Why Do People Do This?
In one of the Forums that I subscribe to, someone is coming out with a super new tool. The sort of tool that will make you a cup of coffee while it does the washing up - the best thing since sliced bread. You get the idea.
Anyway, the forum is totally private, and yet he requires anyone interested to download a NDA Form, fill it in and then *fax* it back, then open up an account on some ticketing site he runs to tell him a fax has been returned. He'll then call back by phone to make sure that you are who you say you are…and all that is only to get a product description!!!
Problems:
1. He hasn't included a price in his "sales spiel".
2. I don't have access to a Fax Machine
3. I disagree with having to give personal information to anyone without a good reason why.
Why do so called "marketers" do the NDA thing? I'd probably buy the software if I could see it would do my businesses good, but be damned if I'm going to jump through hoops just to see a product description.
Comment by Chance — December 13, 2005 @ 2:17 pm
I can see what they are trying to do- Make it appear mysterious, elite, selective, etc. but putting multiple hurdles for someone to jump through just for the chance to buy a product is silly.
If anything, they should tell everyone about it, give them the price, and have an annoyingly difficult signup process (although in my opinion that ones stupid too).
Comment by Gary B. — December 13, 2005 @ 3:04 pm
Wouldn't it be nice just to have some open and honest marketing on the 'net?
Here's the Features, Advantages and Benefits, here's the price - buy it if you want to.
Rather than shenanigans about NDA and all that rubbish. Grrrrr.
Comment by Chance — December 13, 2005 @ 7:19 pm
I completely agree- It's kinda funny, that program is written by someone who labels themselves an "Internet Marketer" , and sells to the same group of people.
I have seen some horrible marketing decisions made on line as I have been investigating the various Internet marketing "tools"- from unprofessional appearance, making yourself look like some guy making websites in his basement, crappy images, etc. It actually makes me feel better- as my project comes along, it will be all the more easier to appeal to a large segment of the target market just by acting like a real company thats not going to take your money and run.
All and all, I think think the "internet marketer" market needs better marketing
Comment by baldy — December 13, 2005 @ 11:03 pm
It's all about the hype - that is why this guy is a marketer rather than a retailer. He could have just got a few people to test the product bug fix and then release the final product. No, he's making people sign an NDA just to get a description of what it does and the price before it's even finished…what a load of BS. The sad thing is that hundreds of people are jumping through hoops to oblige him.
I'm getting pretty sick of internet marketers and all their shit. I'm seriously thinking about jacking in my KA membership too…
Comment by Gary B. — December 14, 2005 @ 10:48 am
It's unbelievable - people have really bought into the hype.
… silly really to get 'scared and nervous' about a piece of software, but I think it could literally change some people's lives …
Get a grip! I think that people don't realise that all this is just for a product description, not the actual product itself!!!
Comment by Paul — December 15, 2005 @ 8:33 am
Gary,
Are you at all intrigued by what this guy has to say/offer?
Comment by Gary B. — December 15, 2005 @ 2:30 pm
I sort of am, but I refuse to join in the hype…I will not sign up to NDAs and websites without a really good reason…
Comment by Chance — December 15, 2005 @ 4:13 pm
Same here- I am developing an internet marketing product, and I'll be damned if I am going to have some dude on KA saying I stole one of his ideas or something later- no NDA for me, and more so just to see a product description and price.
Comment by Gary B. — December 17, 2005 @ 8:58 pm
JC, that's an _excellent_ point that I had not thought of. By agreeing an NDA to see a description, that then precludes anyone from making a similar tool! Well, it doesn't really, but you get my drift, I'm sure.
What a nightmare that could be - having some idiot turn around in 12 months time and demand royalties for "stealing ideas".
Comment by Paul — December 18, 2005 @ 10:20 pm
I could always sign up and do the fax/NDA stuff from our office if anyone's interested as i'm not so likely to be doing anything similar.