Pre-order information products (such as CDs)--product out of stock?

[popnyc]

For information products (I'm about 3/4 way recording audio interviews for a CD), do you think putting up the page before it's totally completed is ok? I guess it's not ideal, but you are testing the market so to speak, such as the infomercial model of "allow 3-4 weeks for delivery" while they are testing their product. If you're pretty sure your product will take off, but have financial pressures and haven't had a vacation since you were 6 years old, just kidding, not really, anyways if you're eager to get this ball rolling what do you think if you write back to customers something like:
>>After a sale is completed, write back immediately, apologise and explain the product is out of stock, that a refund can be issued immediately, or a pre-order discount can be locked in, and state the expected shipping date

Please advise. I've heard pre-ordering can sound scammy.

[artwebster]

Scammy? Why not just call it LYING?

[mywebwork]

Originally Posted by artwebster

Scammy? Why not just call it LYING?

I guess that's just marketing lingo Art, the same logic that describes "Used Cars" as "Pre-owned Vehicles" (as if prior ownership is a desirable feature)!

Seriously I think this is a bad idea, you're going to alienate your customers and may even get a complaint filed with the BBB. When you buy something online you expect immediate delivery, even physical products shouldn't take more than a few days to arrive. I just ordered ink and toner from eBay last week and it got here in 3 days, and I live in the most remote place on the planet. 3 -4 weeks is not acceptable.

Just my 2 cents.

Bill

[Jim Phillips]

Why not put together what you have for sale now. Put on your salespage what is included.

Then as a special bonus on your sales page...

...explain to your prospective customers a new upgraded version is almost ready and they will get it as a free download when finished. (Include in your bonus section of your salespage what kind of fantastic info they will get in the upgraded version.)

You don't want to lie. Tell them the truth but do it as a benefit.

To keep your credibility with your customers you must finish the upgraded version.

Best Regards,

Jim

[popnyc]

that's a good point Jim thanks.

I guess I was confused about this infomercial of allowing 3-4 weeks for delivery, or 5-6 or whatever it might be. That you are not going to produce your product until you know it will sell. I guess you're saying that doesn't translate to online sales pages, in my case a CD.

What about putting a release date on the page?
Like
Product release July 1, 2009

I have seen pre-ordering for video games online, but that must be different?

[popnyc]

Or instead,
If the visitor presses continue to order, it takes them to a page,
'Unfortunately we are currently on back order but will contact you as soon as we have product in stock. Thank you for your patience."

If you do this, would you put a date, such as I'd put July 1, which is about 2 weeks from now, when I will be finished?

[Andy Fletcher]

I'd be more inclined to say the product is due for release soon and offer an optin so you can tell them when it is available, especially if you'll be done in a couple of weeks.

The big difference between the infomercials that say "allow 3-4 weeks for delivery" and what you're suggesting is that they have the product they just need the cash to get the physical copy made. In your case you haven't even finished the product yet so it's pretty unethical if not illegal (I'm no lawyer so take that last bit with a pinch of salt).

[popnyc]

That's good advice thanks Andy. It seems like infomercials (which might be a dying breed unless you're watching at 4AM, I don't know) can get away with the "allow 4-5 weeks for delivery" but online goods are expected to ship right away. Does that sound right?

Would you say it is due for release soon, would you put that on your page, instead of the shopping cart, and then when your product is finished, put the working shopping cart on?

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by popnyc

That's good advice thanks Andy. It seems like infomercials (which might be a dying breed unless you're watching at 4AM, I don't know) can get away with the "allow 4-5 weeks for delivery" but online goods are expected to ship right away. Does that sound right?

It's not just an issue of what's "allowed". We live in a world of instant gratification, especially when we're online. Peopl expect their stuff *NOW*.

Would you say it is due for release soon, would you put that on your page, instead of the shopping cart, and then when your product is finished, put the working shopping cart on?

Take a look at Brute Force SEO Software By Peter Drew to see how they do it. Excellent example of building interest during a prelaunch.

[marciayudkin]

Bad idea all around.

* You are not supposed to charge someone's credit card until a product is shipped.

* In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission calls this "dry testing" and says you must tell the consumer that the product doesn't exist yet and may not ever be shipped. See "Is it okay for a company to "dry test" a product?" on this page:
Frequently Asked Advertising Questions: A Guide for Small Business

* You could also get into trouble with the attorney general of your state if people complain.

Marcia Yudkin