Just don't say the mailing list is something it's not.

Mitchell Blatt, JSBs last blog post..Juiced Links – 5/25

- Martin Reed

Online Communitiess last blog post..Be more productive by recognising the blogging seesaw

I don’t buy mailing lists, period. If I haven’t gathered the names/addresses myself via optin ARs, I have no guarantee that the receivers WANT to get my information.

‘course, even with optin subscribers, that’s no guarantee either….but your chances of being labeled a spammer and getting ISP complaints are far less if they’ve double-opted into your own network.

I consider the risks of buying a list to be too much for ‘lil ‘ole me.

Data points,

Barbara

Barbara Lings last blog post..When life bruises you, decorate it with a happy face and rebound

While I wish I could say that being honest is the most profitable, sometimes its not; However, I will remain on this course because it is who I am. To answer the question directly I think it would be unethical cut and dry to build a site hold a content of unbelievable magnitude with prizes or content completely unrelated to the site and then flip the site to someone without informing them of what type of readers they will be getting. I know this happens all the time as its part of the make money quick routine that many internet marketers use to earn cash. I guess this takes us back to business 101 “Buyer Beware” A smart shopper will know to ask directly and will know what the correct response is or if something fishy is going on.

Big Ben Pattons last blog post..Is Windows 7 Already A Threat To Vista?

Nicholas Jamess last blog post..The Contest Where Everyone Is A Winner! *

Nicholas Jamess last blog post..The Contest Where Everyone Is A Winner! *

Nicholas Jamess last blog post..The Contest Where Everyone Is A Winner! *

As a buyer, i would like to know how the list was compiled and some information behind hit because, otherwise its pointless to use and you might not be able to use it too.

Nicholas Jamess last blog post..The Contest Where Everyone Is A Winner! *

I agree with this!

Nicholas Jamess last blog post..The Contest Where Everyone Is A Winner! *

Off line long legal contracts are written to protect both buyer and seller of businesses. why would it be any different online, unless you are are “rolling the dice” and then it is on you to take the chance and live with the consequences…..

—
Political Disgust

Politcial Disgusts last blog post..UN Peacekeepers Shame, Rape, & Abuse Of Power

It’s like selling fake PR5 domains or selling domains like M0NEY.com (number zero instead of letter o without pointing that out and doing it with a font were you can’t tell by just looking). Should the buyer have done due diligence? Yes! Is he responsible for not having done that? Yes! But to me, just because you can trick people doesn’t mean you should. And if someone doesn’t mind doing that kind of thing, he/she also has to be able to take the heat that comes with it.

When I read the initial question my response was simple: There are many reasons why people join a list, and sometimes a website owner may do a promotion that has limited bearing on the value of that list to the niche.

I don’t hear anyone complaining about the contest between Cow and Conn artificially creating all sorts of skewed statistics. Not just the obvious visits and subscribers, but less obvious things like incoming links. Truthfully there is no way a new owner can have any idea how much either site will be worth once the contest is over even with both site owners telling potential buyers of everything they are aware.

Does that make Cow and Conn evil?

I think the labels have to go. People are very rarely “good” or “evil” nor are their intentions completely one or the other. But in my experience most of the people I have done business with online tend toward the good. I cringe when they make a mistake and are suddenly branded as evil.

Black and white thinking is rarely correct and I think we need to be cautious when we employ it. The next person tarred and feathered might be us.

Aaron at FullTiltBlogging.coms last blog post..Internet Millionaire Confessions

Only if you want to look just like everyone else. Maintaining your integrity and doing Internet Marketing the way *you* think it ought to be done is what will differentiate you from the rest of the pack. You might not make as much money as someone who scams others, but I at least, sleep much better a night.

“This field ranks right up their with politicians, used car salesmen, and the make money infommercials, as far as this field’s reputation goes.”

That’s because of people who go into it with the idea that it’s okay to put your own ethics aside, because “that’s what everyone else does”.

ABANs last blog post..How to save on gas

This field ranks right up their with politicians, used car salesmen, and the make money infommercials, as far as this field’s reputation goes.

Most of the internet marketing gurus seem to think that there is no such thing as being unethical in internet marketing.

As far as how you promote and run you online business, “What it takes is what it takes” seems to be their moddo.

The are also real good at downplaying and sugar coating everything.

For example, lies and deception aren’t lies and deception in internet marketing. Nope, we can’t tell it like it is. We have to label it as ‘hype’, or risk upsetting the status quo and getting a bunch of flak from a bunch of other internet marketers, beginners and gurus alike.

This is one of those fields were we can’t be honest about anything. We just have to be politically correct.

“Any way to make money is an acceptable way to make money

evilwoobies last blog post..Online Dating How To

Bottom Line: Yes, the buyer should do “due diligence” however, the seller (since they are making the money here) has a greater responsibility of “full disclosure” – especially if it is something that you are clearly aware of going into the deal.

I believe it is unethical – and possibly even illegal if it goes that far (but that decision is dependent on the judge)

Lori B.s last blog post..Space-Saving Exercise Equipment

I think it’s unethical – but ‘norm’ in the Net is somekinda blur, isn’t it?

Please read what I think of things similar to your cow question – Buying Forum and Blog Posts to Increase Website Traffic – Ethical?

That’s what I’m thinking about the artificial stuffs and the blogosphere.

Cheers!

Noobpreneurs last blog post..Moving Houses – An Opportunity to Start Fresh

Mark Masons last blog post..Cloaking Links: Why Bother