Internet Marketing Ethics… Is There Such A Thing?
If you’ve been with us for awhile you know that we always try to give you the BEST possible prices on all of our products, BUT we also must stay within the license terms for pricing the products we sell, and ethically we feel, without special permission, there is absolutely no reason to do otherwise.
But, to quote numerous other marketers over the past several years, The Wacky Gals “low ball” their prices, thereby “devaluing” products.
For quite some time, many didn’t “get it” about HOW we price our offers, the first offer being without rights (normally) and the second offer to include the rights – adding BOTH prices together as the correct, ethical, and according to licensing, total price for any resell rights offered (including, but not limited to Resell Rights, Master Resell Rights and/or Private Label Rights).
Yet, much to our utter surprise, a product that was released just a few days ago is being sold by not one, but A FEW OTHER marketers that we have actually seen, at WELL BELOW THE STATED MINIMUM PRICE IN THE LICENSE TERMS!
Now, we sold this product ourselves, but we priced it AT THE MINIMUM “recommended” so that we were sure to abide by the terms, even writing the originator to confirm we had his/her “blessings” regarding our price structure, and etc.
Now, we know “by law” developers can’t actually state a minimum price, BUT, they CAN revoke a license if they so choose (and if stated as such within the terms) when pricing or release dates are violated.
No doubt, it’s a slippery slope, because MOST developers and marketers we come across don’t really know HOW to write a good license where all terms are clear regarding what can and can’t be done with the product.
The product developer would more than likely have called US on the carpet if we had “mispriced” our offer, (someone is always ready to “tattle” it seems), and that is exactly why we wrote first before stating any prices.
From past experiences with some marketers, where we might sell products in a dimesale fashion, or where our pricing models could be misunderstood, where many “unknowns” can get away with it, the Wacky Gals always seemed to draw the attention of others that wanted us shut down, or shut out.
Many licenses do NOT even specify minimum prices and if they did, we would abide by the terms, always, or seek special permission to clarify the licensing or offer in a dimesale, whatever the case may be. However, what some fail to realize is that our prices increase in dimesales and when the dimesale ends, the product is always selling for a “reasonable” price and/or within the license terms.
What we’ve found is that because we have been around so long, and from the first day agreed to ALWAYS follow the license terms, we seem to get ripped apart by other (usually newer) developers and marketers for “devaluing” products. Yet even when there is CLEARLY a minimum price stated in the licence, we see many others selling it for much LESS, giving it away, or selling certain rights not allowed in the original licensing.
Listen folks, this is a common problem nowadays because many online seem to be desperate to “take the money and run,” not building for the long term, but taking what they can and leaving others to clean up their mess (or worse, finding out later that what they bought is actually useless because it goes against the original terms).
What’s wrong with this picture?
Do you really know what you’re buying (or being given)? Or does it even matter?
Many would say, “all’s fair in love and war” but is it?
And what about the “latest and greatest” methodologies of selling for pennies on the dollar, yet ousting certain marketers for “devaluing” products?
Maybe it’s a losing battle or maybe this isn’t the arena for ethical marketing.
We’d love to hear your comments on this topic, so please feel free to post them below.
A Fun Fact...
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At the end of the day, the only person’s actions you can be responsible for are your own.
Although some will choose to act unprofessionally or unethically there is really nothing you can do about it. I choose to think that someone who acts honorably will succeed in the long run.
I have made many purchases from the Wacky Gals and I find the products to be of good quality and value. If there is ever a problem it is addressed promptly.
No matter what price a product is offered for there will always be someone to undercut it. It’s called competition.
Thanks Jeff, for your post.
We appreciate you all, and even though we know we can’t “stop” those acting unprofessionally or unethically, we appreciate being able to point people to all the positive blog comments when they ask or wonder about us… anybody that knows us, knows the truth, but when you don’t run in certain circles, sometimes people DON’T know.
Thanks for participating in telling them.
Hi Wacky Gals,
I read your rant and feel the dilemma lies in the simple fact that we get caught up in this sore of stuff all the time.
While the rich get richer the poor get poorer they say. Also, while the good guy (or gal) out there is striving the make the world a better place by doing what they believe is right the bad apples are also out there seeming to get away with whatever they want.
I believe a good public rant is good for marking cuz it stirs up blood a bit and can keep things interesting. But to allow all this stuff to get under your skin, well its just not good. It can hold you captive and literally pull you down as a good person and cause too much negativity and we all know nothing good comes from negativity as it can cause bad thoughts and sometimes equal words to come out our mouths.
One co-worker mentioned to me many years ago that everyone wishes for the world to become a better place when in reality it was perfect in the beginning. Now all we can do is make the most of every situation.
I see the Wacky Gang doing just that… as you review potentially good products that we all can gain from and making it fun in the process. Besides we all must take more action with our online business and not get caught up in these distractions. Think about it, we don’t profit from them.
Just keep doing what you’re doing and ignore the bullies in the playground. Unfortunately they have just as much right as the rest of us and rest assured we’ll all get what’s coming to us, eventually, good or not so good!
Good Luck To All!!!
Now go make a difference in your businesses today, I promise it will make a difference in the world… [:o)
Thomas B recently posted..Hello world!
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for your comments.
You are right…and while we might seem to be greatly bothered, we really just want to make people aware of the kinds of things to watch for.
We personally don’t believe only “everything rosy” is allowed, otherwise, those that are doing wrong, will just continue to get away with it (no public awareness).
Yet we continue on…
Thanks again.
The Gals
(Truth be told, we KNOW many times we are singled out because many marketers don’t have the success we’ve experienced – it’s human nature to want to destroy those doing well – or “right”)