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Does Your Prouct Actually Work? And does it matter?

by write-stuff
23 replies
So what do you think? Is it ok to sell a product that probably doesn't work?

Is it up to the customer to see through they hype (buyer beware)? That is, if they can be convinced to make the purchase, it's their problem for being gullible?
#matter #prouct #work
  • Profile picture of the author Amy Bass
    Why would someone want to ask this question? It is NEVER ok to sell a product that doesn't work. It is called being a scammer. It is OUR responsibility to make sure there is integrity in everything we do.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jamie Iaconis
      Man, I agree with Amy...

      Bad question!

      If you know it doesn't work, don't promote it...

      If by chance you don't know if it is good or works, then
      I guess you are taking a chance with your customers!

      MORAL OF THE STORY:
      If you know/think it is shit, don't promote it!
      If you KNOW it is good, then promote it!

      Jamie
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Kelsall
    I don't think that's really valid because of the refund policy on almost every product that is sold.

    If it doesn't do what the sales letter says, it is pretty easy to just get your money back.

    Jeremy

    Originally Posted by write-stuff View Post

    So what do you think? Is it ok to sell a product that probably doesn't work?

    Is it up to the customer to see through they hype (buyer beware)? That is, if they can be convinced to make the purchase, it's their problem for being gullible?
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author Amy Bass
      Originally Posted by Jeremy Kelsall View Post

      I don't think that's really valid because of the refund policy on almost every product that is sold.

      If it doesn't do what the sales letter says, it is pretty easy to just get your money back.

      Jeremy
      Jeremy - Not necessarily. If they are flat out lying in their sales letter, why would they be honest in their guarantee?
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      • Profile picture of the author Jamie Iaconis
        Originally Posted by Amy Bass View Post

        Jeremy - Not necessarily. If they are flat out lying in their sales letter, why would they be honest in their guarantee?
        Exactly...

        Sure a guarantee is good, but it seems that sales
        letters are so full of hype just to get the sale!

        I think, guarantee or not, the prospect may
        purchase, but either way be dis-appointed.
        (If the product's no good)

        Jamie
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      • Profile picture of the author pearsonbrown
        I could point you towards several products which were given major launches but still did not work properly months after they were supposed to.

        Last year I and several of my friends lost several hundred dollars each on a site-builder that failed to work. Yet this product is still for sale.

        Far too many products are brought to market before they are ready because the big promotion effort has been targeted for a certain day.

        And I have absolutely no intention of naming any of these products here because all of the above people have big pockets and active lawyers. Sometimes you just have to accept that you've been ripped off and just not do business with these people again.

        Pearson
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Kelsall
        I guess maybe I am just too trusting lol

        I've never had a problem getting a refund or giving one, so I guess in my head everyone works the same. Obviously, that isn't true or we would not be hearing all of these scam stories all the time.

        Originally Posted by Amy Bass View Post

        Jeremy - Not necessarily. If they are flat out lying in their sales letter, why would they be honest in their guarantee?
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        • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
          I see Jeremy's posted just above me. But he answered the question when he started this thread
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  • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
    to answer your question yes my product works and I know this really matters to my buyers and me too...

    -Lakshay
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    WARNING EXPLICIT: This is ugly... and this is the distilled truth


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  • Profile picture of the author Ross Dalangin
    If it will not work then wait for refunds

    Never sell a product that doesn't work, it's a waste of time for both of you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    Originally Posted by write-stuff View Post

    So what do you think? Is it ok to sell a product that probably doesn't work?

    Is it up to the customer to see through they hype (buyer beware)? That is, if they can be convinced to make the purchase, it's their problem for being gullible?
    What do you think?

    (note to self: pay close attention to write-stuff's response for possible inclusion
    on list of people to never do business with)

    Tsnyder
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    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    Why would want to sell a product that doesn't work?
    Selling a product that doesn't work or, that you don't know if it works or not is wrong every level.
    It's unethical.
    It destroys your credibilty.
    Whether you think it's ok or not it's just plain bad business!
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    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh...55326481208883
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Carl Kelly
    I wouldn't want to touch a product that "probably" doesn't work. That's because I want to sell MORE products to my existing buyers.
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  • Profile picture of the author sparrow
    sell stuff that is junk expect the word to spread around your a junk dealer

    I just can't imagine anyone who wants to keep a business alive would commit suicide

    Ed
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff B
    Originally Posted by write-stuff View Post

    So what do you think? Is it ok to sell a product that probably doesn't work?

    Is it up to the customer to see through they hype (buyer beware)? That is, if they can be convinced to make the purchase, it's their problem for being gullible?
    Are you seriously asking these questions? Hype is one thing, but to knowingly sell a product you know probably doesn't work is outright fraud. It's not up to the customer to do anything, it's up to you to provide the customer with a working version of whatever it is you're selling them.
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    "Give every man more in use value than you take from him in cash value; then you are adding to the life of the world by every business transaction." - Wallace D. Wattles


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    • Profile picture of the author Ken Preuss
      I'm going to propose an entirely different way of looking at the question. Here goes:

      Consider that NO product works. Ever.

      And I'm not even trying to be smart. If you think about it, there's no such thing as a product that works.

      Some people will use your product, most people won't (human nature). Those who use it will have completely varying outcomes simply because no two people are alike.

      Even if a product "worked" there would be no way to say exactly what that would even look like. See what I mean?

      The truth is that people don't buy products. They buy the idea of what they believe a product will do for them. But at the end of the day actual results are solely up to....them.

      So make no mistake. There is no such thing as a product that works.

      There are only people (customers) who verify whether or not a product delivered what they thought they would receive based on what was promised.

      My suggestion: stop worrying about whether your product "works" and focus on making sure it delivers what was promised.

      At the end of the day that's all most people care about anyway.

      Ken
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      • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
        Originally Posted by Ken Preuss View Post

        I'm going to propose an entirely different way of looking at the question. Here goes:

        Consider that NO product works. Ever.

        And I'm not even trying to be smart. If you think about it, there's no such thing as a product that works.

        Some people will use your product, most people won't (human nature). Those who use it will have completely varying outcomes simply because no two people are alike.

        Even if a product "worked" there would be no way to say exactly what that would even look like. See what I mean?

        The truth is that people don't buy products. They buy the idea of what they believe a product will do for them. But at the end of the day actual results are solely up to....them.

        So make no mistake. There is no such thing as a product that works.

        There are only people (customers) who verify whether or not a product delivered what they thought they would receive based on what was promised.

        My suggestion: stop worrying about whether your product "works" and focus on making sure it delivers what was promised.

        At the end of the day that's all most people care about anyway.

        Ken
        I agree, apart from people who buy software.

        P.S

        It may surprise many of you to know that there are millions of people pushing products (and creating them) when they know flat out that the product doesn't work for MOST people.

        Welcome to the wonderful world of sales and marketing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Elmer Hurlstone
      The one thing most of us have which is completely paid for are our reputations.

      Each and everything we do and say online affects it. It is much easier to keep a good reputation than to regain it once lost.

      Since I don't know you I'm going to assume you're asking either a rhetorical question or are playing "devil's advocate." For the sake of your reputation I hope it's one or the other.

      One of the first things many folks do before entering into business with or buying a product from someone is hit the search engines. Therein lies your history and your reputation.

      What you've written here today will be available to anyone that takes the time to check you out. Search engines have very long memories.

      If you wish to sell one thing only and ever to a customer then, by all means, sell them crap.

      It is much less expensive to make sales to existing customers than to attract new ones.

      Put yourself in the customer's shoes for a minute. What would be your reaction to buying a garbage product and then discovering the seller knowingly and willfully sold it knowing it was crap? How much more would you be likely to buy from that seller?

      Elmer Hurlstone

      PS. As said long ago, "Honesty is the best policy!"
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  • Profile picture of the author reclusivecopy
    I would never sell a product that doesn't work. It's not worth your effort or credibility.
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  • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
    I can't believe you asked this question in an open forum. Are you even serious? For me, there isn't even a question. My reputation is clear and so is my conscience. And Lakshay, Mr. SmartyPants my product works too

    TomG.
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  • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
    What an astonishing question. You won't get very far in business or in life if you don't treat others in the same way you'd wish to be treated yourself. Ask yourself how you'd feel if someone else sold you a product that 'probably doesn't work'. It's unlikely that it wouldn't matter.
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  • Profile picture of the author hughbanks
    I am really hoping you are asking this question do to being a victim and not seriously considering whether or not it's a possibility to ignore.

    I've noticed allot of people selling products that don't work.

    Some people purchase RR or PLR and don't take the time to test them out themselves and just turn around and send them to market.
    That's a quick way to end up with allot of support, refunds and even loose credibility.

    No, it's not alright to sell product you think doesn't work and it's the responsibility of the marketer to make sure it does work before offering it to others. Regardless of seeing others selling it.

    Anytime someone jumps the gun, odds are one day you'll get your foot blown off. Anytime you sell something it's a seller that a customer is focused on.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ian Traynor
    Hi folks

    Unfortunately this (misspelt) question does raise a number of practical and ethical issues.

    (1) I know from software that I've released that, amazingly, people who have paid good money for my products, although they have probably downloaded them, don't actually use them. So if I released rubbish stuff, I could probably still profit from these guys who maybe don't get round to trying them out before the guarantee period has expired.

    (2) I know that there have been some apparently reputable internet marketers who, having picked up a load of cheap software, try to turn them round quickly and sell them without ever testing them. This I also know from personal experience.

    (3) I know, also from personal experience, that there are many people who promote the "flavour of the moment" products who have never actually used them and tested them. Their only concern is how many affiliate commissions they can pick up before their competitors grab their share of the market.

    From a practical point of view, (1) is probably the most important. Buyers move from one quick purchase to the next, eager to not miss out on the latest "big deal", and whose hard drives rapidly fill up with stuff that they will never use.

    These buyers are the happy hunting ground of folk who are quite happy to release buggy software or dubious "techniques" which only work for a small number of people.

    These buyers are frequently "newbies", frantic to crack the "secret codes" of online fortunes.

    From an ethical point of view, you have to ask yourself:

    Do I want to make a lot of money, irrespective of whether what I am promoting is good or not - or do I want to ensure that the people that I am influencing in their buying decisions are actually getting a good deal?

    Only you, individually, can answer this question. Money or conscience? Not always mutually exclusive - but sometimes it can be.

    Regards
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