Comments on: Is It Really Free?

By: John Pugh

John Pugh — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:19:44 +0000

Hi John, and to Everyone reading.
Just like to put on the record that two years ago I myself was able to download the original free ebook Internet Marketing for Newbies,(No video classroom then, only a printable ebook in PDF). I found it to be a wealth of information from Recommended Hosting, to Software applications. Now at the time I was doing self research on how to become involved in the business. Now the guy who has become annoyed, and seems to have a angry nature, as he says it’s not free because of the P&P. Needs to ask himself what he wants ? Does he want to learn ? If so then he can do a lot, and lot of self research into how to become an Internet Marketer. As Omar says, and as I know the product it sure does ‘give you a head start’ in understanding what, where, and how. I know I did and began, and did suffer from Infomation overload. That much as Omar says, then later fear sets in. Hey, I only purchased one product. All my others were free products just for giving my email. Now the guy in question since the comlaint has probably given up trying to learn about internet marketing, or he may of seen the light and found and subscribed to a good mentor. Either way, I’m with Omar, some people don’t want a head start, they are looking for a hand out.
Free product, only pay for P&P, it’s a ‘No Brainer’. Well me it took me one year and eight months to get back on route with the business. Now five weeks, since I took my step of faith into JT’s Masterclass, and enjoying every week. Also thanks to Mike Filsaime, for the free down load of the original, ‘Internet Marketing for Newbies’. It was a gold mine of free info. Best Regards, John Pugh.

By: Jim Nariel

Jim Nariel — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:49:51 +0000

I dont really agree for Omar to rant. The free element was surely the content and not postage and packaging

I think its fair to charge postage and packing if the fee is a fair price and if you know about it up front and you know you are getting free content

By: Eamon Diamond

Eamon Diamond — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:58:57 +0000

I also agree with Robert Hughes below that “FREE” should mean free, although it seems that the vast majority of free offerers feel that it is perfectly permissible to exclude S&H from their “FREE” offer.

By: The Book of Wealth

The Book of Wealth — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:44:05 +0000

My sentiments exactly Charlie…we are living in a digital age afterall…are we not?

For me, the issue is parting with personal sensitive information such as home address and credit card details. Whilst I am not suggesting for one minute that Omar and Mike are not trustworthy, it does inevitably give rise to the possibility of re-billing if you do not delete the free subscription option.

Ultimately, this is a marketing ploy in order to obtain monthly subscribers for the MDC magazine and, whilst I note that Omar says this subscription can be deleted from the order, wouldn’t it be more ethical to leave it as an optional “add on” so that a conscious decision to take up the offer is undertaken?

I am also disappointed that John Thornhill has not delved too deeply into the issue of Omar and Mike shipping a “FREE” CD for 9.97 when it could far more easily be supplied as a truly FREE download!

Jovial John (NOT Thornhill!!)

By: Ed

Ed — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:28:33 +0000

Hey John,

I think the situation with Omar is quite simply getting more and more common place, you see people as you say want it on a plate and the proof is in the pudding!

In other words by the sheer complaint alone, means they want to be spoon fed, man I wouldn`t even want em on my lists!

Ands that is quite simply it, I am only starting out with a meager business compared to people like yourself, but even I could gladly do without them!

Great post as usual John….Ed.

By: Patti

Patti — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:05:33 +0000

You know, no matter HOW he would have positioned it, someone would have been upset. Because there are always people who want everything FREE and then do nothing with it anyway!! When you make a commitment to something and it hits your wallet, you are more apt to do something with it. Chances are someone actually purchased the product they MIGHT do something with it. Why not move on and do something productive, we’re talking $9.95!!

I am glad it was addressed here because there is nothing being hidden..

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:18:40 +0000

John,
While I had no problem with paying s&h for the cd, my problem was the marketing strategy of putting other “free” offers in MY cart that I would have to take out if I didn’t want it. And if I missed them for some reason, I would have to pay for them later. I love offers, but let me decide which ones I want and add them myself. I am not going to purchase from someone that I don’t feel safe buying from. Another internet marketer burned me once using this strategy. He sent me a newsletter and I was charged for it later because I did not see a box that was checked for me automatically. It was not worth $35 per month. I called and asked for it to be cancelled. It says you can cancel at any time. Obviously not! It was supposed to have been taken care of, but I had to call the next month because I was charged again. I was told that my card had been refunded but it wasn’t and I never got a refund and had to pay for two months of something I did not want. BAD marketing. He lost me as a customer forever. I would never use this strategy on my customers even if big companies have used it in the past. It is not an excuse to use it. It is just sneaky and loses trust. One could argue that I should have read everything thoroughly but even if I had seen it, I still don’t like it and will not purchase from or recommend anyone who uses it. I almost bought the cd and thought it was likely a great product, but did not because I saw this strategy being used. I automatically assumed that somehow I would be burned once again even if I took those items out of the cart. I know that these marketers are using that marketer’s strategies that I had a bad experience with because they automatically sent my name to his mailing list, and I had to delete him once again and my experience with him was unpleasant. I do not want to be on his list. I think others should be made aware of the experience that I had when I purchased a “FREE” cd in the past with these offers. I think you should ultimately let the customer decide what he does and does not want to try for free without sneaking things in there. Notice that I have done the marketer who burned me a favor buy not mentioning his name. I hope he will change his way of doing business in the future.

Nancy

By: Dawn Kay

Dawn Kay — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:13:43 +0000

Was Omar right to be upset???? Yes anyone would be.

Was Omar right to get angry in public??? No definitely not.

It should of stayed private between the two of them. You are always going to have customers that find fault in even the most perfect product – you can’t please everyone and some people just like complaining.

However…

I’ve just taken a look at the salespage and do think it it is a little missleading as it does say Free – no strings attatched when there obviously is strings attatched.

Wouldn’t it of been better if it was clearly stated right at the top so everyone could see it

Free……. and all you need to pay is the postage and packing.

Dawn Kay

By: Omar Martin

Omar Martin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:47:44 +0000

Gavo,

Thanks for your input, I give more credit to John being my mentor than I’ve ever heard any marketer do. EVER. As a matter of fact, every time I speak on stage I talk about how John has helped me.

Lets be realistic, I currently have over 4o websites selling products, did you expect me to mention John in every sales video?

Thanks again,
Omar

By: Omar Martin

Omar Martin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:40:40 +0000

I agree Jim. I dont like politicians or dishonest salesman either.
Had I promoted the shipping as being free and then forced the charge upon you it would have been dishonest. BUT…
since the CD= Free
and the S/H= 9.97
Everything is nice and clear.

Thanks for your input.
Omar