29 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
29 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Do You Find This Shady From A Customer's Prospective?

by Jon Tees
23 replies
When someone charges you an arm and a leg for a product-service and then sends you to their donation page. Wouldn't it be better if they just used portions of proceeds to donate themselves as opposed to selling you something at a high price and then asking you to donate on top of that?
#customer’s #find #prospective #shady
  • Profile picture of the author wealthy20
    Originally Posted by Jon Tees View Post

    When someone charges you an arm and a leg for a product-service and then sends you to their donation page. Wouldn’t it be better if they just used portions of proceeds to donate themselves as opposed to selling you something at a high price and then asking you to donate on top of that?
    Sir, what are you talking about?

    And yes it would be considered underhanded in any kind of market to do that, whatever it is you're talking about.
    Signature
    Track any cellphone with just a number
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144652].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jon Tees
    I won’t name names, but I recently purchased some clothing from a designer’s website and all told paid over a hundred dollars for everything including the shipping, and was asked for a donation on top of this. Found it rather outrageous that after paying so much for something, I’d be hit up for even more money. I’d never do this to someone either offer someone an opportunity to donate without buying anything, or take portions from their purchase and donate them to the charity of your choice.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144664].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kk075
    Honestly,anyone asking for donations should make you nervous...especially if you knew how donations work in the first place.

    For example, you could send $100 right now to a cause online and they could pocket $99.97 as business expenses, then send the remaining 3 cents to whatever charity they're pretending to represent...and that's perfectly legal. The same goes for the telemarketers that call you...those are sales firms that pocket over 80% of all donations and give the remained to charity.

    So if you want to donate to something, go directly to that charity's website, get their address and mail them a check. That's the only way to ensure that 100% of your money goes to helping that cause.
    Signature

    Learn to sell like a pro through Web Synergy's marketing blog.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144670].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author joseph7384
      Originally Posted by kk075 View Post

      So if you want to donate to something, go directly to that charity's website, get their address and mail them a check. That's the only way to ensure that 100% of your money goes to helping that cause.

      That sucks too! Try donating to the Red Cross for a specific cause, not going to happen. I donated to the Red cross years ago for hurricane Katrina, then found out that they allocate the donations to where they decide they should go.

      Go FYS Red Cross, I stopped the check after speaking to one of their spokesman who told me that I don't get to decide where my money goes.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144762].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
        Originally Posted by joseph7384 View Post

        That sucks too! Try donating to the Red Cross for a specific cause, not going to happen. I donated to the Red cross years ago for hurricane Katrina, then found out that they allocate the donations to where they decide they should go.

        Go FYS Red Cross, I stopped the check after speaking to one of their spokesman who told me that I don't get to decide where my money goes.
        Crap. Just when i was about to donate $5. I wonder when you donate blood to them, where the blood goes to. Anyone has a clue?

        No seriously, if the donation is from a free website that is OBVIOUSLY for the user.... and they have a great free product or service... i donate to them. Even though i know all the money will go to the webmaster.
        Signature
        ==>> Free book reveals make money with affiliate marketing
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144912].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    Shady? Not necessarily, unless the charities themselves are shady. Encouraging those who follow you to be generous to worthwhile charities is a good thing.

    Their bigger problem seems to be that their customers leave their site feeling they spent more then the products were worth. That is not a good long-term business strategy, and tells me they need to revisit their marketing message.
    Signature
    Fifteen Lessons I have learned over 15 years and six businesses (or, My 1000th-Post Manifesto)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144674].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    I have no problem with this, it's each person's personal choice to donate or not.

    Obviously you want to do your due-diligence and know how much goes to the charity and how much the charity eats up in management costs.
    Signature
    How to Build LARGE EMAIL LISTS on a Budget and MONETIZE Like a PRO
    20+ Years Exp . . . . . . . . . . . . Email - CPA - PPL
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144723].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author fantrom
    Like anything else, you must do your due diligence before making any donation.

    If you want to dig deeper into charities and evaluate them better go here:

    Charity Navigator - America's Largest Charity Evaluator | Home
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144842].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
    I get asked to donate every time I purchase something at Whole Foods and now at a few other stores like Fry's food. It doesn't bother me but I just politely say "no". I am very specific and calculated with donations I make and it is not at random stores. I don't think they are being shady though just to ask people.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144869].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lucasxlee
    Not so much shady really as unprofessional. Why ask for donations when I've just given you money?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144877].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    What's the point of what your talking about?

    They asked you for a donation... who gives a s**t.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10144973].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      Do you find it shady when you are in a gas station or a store and they ask if you want to donate? do you find it shady that McDonalds has jars there for the Ronald house? Is it shady that the Rotary club has gumball machines all over the place? Is it shady that E-bay asks if you want to make a contribution? Is it shady the you can make a donation with every amazon product you buy? Do I need to keep going with this?

      The ability to "donate" is everywhere... the company is doing its part for society.. give it a break..and anyways I bet that is a GREAT place for that type of offer. you should be feeling guilty buying hundreds of dollars of stuff for yourself! Might do you a bit of good to give a little.. you seem a bit wound up!
      Signature
      Success is an ACT not an idea
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10145098].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ZanyZebra
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10145555].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Wow! I'm kinda shocked that so many people feel it's shady or underhanded to ask for a donation for a charity. Sheesh! Are people really that Cold Hearted.,Skeptical, Cynical ...or just Cheap?

      If you notice, most register counters in most stores You Trust to do business with have a jar or container dedicated to some sort of charity. So, does that mean you'll never do business with Walmart, Costco, 7 Eleven, Arco, Subway, Mc Donald's, and other like businesses?

      They do it for a reason. Not so they can keep the pennies people throw in the Jar to fund their massive corporations. But because it's good for company image, social responsibility and that's good for business. If you'll notice that's what successful businesses do. Except Internet Marketers for the most part.

      I'd like to see more Internet Marketers promote more charities along with their business, it doesn't cost anything. Plus, it makes us look less like money grubbing marketers who care about other things other than making a quick buck.

      If you're making tons of money like so many in this forum claim (or any money at all) and not giving to or promoting a charity "through your successful business" ... Shame On You!

      And no I don't think it's shady to ask for a donation for a "Worthy Charity". No one's forcing, pressuring, demanding or requiring you to give, just politely asking or putting a jar on the counter. You can give or not. Just pray you or someone you love will never need the help from any of those charities someday.
      Signature
      Download "Free 80 Page E-Book"
      "201 Ways To Live Better On Less Money".
      "Because The Easiest Way To Make Money is ... ... By Saving Some First!"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10145604].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
        Banned
        Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

        Wow! I'm kinda shocked that so many people feel it's shady or underhanded to ask for a donation for a charity. Sheesh! Are people really that Cold Hearted.,Skeptical, Cynical ...or just Cheap?
        You left out my personal choice, "All of the above."

        Cheers. - Frank
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10149548].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

        Wow! I'm kinda shocked that so many people feel it's shady or underhanded to ask for a donation for a charity. Sheesh! Are people really that Cold Hearted.,Skeptical, Cynical ...or just Cheap?
        Maybe I read it wrong, but I didn't see anything in the original question about charity.

        Just a "donation."

        I've made more than one purchase where the "thank you" included an opportunity to donate to a vacation fund, help pay off a mortgage, etc. Often under the "tip jar" model.

        Asking for a donation to the seller's charity of choice (as long as it's legit, and can prove it) is a horse of an entirely different color.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10150920].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          Maybe I read it wrong, but I didn't see anything in the original question about charity.

          Just a "donation."

          I've made more than one purchase where the "thank you" included an opportunity to donate to a vacation fund, help pay off a mortgage, etc. Often under the "tip jar" model.

          Asking for a donation to the seller's charity of choice (as long as it's legit, and can prove it) is a horse of an entirely different color.
          Good point. You have exposed the power of "assuming" and jumping to conclusions.
          Signature
          Fifteen Lessons I have learned over 15 years and six businesses (or, My 1000th-Post Manifesto)
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10151236].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
    Do you all get offended when Amazon asks you to click over to Smile.Amazon.com to assist with Doctors without borders, or when the checkout person at Walmart asks if you'd like to donate to charity?

    I'm never offended. I always take it as a corporation attempting to help society. They could be asking "Do you want fries with that?" instead.

    It is especially troubling so many people are offended who are more than happy to pop-up multiple one time offers after I make a purchase, or during the purchase process. (No, I'm not offended by those either.)

    It only takes 2 seconds to click "No Thanks" and be on your way if you don't want to donate.
    Signature
    Brain Drained...Signature Coming Soon!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10145621].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by Jon Tees View Post

    When someone charges you an arm and a leg for a product-service and then sends you to their donation page. Wouldn't it be better if they just used portions of proceeds to donate themselves as opposed to selling you something at a high price and then asking you to donate on top of that?
    Shady?

    Maybe.

    Cheesy and unprofessional?

    Absolutely.

    It would mark the last time I ever did business with them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10149517].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Every time I make a purchase at Petsmart I am asked to give a donation to an animal shelter. I always do, even though I make a monthly donation to my local SPCA.

      No one puts a gun to your head. Give, or not - your choice.

      Cheers. - Frank
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10149546].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by Jon Tees View Post

    Wouldn't it be better if they just used portions of proceeds to donate themselves as opposed to selling you something at a high price and then asking you to donate on top of that?

    Jon,

    You've got too much time on your hands if you're hung up on what other marketers are doing. If you don't like it . . . don't participate and don't do it on your own web site. End of story.

    Steve
    Signature

    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10151255].message }}

Trending Topics