The other day I got some random email from an Internet Marketer…

I'm contacting you because I've discovered a new way to make money on eBay.

Since they started using "Best Match" (a secret ranking algorithm) I've been researching it – until I managed to manipulate eBay rankings at will.

I've prepared a short video which explains step by step exactly how to have all your auctions appear at the top.

I would be interested in having you publish a review about it on your blog. If you agree to publish a review about it I'll give you free access to the paid video.

Also I'm going to pay 50% commission to affiliates.

You can read the sales letter here: http:// removed

And see the free video here: http:// removed

My promise: This video is absolutely great, it really shows exactly what to do step by step in order to get superb rankings on eBay - Your readers will love it – But don't take my word for it, let me know if you are interested in posting a review and I'll give you free access to the video people are going to pay for so that you can be 100% sure of the quality of the product your readers are going to buy.

To receive the affiliate commissions you need to have a ClickBank account - If you don't you can open one for free at: http:// aff link removed

If you want to participate or have any questions please contact me.

Thank you
Richard

OK, sounds interesting, seeing as I sell a couple things on eBay, and if it works, I don't mind promoting it for nothing (as I don't have and don't want a clickbank account). The best part about the email I think is:

If you agree to publish a review about it I'll give you free access to the paid video.

So, I'm expecting to be able to watch the video, then decide if it's any good, then check it out by amending my ebay listings. And then reporting back my findings. Good!

So I write back:

Richard

I'm interested.

Cheers, Gary

His reply

Hi Gary,

Thank you for your reply and interest.

We can give you access to the paid video ( as promised) after you have published a review in your site.

Please use this keywords with the corresponding URLs in your review:

internet marketing promotion - http:// removed
internet marketing solution - http:// removed
internet marketing promotion - http:// removed
marketing internet
internet marketing affiliate program - http:// removed
marketing internet bussines - http:// removed

Please send us the link to the review you made and we will give give you free access to the paid video.

Thank you and please let us know if you have any concerns with the links.

Regards,
Richard

Oh, so now I get it. I get to watch a pre-sale video (which by the way shows a whole lot of nothing), then I have to write a quality blog post about it (with supplied spammy keywords!), then I get access to the video that I am supposed to be writing a blog post about. Ummmmm.

My reply:

Richard

That would be breaking UK law.

I can't promote something when all I have seen is some video showing how to change from "best match" to "ending soonest" and back again.

So, you get real - and you might get a review. If you want to play silly games, that alone would make a far more interesting blog post than your new "system".

Gary

I'll leave you lot to make up your minds about whether I misunderstood Richards intentions here. For me, I can't promote something that I have not tried, not seen, never used. I never have on this blog, and in fact, recent legislation here in the UK makes this illegal now.

Fscking Internet Marketers - get on my tits.