Definition of a Scam
One of the biggest complaints I see around regarding Wealthy Affiliate, is affiliates reviewing other money making programs and labelling them as outright scams, and then going on to recommend Wealthy Affiliate. There is no problem if the program is truly a scam, but what if it's not? What is the true definition of a "scam"?
The problem with saying something is a scam is it's libellous if it's not actually true. If you are unsure whether the program you are reviewing really fits the definition of a scam, then don't say it is one. Simply say you don't recommend the program for the various reasons stated in your review. Never make it sound like you are simply bashing someone else's platform just so you can promote Wealthy Affiliate.
A Scam Defined
A fraudulent scheme; especially for making a quick profit. To cheat or swindle. Obtaining money through dishonest means. Misrepresentation of self or of a product.
Now, just because you review Product A and it costs a lot more for the training than WA does, that doesn't classify it as a scam. Expensive maybe, but not a scam.
The same goes for a training platform where some of the information might be a little out of date. True, it should be updated, but that still doesn't make it a scam.
Upsells are annoying and costly, and perhaps the tactics to get you to join in the first place were a little scammy, but upsells don't mean the product is a scam either.
Really, something is only really a scam if it fails to deliver what was promised. It would be akin to paying a deposit online for a second hand car you want to buy. Only when you go to get the car and pay the rest, the car and owner are nowhere to be found.
That's a scam. It's a blatant rip off of your money.
There are make money online things out there that are blatant scams. If that's the case, by all means expose them and label them scams, but just don't label everything you come across as a scam.
I don't blame some people out there for being annoyed. I've seen some WA members write scathing reviews on products I know are not scams, yet they are getting labelled as such.
Imagine if you put a lot of time, effort and money into creating some sort of training platform that is legit, then someone comes along, writes a bogus review on it and calls you a scammer. Finishing with "Hey, buy my product instead".
Conclusion
If there is no doubt something is a scam, then call it one. If you're not sure, just say you don't recommend it. If the program looks pretty good, then give it its dues and say it's good. You can still suggest they check out Wealthy Affiliate as well. Or, if the good program has an affiliate program, join it and make some extra commissions outside of WA.
The bottom line is just be fair.
Recent Comments
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There are many WA ads that are on a redirected gate keeping sentinel position for most other affiliate companies out there and it's a good tactic. It worked for me when I investigated Empowr but there is no guarantee that others are not legit. It's such a frenzy if I might add to promote WA to be one of the elite few to do the Vegas gig that caution is abandoned! Your post is well said!
I like your comment on cost. It is important for us to address the value of products and services we sell in our ad copy/content. Because everyone has their opinion as to cost of a product. It' too high, it's too low, or it's just right.
The consumer is the ultimate arbiter of value because there are so many factors in setting the price of an item.
That is excellent advice for everyone.
I have had two negative and expensive experiences with on-line companies.
Despite the negative experience, I am not willing to name the companies nor degrade them publicly.
I am very happy that I found Wealthy Affiliate. I can speak with confidence that some other on-line companies, that I have experienced, do not come close to offering what WA offers.
The training, the support, the welcoming community and the cost are all things that blast WA past all their so-called competitors.
I agree. Do not label something incorrectly. It reflects poorly on both the person mislabelling it as well as WA.
Thank you for that great reminder.
Susan
I totally agree. It reminds me of the way politicians tear each other down in the run up to elections, regardless of whether what they are saying is true or not, just because they want to win against their opponent. It's a tactic used far too often in far too many scenarios in life, in order to 'win', 'gain' 'achieve'...call it what you will. It just doesn't sit well with me.
Couldn't agree more.
I must admit I feel a bit embarrassed at times when I've come across someones site that is stating another provider to be a scam when they clearly are not.
If you want your site to be recognized as a legitimate source of good honest information then you need to be fair and honest.
Those that apply the scam word without proper due diligence and research are doing the whole industry a disservice, let alone ruining their own credibility.
I personally take the "benefit of my product" approach rather than the bashing of opposition.
Try to take the "vote for" rather than the "vote against" approach - it will serve you much greater in the long run and, in my opinion, is far more ethical.
Thank you for raising this issue Darren.
All the best.
Steve
No problem, Steve. Even I've probably been a little unfair in some of the early reviews I wrote. I have reviewed blatant scams and called them out, but most others, if I don't really like them for whatever reason, I never label them a scam unless I'm sure they are.
I agree 100% - thank you.
I'll also mention a situation that I believe is not very good, as it has happened to me twice in the last month, and is another indicator of any company that's a bit shady, but not necessarily a scam.
Per the company's ToS (Terms of Service), they usually state that they have the right to terminate a member's account, without notice, and whether they know, or even think, you've broken their rules. This is common online.
Like I said, this has happened to me twice in the last month. I'm not one that tries to hack their website or intentionally break the rules, but it gripes me that they don't give someone notification and a chance to right the wrong.
Furthermore, one of the ones that did this to me did not provide any way to contact their customer support - I had to leave a negative review on their Facebook Page (they didn't allow "Like"rs to post on their FB Page, and no way to Message them. They replied to my review, which I didn't respond to, because they didn't change anything (like adding a support contact on their website), and they subsequently removed the ability to leave reviews.
I'm not saying their program is a scam or not, but it seems to me they don't give much of a crap about their member's feedback.
Something to watch for.... ~ Mike
Thank you for sharing this with us, Mike.
Sounds rather like a scam to me, if they give you no way of contacting them and won't even allow people to leave comments on their Facebook page.
I agree, you should be given a chance to right a wrong. Unfortunately even Facebook themselves are very harsh in this regard. I got banned from Facebook advertising because I promoted a squeeze page. If I wasn't allowed to do that, they could have simply informed me and removed my ad. Instead, all I got was an email saying my advertising account has been banned for life and didn't even really offer an explanation. 3 times I emailed them about it and 3 times they replied to say they won't change their mind.
Now, I don't consider Facebook to be a scam - questionable in some of its methods - but not a scam. Yet, even this goliath offers very little to no customer service. They forget that it's the actual users that give their platform a reason for existing in the first place.
Good msg There are ways to review on line product and not be totally the judge and jury throwing that product under the bus ,so to speak. The old saying buyer beware.
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Thank you so much for posting that. You're exactly right, there are other make money programs out there that are not scams, but others are labeling them as such simply because they are not WA.
It's a reason I've been very reluctant to do reviews of other make money sites because I don't want to label them unfairly especially if I may not be able to give them a proper review so I can get the full scope of the product.