Exploiting the Aussie Floods

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Hi Warriors,

I've already seen 4 paid advertisements for WSOs and Classifieds that are using the tragedy of the floods in Australia in order to sell copies. This is disgusting, and shouldn't be allowed.

There are posts that are offering to donate 100% of the proceeds to charity, which is totally ok and encouraged, but then there are also posts that state "up to 50%" etc etc etc.


If you're going to use this tragedy to promote your product, donate all the money to charity!


/rant over.
#off topic forum
  • Hmm.

    I haven't seen the ads you refer to, however I think the word "exploiting" is a little harsh.

    Perhaps the people making these offers need a bit of money for themselves in order to pay their own bills, including the cost of placing the ads in the first place.

    As long as the money actually does go to the cause, I don't have a problem with it.

    If however, they genuinely are exploiting this tragedy, and plan on keeping all the proceeds for themselves, then I agree 100%. Shame on them.

    Until there is any proof that they are doing this, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, and congratulate them on their good deed(s).
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  • Firstly, all of the WSO's that I've seen offer products with the proceeds or part proceeds going to the charity. They aren't just asking for donations, you are receiving a product in return for your donation.

    I agree with whateverpedia - these people may need to earn some money themselves as well as give some to charity, I don't have a problem with that.

    I would find it hard to believe that any of them are actually exploiting this and keeping all the profits to themselves.
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  • I agree with both of you. If the sellers are donating in an honest way, I don't have an issue with it. But to piggyback a product, and not be 100% clear on which charity you're donating to, and how much is misleading to potential impulse buy customers. I just want the people that ARE donating to be 100% crystal clear on how they are doing it. That's all.
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    • I think it's great you have an eye out, I also only seen one and that was Keith's wso, who has has lot of respect, one thing with ausies is we act stupid, make jokes are a little care free but jack up on us in a hard time and people come together and they will fight every true blue aussie as one, so if any one did or was planning a self funded retirement plan based on peddling snake oil in the face of this, then they would have a life span similar to that of a may fly before being crushed.
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    • Whilst I sympathise with your confusion about how the money will be allocated to charities etc,

      have you even bothered to contact the sellers before making this post???

      In future it may pay to find out the facts before posting un-informed comments on public forums
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  • I agree that it's disgusting, but I disagree about banning the practice for two reasons.

    1. Let the marketplace "punish" them by not buying from people when they do this.

    2. It's serves a purpose by letting us know which members here are willing to profit from tragedy. And that can be handy information to keep in mind for their future offers, whether they use the same tactic or not.

    It's a sales technique. A distasteful one, but one that needs to be allowed.

    All the best,
    Michael

    EDIT: I say it's disgusting ONLY if they are not really donating the money as promised.
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    • [QUOTE=Michael Oksa;3161504

      It's a sales technique. A distasteful one, but one that needs to be allowed.

      All the best,
      Michael[/QUOTE]

      It's only a distasteful sales technique if the money doesn't go to the charities as described in the WSO.

      I have almost $300 in my paypal account now which is on the way into my bank account. When it gets here, I'm taking it up to the local sports club to donate it instead of doing it at the local bank or online, because they'll match it dollar for dollar. That's twice as much money going to the flood relief appeal. I won't be able to do it for a day or two. Why? Because the bloody road is under water and I can't get there! When I do, I'll be sure to post an image of a receipt so people can see that I'm not a liar and a thief.

      Frankly I'm really disappointed in the broad assumption that people do this just to benefit from tragedy, and I take offense that I'd be tarred with that brush. I thought better of you, Michael. There are always shysters after tragedies, doing door knocks and such to collect ostensibly for charity, but really for themselves. However, I thought I'd been here long enough to have earned a little respect, and I know Kezz and Keith have a very good reputation in the forum.

      Hey Sal has it right. I don't have a ton of spare cash, so can't personally give a lot, but I can sell my skills and contribute more that way. I'm not keeping any for my "own funds", and Keith and Kezz have been totally up front about what's happening with their proceeds. No subterfuge, no dishonesty.

      Jason, I honestly don't think that's happening, mate. I know you're doing it tough, I see there's a real chance of more flooding down your way today. Take care.

      Vent over. Sorry, been a long week already. Time for coffee.
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  • After all the crap I have been through the last 2 days this makes by blood boil , if this right and there are some people trying to pass off some BS WSO to get funds out of this flood that I have spilt blood for in saving people and there belongings I hope they ROT

    I hope someone reports the arse and they cancel the mongrals account , sorry for the rant but have had about 5 hours sleep in 3 days and when i saw this thread it just pissed me off

    Jason
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  • I think that there are people who can't afford to really donate useful amounts to a cause they care about so offer part of their products so they can contribute.

    When I put up my dog plr I was totally serious about funds going to medication for my own pet. Keeping him alive cost more than my rent did - that is WHY I wrote the report in the first place. I needed royal help - and my WSO stated that was where the funds went - and that is where they went. That report is still selling now long after Munch has wandered off across the great divide - but the funds from any copy I sell STILL go straight to buying the stuff that I am using to cure Ricky's cancer.

    Is that wrong? I don't see it that way.

    Do you see major corporations or wealthy folks donating to charity? Know what? It's often just a tax write off for them - so is it wrong for them to donate because they get something from it, too - or because the only reason they are donating is for their own financial purposes? The charity still gets the money no matter what the volition.

    How many of you have websites that give a % of proceeds to charity? Is that wrong to take part of money you earn to give to a cause you believe in just because you can't afford to give it ALL away?

    People aren't obligated to give to a cause. People afflicted by that cause need the help - so why should we rail against someone for HOW they are creating money to give? Does it matter to the people who receive the help that someone used their business to create it?

    The only thing we should be concerned about in this matter is whether the money is used as advertised. If someone is saying donations are going somewhere and they aren't - that's just damned illegal. Period.

    Right now, Australians need help. If someone is donating 50% of a product to them, the answer is "thank you". Those people will use "sales tactics" to sell products anyway and those people are not social services, they are business people who run a business so THEY can survive. They are not obligated to give money to anyone. If they are donating 50% of their proceeds -- wish them sales.

    On the other hand, people are going to buy products anyway - let them buy products that send half of the proceeds to someone who needs it.
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    • I think there's a difference between being honest about why you need the money and what you will use proceeds for - and using the name of a disaster.

      I would trust many people to donate the money they earn and have no problem with them fundraising. I think others will exploit - but that's what people do.

      You answer by not buying if you don't believe the money will go where they say.

      kay
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  • Thanks Michael, and I apologise too for perhaps jumping up and down a bit prematurely. Trying times around here. Let's shake and make up, eh?

    Here's a snippet from our city newspaper today, this is one lucky kangaroo!

    Brisbane braces for the worst as record floodwaters loom | Courier Mail
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    • great photo - what a good guy
    • Audrey

      I apologise for my rant last night ( must never write on the WF when tired lol)

      I just saw what i thought was someone saying that there were people trying make money off the floods here and it made me quite mad

      But in the light of day if some good was to come out of this its not up to me but the where the money goes to.Just glad I did not PM the people would have made twice as bad I think:rolleyes:

      Be safe Jason
    • That picture brought tears to my eyes What a great man - a hero!
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  • Folks, if you want to donate, head over here:

    Donate to the flood relief appeal : Queensland Government
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  • most people know this i am sure

    Australia Facts

    For those who also remember back a little we had some our worst bushfires in the Victorian region ( I am sure every one seen the burnt koala hit the news world wide ), and even in just recent every body (here where i live) was on water restrictions, you had to use a bucket and water to clean your car, the garden could only be watered in a designated time slot, but most just let their gardens turn to dust bowls, the ground was that dry it was starting to crack open in places, lakes were drying up and fish were dying, you could walk across what once were rivers that were reduced to a tickle

    and now this, some people see the pictures of nice beaches / and yes they are there but what a bloody tough unforgiving land of extremes this place downunder is at times.
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  • I was very moved by the photo of a kangaroo being rescued and also floored by the other news on that news paper...bodies being found and such. I had heard about the flooding in Australia but had not heard from anyone actually there. I'm so sorry that these lands and people are suffering like this. I pray that the flooding will be over soon.

    Carole
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    • Audrey -

      I think if you don't trust the person to donate as they say they will - you might not want to be buying from them in the first place.

      There's a long term consequence for Australia that could be dire. Predictions of damage have reached $13 billion. One of the few bright spots on the planet in recent years has been the Aussie economy - this could hurt it, couldn't it?

      kay
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  • I just got an email to say that my affiliate manager in Neverblue is leaving to "pursue business interests in Australia". :-)
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    Exploiting the Aussie Floods

    Hi Warriors, I've already seen 4 paid advertisements for WSOs and Classifieds that are using the tragedy of the floods in Australia in order to sell copies. This is disgusting, and shouldn't be allowed.