VirtualVocations

Sally and Internet Cookies

Sally received unsolicited phone calls from three different organizations working off a similar script. In the first call the person on the line who identified herself as “Joan” wanted to know if Sally was interested in operating her own home-based business and making money on-line. Sally had been recently scouring the internet looking for opportunity and even though she was a novice in the game, she presumed that “Joan” had obtained her phone number from one of the many “forms” she had filled out while “applying” for such opportunity. She had been warned about internet marketers dropping “cookies” into her system, but it did not cause her much concern, she could always erase them. At least that is what she had assumed.

“Joan” then told Sally that she could make a great deal of money with the system they were offering, so much in fact that she could quit her job in a matter of days if she worked hard and followed the guidelines religiously. “Joan” offered insight and access to an esoteric system where she could make a large profit off major credit card transactions. “Wasn’t this the opportunity she had been waiting for?” “Would she like to known more?” “Will she take the time to listen to a two-minuet tape recorded message?” Sally agreed reluctantly as her instincts waited for the other shoe to drop.

The recorded message was from "So and so", president of some global marketing firm. He spoke with the passion of a Southern Baptist preacher delivering the message of financial salvation.

Sally expected to be returned to “Joan” at the conclusion of the recording. That is what “Joan” had assured her. It had been presented as a condition for Sally agreeing to listen to the tape.

However, this time it was “Max”, a husky voiced character who sounded pleasant enough. “Where’s Joan?” Sally asked. Max said that Sally was in training , that she was listening in on another line, and he would be able to help Sally with this, “important decision.”

Sally began to feel pressured as Max explained how his company would set her up with a personal web-site and all she would have to do is follow the instructions; the money would roll in, and “isn’t that great.” She would only have to pay $500.Did Sally wants to put that on her Master or Visa card?

Sally was somewhat offended but also rather amused. This guy has a lot of gall asking her to send $500 sight unseen. She said she would have to talk it over with her husband. They were on a tight budget and she could not just spend that kind of money unless there was a consensus. She was serious; $500 could determine whether she fed her children that month.

Max was persistent. Why could not she make a decision without her husband? Did she not have confidence in herself? If her husband loved her, he would be glad she was bold enough to make such a move. Sally had heard enough. She hung up the phone.

Within the week, two more marketers using essentially the same pitch solicited Sally, and each time Sally held her ground. After doing a little research, Sally concluded that she was being squeezed to participate in an internet affiliate marketing business.

Affiliate marketing in itself is a legitimate venue for promotions of goods and services online where both the merchant and a third-party seller have an opportunity to earn money. Nevertheless, the companies that contacted Sally where attempting to fleece her for as much as $500 for information she could obtain for zero cost. The data is all there right on the internet, libraries or bookstores. As Max said, “Yes! Anybody can make money with this proven system”. What he did not say is that you do not have to pay someone an arm and a leg to learn how.

Posted:Monday, August 25, 2008