How NOT to make a good first impression...

It may be allowed, but its unethical.

Although most marketers do that but then they are the same that lose valuable subscribers when they find out that the page that was supposed to be taken down at a certain time was not taken down.

As for the limited number of products, scarcity needs a reason too. Why only 200 copies? As long as you have a good reason built in then its all good.

But fake scarcity doesn't really go down well in the long run and you don't have to use it because there are other ways out. Don't give a Number at all.
Something along the lines of 'Only a limited number of copies will be sold to protect the value... or saturation or whatever...

That is fair warning and not a lie in most cases.

Hope it helps

Maddi

I agree it's unethical, even if it is legal.

Maybe to change it a little, you could say, "only 200 copies will be released before July 1" or a sooner date if you expect to sell them quickly.

If you make it a date specific sales pitch, then you could open it up after the 200 are sold and still remain truthful to your customers.

So, what you're saying - in your first post here - is that you're okay with lying to make the sale?

Reeaaalllll smart.

In answer to your question: Yes. You can get hit for that. The UK has a group called, I believe, the Advertising Standards Authority, as well as various regulatory agencies, which would frown rather sternly on such a practice.

Not to mention the beating you'd take in refunds when people found out and started talking about it.


Paul

Reeaalll Smart - *chuckles at Paul's response.

Maddi

If you can't say what you do, and then do what you say, then you are not a person that most want to do business with. Only dirt bags do what you are suggesting. Are you a dirt bag? I didn't think you were. So if you way you are only going to sell 200 copies, then I would expect that you take the offer down when you sell that many.

You could probably get away with it for a while, but eventually you will get found out, and then your reputation of being a dirt bag will get around. Not a plesant thought for most of us.

Good luck, I hope that you make the right decision.

A better alternative would be to offer it at a reduced price for the first 200, then raise the price. That way, you ahve a scarcity built in on the lower price, after which your customers will have to pay more.

Yes it's aloud and I've seen many top Internet marketers do this, just to increase sales by using scarcity. It's probably best you sell a few of the product and re-open the product at a later time, I see many people doing this. Saying that though, if you do this and your products in the Clickbank market place you're going to lose sales, and affilaites won't want to promote your product if you cut selling the product after a certain amount.

Yes it's unethical to use this method to increase scarcity but it increases sales.

Did someone notice the subject line change of the OP??

I tell you that wasn't the guy who started this thread *rofl*

Maddi

Sure, go for it. Why not? And when you're tired of lying to your ebook customers then you can:

*Sell used cars and tell all prospects, "this car was owned by an 85 year old woman who never drove more than 50 mph." Even if it was owned by a 17 year old who beat the heck out of the car in drag races.

*Tell your mother her birthday card must have gotten "lost in the mail" (knowing full well you never sent one).

*Create a new product and exaggerate the claims. Go wild. Tell them the product will do all sorts of crazy things because hey, 80% of your customers won't do anything with the product anyway.

*Start doing chargebacks and claiming fraud when you buy ebooks without refund policies. That way you get the product without paying for it.

*Cheat. On everything. If you're in school, cheat on tests. If you have a significant other, cheat on him or her. When you file your taxes, cheat on them too.


That's a short list. But since the stuff on the list is "along the same lines" as the stuff other people do, then it must be ok.

^ You read it on the internet so it must be true.

This is a commonly used practice but in my opinion it really isn't something you should get into. Sure will will boost ur sales for now, but if they truth ever comes out...

When running a successful long term business, ethics is one of the most important things to follow. You don't want to start a long term business and ruin your relationship with your customers.

I would highly recommend that you stay away from this.

Google this phrase: "Joe Kumar"

@ Paul Myers

Seriously...the UK's advertising standards? In what world do you assume the thread starter owns a legal business in the UK, has a business bank account in the UK and makes over £6300.00 at this moment in the UK to pay tax on a legal scale? Oh, let's not forget... he must have tons of money to be able to advertise this product or service on the television or in newspaper print right? Well since where do you get all that from this poor person's question?

Get over yourself.

Here is the description from the official site... see if you can beat that:

"The types of complaints we can look into include:

* Misleading, inappropriate or offensive advertisements
* difficulty getting goods or a refund for items bought by mail order or through television shopping channels
* promotions that are unfairly run or special offers that have left you disappointed
* unwanted mail from companies sent either by post, e-mail, text message or fax
* data capture and protection of privacy"

Since when is a website or anything you post on a website now considered an advert? Wow...never knew that! Since when does this person solicit unwanted advertisements when people visit his website? Wow..didn't know it extended to that as well. I doubt it will be through mail order, television channels or anything of the sort. If you read further it also says:

"Please note that we accept complaints over the phone only if it’s about a TV, radio or cinema commercial, or a poster or national press ad."

So when did he become a UK citizen all of a sudden? For all you know he can live in the UK but be another nationality like I am. Wouldn't that be a surprise lol.

Seriously. hehe

Honesty is the best policy in any business. OK, we all tell little white lies but people on the internet get wise to all the sales letter ploys.

If you say there is only going to be so many copies sold then stick to it. You will get a much better reputation and you will feel good about yourself too.

That counts for a lot in this business where there are so many rip offs.

Sandy

Short answer: Sure, and you're probably gonna' get away with it. But even if you do you're an idiot. And, you'll probably not going to get very far being a liar. Aim to build your business long term and everyone will benefit. But, let's stay on topic:

You obviously want to create scarcity.

And, there are lots of other ways you can do that.

See, just stating that you're only selling 200 copies doesn't create REAL scarcity. You'll need to create a story and a reason, preferably a real one, to why you're limiting copies of your ebook.

So, why are you limiting the "inventory" (it's a file on a computer, remember? ) of your ebook?

One way you could do it is by offering 30 minute personal email consulting to each customer. Or access to a additional bonus.

Another could be to ship a physical bonus (printed version?) to the first 200 customers. Another could be to actually take the product officially off the market after you've sold 200 or so copies because you're testing your offer or only sell in batches to support your clients the best way possible.

(Let people that are interested signup on a waiting list and then relaunch a couple of weeks later and offer a backdoor sales page where they can order. )

But, even if you do; you'll need to provide people with a REAL reason to why you're limiting your sales. Simply telling people "I'm limiting to 200 copies to create scarcity" isn't really a effective way (Unless you're very persuasive and are able to pull it off the right way.)

Or, ask youself:

Why are you interested in using scarcity?

Obviously to sell more orto sell more expensive or maybe even both.

And, if you do: You're going to need a legitimate reason to why you're doing scarcity. Trust me, people are clever and easily get SCARED off by people using old school persuasion tactics.

Easy, just make the first 200 copies available at a lower price and then keep your word and raise it after you hit that mark.

[sigh]

I was going to avoid controversy today. Oh well.
You do realize that you just told the entire Warrior Forum that you create products and lie to your prospective customers to sell them.

I thank you for the heads up ... seriously. Got you down in my "liars" notepad so I won't forget not to buy or believe anything you say.

Because "others" do shady, unethical things ... that makes it OK?
Where did you learn this ... surely not from here if you've been reading at all. Did you just drop in from the BHW all fresh with new ideas and think they were going to fly in a serious Internet Marketing forum?

I have seen that type of advertisement before and I waited just to see if the price would go up or the site will go down at midnight. I check the same site again three days later and the product was still there at the same price. Says something about the advertiser... needless to say I did not purchase that product because if they lied about the site going down or the price going up, they are probably lying about the product too.

I personally don't do it, but I have seen it on most sales pages I have visited.

I don't know if you can get into legal trouble for that, but I'm
quite sure that you'll get in trouble with some of your
customers.

It's wrong & not fair on the people who buy, and you'll lose
your credibility.

Bottom line, never blatantly lie, it comes back to bite you in the ass. When using scarcity always look for real scarcity. People aren't stupid and as soon as they find out you were lying all your credibility goes out the window.

Maybe include a special bonus for the first 200 only.

Good luck!

Does anyone really believe that phony scarcity line?

You got to make yourself credible by these kind of offers people will pick up on
and you will lose in the end

I think it is ok but better to just set a deadline or like a promotion - provide a limited time. Like mentioned above, it is unethical to say it if you don't mean it.

Yeah, I made a sweeping generalization about those scarcity tactics.
Of course they're not all BS. Just the huge majority. I'd bet that some start out along the road of good ethical intention but fork off when the sales happen. Good on you for staying on track and honoring your offers
limit.
Just saying

Really bad form! Lying may get you some sales in the short term, but it will kill you in the long term. I've never understood why some marketers will destroy their credibility for one sale, when if they'd make the effort to be ethical, they'd have lots of loyal customers who are eager to give them money.

Hey, Stop bashing this person

It's his first post and he's asking a sensible question - it's certainly sensible if you've been on the internet for a few months and seen all the devious ways we are persuaded to open our emails (You've just been Paid!) (Watch this free video where I reveal ALL!) Only a few days ago some very esteemed members of this forum pointed me to their new site where I would be given $5.00 if I signed up. It turned out I got an ebook worth $5.00. So if 'respected' marketers are being underhand maybe a brand new marketer will think it's ok too...and he was only asking the question.

I think he or she has got the message! And probably won't post again because you've all got him/her "branded as a liar". Absolute tripe. I'm ashamed of you.
So stop the bashing.

Joe

I agree bashing is bad. It makes me wonder how people see my WSO though. I never even considered people would think me dishonest when I said I will limit it to 50 only. Yes, it is in my sig but I set PayPal to sell out when it hits 50.

So, now I have a question. How can you let people know you are honestly setting a limit?