Am I alone in thinking these are odd…

by | Apr 29, 2010 | blogging guide | 46 comments

odd-image

Do you see an old or young lady (or perhaps both?)

These are a few events which have happened to me recently that I thought I would share.

Odd story number one…

When you sign up to receive my free blogging guide, “The Income Blogging Guide”, as well as receiving the guide, I also send you a few extra tips about blogging.

Does that sound OK to you?

I’m not going to send you emails about fashion or pottery collecting. Every now and then, I’m going to send you more tips about blogging, which I don’t actually blog post about.

That is what you would expect right?

Yesterday, someone un-subscribed from my blogging guide. Nothing wrong with that. You should expect a 10% un-subscribe rate.

But this person added the reason for un-subscribing as:

“Don’t like blogging type emails’.

This person signed up for my BLOGGING guide which is about BUILDING A BLOG and making a BLOG INCOME and he doesn’t like me sending him extra tips on improving their blogging experience.

I find that odd, do you?

Perhaps he wanted tips on fashion or knitting!

Here’s another one…

For each product I create and sell, I always provide an option where the purchaser can get a refund within 60 days of the purchase date. That’s fairly standard.

The other day someone purchased my Mastering Public Speaking course.

It consists of numerous guides and audios. To download the whole package takes at least 10 minutes.

Within 2 minutes of buying, they wrote to my email address and ClickBank asking for a refund.

The reason?

“The product didn’t match their expectations”

WHAT?

“You must still be downloading it!”

What they are saying is not only did they download the package but also they read it and listened to it. That is impossible because it consists of pages of advice and hours of audio.

I know there are people out there who abuse the refund policy.

They buy products, use them, get a refund and continue to use the product.

You expect a small percentage of that…but if you are going to do that…ask for a refund a few days later – not within 2 minutes, please!

Another…

I called my first blogging guide, “How to build a profitable blog in 45 minutes”.

After downloading the guide, someone wrote to me and said, “The website slogan should be: ‘create a blog, AFTER reading my free guide’. Sorry, but I don’t have the time to read a hundred pdf pages.”

What an idiot?

I bet this person didn’t even look at the guide. He didn’t see that the vast majority of the guide is screen shots showing people exactly what to do.

I’ve had emails and feedback from many who said, they had set-up their blog in less than 30 minutes from using the guide.

I find it odd that people download guides and think they are ‘silver bullets’. They don’t realize they may have to do some work!

Last one…

This is a very strange one! I just don’t get it.

Again, about my free guide. After downloading it, someone wrote to me and said:

“Why did you say free guide? I will read more. But I want to inform you that this is a false statement. I see this all the time on the web and it’s not right. Let customers know up front that this is not free. Like the information.”

I really don’t understand this feedback. I did write to the person asking for clarification.

No response was forthcoming.

I can only assume the person meant it wasn’t free because they had to give me their email address.

So there are a few odd things that have happened over the past few weeks.

What are your thoughts? What odd stories do you have to tell? Please share them in the comments below.

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46 Comments

  1. Trece
    Trece on April 29, 2010 at 2:24 pm

    I was howling!! These are too funny! I mean, I know there are jerks out there, but why the feeding frenzy at your place?? You gotta get a bigger boat.

    I asked for a refund one time, on a downloaded product that could have had universal appeal, but for the exactly specific location where I was just didn’t work. I was able to clearly explain my situation, and the person did understand.

    Hope there are no more bozos headed for your bus!!

    Reply
  2. Michele Price The Breakthrough Specialist
    Michele Price The Breakthrough Specialist on April 29, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Giggle , I love it. I think it is ok to call people out when they are acting outside of integrity. Too, many times folks use excuses to justify their stance. So in the elegant manner of Tony Robbins, “that sounds to me like there is something else going on here, why don’t you tell me what is really bothering you because we both know it is not my product and I care about my customers and want what is best for them”

    Now, I would love to hear their answer to that=SHAZAM
    .-= Michele Price The Breakthrough Specialist´s last blog ..Is This Your Marketing Style =-.

    Reply
    • Andrew
      Andrew on April 30, 2010 at 10:24 am

      Michele

      Thanks for dropping by and commenting.

      I did try (sort of) that approach with the person who said my free guide wasn’t free…but no response!

      Andrew
      .-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Improve Search Engine Optimization With LinkedIn =-.

      Reply
  3. Joel
    Joel on April 29, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    I think a lot of people could write books about incidents like these! I think the one in the Another section is a classic – actually having to read something and do some work to achieve your goals? Oh nooooooo!
    .-= Joel @ Blog Solutions´s last blog ..Will A Blog Really Help Me Promote My Business? =-.

    Reply
  4. Julius
    Julius on April 29, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    These are truly strange statements from strange people. But since we’re dealing with all types of persons, this is something we should expect.
    It’s nonetheless a good idea to just treasure those who acquire our products and really show us that they’re using it and doing good stuff because of it.
    .-= Julius´s last blog ..How Blind People Identify Color =-.

    Reply
    • Andrew
      Andrew on April 30, 2010 at 10:27 am

      Julius

      You are right – I’ve received many, many postivies about my prodicts and free guides…but I had to share these as they made me chuckle.

      Andrew
      .-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Improve Search Engine Optimization With LinkedIn =-.

      Reply
  5. Josiah
    Josiah on April 29, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    Interesting posts. You’ve got some oddball experiences there hah. I would draw a conclusion of: Some people just still haven’t figured out how the internet works..

    The person that thought your guide was not free, i’ve had experiences like that. People have varying opinions of what they consider “free”. To some, it means that they don’t have to pull out their credit card. To others it means that they won’t have to give any info and get what they want anonymously..
    .-= Josiah@Tumblr Layouts´s last blog ..Vintage Scrapbook =-.

    Reply
    • Andrew
      Andrew on April 30, 2010 at 10:29 am

      Josiah

      I can only assume that’s whay the person complained it wasn’t free – as they had to part with their email. But why go ahead and give me the email – it’s not as if I ask for it AFTER they have downloaded the guide!

      Andrew
      .-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Improve Search Engine Optimization With LinkedIn =-.

      Reply
  6. Biodun
    Biodun on April 29, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    This does happen, strange view… Really people are different and the way we think is quite different also.
    So this type of moves does happen, the only coincident is that it may occur more often within weeks that follow themselves.
    .-= Biodun @ Web hosting blog´s last blog ..SEO & Site Promotion – Old Media Still Alive =-.

    Reply
  7. Corinne Edwards
    Corinne Edwards on April 30, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Dear Andrew –

    Wanna trade war stories? Talk to any travel agent.

    I booked a group of 6 couples on a cruise. Each one coming from a different city. Lot more work than just a booking. All set except they canceled.

    The reason? I was dishonest,they said.

    I never told them a cruise was on a ship.

    We have to just roll with it.

    Stay as sweet as you are.

    Reply
  8. poch
    poch on April 30, 2010 at 11:47 am

    Don’t worry Andrew. I also find this week weird indeed so you’re
    not alone LOL. One blogger wrote about how he feels alone as a blogger.
    Another guru keeps doing something that’s puzzling to me. Another one
    told us all to ‘stop fighting’ as if he feels what’s going on.
    And now another wrote what we should do if our guest post is kept hostage! And they are all very popular blog gurus!
    Suddenly the blogosphere was just very nagative! Might be the full moon lol. Just consider us lucky that our own personal blogging buddies aren’t attacking us 😀

    Reply
  9. McLaughlin
    McLaughlin on April 30, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    There are a lot of free reports that tell people they have to buy something, and people don’t want to do that
    – Free report on how to set up a website – The Cary-Guy out there is expecting you to show then how to get a domain and hosting for free.
    Can’t make everyone happy 🙂
    .-= McLaughlin´s last blog ..There is NO ROI on Social Media =-.

    Reply
  10. Dennis Edell
    Dennis Edell on April 30, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    100 pages is a lot for some. Perhaps he though he’d open the PDF and a Jeanie would pop offering 3 wishes?
    .-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..What are YOUR Top 3 Social Sharing Recommendations =-.

    Reply
  11. Debbie
    Debbie on April 30, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    Look at it this way, hopfully they printed these downloads out and that way it cost them paper and ink. You know me always trying to find the bright side. And it could be worse, no one is opting in for the free stuff or your not selling anything. At least people are finding you.

    These are funny stories and it takes all kinds in this world. I knew a person that drove a Lexus vehicle. Was out driving and call the dealer ship, because his tire was flat on one side. No he said, “I don’t have a flat tire”.

    Debbie
    .-= Debbie @ Happy Maker´s last blog ..Secret to happiness is Feeling Fearless in Your Clothing =-.

    Reply
  12. poch
    poch on April 30, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    I reviewed my April 09 WP blogs just before this chat and guess what I found out.
    I nearly cussed for the first time at fellow bloggers especially techie snobs who were simply dictators. Coincidence? I encountered again one just before this. So I think we may conclude that April is the month for lunatic bloggers 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jen
    Jen on April 30, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    How funny is this?!

    It reminds me of when I was selling my house, and had about five viewings on it. I own a two-bedroomed cottage which is listed, in a preservation area. This was very clear on the details. I had the following feedback:

    – I wanted a three bedroom house
    – I wanted to do an attic conversion
    – I don’t like the area
    – It’s too small
    – I need a house with a conservatory.

    WTF?!! The best was a family who were new to England, and thought that when they bought my house, they got everything in it…pictures, plants, sofas and dog. I tried to give them the dog without the house, but they were having none of it…

    I gave up. Still in the house, no plans to sell. People can be very, very stupid sometimes!

    Reply
  14. Alex
    Alex on May 1, 2010 at 1:58 am

    Haha some pretty funny stuff here. I got to say you put a smile on my face.

    The last one sounds like someone had a really bad experience with rebills. Don’t blame it on him I am sure he lost some good money and can’t trust anything online anymore.

    For the rest of the bunch you will always have goof balls like these writing you weird stuff and trying to rip you off. No reason to care at all 😀
    .-= Alex@Zahnbleaching´s last blog ..Braun Oral-B Sonic Complete DLX – Testbericht =-.

    Reply
  15. Julius Kuhn-Regnier
    Julius Kuhn-Regnier on May 1, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    These are definitely strange stories Andrew 😉 And yeah, the one who bought your public speaking program just bought it to get the refund immediately.

    All the other things you have mentioned are quite strange too. Why did that person say that you should say up front that it wasn’t free even though it was free?!

    Btw. Andrew I have set up my mini site 😉 Maybe you are already getting some traffic to your sales page but if so it’s probably not going to be too much. I am just using Adwords at the moment. Thanks again for the help man 🙂

    Reply
    • Andrew
      Andrew on May 5, 2010 at 9:44 am

      Julius,

      I have come to the conclusion (a while ago) that the world is made up of all sorts and different people.

      But these stories I just had to share.

      Thanks for creating the mini-site – I hope it brings you some income from the sales page…but it is all about the traffic!

      What is the mini-site page – I could help promote.

      Andrew
      .-= Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Win The Latest 8G iPod Nano: Enter The Simple IncomeBloggingGuide.com Contest =-.

      Reply
  16. Paolo
    Paolo on May 3, 2010 at 12:52 am

    Hey Andrew, sounds like youre offering real tips, things people can actually use…sounds odd to me that someone wouldnt be happy with it…I know I would!
    .-= Paolo @ Peanut Costume´s last blog ..About Us =-.

    Reply
  17. Keller Hawthorne
    Keller Hawthorne on May 8, 2010 at 12:15 am

    It’s all so frustrating! Customer service is my least favorite aspect of working online for these very reasons. Some days I just don’t know what to do with it all. I have to remind myself to take a breath, relax and get over it.
    .-= Keller Hawthorne´s last blog ..To Be a Successful Blogger You Need to Be Thick Skinned =-.

    Reply
  18. Latief
    Latief on May 10, 2010 at 7:32 am

    I love receive your email with blogging tips 🙂 so I don’t have to search one. Thanks bro.
    .-= Latief@AnotherBlogger´s last blog ..Win 8G iPod Nano On An Easy Contest From Income Blogging Guide =-.

    Reply
  19. Udegbunam Chukwudi
    Udegbunam Chukwudi on May 16, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    Some folks will just NEVER get it. They are either too DUMB to understand or too LAZY to work. Sometimes I get emails from folks screaming about having been conned by “gurus” peddling “make $500 a day from online surveys reports”. They all want me to show them the way to make it and when I finally suggest they do some reading on my blog and download free reports such as yours, they bolt. They just want the easiest way out. Luckily a few have actually come to understand and have really taken time to learn ;-).

    Reply
  20. Ted Hessing
    Ted Hessing on May 21, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    Hi Andrew,

    Blog visitors (and customers!) are like a box of chocolates – you never know what you are going to get!

    My kung fu school has an interesting money back guarantee. You must attend 2 lessons every week and complete all assignments for one year. If, at the end of that year you do not feel like you received value, you get your entire fee back.

    I believe I will start looking for ways to apply that in my own company’s ventures!
    .-= Ted Hessing´s last blog ..Take Your Child to Where You Used to Work Day =-.

    Reply
  21. Dave Doolin
    Dave Doolin on October 16, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    I’ve been fortunate in that most people that unsubscribed and commented back to me were very polite and informed me that they were moving on or whatever.

    I would have no problem quietly dropping people from my list if they gave me any hassle.

    Reply
    • Andrew
      Andrew on October 17, 2010 at 9:34 am

      Dave,

      I have actually dropped a few people from my list due to the abuse I got from them.

      Andrew

      Reply
      • Dennis Edell
        Dennis Edell on October 17, 2010 at 12:55 pm

        Sometimes you must *fire a customer*; nuthin wrong with it…and a good post idea for ya. lol

        Reply
  22. Nancy
    Nancy on November 2, 2010 at 5:17 am

    Ack, I hate when this happens! I used to get it on eBay all the time back in the day before they had a lot of delicious rules to protect sellers from insane buyers. Now I mostly get it on my business blogs – annoying!

    On the other hand, while I completely and totally get where you’re coming from (I, too, have had a series of awful customers and some flat out scammers), your blog is basically a business, is it not? I’ve read quite a few of your posts and I have to say my one criticism is that you’ve gone far enough to use your customers names in blog posts where you’re bitching about them, calling them names (idiot, scammer, liar) – even if they are, if you’re building a business it may not be best practice to call people out by name.

    I’ve been blogging for something like 14 years across several different blogs and domains, and I can tell you one thing that makes people shy about product buying is the feeling that if they don’t behave in the way the seller wants, the seller may *publicly ridicule them* for it.

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying your blog and I think you have a lot of great things to say, but this seems more like a business blog than a flat out personal blog and insulting people (even if they deserve it) isn’t always the best policy. Far be it from me, though, I’m not telling you or anyone how to run their blog – just food for thought!

    Reply
    • Andrew
      Andrew on November 5, 2010 at 8:28 am

      Hi Nancy

      Thanks for taking the time out to make such a great comment.

      My aim in some of those type of comments is simply to warn others that these things happen when you have an on-line business.

      From memory, I believe I have only ever mentioned a persons name once and that was their first name only.

      Andrew

      Reply

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