I’ve promoted a lot of products in my day. The ones I feel most bad about are probably Ringtones and Crush related offers. Although not that deceiving because the person has to go through so much to convert and $9.99 a month is printed everywhere, I still feel pretty bad about it. Why? Well, the industry itself is just so deceptive. You hide a flirting text service within a flash application that asks someone if they want to know who has a crush on them.  You then advertise everywhere “Find out who has a crush on you” and the CTR is through the roof and then the product converts like crazy.

Now that Acai berry is the big thing, I’ve been hearing people on forums complain about how impossible it is to cancel once someone purchases a free trial. I then went to a few Acai berry offers and read the conditions nicely placed way down at the bottom of the page. It reads:

“I understand that by ordering Acai Berry Power 500, I am agreeing to receive Acai Berry Power 500. for a 14-day trial period (days of availability for actual usage could be less depending on shipping time) beginning on date of order. Three dollars and ninety five cents (non-refundable) for S&P. I understand that unless I cancel by calling 801-528-1391 within this 14-day period, beginning on the 15th day my credit card will automatically be charged eighty nine dollars and thirty one cents(Free Shipping) for a 31 day supply of Acai Berry Power 500 to be shipped at that time to my door. Thereafter, until and unless I cancel, my credit card will automatically be charged an additional eighty nine dollars and thirty one cents every 31 days for a new supply of Acai Berry Power 500. I would also like to take advantage of the the 21 day bonus trial to Bonus#1(PriceLimbo) for eight dollars & fifty one cents a month thereafter, should I choose not to call and cancel Bonus#1(PriceLimbo). I also agree to the 21 day bonus trial to Fit Factory (bonus #2) and monthly nutritionist newsletter for twenty-nine dollars and ninety five cents plus one dollar and seventeen cents each month thereafter, should I choose not to cancel. For questions or cancellation requests, please call our Customer Support team at 1-866-407-1022 M-F, 9am-9pm, EST. Our hours of operation are from 8am to 5pm MST.I understand that this consumer transaction involves a negative option and that I may be liable for payment of future goods and services, under the terms of this agreement, if I fail to notify the supplier not to supply the goods or services described.”.

So basically the person subscribing to this stuff gets screwed out of about a $100 in 15 days if they don’t cancel. Honestly, as much money as I know I can make with this offer, I really don’t feel good about this one. I know the Acai people are raking it in. I know people doing $10k+ a day profit on this and similar offers. It’s quick money sure, and it’s taking a little bit from everyone, but man, how far is the industry willing to go to screw someone out of a buck.