I can agree with you on the immediate upsell for an enhanced product improvement, it does seem a little tacky. I also agree with you it is marketing that I myself do as well.

However IMHO the OTO offer should be for a related product. The upsell could come after a few warming up emails, after you've had a chance to try it out. I personally like the upsell later to the $97 premium edition with a $30 discount since you bought my first product etc. With all that said, the tacky upsell method is making them rich.

The long term sales (future earnings) may be reduced if the customer feels ripped off so that is why I prefer the delayed upsell method. But that's just me, provide value and get repeat business.

Just my own opinion again but a OTO promotion is a great way to offer a FREE bonus that wasn't even mentioned in the sales letter. This is akin to finding a bonus goody in your delivery box from the direct mail model.

It may take me a little longer to retire to Costa Rica (or wherever) but I do sleep really well at night.

I'm gonna REALLY piss you off!
Go back to their sales page. Close out the browser window TWICE - you'll get their product for $20 off.
They are following the Guru giants Mark Joyner, Mike Fillsmyemailbox et al. Upsells, side-sells, uni-sells, JV-sells, additional-sells, maximize-sells, sub-max-sells, ad nauseum!
Cripes, by the time they were done with me all I have is a sinking feeling I will never have enough to do what the original product was supposed to do and a email box full of their various offers.
OVERKILL to the max IMHO.

Supafly,

I agree with you a 100%! There needs to be something of value provided to the customer for the hard earned greenbacks he is laying down. Anyone who says they just had good upsell has never been cheated, stolen from, or even been poor. This is crooked salesman stuff and that is all there is to it!They are indeed slimeballs!! I can see what you are saying also...they are going down the same path as the crooked Subprime Loan Industry.
Take for example, Micro Niche Finder and Commission Ritual (links on my profile for anyone interested) both offer you the best products you could want in their fields...period! They provide tons for the ONE price.
Are they a bit expensive up front? Yes, but the potential is out of this world for both.
I am sorry this happened to you.

Great Post, I myself purchased their mass article control package and upon running the thing found that it wont even submit to 6 directories. Upon contacting their customer service I was reassured that they are working on an upgrade which was "a few weeks" away from release and that I will be updated the moment it is released. Well this was Sept 2009 and I am yet to hear from their friendly Customer relations yet.... Not really that big as it did function but it still made me feel as if I was being delayed past the 60 day refund deadline so that I cannot ask for a refund...

Supafly: Great post and comment below! You hit it right on the head, don't freaking upsell before providing any value for what you just sold (I am paraphrasing). I am so sick of this tactic and I am sure others are too! Something has fundamentally changed in the last few years in the Internet marketing arena and it smacks of sliminess! Yes, there have always been upsells, but before you did not feel like you were ripped off with the initial purchase.

Now (especially in IM) you are promised all these features and benefits, but as soon as you press the "buy" button you find out that the product you just spent $67 on is limited and really works best with this $97 upgrade. Wow - this post just made me realize why I have always been resistant to playing this upsell game and why it always seemed wrong and made me feel remorse (after purchasing from one of these shysters). Thanks!

Good comments for sure. I agree…caveat emptor. Though I will be asking for a refund of the product because it just isn't very good, in my opinion that is beside the point. Nor do I have a problem with up-selling in general. Indeed, it is a good sales tactic and most good businesses, on and off the internet engage in it. There is a line that is crossed, however, when an up-sell is initiated before providing value to your customer. It smacks of greed and delegitimizes the product.

I don’t expect many in this forum to agree with me as the gravity of Chowdrhy and Walker’s product likely indicates that most are unphased and probably engage in the same approach. So it is. I do too, as a matter of fact, but my up-selling occurs after I’ve provided the customer with value. Whenever I see a product for sale that boasts of great benefits, then once I purchase I am led to believe I am missing out on the “real” value unless I buy additional product, I become suspect of the initial sale.

Purchase this life saving drug for only $9.95! Great! Now that you have bought it, if you really want to live you have to purchase this super dooper drug enhancer for the special discounted price of $49.95. This amazing offer is only good right now, however. After today, our price goes back up to $99.95. Great! To save the lives of your family, friends and dog, you need to buy this family booster for $499.95 or they are all going to die, too. Act quickly. Supplies are limited and after today, the family booster goes up to $1499.95!

Sure, I’m a bit derisive, but someday soon the public is going to get really wary of such sales schemes, if they haven’t started to already. We as marketers need to have more respect for our customers than that. These knuckleheads not only lost me as a customer, they’ve gotten me blogging about them and have been placed on the metaphorical “do not trust” list. Not a great way to build a customer list.

OK, a couple things... I personally feel they have done nothing wrong except be successful at marketing.

This is a classic up-sell which I'm sure YOU would do if you ever have your own product. If you buy a new TV remote are you going to complain that the salesperson tried to upsell you batteries?

It's sounds like you are a victim of good sales copy and have nobody to blame except yourself.

That being said - does the product work? If not and you are not satisfied with it - get yourself a refund.

I'm not trying to sound harsh - but felt compelled to express my thoughts on this.

Caveat Emptor! "Buyer Beware" also doing my Due Diligence is key when assessing the efficacy of a new product, I need to realize too that the "hucksters" are business people too and trying to make a buck, unless I am lied to, I take full responsibility for my actions. Besides, when I succeed triumphantly, do I shout from the rooftops..it was program X that made me who I am?! NO..I say it was me. And if I cannot afford the program, and I but it, it is no one's fault but my own.

Good Call.
Good, good Call.

I think these type of people are getting coached by the same people,...Rich Shefren perhaps?

Happy New Year.

Amen and amen! Those of us who have been on the net for any length of time have gone to bed feeling like that! Sorry you went through it, but glad to see you here at WAU - where you get all you need in one place for one cost. Try to use your experience to help others now, you went through it for a reason.