Great article! I have seen many posts about how unfair it is that Visa and MasterCard are cracking down on these transactions and am glad to finally read something of substance.

I think it’s great that there’s finally starting to be some regulation protecting consumers, which will only increase their trust in the internet and hopefully their consumption! And this can only benefit (honest) internet marketers.

While I commend Ryan for doing it, being careful to research his facts and state his case as an advocate for the market, I personally wouldn’t do it (name names) and that’s just because I’d hate to manage the things that may result…

Attracting the attention of unreasonable people or having to moderate a debate that may drain my time, attention and emotional energy!

With regard to the changing conditions of internet marketing, I think all internet marketers (all American-based ones, anyway) should start reading case studies, articles and business histories from the 1970′s.

That was the last time there was a rush of regulation and over-regulation comparable to the one that is certainly only just beginning.

Gogo

I am glad the forced continuity issue is now coming to an end so to speak. I have been scammed a few times this way and did find it very hard to cancel, what is more the people in particular where high Guru’s so to speak and truthfully the continuity program they forced me into was crap, plus my product never arrived on time.

It is good that these people are coming undone and forcing people to be more transparent.

Kind Regards

Jacinta

(An Aussie mum trying to create a business online while her 2 year old sleeps!)

Alex: I’m certainly glad hidden continuity is coming to an end. The entire transaction should be made as clear as possible to those buying.

Leo: I’ll be glad to see all the junk go. Remember it’s not continuity that is the problem though. It’s the deception people are using with it. Clear and obvious is the key.

Michael: I like that phrase Paypal used – “open and transparent.” It’s a good one. The one problem with the free shipping plus continuity is that too many people would hide it so it wasn’t noticeable.

Joe: If you have a bad experience with a company I suggest you do review them and tell others about it. But I wouldn’t want to use hear-say or anything that came up in private conversations. Many sites are creating specifics places to do reviews such as Amazon has. There are consumer complaint sites. For local businesses Google allows you to review (in addition to other sites that have reviews). I’m more of the nature I don’t want to become a “review” site for everyone else.

Tom: Agree completely. People keep running around saying the sky if falling, but it’s not. It’s growing…and becoming a better business environment for everyone.

Matt: Thank you!

A great post that addresses some key issues on ethics and ‘internet cleansing’.

Honest marketing and the focus on positivity are essential for the integrity of the free marketplace.

warmest

Matt

Thanks for a post that truly encourages everybody to always do the right thing.

As we see more and more “crackdowns” on questionable marketing and business practices by those who are in a position to take action, it will only leave more opportunities for those who have worked hard to build an ethical business that cares about their customers.

Best regards,
Tom