I recently was suckered into buying one of those expensive Internet Marketing packages. As part of the deal I went through an affiliate.

In case you didn’t know, affiliates make their money from a commission paid by the vendor of the product when someone purchases through the affiliate’s unique link or id. That part is fine and I don’t have a problem with that.

However, this affiliate as part of her lure or ‘hook’ to get me to buy through her affiliate link offered an expensive piece of software that I wanted. I thought that part was great.

However, what I got from her was a link to download the trial version and a ‘registration’ number that was probably passed around and reused. This makes it piracy, illegal and unfair to the company that makes the product. To be fair, I did write to the company and I never received a response back which leads me to believe they may not care that much.

Next, the affiliate was offering her ‘secret’ method of making money. This turned out to be a ‘carbon copy’ of her fake blog complete with testimonials. I was instructed to just copy the fake blog and insert any program I wanted to promote into it. Well, these two things combined makes this affiliate’s bonuses worth nothing at all.

Oh, one other strategy she suggested using had to do with overdubbing your voice on a famous artist’s song. You would give the listener a URL at the end of the song and send the person to a product that was affiliated with the singer.

I just have to say that overdubbing your voice over an artist’s copyrighted work is wrong. I guess if the artist were willing to give you permission that would be different. However, I doubt that would happen. I wonder how much trouble the innocent affiliate would get into by following such advice if he was unlucky enough to be targeted by a record company?

Therefore, if the affiliate I bought through has anything to offer in the future, I certainly will not be interested. “You can sheer a sheep for life, but you can skin it only once”, have you heard that one, dear affiliate? I have no doubt that the affiliate in question used a bogus name anyway. Once found out, he or she will switch to another.

Please don’t learn from this affiliate’s behavior. Market honesty and ethically. Next:

Learn how to Build Your Business Right at: http://www.BuildingYourBusinessRight.com

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About the Author of this article:

David Snape is the author of the book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease. ISBN: 978-0981485508 – Available online at most book retailer sites. It can also be ordered by most book stores.

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

This is a reply to a post by my friend Andy Crofford:

http://andycrofford.com/another-chance-to-learn-from-my-mistakes/

Andy, I truly relate to your story. I have been ripped off multiple, multiple times. One story is very similar to yours.

This programmer who I have even met in person, ripped me for $400 dollars which was half of the agreed upon amount. The problem: he probably didn’t know how to complete the project OR>>> $400 was all he needed from me.

I had a site in mind and he built the shell, I really liked the design, just as you did, then after I paid him half, he quit on me. He said he was going through a midlife crisis and couldn’t complete my site. (He was only 30 years old at the time).

Anyway, when I called him and he told me I ‘was harassing him (which I definitely was not) I realized that I had been taken for my $400. He had NO intention of completing the project. Either he could not or would not.

I had no website and he had my $400 dollars. I was so disgusted that I scrapped the website idea completely.

I have been ripped off by other people in other ways too!

My advice, use elance or odesk where the funds go into escrow. The person doesn’t get paid until you are happy with the results!

I don’t like people who rip me off. But perhaps there is a special place in Hell or some special punishment for such people? I’m sure they will get what they deserve in the end.

- Andy, I hope that never happens to you again,

Best,

Sincerely,

David Snape
http://www.ToothyGrinsStore.com
http://www.tobeinformed.com
913-269-6952
Author: What You Should Know about Gum Disease
ISBN: 978-0981485508

I’m disappointed in the amount of ‘shenanigans’ that is going on around the Internet.

In particular, I want to complain about the number of people selling ‘information’ products – well more specifically – how they go about it.

Many people are using bogus names on their sales letters. This is wrong. If you are promoting a product, you need to use your own name and provide your own contact information.

If you can not, it very well may be a sign that you don’t really believe in what you are selling, perhaps you are even embarrassed or ashamed?

I do use pen names when writing articles. I think that is acceptable.

However, when you are actually selling something to the public, ie, taking money from people in exchange for a product – then I believe you should put your real name on it. Anything less is ‘shenanigans’.

So, if you are one of the people that uses a pen name when actually selling to the public, Let us hear what your rationale is. Comment here.

My real name?

David Snape

http://www.ToothyGrinsStore.com

http://www.tobeinformed.com

I believe that Falun Dafa meditation is good for you: http://www.FalunDafa.org

I would not rely solely on paypal. I think customers want options. And in my opinion, any business or person that only offers paypal is suspect in my book. There is a forum for Internet marketers and most of them try to get you to buy from them through paypal. They aren’t really businesses at all, they are people trying to make a buck from that lucrative market.

Many times they do not come through on their promises – some don’t even tell their real names (even when specifically asked!).

Therefore, for me personally, only accepting paypal reminds me of that group. Trust me when I say that being lumped in with that type of
business or person is not going to help me to make a buying decision.

Also, I’ve heard people say that there is a love / hate relationship with paypal. About 50% love it and the other 50% hate it. If 50% hate it, you could lose out on sales in a big way.

David Snape
http://www.ToothyGrinsStore.com

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