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List Building Dilemma...

by Christines Dream
8 replies
In the spirit of growing my list, I decided to be proactive and integrate the PayPal API with Aweber. As I understand it, the PayPal API sends the buyer's information, including email address, to an Aweber list. Aweber then emails the buyer requesting opt-in confirmation. If the buyer never confirms the opt-in they are removed from my list. If anyone can share their thoughts / advice, I have a few questions please.
  1. Would you consider this an ethical way to build a list, given that the buyer has not opted into a list voluntarily?
  2. Does collecting emails in this fashion break any TOS (Aweber or PayPal)?
  3. As a buyer, would you be annoyed if you had to first confirm and opt-in (which in reality you never opted into) BEFORE even been given access to the download page for which you just paid?
Many thanks in advance to those who share their thoughts and opinions!


...Christine
#building #dilemma #list
  • Profile picture of the author Christines Dream
    bump. ... because I'm curious on anyone's thoughts.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanmilligan
    Banned
    I'm pretty sure that this happens with most payment proccesors. Like I always use a single opt-in and when I make a sale with let's say WSOpro then the buyer is automatically put on my chosen list.

    Don't really understand your question?
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  • Profile picture of the author TopKat22
    Originally Posted by Christines Dream View Post

    In the spirit of growing my list, I decided to be proactive and integrate the PayPal API with Aweber. As I understand it, the PayPal API sends the buyer's information, including email address, to an Aweber list. Aweber then emails the buyer requesting opt-in confirmation. If the buyer never confirms the opt-in they are removed from my list. If anyone can share their thoughts / advice, I have a few questions please.
    1. Would you consider this an ethical way to build a list, given that the buyer has not opted into a list voluntarily?
    2. Does collecting emails in this fashion break any TOS (Aweber or PayPal)?
    3. As a buyer, would you be annoyed if you had to first confirm and opt-in (which in reality you never opted into) BEFORE even been given access to the download page for which you just paid?
    Many thanks in advance to those who share their thoughts and opinions!


    ...Christine
    1. Yes. They are your client and have done business with you so what you send them is ok plus they have to confirm.

    2. To my knowledge, no it does not and many people do it.

    3. No, that would not annoy me IF I knew this ahead of time so just let them know how the delivery of the product will be before they buy.
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  • Profile picture of the author LTurnerJVManager
    It's less annoying doing it like that than forcing people to signup to your list in order to get the product!

    BUT with double optin lots wont confirm unless you tell them before that they will recieve an email and its for X reason.

    Lewis
    JV Manager
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Christines Dream View Post

    As I understand it, the PayPal API sends the buyer's information, including email address, to an Aweber list. Aweber then emails the buyer requesting opt-in confirmation.
    If you're using confirmed opt-in, yes.

    Originally Posted by Christines Dream View Post

    Would you consider this an ethical way to build a list, given that the buyer has not opted into a list voluntarily?
    Yes. You're entitled to email your own customers.

    What isn't ethical (and can lose you your PayPal account, as well, if they catch you doing it) is collecting the money and then making the buyer opt in before getting product delivery, without having told him before he pays that you require it. Because - obviously enough - that's varying the contractual terms after payment.

    Originally Posted by Christines Dream View Post

    Does collecting emails in this fashion break any TOS (Aweber or PayPal)?
    Not that I'm aware of, as you've described it; no.

    Originally Posted by Christines Dream View Post

    As a buyer, would you be annoyed if you had to first confirm and opt-in (which in reality you never opted into) BEFORE even been given access to the download page for which you just paid?
    If I paid for the product first and then you told me I had to opt in to get it, I'd be most displeased.

    Knowing that that would cost you your PayPal account, even for a "first offense", I certainly wouldn't report you to PayPal for it or ask for a refund on those grounds (I'm not that mean!), but I'd probably never buy from you again.
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    • Profile picture of the author TopKat22
      [QUOTE=Alexa Smith;5616268]If you're using confirmed opt-in, yes.
      QUOTE]


      Per Aweber, even when you have confirmed opt in turned off, they require confirmation when the subscriber comes in from a third party processor such as this.

      I just had to call them about this the other day and there was no way to change it, it is their policy.

      Their only suggestion is to make sure they know ahead of time they will have to confirm or send them another email directly reminding them to opt in or if they do not have the confirmation email, to go to your website and sign up again.
      Signature
      44 days in and we broke the $10K a month recurring bench mark.

      Guaranteed 60% Opt In Rate Traffic-Real People-Fresh Today-High Quality Biz Opp traffic![/URL]
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      • Profile picture of the author Christines Dream
        Thanks very much Alexa -- I was not aware of this.

        What isn't ethical (and can lose you your PayPal account, as well, if they catch you doing it) is collecting the money and then making the buyer opt in before getting product delivery, without having told him before he pays that you require it. Because - obviously enough - that's varying the contractual terms after payment.
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        • Profile picture of the author Christines Dream
          Thanks TopKat22. I had a look around aweber also and there really is now way to change this.

          Their only suggestion is to make sure they know ahead of time they will have to confirm or send them another email directly reminding them to opt in or if they do not have the confirmation email, to go to your website and sign up again.
          I think I'll just avoid any hassles you and Alexa have pointed out to me and make sure my potential buyers are aware before they buy that they will have to confirm optin before receiving the product.

          Thanks very much for your assistance.
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