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No Inegrity to FREE (When It's a Lie)

by mikelshane
10 replies
Ok, we all understand the importance of capturing leads. Every successful marketer needs a good landing page somewhere if they want to start generating a lead base.

But why do it with lies? Nothing is more rewarding as a consumer than when a company makes good on their promise when I fulfill my end of the bargain.

On the contrary, when it says enter your details for a FREE (fill in the blank)...I expect to see a FREE (fill in the blank).

Not a space for my credit card! Sales are great, and we all need to make them. Leads are valuable, and we all need them.

Please help restore integrity to internet marketing!
#free #inegrity #lie
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Was it a continuity deal where the first 30 days are free and then if you remain enrolled they start charging? If so, there's nothing unethical about it unless they don't tell you the details up front. Continuity programs have been around a lot longer than the internet.
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    • Profile picture of the author mikelshane
      No...I understand what that is and I agree...it's perfectly acceptable. I'm talking about completely misleading advertisements...not for a free trial. Free turns into 'Buy now.' Anybody who's every followed them to end up empty handed knows what I'm talking about.
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      • Profile picture of the author tpw
        Originally Posted by mikelshane View Post

        No...I understand what that is and I agree...it's perfectly acceptable. I'm talking about completely misleading advertisements...not for a free trial. Free turns into 'Buy now.' Anybody who's every followed them to end up empty handed knows what I'm talking about.
        I have seen this a few times in recent weeks...

        I gave em my email address to get the free report or script, but once the email was validated, the only thing on the inside was a product for sale... There was no link at the bottom of the page saying, "No Thanks, I just want the free item." My only option was to buy what they were selling....
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        • Profile picture of the author Lateef Olajide
          Originally Posted by tpw View Post

          I have seen this a few times in recent weeks...

          I gave em my email address to get the free report or script, but once the email was validated, the only thing on the inside was a product for sale... There was no link at the bottom of the page saying, "No Thanks, I just want the free item." My only option was to buy what they were selling....
          That is not too good. I agree free should be free. Relationship building is important in list building process.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Then yes, I agree, that is pretty scammy. However, asking people to clean up internet marketing (you wrote, "Please help restore integrity to internet marketing!") isn't going to do any good. Those who care aren't running with these practices, and those who are won't care.

    What did you expect to happen?
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  • Profile picture of the author Bruce NewMedia
    I'll also agree its wrong to promise one thing and deliver another...
    But, other than policing your own behavior there's little we can do to stop others from gaming the system, unfortunately.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Kennedy-Crook
    Hi mikelshane,

    I think that the responsibilty for the " Intergrity of Internet Marketing" Lies with us, don't you?

    I've been around for a while now but I have to say that I don't remember ever filling in an Opt In or form for something for FREE and then being charged for it ( or have I misunderstood your post? - Its been a long day!)

    Giving away good quality, useful genuinely free stuff is the best way to build a relationship with your customers. When they realise that you are a genuine person with genuine good quality stuff to GIVE them, then they will eventually trust you enough to but something from you.

    Why would anyone think that scamming people is a good idea?

    I actually have never come across anyone who has told me I can have, lets say, a report or e-book for free and then taken me to a Buy Now Page.

    I'm sorry its happened to you. I think you've been a bit unlucky

    Regards
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    It's such an easy problem to correct. Close the browser tab.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mangozoom
    Yeah I am with you FREE should mean FREE ... end of!
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