12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

"Seller" and "guru" do NOT mean the same thing.

by Michael Oksa
9 replies
Hey Warriors!

Okay, is it just me, or does there seem to be some confusion on this?

It seems that nearly every complaint about a purchased product or somebody selling or somebody trying to make money...in a way that the poster doesn't like, automatically makes the seller a guru.

Hogwash!

First 'guru' isn't a good or bad term, it's indifferent. It's a noun, not an adjective.

Second, to me, a guru is somebody most of us have heard of. AND, 9 times out of 10, we haven't heard of the people or products being complained about.

Third, there is no such thing as "all" when referring to gurus. Each one is an individual person.

Four, yes, I see the irony in my post, but I just wanted to take a moment and alert certain people that...

SELLER AND GURU DO NOT MEAN THE SAME THING.

All the best,
Michael
#guru #seller #thing
  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    Amen. And Amen.

    Guru or seller, the one hurdle that I can't get past is the popular idea among a whole lot of people that creating a profit (by guru or seller) is a bad thing.

    This astounds me given the very notion of marketing and in a marketing forum no less.

    So then the next generalization gets thrown out - scam.

    The solution?

    Charge more money for products and services and cut out the bottom tier of the market.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2920918].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
      Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      Amen. And Amen.

      Guru or seller, the one hurdle that I can't get past is the popular idea among a whole lot of people that creating a profit (by guru or seller) is a bad thing.

      This astounds me given the very notion of marketing and in a marketing forum no less.

      So then the next generalization gets thrown out - scam.

      The solution?

      Charge more money for products and services and cut out the bottom tier of the market.
      Yeah, but then the "bottom tier" complains that it's just a scam because they can't afford to buy it...to buy it just so they can call it a scam.



      ~Michael
      Signature

      "Ich bin en fuego!"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2920923].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    Aaah well. Some people can't afford to pay the NFL for licensing, so they pirate team logo jerseys.... all the while calling the NFL licensing program a scam.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2920960].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    A definition of "guru" is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others. Another is, of course, a Hindu or Buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher.

    Whenever I use "guru" in my blog posts, it's usually tongue in cheek. I say leave the word to the Hindus and Buddhists.
    Signature

    Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2920987].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tpw
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      A definition of "guru" is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others. Another is, of course, a Hindu or Buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher.

      Whenever I use "guru" in my blog posts, it's usually tongue in cheek. I say leave the word to the Hindus and Buddhists.

      I guru that... Leave it to the Hindus and Buddhists...
      Signature
      Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
      Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2921060].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Crew Chief
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      Hey Warriors! Okay, is it just me, or does there seem to be some confusion on this?
      No Mike, it's not just you!

      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      It seems that nearly every complaint about a purchased product or somebody selling or somebody trying to make money...in a way that the poster doesn't like, automatically makes the seller a guru.
      It has become almost fashionable for IMers [not in the know] to regurgitate the term Guru when referring to a seller when the deal [as they see it] went sour, or they felt they got slighted or they felt the Guru undelivered.

      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      SELLER AND GURU DO NOT MEAN THE SAME THING.
      Mike you and smart IMers comprehend that fact but I kind of have a gut feeling that the masses enjoy hurling that title around with the intent to start an Internet Riot against the particular Guru in their cross hairs at that time.

      I once listened to newb read the Riot Act about the folks at XSitePro. He swore to the powers that be that Paul Smithson was a scam artist and that XSitePro was nothing but a bug infected piece of crap.

      After listening to his rage against the machine rant, upon further review, it was determined that he installed XSitePro on a machine that didn't meet the minimum system requirements.

      But the Guru bashing had already picked up full steam ahead.

      I've seen that same or similar scenario played out so many times it is not funny. Ironically, the funny thing is, in most of the cases in which they swore a Guru stiffed them, turns out; the sellers were newbs just like they were.

      Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      Amen. And Amen. Guru or seller, the one hurdle that I can't get past is the popular idea among a whole lot of people that creating a profit (by guru or seller) is a bad thing.
      Michael, it might have something to do with the fact that when certain people ARE NOT making money online, apparently they don't want to see anyone else making any; especially someone they perceive as a stinking uppity Guru who is flying to the Isla de sa Ferradura for the weekend in a Bombardier Learjet 85 while sipping Piper Heidsieck 1907 champagne and chomping down on a Richard Nouveau Burger, all on their $45.00 commission.

      Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      This astounds me given the very notion of marketing and in a marketing forum no less.
      Ha! This bunch screams bloody murder when others sell and make commissions off of them, all the while, they are pining to be like the Gurus/Sellers they so deftly despise.

      Which goes to prove one thing; you can't please everyone!

      Giles, the Crew Chief
      Signature
      Tools, Strategies and Tactics Used By Savvy Internet Marketers and SEO Pros:

      ProSiteFlippers.com We Build Monetization Ready High-Value Virtual Properties
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2921423].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gary King
    Excellent points Michael.

    The term shouldn't even be used IMHO.

    I've seen what many would call a "guru" selling PLR and turning a nearly six figure launch out of it but also seen someone offering true value in a good product struggling to make sales.

    Each and every offering should be evaluated on the offering, not the offer-er.

    :-)
    Gary
    Signature

    ===========================
    OFFLINERS! Warning: Unless You Know These Pricing Secrets, You are Leaving THOUSANDS on the Table. Get Your Free Report Now.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2921083].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    I've always taken "guru" to be an honourific. You use it to give special credit and deference to someone, usually someone who has taught you something highly valuable. Occasionally someone whom you've seen teach others highly valuable things.

    But never someone who doesn't deserve it.

    You can't say "those gurus are bad," because it's like saying "those heroes are villains." If they're villains, they're not heroes. You have to pick one. Either they deserve to be called gurus, or they don't. If they don't, then YOU don't call them that... but that doesn't mean the rest of the world can't.

    Oh, and of course: it's just plain arrogant to call YOURSELF a guru with any degree of seriousness. As part of some sarcastic self-deprecating remark, sure, maybe. But you can never draw yourself up and say "I am the guru so-and-so!" to assert your authority.
    Signature
    "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2921714].message }}

Trending Topics