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Last week I posted the final essay (lesson) on my series about
basic mathematics. Soon I will collect those essays and rewrite
them for print publication. I expect this to be a useful work
book for moms and pops who want to be involved in their children's
education. Later on, I will continue this series with a set of
essays on beginning algebra.
Today, however, I would like to address what has become a pet peeve of mine. This is the business model which has taken over the internet. I call it the Bezo/Bozo model. Anyone who had read our web philosophy knows that I deplore the current state of business methods on the internet.. The sad thing is that once respectable companies have taken up this Bezo/Bozo model. I am not sure that all of you know about the kind of slippery tricks which are being played on you as you browse.
I can show you one example. Rockler (formerly, The Woodworker's Store) is a very old, reputable mail order firm which focuses on the marketing of woodworking products. They also have brick and mortar stores in many large cities. They cater, in large part, to the home carpentry hobbyist. I have done business with them over the years and found them to be reliable. That's why I have a link to their site on my web links page.
Here is what distressed me about Rockler.
A few days ago, I received this E-mail.
Hello ,
You've got a great web site. It stood out for me because there's woodworking information there. You might have received a message from me before. If so, please forgive my diligence. I'm just so exited about an opportunity you, and I could profit from. Please take a look at the page I put a link to on this message. It will only take a moment. You are in a good position on the web, and you can make money easily.
Have you ever heard of Rockler Woodworking? Maybe you know them as The Woodworkers' Store. That's the name we went by for over 40 years of business. Rockler is a recognized leader in supplying both commercial, and consumer woodworking supplies. I mean it's one of the best companies to look for woodworking tools, plans, accessories, and materials for professional or hobby craftsmen alike. Rockler is especially known for hard-to-find hardware.
There aren't a lot of woodworking web sites out there compared to all the other topics on the web. As the Internet Accounts Manager for Rockler Woodworking and Hardware I'm always on the hunt for sites that are attracting woodworkers. Some of them still might not know about our incredible selection of products. That's why we are willing to pay the owners of web sites to put a link to Rockler on their site. Rockler has a big interest in the use of the web as a utility for woodworking shoppers. We started early in the internet rush and now have THE LARGEST SELECTION OF WOODWORKING SUPPLIES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE. Some are even calling us the Amazon.com of woodworking.
You are probably suspicious. That's understandable. There's a ton of offers to link here or there. All of them telling you that you will make money. It's all gone crazy hasn't it? You know there are many companies out there that are just starting up, or might be "fly-by-night" operations, dishonest, or maybe just out of touch with what's really going on in business today. The web is about linking topics. From the very beginning the idea has been to provide links that are relevant to what the visitor is already looking at.
So I urge you to look at The Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Affiliate program. Our site is technically tuned to sell. Your commission is a full 10% of net sales to begin with. I'm not trying to tell you that it's a get rich thing. But how would an extra couple of hundred dollars a month sound? That's what the good affiliates are making. Keep in mind, once the links are set up, there's almost no effort after that. You will be selling things in your sleep. As "they" say. I know woodworkers love technology. They are finding the web by the thousands every day. Lets start a long term relationship of helping them find all there is to offer while making a fair commission. Rockler has been shipping products across North America for over 46 years, and we are starting to get orders internationally. I don't have to tell you the potential there. It's a good time to have your knowledge because that's what gives people a reason to purchase.
You can find out all the specifics here: http://www.rockler.com/affiliates or click on the green button on the left side of our homepage at http://www.rockler.com that says "become a Rockler affiliate.
Let me stress that Rockler Companies wants this to work for you. I am openly available from 10:00am - 6:00pm.(central time) Monday through Friday. We are interested in developing a sincere friendship with each affiliate. Your questions, comments, and even criticisms are welcome.
I'm looking forward to our association.
All the best
Danny K.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
What I want you to notice here is that Danny K. wants to pay me for helping him to lure you to his site. By his message, we can conclude that he considers that to be an ethical business strategy. I would like to state that I do not consider it ethical at all. I would consider it to be a very shabby way to treat my visitors. I think my reply covers it adequately.
To: "Danny Kautt" <DKAUTT@rockler.com>
Subject: Re: Rockler Woodworking Invitation
Cc:
Mr. Kautt:
If you had really checked my website as you implied you had, you
would have seen that I already have a link to Rockler. I do that
as a service to my visitors. Because of your offer, I am tempted
to remove it. I would never betray my visitors in the way you
are suggesting. Try reading my web philosophy.
W. E. S.
I did not remove the link to Rockler as I threatened. I want it to be your choice. I still consider Rockler products and service to be good or I would not have that link at all. The thing you may want to remember is that this practice is not unique to Rockler. It has, in fact, become the internet standard business model. Links are sold and personal information is traded by these companies on a regular basis. That, along with the in-your-face advertizing methods has spoiled the internet for reasonable business people. I believe, if most of these hucksters had not found the internet, they would be peddling snake oil door to door.
Here are some other things which happened on the internet. I recently went to one, so called, search site. As a search criteria, I typed in Wesoomi Publishing. This did not get me a link to my web site as you might have expected. Instead, it slammed me over to the Barnes and Nobel web site. Another search site slammed me over to Amazon.com. Neither of these outfits handles, or wants to handle, my full line of products. They do list some of my products with a disclaimer making it seem that I may go out of business at any moment. Please let me assure you that I am not about to go out of business in the near future.
One good thing I see, by noticing the stock market, is that
the day of reckoning is finally approaching. A shake out is occurring
which may well get rid of some of the most inept and unethical
of these carney hucksters. Until that is complete, the old advice
is still the best. "BUYER BEWARE!"
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