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Would it be ethical to make "SOLD OUT" sales pages?

by Spinethetic
28 replies
We've all seen the different triggers, 'for next 20 people only','Normally $97, but today just $47', etc etc to entice prospects to click that button.

But what hits me, really has a LASTING impact is when I go to a sales page and I see

"SOLD OUT!"

And they have all the order buttons disabled.

What if somebody were to just make "Sold Out" sales pages with an "early bird notification" optin form that has the 2nd 3rd autosequenced followup message containing a link to the real sales page, with the 1st couple emails making them 'quiver' with anticipation?

Would that be just plain evil capitalism or what? The idea could be interesting if developed further...
#ethical #make #pages #sales #sold out
  • Profile picture of the author Eric Johnson
    Sounds sketchy to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
    Good way to build a bad rep.
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  • Profile picture of the author Spinethetic
    I know, but this is just a 'draft' idea, the concept could be planned out further so that it is not so ... evil

    Building something around the "Sold Out" headline.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    No so fast.

    If it's really "sold out" at the moment, and you're directing people to an opt-in form, then you're actually using the exact same strategy as Frank Kern, Eben Pagan, Jeff Walker, etc...

    BUT... you don't send them a couple of autoresponders and then drop them on the real page.

    You go through a legitimate product launch and actually notify the entire list when you're ready to launch.

    Then when you say you're going to shut it off.... SHUT IT OFF!
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    • Profile picture of the author Eric Johnson
      Not a thing wrong with that Michael.
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    • Profile picture of the author Spinethetic
      Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      No so fast.

      If it's really "sold out" at the moment, and you're directing people to an opt-in form, then you're actually using the exact same strategy as Frank Kern, Eben Pagan, Jeff Walker, etc...

      BUT... you don't send them a couple of autoresponders and then drop them on the real page.

      You go through a legitimate product launch and actually notify the entire list when you're ready to launch.

      Then when you say you're going to shut it off.... SHUT IT OFF!
      I fully understand what you are saying, and I prefer this method of process mapping to the idea I posted exactly;

      I just know that the sold out pages are the ones that really put my brain through a blender, just the headline alone does half the damage whilst the sales copy slowly finishes me off knowing all the while that I can't get it RIGHT NOW, what can I say, Americans want it and they want it now.

      I should have clarified this before...

      I think the concept of building some sort of sales funnel centered around a SOLD OUT headline would be very interesting, thoughts?
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  • Profile picture of the author InternetSuccess001
    People are intelligent, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. If you use this strategy, and people 'realize' that they simply were "sold" to or "manipulated" into buying, they will be relucant to purchase from you again.
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  • Profile picture of the author BIG Mike
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by BIG Mike View Post

      ...you might want to hire a lawyer now who's an expert in defending clients against the FTC.
      Yup - Big Mike beat me to it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by BIG Mike View Post

      If you want to do a "Sold out" with an optin form for the next round fine.

      But if you are advertising the product as simply sold out and then lead the customer to where they can actually buy it...you might want to hire a lawyer now who's an expert in defending clients against the FTC.
      Let's make sure people don't miss that...

      Originally Posted by BIG Mike View Post

      If you want to do a "Sold out" with an optin form for the next round fine.

      But if you are advertising the product as simply sold out and then lead the customer to where they can actually buy it...you might want to hire a lawyer now who's an expert in defending clients against the FTC.
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      Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
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      • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
        Banned
        I have a better idea....why don't you send them to a page that says it would be sold out but the server crashed, so opt in so I can email you to buy 3-4 days later....you know, instead of just letting them buy it to begin with. Nothing increases sales more than making customers jump needlessly through hoops to get your product.

        In other words, for those missed the sarcasm....sounds like a pretty dumb idea to me.
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    • Profile picture of the author SEOPoints
      Originally Posted by BIG Mike View Post

      But if you are advertising the product as simply sold out and then lead the customer to where they can actually buy it...you might want to hire a lawyer now who's an expert in defending clients against the FTC.
      I was thinking about this. From what I've read, the FTC reacts to customer complaints. I'm picturing someone arriving at the sales page. They see "sold out." But they notice the opt-in form. They have a choice. Leave the page, or signup. Let's assume they voluntarily sign up because they have an interest in the product.

      After two or three autoresponder messages that talk about the benefits of the product, they get another e-mail announcing that the product is available for sale. A link is provided to an "active" sales page for the product where the order links work.

      Why would the person who voluntarily signed up to be on the notification mailing list to hear if/when the product is for sale again file a complaint with the FTC when they finally get a notification e-mail pointing to where the product can be purchased?

      I guess I can't (yet) see where the customer would feel cheated or defrauded out of their money or mislead. They signed up for a mailing list that would presumably tell them when the product was for sale again, and sure enough, they got an e-mail telling them that the product was for sale again. What's the basis of their complaint?

      Just trying to get some help to better understand some of this legal stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author CurtisN
    Just don't BS your prospect.

    If you say you're only selling 50 copies, cap it at 50.

    If you say you're raising the price after 100 sales, do it.

    If you say you're closing everything down after midnight tomorrow, follow through.

    So, if you say it's sold out, make sure that opt-in form doesn't lead to the real sales page. The only ethical way around this that I can think of is to create a backdoor link as a special, a favour (for someone's list), or some kind of bonus.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    I think one point that's being missed in the OP's scenario
    is the discount on the sold out page. I see nothing wrong
    with then directing them to a page where they can buy
    at the higher price if they choose.

    It would take some really strong copy to convert... and it's
    not a strategy I would pursue... but if they're willing to pay
    the higher price I see nothing wrong with it.

    I'd rather use the sold out page to build a list for early notification
    of future releases.

    Tsnyder
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    • Profile picture of the author Zulfus
      I think if you think it sounds sketchy, you know it is. But why not just sell something out, and use the same technique?

      Obviously though, having the actual product launch.

      There's no reason you can't sell a high ticket item to maybe 5-10 people, sell out, then a month or so later, rework it from the feedback and relaunch it.

      I think Frank Kern did something similar with Mass Control. (Don't quote me though)

      Zulfus
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  • Profile picture of the author JennSpencerIM
    I've seen some marketers do this before...ones that I highly doubt sold out within a minute of emailing me. They directed me to a page that said it was sold out but opt-in to get on the waiting list. And guess what? A spot almost immediately opened up and I was directed to a different sales page that wasn't sold out... I don't think it's a very ethical strategy however.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Riddle
    Sold out pages are common for public speakers and trainers.

    Many of them plan on holding 3-4 events per year and the rest of the time it shows a sold out page.

    It DOES state WHEN the next event is going to be and as mentioned before having a legitimate notification sign up is powerful.

    One powerful thing I have seen was when they sign up for notification is to give them a link to a former preview call or webinar.

    Mark Riddle
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  • Profile picture of the author MJ Sterling
    Here's an ethical way to do a sold out launch...

    I discovered this by accident but it worked really well for me.

    Build a list and give them good stuff (common sense right?), let them know a product is on the way and it's going to be a BETA test, so numbers will be limited. Do this so you get plenty of feedback from customers and improve the product before you launch for real.

    Then when all spots have been taken REMOVE the buy button and replace it with an opt in form. Don't tease your list too much, it will annoy them and make them feel alienated. But do carry on giving them good stuff that they can use without purchasing.. this lets them know that you haven't forgotten about them and they are still valued.

    Only relaunch when the majority of your beta testers are happy.

    So in other words, doing it for real instead of faking it is a much larger pay off for everyone, especially your future customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author PhotoshopWarrior
    It's one of the marketing strategy/tactics used by some of the big guns...
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  • Profile picture of the author badboy_Nick
    Every SOLD OUT list you see on IM products is just trying to build up hype again. They aren't really sold out, they just want to buildup your desire so you buy from them in the near future. Misleading? Yes, but what isnt in todays marketing world?
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    • Profile picture of the author MJ Sterling
      Originally Posted by badboy_Nick View Post

      Every SOLD OUT list you see on IM products is just trying to build up hype again. They aren't really sold out, they just want to buildup your desire so you buy from them in the near future. Misleading? Yes, but what isnt in todays marketing world?
      I completely disagree Nick, I've never had to lie to my customers to make a sale. I'm sure there's some out there who attempt it but if you're sure that we are all lying I'll be happy to post some video testimonials from customers inside my site right now (note the sales page is closed, there's no way to get inside).
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  • Profile picture of the author agent13mp
    i always wonder if those triggers were fact.well if it sold out shouldn't deceive ppl
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
    A lot of the big players in IM do something similar to that.

    Amish Shah, Andy Jenkins, etc.

    I am positive they have had great results doing what they are doing. I'm not sure about what you want to do though. It sounds ALMOST the same, but it's not.

    -Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author butters
      All I am saying is product research or market research.
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    I didn't read the whole thread - but I did do something
    clever this week with a big "OFFER CANCELLED" stamp,
    leading into a nicer new offer.

    The page where I used it with other graphics to make
    a point about the offer is at:
    Automated Marketing Systems| Cost-effective Solutions To Centralize Your Online Business And Create A Walk Away Income - The Master System for Software Profits
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  • Profile picture of the author Claire Koch
    So much for ethical. I do think you have to really sell out first then put the forum up good heavens. I already stopped watching video sales pages. I haven't filled out a sold out form in ages lol. Love the cancelled idea with a fresh better offer now thats great!
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  • Profile picture of the author Aira Bongco
    In this situation, you can keep on selling but for a higher price or you can just lead them to a new offer instead. Putting an opt-in with an anticipation of a better offer is better. This is okay because your buyers will know that when you say something is limited, it really is.
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