, or you weren't automatically billed at the end of the trial. In this scenario, the companies themselves would be taken advantage of - not only would they simply give away their product, but often they'll have REPEAT free trialers coming back for more. (Why pay when you can get for free? - so will the consumer think)

      When it comes to CPA health products, I'm far more interested in knowing how the product itself is working out. If the magical weight loss pill is no more than a sugar pill (I like to think that if a company did this, they likely wouldn't get away with it, but I honestly don't know), than that's what people should be bitching about instead...

      Most CPA make-money programs, of course, give the whole IM scene a bad name, and should be put out of business.
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      • Profile picture of the author ronr
        Thanks for bringing up this thread. It's made me review my own integrity and firm up my own rules about what I will and won't get involved in.

        I don't understand the rationalization of defending most CPA by bringing up tobacco companies selling products that will kill you, shady car salesmen selling lemons and business CEO's losings billions but still paying themselves big bonuses.

        Are you trying to say because these things are REALLY bad them promoting scammy CPA offers is minor in comparison so it's ok?

        Or what about the idea that even if the offer is scammy if the consumer doesn't read the fine print it's really their fault.

        I'm sure most bank robbers don't feel guilty for robbing banks or think people are stupid for putting their money in banks. Does that mean it's ok to just shoplift a little because it's not as bad?

        This isn't to say all CPA offers are bad on the networks, but it certainly takes a lot more time to sift through them to find the good ones than it should.

        The bottom line is how much are you willing to sell your own personal integrity for?

        Marketing skills are like most skills. It can used to make the world better or worse. What do you use your skills for?

        Ron
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