Affiliate Marketing - The SMART Way

225 responses so far ↓

• 1 Michael // Nov 3, 2008 at 4:41 pm

  I had the website up at 12:00 Noon PST (early morning for me) on the dot with the message “Get Ready - And Stay Tuned!” so I went back to bed. The page hasn’t changed since.

  When exactly did it go live?

• 2 admin // Nov 3, 2008 at 4:42 pm

  I’ll start out with the first comment here guys…

  I just want to reinforce that this isn’t some kind of “planned” blog post or event.

  What you’re seeing here is an honest request for feedback regarding an actual dillemma…

  I want you to realize that I’m a marketer who doesn’t “shy away” from issues or hide behind a wall of gatekeepers or limited access.

  Please - speak your mind.

  Thank you

  -Chris

• 3 admin // Nov 3, 2008 at 4:44 pm

  Hi Michael,

  Looks like you beat me to the first comment.

  You must not have refreshed your browser.

  It did go live, and now it simply displays a message saying that the offer is closed.

  -Chris

• 4 CJ // Nov 3, 2008 at 4:57 pm

  Chris, I think it’s admirable that you are having some scruples about this, but really I don’t think you have anything to feel bad about - people knew that it was a quantity-limited deal, and you weren’t to know it’d sell faster than expected. And if they can now buy it through their own Clickbank link for 75% back, that, my my calculation, means the book will only actually cost them about $17 - cheaper than your discounted launch price! (I do realise they’d have to have sufficient CB commissions to withdraw the money however).

  I am one of the lucky ones who did get a copy (I had a feeling this might happen, so I set a timer to remind me!). But if I hadn’t got it, I wouldn’t be bitching about it - I’d just get it through my own link (which would be a little more expensive for me with my local sales tax & income tax etc on the commission), but even if I ended up paying full price, I’d think that $67 is a bargain for this kind of information). Maybe it’s understandable that ppl are disappointed, but it’s just the way these things go sometimes. It’s not as if it now costs hundreds of dollars!

  I’ll probably get flamed now… : )

• 5 Cynthia // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:01 pm

  Hi Chris,

  I was 10 minutes late (thinking I had the hour) & the order link was gone. I know it was my own fault for not logging in at 12n straight up. I also thought that you would have the same problems that a lot of folks who have their launch & the server would crash so we wouldn’t all be able to get in at the same time anyway. I would’ve liked to get it at a discount but I don’t have a problem paying full price. It sounds like a steal anyway.

• 6 Rui // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:12 pm

  Hi.

  I was lucky enough, or should i say fast enough to buy it. one or two minutes after the hour i was already making the paypal payment, and noticed a delay in the website. Probably due to the many people in the site.

  All the best, for everyone

• 7 JMZ // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:14 pm

  The pre-launch price was a very cool bonus and a very generous offer. As far as I can see you did what you said you would do, you have a great reputation for being straight up and honest.

  My opinion is to leave things the way they are and get ready for a big bunch of orders on Thursday.

• 8 MA // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

  Like CJ said, if they are smart they can get it at a better price anyways.

  What I saw as an issue, was that the original pre-launch page
  http://www.rankingloophole.com/order100.php
  never switched over.

  The email today was:
  http://www.rankingloophole.com/mylistonly.php

  Luckily I got in, but this may have been part of the problem

  I “guess” you could re-open for 50 ppl. But I don’t think you should be faulted either way.
  People will still complain and still will be able to buy it later

• 9 Steve // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

  Chris - don’t worry about it man!

  I fell asleep for an hour, woke up and found your email and that it was all sold out! doh!

  But that is just life - tell everyone else to get over it!

  Good on you for sticking to your 100 sale limit like you said, ignore everyone else, that’s like going into a shop after they sell out of stuff and yelling at them for selling out - what’s the point in that??

  Seriously - don’t take it to heart, you’ll always get people like that, just send a polite sorry to them and then put them out of your mind.

  Oh and hurry your ass up and get the main offer up and live will you!

  Steve

• 10 Michael K // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

  Chris,
  I am sorely bummed. I set my alarm clock and started refreshing at 11:30. I seriously refreshed 100+ times from 12 on - until I got your sold out message. I then went on to refresh another couple dozen times in the hopes there was an error.
  I do have an idea. Why not offer a handful of copies to people who have loyally purchased a significant number of your products? For example, this would make a nice add on for the 10 of us who have Brad making websites for us. Or who bought your Lazy Marketer book before you started this blog.

• 11 Ryan // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

  Dude, congrats! Must’ve been a great offer.

  Stick to your guns, and let the losers go home.

  It’s your business, not theirs.

• 12 A. Prophet // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

  I was up really late last night so when I woke up and checked mail, I saw your email and went to check the sales page. But yes, the promo was no longer available.

  I can’t say that I am very disappointed to have missed it… just a little.. but not enough to throw a fit or call you names, as you say others have.. fair is fair.

  I don’t see the price anymore on the page, so I really also do not see the value of what I missed.

  But again, I was hoping I could have purchased it at the lower price, but fair is fair. You said 100, and so 100 it should be then.

  Cheers!
  Alex

• 13 Jacqueline // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

  I think you have to stick to your word of only 100 discounted copies and learn from this launch and adapt your next one.

  That’s the way the cookie crumbles, if your not first your last people! And I’m not saying this because I got a copy - I didn’t.

  Your not at fault Chris. The angry people need to take their frustration out on a punch bag or something not via email to you.

  We knew the set up before launch so we only have ourselves to blame.

  Thanks

• 14 Cynthia // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

  I just wanted to add that I will NOT be buying it thru my own Clickbank link. Chris always over-delivers & I feel he deserves every penny. I don’t feel the need to rob Chris or his partner of a few bucks. Now if I’m recommending it to someone else, that’s another story.

• 15 savon pools // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:16 pm

  Before going live with your affiliate offer,

  Add an additional 50 or 100 for sale at
  $8 or $10 above the initial earlybird
  price- No one should take offense at that-
  except maybe your affiliates ?

• 16 Colin // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:16 pm

  Hi Chris, I bought it at the discounted WSO price but would have bought at the full price anyway. Your stuff is always great and well worth the money!

• 17 Scott // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:17 pm

  Chris,

  Thank goodness I reread my email this morning about 11:55 I was happily one of the ones to buy this guide.

  Thats a toss up on your issue, because we all here especially should know you are a business man and this is YOUR business. However you want to treat the customers is up to you, but it’s a real lesson in how the real world works. Sometimes you win sometimes you don’t.

  I could almost argue that 100 people bought this on time why couldn’t the ones who were complaining make the time? The fact is they can still get a hold of this guide for IMO a very fair price, provided the information it contains. Anyone who took the time out of their day to write you a hate email most likely wouldn’t follow the advice in the guide anyway.

  My thinking leads me to believe if you can’t fork over $67 now to make $$$$$ in the future then you most likely aren’t in a position yet to be ready to use this information for what it’s worth. Which is fine, work on the other ways Chris has written about and when you get the cash flow buy this method.

  Seems like a no brainer to me in just the sense that obviously most people complaining must have nothing better to do (like building a conduit site). Of course I have a feeling Chris you will most likely do what “they” feel is right, but thats all your choosing.

• 18 Jeremy Hier // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:17 pm

  That’s a tough call, you didn’t expect it to sell out so fast. Next time don’t give a time, just give a number.

  For those that missed it $67.00 is still a great price
  compared to most IM products about traffic generation and high rankings.

• 19 Jonathan // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:17 pm

  Chris,
  You snooze you lose. I did get the discount price (and I opted for the OTO as well), and see it as a reward for being ready to go when the ‘gun’ went off. I’ve also been ready to go on other discount launches, and didn’t get in even hitting refresh at the exact moment the page went live.

  I could see you opening it again to others IF and ONLY IF you provide the folks who did buy at the right time with something worth more than the $30 difference that the late-comers are screaming about. That will itself probably create another controversy (”Hey how come THEY get the cupcake with their pizza, and I didn’t?!!”)

• 20 CR James // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:19 pm

  You must stick to your work in my opinion. I do limited-supply promos all the time. And I think the “selling out” fast + getting cursed out (with excuses) is just part of the process… especially if you are one of the VERY FEW that is honest about the supply…

  I set an alarm to make sure I had my copy…

• 21 Kathy // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:20 pm

  Hi Chris

  It’s a nice problem to have - “that you have a product in demand” ! You do what your gut says.

  You made an offer on WSO and now this prelaunch and it was popular so it sold out. That was fair.

  If you offer it again as prelaunch - then tag $5 on or just have everyone Wait. Either way - you have been fair and true to your word.

  So, shame on anyone calling you names or being mean spirited.

  Kathy

• 22 Steven // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:20 pm

  Actually Chris…

  I did spot a glitch during your launch that I didn’t think would have a negative effect on peoples orders, but I guess I was wrong.

  When my cell phone hit 12:00 I had the discount page open and I hit refresh at the 12:00 and 12:01 marks, but it still displayed the launch message.

  So I went back to the main page and clicked the discount link down at the bottom again expecting to see the same thing, but then it took me to the pay pal order form.

  I’m not trying to open a can of worms here, but I think the page that was supposed to change at 12:00 got stuck for some people like myself. Except I went back to the main URL and clicked the discount link again and was directed to the pay pal order screen that time.

  —

  I am not stating any of this as fact, this was just my experience. Maybe there is something wrong with my browser, I have no idea.

  -Steven

• 23 Jesus // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:20 pm

  I was watching the site diligently and can confirm there were no smoke and mirrors. It went up….and then it went down. I was initially planning to buy, but later changed my mind for personal reasons.

  As for ‘making amends’…that’s your call. You’re running an ethical business and you did the right thing. As a mentor I look up to, I’m glad you did so.

  As for the pissed off visitors…don’t let them walk away mad. Create a unique expiring (or one-time) coupon and email them on a case-by-case basis apologizing and offering them the product at the same price. Or offer them another bonus as a way of saying sorry.

  You have to keep everyone as happy as possible in business and life. Now make the best of it.

• 24 Jeremy Hier // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:21 pm

  Chris, if you launched it again for the next 100 people, I’d be fine with that. These kinds of launches in my experience are usually for the first 250 people.

• 25 Scott // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:22 pm

  #20 Steven same thing for me, but thats why I got it the guide. I figured it must be some type of URL glitch and low and behold it was. I don’t know if I would consider that grounds for the complaints, but I guess for you Chris it can be a good reason to convince yourself to do another cheaper release.

• 26 Mike // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:22 pm

  IMHO, you have to keep your word, otherwise next time Chris says quantities are limited, people will think they can get you to go back on it by complaining or insulting you.

  There’s been plenty of exclusive WSO I’ve missed, and that taught me to take those deadlines more serious. All you can do is what you’re doing: Tell the truth, apologize for under estimating demand, and plan something different next time.

  Your integerity is more important than anything, especially in the IM niche.

• 27 lenoir // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:23 pm

  hi

  tant pis, s’il n’y a plus de copie, que veux tu que je dise?

  bea

• 28 Jeremy Hier // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:23 pm

  Hey Steven,

  that is what happened for me to.

• 29 Ken // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:23 pm

  Going back on your stated Policy will have 2 effects:
  1- De-value the original offer .
  i.e.- More competition.
  2-Much more important -
  adversely affect your “street cred”. You are one of the few IMs I have any respect for.
  I won’t say I would totally lose respect for you, but I will (forevermore) take everything you say with a few more grains of salt.

  I mean after all - wouldn’t any savvy IM person know that this was exactly what would happen?

  Its your call - but I know how I’ll feel about a rollback on this Policy.

  Best of Luck making the Right Decision.

• 30 Mark // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:24 pm

  I don’t understand why you limited it to only 100 in the first place. It doesn’t make sense to me, it would have been better for you and your customers to maybe have a special price for say 24 hours.

• 31 jean // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:26 pm

  Hi Chri
  You did what you said you were going to do–what are people upset about

• 32 Steven // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:26 pm

  Stick to your guns Chris! If you go back on your word you lose a lot of credibility. In these times I would rather pay extra then buy from a bullsh!ter.

  100 and 100 only.

• 33 Nick // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:26 pm

  Chris,

  I was lucky enough to get a copy at the discounted price at 12 noon. I personally don’t see a problem with running your promotion again for a set time period, say a one hour window to place orders.

  You and Dave will make more and people may feel like they have been taken care of.

  Good luck.

• 34 Carmelita // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:28 pm

  Bummer that a nice guy like you who takes care of his subscribers should get chewed out.

  My first instinct was to suggest that if you feel the need to do another pre-launch offer, go for it—but then on second thought, why should people who have sent you nasty emails be rewarded?

  It seems like the mature individuals that didn’t purchase in the first 100 are OK with the fact that they’ll be buying at a higher price (still a great value). I think you can sleep soundly tonight.

• 35 Rhonda // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:28 pm

  Hi Chris,

  That’s just the way it goes sometimes, I guess (I didn’t get there in time either). You stated upfront what the terms would be, so you really don’t have anything to feel bad about. What’s fair is fair, no?

• 36 John // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:29 pm

  Chris,

  I don’t think you need to offer anything else to make people happy. Obviously 100 copies wasn’t enough to satisfy the demand, but that’s something you know for next time. You told people you were selling 100 copies and they knew that up front, so if they missed out, they missed out.

  I was busy with something and didn’t think to check it until 20 minutes in, so I missed out. I don’t expect to get it at the lower price now, and if you flip-flopped and offered it at that again, it would make me wonder if you’d do the same thing next time you make a limited time offer.

  I’m sure I’ll buy it at a higher price though, because seriously - if it does what you say it does, why would I be worried about a few dollars?

  You’re the only one who knows for sure if this was a planned strategy or an honest mix-up. As long as you’re being consistent with your own beliefs, I wouldn’t worry about what other people might be accusing you of. Remove them from your list and move on

• 37 James // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:29 pm

  Chris it is best that you keep to what you said.

  I’m one of the folks who missed this by a minute or so… yet I understand the situation… so I’ll get it later.

  It is refreshing to see someome stick to their word - that way everyone wins.

  All Good Things,
  James

• 38 Joe // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:29 pm

  Hey, Chris.
  There’s a parable in the Bible about guys being hired at the end of the day who got paid the same as guys who were hired and worked from the beginning of the day. Lots of complaining by the guys who worked all day. No surprise.
  Bottom line: the boss gets to decide–it’s his money. So do what you want.
  Your credibility as an up-front guy will take a small hit if you re-open or something similar.
  As for the IM millionaires-to-be, if a $30 or $40 discount is THAT big a deal for you, perhaps it’s time to re-think your business plan and strategies.
  BTW, I watched the clock until Noon, clicked on the link in the email from the other day, and ordered before I ever got the email saying it was “live.” Would I be upset if you allowed others the same price? Not really. Like I said above, this is your deal. Go with your heart.

• 39 Cheryl // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:30 pm

  Chris, Just for future reference, maybe don’t put limitations as to copies but maybe for 15 or 30 minutes.

  First come first served always makes someone left out - that’s life. Too bad folks get irate, though. Says something about people…

• 40 Nick // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:30 pm

  Chris,

  If you decide to open the offer again you’ll do serious damage to your cred and rep. I for one won’t believe you in the future and I can only imagine I’m not alone.

  Don’t soil your well earned reputation just because people were eating cheese and sleeping when they knew full well what was happening in advance.

  I actually think this method will depreciate as the masses get hold of it on CB anyway, so I would have sold high and at a lifelong limited amount…then exclusivity is really part of the lure of the entire system.

• 41 Lorne // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:30 pm

  You fulfilled your end of the bargain Chris with everybody having the same opportunity. Not quite sure what the problem is.

  The implied urgency tactic is a 2 edged sword. You make it too limited (which I think you did), you risk losing sales that could have been made.
  Don’t limit it enough and there is no urgency.

  I was one of the 100 who paid for it, but I never got a download link, so I still don’t have my copy.

  Maybe I should have waited and bought through my own affiliate link, I would have paid less.

  Submitted a support ticket though.

• 42 John // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:31 pm

  Here’s the problem that I have after trying to buy for an hour an a half starting BEFORE 12 noon:

  1. I refreshed CONTINUOUSLY leading up to noon,
  2. I CONTINUED to get the Stay Tuned page until 12:05,
  3. I sent a ticket to your help desk at 12:05 so that there would be a time-stamped verification that I didn’t “snooze and lose” on this one,
  4. I really cleared time in my day before and after noon to make this purchase (I wasn’t waiting around until 12:59pm),
  5. I thought that no one got through because I NEVER saw anything different than the Stay Tuned page,
  6. Now I found out that some got through. How?

  Chris, my recommendation is to find a way to honor the people on your VIP list who value your products and have shown confidence in you. Try to make something work (even if it’s adding $9 to the pre-launch price).

  I planned on one thing today: reading and implementing. I would love to be able to do just that this evening. Can you find a way to make this work? I TRULY did everything in my power to get this report today. Can you make an effort to get it to me as a loyal subscriber?

  Thanks,
  John

• 43 Derek // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:31 pm

  It’s very important that you stick to your original decision, no matter what. Hard, but ethical.

• 44 Steve // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:32 pm

  Chris

  I purchased and never received the ebook please send it. I sent you two emails with trans.ID.
  Thanks

• 45 Ken // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:32 pm

  Hi Chris,

  What should you do? Absolutely Nothing… Your “Integrity” has always been in check! When are we as Internet Marketers going to learn that this is a business — That requires an investment in ones education. Even if the cost was double it would have been a very small price to pay.

  Did everyone truly read the sales letter? Or a better question would be — Do you know how much time and or money it would take to get a listing above the fold in MSN and have it stay there?

• 46 Albert // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:34 pm

  Chris,
  Your stuff is always good, I was there right at 12 and got offer no problem. An offer like that you need to be there at the start and cross your fingers. You will have no problem selling at higher price.
  Albert

• 47 scott // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:35 pm

  I couldn’t access the website because it got blocked at my place of business as a sex site. Not sure why unless you have meta tags or something that implies that. At any rate, that is why I couldn’t access this.

• 48 Andy // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:35 pm

  Hi Chris and Dave,
  Thank goodness I was organised! I was waiting and got in straight away.
  Considering there was plenty of warning I think it was just down to being super sure you were ready if you really wanted it!
  I’m not a selfish person however, I know you guys aren’t either and I don’t see why, considering you now know the demand, you can’t offer another shot to your faithful list!
  Maybe just 50 licenses at the intro price (by the way guys if you missed out be prepared for an outstanding oto too!)
  Give it another go I say! I don’t mind at all…
  Cheers

  Andy

• 49 Fred Holmes // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:35 pm

  I will just wait and pay a little more. Even with a 6MBsec dedicated connection I find most launch pages dependent on the speed of the SERVER and the LOAD.

  It’s only money, after all. If the product is worthy, the payback will outstrip the cost multiple times, so what, ME worry?

• 50 Rob // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:36 pm

  The page you notified of us previously never went live - I just happened to see your email today in time, which had a different link.

  I don’t see why people would be pissed… they can buy in 48hrs time, and use their clickbank aff link anyway to get a heavy discount. I don’t think anyone is going to really “clean up” the opportunities this presents in just 48hrs!

• 51 Michael K // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:37 pm

  Okay. I took a walk and a deep breath. I would like to say first I have no problem with $67 or more for the package. Here are my real issues/questions - and maybe you can answer a couple questions to put my mind at ease.

  1) What do you think the shelf life of this loop hole is? Now that you have gone public, will MSN change it?

  2) With everyone buying your report having access to this loop hole, won’t there be diminishing returns for those trying to use it, even if MSN doesn’t close the hole?

  I guess I was viewing the two day head start as the real advantage here - not the discount.

  Thanks

• 52 tyler // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:37 pm

  i only care if the method works…

  so for the 100 out there, post an honest review and then we can cry and complain.

• 53 Bruce // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:38 pm

  Chris,

  I think the problem, at least in some cases (I was almost one of them) was that the ’special’ link for VIP customers didn’t refresh right away to the order page at 12:00. I had to go back to the $37 special page, refresh it and click the VIP link again to get the order page. Fortunately I did this at 12:01 and managed to get in on time.

  Based on my own view of these things, people who didn’t get the product now have the option of deciding whether or not the product is worth the $67 when it comes back on the market tomorrow. I know that’s what I would have done if I’d missed out.

  Bruce

• 54 Peter Coughlin // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:38 pm

  Dude, you were surprised by the success of the launch and I appreciate your position, but stick with what you said. Yes, I was too slow, but that’s just the way it is. Don’t let the sore losers get to you man, do what you know is right. As CJ mentions, they can get it cheaper anyway. Well done on an awesome launch…

• 55 Tom Pettit // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:38 pm

  I agree with others that have suggested another offer to your list for perhaps $5-10 more, and this time give people a days notice and leave it up for say one hour or so. That should be fair to everyone involved, but I also agree that you should feel no obligation to do any more than you have done.

• 56 Blase // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:39 pm

  Chris,

  I did not get a copy and I am not upset.

  You told me what the deal was and I missed it.

  Don’t worry about the cry babies, you are probably doing them a favor. They’ll buy it and it will just sit on their hard drive anyway.

  Stick to your word and plan.

• 57 HT // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:39 pm

  WOW, 4 minutes!

  Well, no need “to cry over spilled milk”.

  I’ll just have to get another glass for a slightly higher price.

  Blessings
  HT

• 58 Rick // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:41 pm

  I was one of the lucky ones who was there right at 12 (3 my time) and refreshed the page to get the product and the OTO.
  I’ve had the experience before with good quality products that had a special release like this that sold out quickly (just not 4 minutes!).
  I want to persoanlly applaud those who did not get the product but are not complaining about it. These are the people that I love working with online and who will go far!
  My two cents…Let everyone who took the time to write to the blog, get a copy.
  Some quality people here, I’d go out of my way. It wouldn’t be a loss of integrity at all, but that’s my 2 cents….

• 59 John // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:42 pm

  This is John who just posted a comment at 5:31pm (a few comments above). I actually posted my help desk ticket at 12:03pm (before it sold out).

  The problem was that I was on the Secret Link page that we were told to come back to at noon today. It seems like you created another purchase page link in your email (mylistonly.php).

  C’mon Chris…can you treat this SNAFU with some common sense? I don’t know if I was the only one camped out on the page that you told us to return to, but you really should consider the fact that the rules were changed half way through the game.

  I’m not bitter, I just want to buy the product at the pre-launch price (or close to it) because I truly did play by the rules on this one and document my efforts.

  Thanks again,
  John

• 60 Paul // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:42 pm

  No way under any circumstances should you relauch or reoffer. You missed it, too bad. I got it and I changed my schedule for the day to be there, refresh the page, and buy quickly. No amount of whining for any reason should change it. Any kind of relaunch or reoffer would borderline be fraud in my mind.

• 61 Susan // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:45 pm

  Hi Chris,

  I was one of the lucky ones who got a copy, so I guess I am biased. But I am not at all surprised that it sold out in a few minutes - I expected it to and just hoped that I would be lucky/quick enough to get a copy.

  I just kept refreshing my browser from about 11:57am, and then I saw you email come in.
  I would have been disappointed if I did not get a copy, but I certainly realized that was a possibility.

  I originally bought your products because I heard very good things about you, so I understand your dilemma, but I think you should stick to your original decision. The grumblers will get over it or move on.

• 62 Michael K // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:46 pm

  Chris,

  If there is no projected “shelf life” for this loop hole - no harm done, congratulations, great launch! I will wait and pay when it comes out.

  If you think there is an advantage for the early receipients of this information - the right thing to do is to take care of your customers first. Give them the edge of a head start.

  I can’t imagine your customers will fault you for giving us/them a headstart, even if you do bank $80k.

• 63 Tanksalot // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:46 pm

  Chris,
  The number of times I see an offer along the lines of “this is the only time you will see this offer. If you don’t buy now you won’t see it again.” Then two days later click through and yup there it is again. Stick to your guns you said 100 stick to the hundred you sold, bring a little integrity to IMm marketing and yes I missed out when I came in at 3 minutes part the hour.

  Regards

  Nick

• 64 Theresa // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:47 pm

  You told us what you were going to do. You did it and now it is everyone’s turn to learn from the experience.

  #1 Rule . . . Do what you say you’re going to do.
  All the best,
  Theresa

• 65 Peter // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:48 pm

  I have to admit that I was disappointed when I missed out. The problem was that I was clicking on the original page you emailed me exactly at the right time but the original page never updated. It was too late when I realised.
  How about offering those that leave a comment the same deal. Just a thought.

  If not then don’t feel bad. I will buy at $67.
  Thanks.

• 66 A Wealthy Affiliate Member // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:49 pm

  Chris

  first, you offered 100, and not 101.

  I didn’t got it and am p..d about it BECAUSE
  - I’m a client of yours, not ONLY on your list and think that as a client we should have gotten some advantage. Could have been over a separate list or so.
  - I spend hours in front of my PC waiting, trying to figure out what the heck is PST time zone ?! I even couldn’t see the launch time, only the WAIT A MINUTE. exactly when you got live I went to my kitchen for a few minutes to take a coffee break (hell, should I have been without drinking and eating ? or what).

  So why not offering a discount to CLIENTS of Chris Rempel. I gladly send you all of the Paypal order ID’s from what I purchased from you.

  I know that I can get the report cheaper on the 5th, just buying over my own link, but I promised a review at my Forum (Wealthy Affiliates) and look like a fool now because I got a coffee.

  Maybe I will just shoot myself.

  G.
  Anyhow, you rock man. Best products I ever bought online.

• 67 Jules // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:49 pm

  Hey Chris, You said 100, 100 it should be. I missed out, by about 5 seconds by the sounds of it but hey thats my fault for not being on time. You have nothing to feel bad about. Stick to your guns dude!

  Jules

• 68 Richard // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:49 pm

  There is no ethical dilemma! You offered a great deal. The time has passed. Stick to your guns. BE A MAN OF YOUR WORDS. 100 sold. So be done with it and move on.

• 69 Conray Knox // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:52 pm

  Stick to your guns man!

  At first I experienced the same problem with the page not updating.

  But then I realized there were two different links.

  http://www.rankingloophole.com/mylistonly.php
  received in the email you sent you out was the most important.

  If you clicked on the order button it took you to
  http://www.rankingloophole.com/order100.php

  This was not the order page.

  The correct page was the link you sent out in the email. So you had to hit your browser back button to get to the original page.

• 70 Steve // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:52 pm

  Chris
  I purchased the ebook and never received it.
  I sent two emails with trans. ID.

  Thanks

• 71 Jeff // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:53 pm

  I was lucky enough to get this product because I set a timer and was looking through my email at that time, I agree that you did the right thing.

  I also believe you should give another chance for people to purchase the product, maybe at a later time during the day as some people are working in the afternoon (America time).

• 72 Michael K // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:53 pm

  One other question: I have been working many months now putting up niche sites, trying to get my traffic, etc.

  In your sales letter for this launch you made mention of the senario where a person is putting up niche sites (following your system), has 50 sites up and is getting only a trickle of traffic and sales through google.

  This example panicked me a bit I guess. This is not too far from my experience, on a smaller scale - but I was hoping and assuming I would get better at it and linkvana would start to pay. What say you? Was this just excellent copy to sell today’s offer or does it take a loop hole to make this work?

  Thanks!

• 73 Michael // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:55 pm

  Chris,
  Ha! I was totally bummed that I missed it too, but oh well, if this product works like you say it does then who wouldn’t fork over 67 measly bucks? I know I will. A word to the slow, “Get over it you freakin’ cheapskates! You’ll make the money back on your first campaign (if ever even use it at all).” We all know you are a stand up guy, Chris, and a breath of fresh air in the internet marketing arena anyway. Forget the crybabies (me included). Maybe later you can offer something cool to us, who missed out and are still whining about it. To the ones paying attention, there is a hidden lesson in human nature and marketing gold nugget to be found in this whole incident that is worth the discount alone. Be thankful! Thanks Chris, for consistently cranking out value and integrity. I wouldn’t want you to compromise that for me or anyone else.

• 74 Louis M // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:58 pm

  They should appreciate the fact that you have integrity with your business. One of big reasons why I’ve bought every single one of your reports is because I trust that your not full of hype and bs.

  Seems to be a rare thing these days with the Internet Marketing business.

• 75 Deb@Wealthy Affiliate // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:58 pm

  Hey Chris…

  For your benefit and Mikes I think you should not have limited the copies…you should have limited the amount you sold at $37 dollar discount…

  After the 100 copies…while you had everyone and their brother sitting with their credit card in hand to purchase..

  They should have been able to purchase for the $67.00…Most folks in IM know to replace the clickbank username….

  I think that this product was so well marketed that folks would not have complained at all of the price increase.

• 76 Anne // Nov 3, 2008 at 5:59 pm

  I missed out, that’s life. Four minutes is incredible! That happened because of your great reputation, not because of hype.

  You delivered what you promised Chris, and no one can fault you for that. Thanks for opening up the debate, I hope you are cheered by all the positive comments.

  I’m really happy now, because I had not realised I could buy through my own Clickbank affiliate link and get a discount! Wow, you learn something every day.

  And this sounds a great product for $67 anyway.

  Brew up some of your wife’s lovely tea and chill out.

• 77 Jerry - ItsAboutCash // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:00 pm

  Your integrity is your most important asset so do NOT sell any additional copies at that price.

  If you feel the need to please more subscribers, offer the product at a slightly higher price than the first 100 but still below full price.

  Jerry

• 78 Rob // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:01 pm

  Chris - Got your Loophole system today and have a quick question:

  Is a “Multiple Class C IP address” the same as a “Dedicated IP address” ? Will they work the same in regards to this plan?

  Please let me know - thanks greatly!

• 79 Bev // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:01 pm

  Stick to your guns. I see you as an ethical guy and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to buy from you (missed out, though).

  Next time you do something like this, maybe do it in two stages? Sell 50 copies at noon, shut it down, open again at 6 pm, sell 50 more. Still limited, but you are making allowances for people who are at work, in different time zones, etc.

• 80 A Wealthy Affiliate Member // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:02 pm

  Heck I left a message and can’t see it here. Maybe my PC is the problem for not getting a copy.

  I just thought you should have done a TIME frame in stead of a number, and offered this to your CUSTOMERS in stead of your list in general.

  You could have then offered a separate discount to all your list subscribers.

  Just my 2cts.

  G.

  P.S. Anyhow, I love your products and will continue to purchase them. This report now over my own affiliate link at day 5 - sorry.

• 81 Cody // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:03 pm

  Chris,

  I logged in just a couple minutes late - at 12:06 - to see the “SOLD OUT” message.

  I was surprised, a little disappointed… but mad, not at all.

  Just goes to show what the demand for a product like this is, and if it works as advertised, the full price is still a real bargain.

  I’d leave it alone… you did what you said, and that should be good enough for anyone.

• 82 Frank // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:03 pm

  Well, I was somewhat disappointed. I was at a meeting (yea-I still have a J.O.B) and when I came back at 2:10 it was already closed! WOW! That was impressive to say the least. Forget about a relaunch-how about a JV deal instead?
  But seriously-it’s no big deal. You said 100 copies-your word is your bond. I would have done it slightly differently-like email a special link to your entire list that expired at say 9pm tonight. That way poor suckers like me that still work as capitalist slaves have time to order it after getting home.

• 83 Maurice // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:07 pm

  Personally, I missed out on it but you have to be a person of your word to those individuals who took advantage of your offer due to exclusivity.

  As much as I would prefer you open the door again on this offer it wouldn’t be fair. As they say you snooze, you lose…I snoozed and will have to wait for the next offer.

  Peace,
  Maurice

• 84 Tom // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:08 pm

  Chris,

  I was lucky to grab the blueprint for $27. But I think some people went to these pages :
  http://www.rankingloophole.com/future-access-only.php
  and
  http://www.rankingloophole.com/order100.php

  These 2 pages are still saying to stay tuned, if you refresh them they are still displaying the same. That was the case when it went live, I refreshed and no changes. Actually I needed to go back to the home page and click again on the “doing what works” link to be directed to the new page.

  I think you updated the homepage with the “doing what works” link but not the .php pages mentioned above.

  I don’t know what you can do, maybe offer it for $37 for the next 50 buyers, $47 for the next 50, then $57 and finally the $67 price.

• 85 Alan // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:10 pm

  Chris,

  Stick to your word - 100 and no more!

  I spent the first 4 mins trying to refresh the $27 page and then had to go back to the hidden link page. Just squeezed in at 3 mins after 8pm here in the UK!

  Bottom line: if folks are calling you names, dump ‘em. There’s simply NO excuse and those of us who have been buying your products for a while now (which are always reasonably priced) will remain loyal customers.

  The ‘foul-mouth’ brigade will not remain loyal customers.

  ‘Nuff said

  Alan

• 86 SteveH // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:13 pm

  I was one of the ‘lucky’ ones who, by dodging about between links got one of the first 100. I’ve only just come here as I’ve been reading it and taking some action since. It’s good stuff! Now, I don’t care whether anyone else gets it for the same price as I did, but I do think it will hurt your credibility to go back on what you initially decided and published.

  You would have had the same complaint if it had been the first 200, or 500, once hte limit had been reached.

• 87 Kenny the Epiphone guitar guy // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:14 pm

  Chris - you did what you said you’d do and acted honourably. I was at my keyboard waiting for the clock to strike and got in bang on 12pm.

  If you change your mind now, what happens next time you do a limited time offer?

  The one thing I would say is that the link on the ’step 3′ page to the first video didn’t work. The link in the email does work, but the URL is different to that on the site. Maybe the URL on the site is wrong (goes to directory ’support’ instead of directory ‘vids’)

  All the best,

  Kenny

• 88 Gary S // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:15 pm

  Hi Chris,

  I was lucky enough to get a copy at the discounted price purely by accident as I had forgotten about it until your warning email popped up.

  Maybe next time it would be better to give a time window of say ten minutes instead of a strict number count.

  As for those that missed it as they say you snooze you loose. I’ve missed more than one discount because I didn’t order quickly enough and that was on products that cost a lot more than yours will at the regular price.

  Thanks for another great product.

• 89 Tony // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:16 pm

  Hey Chris,

  Don’t worry about it. I was at the job so I knew at 12:00 I wouldn’t get a copy.

  Plus, if it’s what you describe it to be, it’s worth the price.

  I do have one concern with the product…

  These type of products seem to work for a short period of time, especially when alot of people start using it. We will see how it goes.

• 90 KG // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:17 pm

  I woke up very early to get this and pleased I did.

  For those who might have to pay a little more - it’ll still be well worth it!!! You’ll make the difference back in no time.

  But to help Chris - why not give everyone who has contacted you within x hours a special bonus - those who got up/in early as well as those who tried but missed out. I’d not be offended to receive an additional bonus & those who missed out would surely be happy too. That would honour your integrity Chris, & keep it fair to all at the same time.

  By the way, let me commend you on your honourability and integrity!

• 91 Mike H // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:18 pm

  I had to be out to do a very important errand and just missed it. A big VIP OOPS

• 92 Steve // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:23 pm

  YOU SNOOZE - YOU LOSE!

  Chris,

  You have become one of the ONLY IM dudes that I actually read every email I get from you. I’ve made you some money too in that I have bought EVERYTHING you have offered so far (including a Link Vana subscription). Here is the deal: One of the reasons I buy from you is because you seem like a man of your word and you continue to deliver. So if you have integrity, then you just have to tell the whiners to shut the F up and fork over a few more bucks.

  I read your email alerting me to the “first 100″ deal and had the page set on my browser. I set the alarm clock on my cell phone to go off at 11:55 AM. At about 11:57 AM I started refreshing the page and was able to get in as one of the first 100. I’ve been on the losing end of limited time offers before too and I didn’t go whining like a little freaking baby looking for a hand-out to save a measly $30 bucks. Oh please. Harsh? Tough luck. Suck it up and fork over the extra few bucks that it will cost you later if any of you are the least bit serious about internet marketing. Geeezuz, what a bunch of whiners for a lousy thirty bucks.

• 93 Martin // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:26 pm

  Actually, the first comment was spot on. There was a technical issue where you had to go back to the email you sent and click the link inside it again. It wasn’t enough to simply refresh the page with the ’stay tuned’ message. I had expected that I would simply be able to refresh, but nothing happened and I went back to the email and clicked all the copies where (long) gone. Frankly, I could care less about the extra money for this product, but when you expect something to work in a certain way it can be a little frustrating when it doesn’t.

  Keep up the good work guys. You’re still very much on my hero list.

  Thanks.

• 94 alison // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:26 pm

  Hi Chris
  One of the reasons I follow you is that you seem to
  be a pretty honest ,no BS type of guy. Don’t back down on your original 100 offer. I missed out. Disappointing? Yes! But thats the way it goes.Someone is always going to miss out. Its no use people whining about it.I will happily buy the product when its officially launched,as you have always over-delivered at at very reasonable price.Keep up the great work!

• 95 Phil // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:26 pm

  Does “say what you mean, and mean what you say” ring any bells? I’ve missed out on plenty of offers. It’s the nature of the thing. You told us what the interest level was, you didn’t open early - right on time, you shut down when you said you would. You, Chris, did everything right - fair and square. Period - end of story.
  (in by book, anyway…) Phil

• 96 Neo // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:28 pm

  Chris,
  I was lucky to stumble upon the wso thread. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to get a copy since I am in a different time zone and staying online at that exact moment of lunch would have been difficult for me.

  My suggestion would be to open the pre-launch offer to your list once again, but this time keep it time based. Instead of limiting to 100 copies, you can limit the sale to one hour, so who ever is serious can get a copy.

  And postpone the clickback launch for a week. Your list will be happy. And you will have some time to get feedback from customers which you can use while launching through clickbank.

  Just my opinion.

  -Neo

  PS: By the way, the launch through clickback might result in some serious attention from MSN staff.

• 97 Jim Curtis // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:30 pm

  Didn’t bother me that I didn’t get in. Have bought a number of your products…had questions…couldn’t get ahold of you or even get have a chance to get my money back.
  Hence, I won’t be buying anything else from you.
  Learned my lesson.

• 98 Denise McNerney // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:32 pm

  Hi Chris,

  I think it goes back to analyzing the size of your list and how you value your list. The size of your list should have given you enough of an idea of the probability that 20% of your list would have been interested. Do you only value the first hundred on your list? Or do you value all of your list?

  You also know that many on your list are not in the USA. I am in Australia and so didn’t open my email until 8 hours after the release. No chance for me!

  I don’t think I would buy it at $67 on the principle that I wish you had got value for all of your list and at least kept it open for the first 24 hours or so to cater for your worldwide list.

  Never mind, better luck next time.

  Denise

• 99 Edwin // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:33 pm

  Chris congrats with the prelaunch being sold as fast as it did. It shows that we are realy appriciating your products and now are even complaining we didn’t get it right now.

  As the majority I would suggest sticking to your 100 pre-sell limit. But maybe, just maybe…can we have the normal priced copy today or tomorrow instead of waiting till the 5th?

• 100 Mal // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:33 pm

  Chris

  I’m one of your VIP customers and missed the deal also but, you MUST stick to your original deal if you are to retain credibity for the future.

  Those that missed it, for whatever reason, have a simple decision to make - “Is this info worth $67″ ?

  First and foremost keep YOUR reputation intact, as the saying goes… “you can please some of the people some of the time but you can’t please all the people all of the time”

  Don’t even try!

  Regards

• 101 Star Riley // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:33 pm

  Dude stick to your guns remember haters make us greater so do you and in the end if you say 100 then unless your mom missed out man up and let other respect your honesty you could add some 30 dollar value to the 67 thingee and still send it to those who got the deal.

• 102 Duhh-uggh // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:33 pm

  Chris,

  I was on-site at noon PST and the server was taxed so bad (or good) that I got in but had to pay $67. No prob as I’m sure it’s worth way more than that… but it would have been even nicer at $37.

  I’d say stick to your word — if someone doesn’t like it they can get a refund.

  BTW, you should check and see if I actually paid for this, because I never got an email from Paypal confirming the sale, and I went to my PP account and it shows no transaction there (2.5 hours later). I WAS able to download the report.

  Thanks a million!

  Duhh-uggh

• 103 Rhonda // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:35 pm

  I teach high school Economics until 4:00 pm ET so I obviously couldn’t be at the computer at 3pm.

• 104 sterling // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:35 pm

  so what if i let the fact that i missed out on your offer bothers me than i loose. God always sends me what i really need. Dont worry about those that lost out and those of you that did loose dont be sore loosers calling names and stuff like that it wont get you any where. there are many sources to show you how to do these thing do your research on the internet!
  sterling myers
  http://www.fatcitysocial.com

• 105 Mike H... // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:36 pm

  Hi Chris,
  11:55 — refresh — refresh damn keep refreshing then bang there it is click click click sold
  I must have been #2
  I see your problem … but you do want that nice vacation for the Mrs?
  Ok I’m sure most who bought on time would say yes sell some more if we get a nice first 100 bonus gift exclusive for the 100 only club — Something they (we) don’t pay for and nobody else gets? Also you make any other sales at a higher price with out the exclusive first 100 bonus gift?
  It is an interesting problem you have.
  Great knowledge…
  Great product.
  Thanks
  Mike H

• 106 Mark // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:37 pm

  I don’t believe you owe anybody anything. You’re standing by the rules of engagement you offered up.

  That said, me being one of the folks that suffered from one of the two problems mentioned - I think the two different URLs sent out, and the page that didn’t referesh properly (probably a cache problem at the user’s end) give you a legitmate second chance not lose your valuable street cred.

  So as not diminish those lucky 100 buyers, I’d consider re-opening for 30-60 minutes at a price $5-$10 higher than the 100 owners got.

  I beleive your loyal followers deserve a legitimate chance to get this cheaper than the public.

• 107 Rhett // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:37 pm

  Chris,

  Don’t back down and drop the price–as many have said, it would devalue your current reputation as one of the few guys out there who truly take care of your customers.

  Additionally, if people carefully read the email you sent out, it is quite clear to select your “special” link (http://www.rankingloophole.com/mylistonly.php) to receive the discount, and not the other.

  Sorry to hear about the guy who was constantly refreshing and the page didn’t update…I experienced the same problem as well, however I quickly reloaded the link (went back to the email, opened the link in a new tab), and still got my copy before 12:02…guess I just got lucky

  Rhett

• 108 Dave // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:42 pm

  Hi Everyone, this is Dave Kelly, Chris’ partner on “The Ultimate Search Engine Loophole”

  I have to tell you that everything Chris is telling you is 100% accurate, I was working on some training videos mid afternoon today, when my phone rang and it was Chris, telling me that he couldn’t believe what was happening.. Both of us were stunned at the rate orders were coming in.. It was WAY beyond our wildest expectations..

  I want to thank each and every one of you.

  I’m sure most of you know Chris better than you know me unless you’ve been in the SEO game for a long time.. but my way of doing business is just like Chris’.

  I promise to do my best to make this work for each and everyone of you without all the BS you normally have to deal with.. And you already know that applies to Chris..

  Dave..

• 109 Chris // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:43 pm

  I think that part of the problem is that the order100 page never changed after launch. I had it up and refreshed it to find that it was still saying that it wasn’t ready to launch yet. I went back, refreshed the main page and found that the buy now links went to paypal instead. I was lucky enough to get a copy, but I think that is something you need to do differently next time.

  Chris

• 110 Terry // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:50 pm

  Hi Chris,

  I really would suggest a 24-hour sale next time. These launches are real hard on us Australians - I got out of bed in the middle of the night, but missed out.

  My suggestion - offer at an extra $10 above prelaunch as a thank you to those people giving you feed back here.

  Alternatively, next time go live at 3.30am so we Aussies get a fair go

  Regards,

  Terry

• 111 Tony // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:52 pm

  Hi Chris - No worries…

  What about just launching early all the way around for the $67? I missed the launch by about 2 minutes it seems, however I couldn’t care less about the discount (I’ll buy through my own affiliate link), however I WANT THE INFO ASAP!!!!! Can’t wait for the 5th…please, please, please?

• 112 Buddy // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:57 pm

  Hi Chris,
  I guess I was one of the first to comment to the blog.
  To those who say - you snooze you lose, that’s an asshole attitude, even if true. Scarcity bullshit. Obviously you got a copy and you fell you should gloat. Sorry attitude IMO.

  That said, I regret not getting in, but Chris, you must stick to your word.
  And we can all buy it through our own affiliate links but..or…
  Like a progressive WSO you could offer it at a progressively higher price.

  Whatever you decide Chris, you’re still a standup guy in my book.

  Buddy

• 113 albro62 // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:57 pm

  You made an offer, we accepted the offer. The start was an equal playing field for all. Case closed.

  If this were the marathon, would it be re-run just because someone who had registered got delayed by traffic and got there late? I rest your case.

• 114 Daniel // Nov 3, 2008 at 6:59 pm

  Nobody likes being called names especially a young fella like Chris. And I believe he really was surprised by the 100 sales in 4 min. I’m not sure you can really predict that.

  Actually, I think the series of emails leading up to this whole MSN code are brilliant. I get a lot of autoresponse emails from “gurus” who do very little to inspire action like this series did.

  Anyway, great work Chris. No ethical dillema here. You just feel bad that some folks went way overboard with their reaction. And in most cases they had bigger problems prior to this anyway. You just happened to be the nearest pin cushion.

  Someone gave great advice above and I’ll second their statement that a soft answer does turn away wrath in most cases. I’d stick to my guns and empathize with the rest and try harder next time or somethin’ like that. That’s my two cents.

• 115 Oran // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:03 pm

  Hi Chris,
  I missed the launch. My bad.

  You are seriously concerned about ethical issues. Your good.

  I propose that us unlucky hordes who want in:
  1. Pay FULL PRICE.
  2. Be able to get in very soon, before the official launch.

  That way your customers are getting a time deal at a price penalty. That seems a fair compromise to me.

  Best wishes either way,
  Oran

• 116 Kitwana // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:07 pm

  Hi Chris,

  I actually placed my order, paid for it, but didn’t get the download link!

  I’ve emailed you guys about this, but I haven’t gotten a response.

  I’d be grateful if you could resolve this for me. If I can’t have the download could you refund my paypal payment so I can purchase the course on Wednesday?

  Thanks,

  Kitwana

• 117 Iain // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:10 pm

  Hey Chris, I didn’t get a copy, but then i knew i couldn’t as there was no way i could get to a computer at the time it was released.

  I agree with many others that a limited number of a digital product is a little unfair on those that are working for a living and can’t get to a computer or like me live in a completely different timezone to the launch timezone and could not ohysically wait by a computer for that time to arrive. I think that a 12 or 24 hour launch would probably be a fairer way.

  Having said that - i knew what the rules were, i knew i couldn’t be there and i wouldn’t bitch about it but i could see that some of your VIP members would feel there noses were out of joint a little that anyone could get it from WSO and they are left out in the cold.

  For my money though I think it would be a nice touch to offer your VIP advance members an opportunity to get it at some sort of discounted price if not the previously offered VIP price.

  Thats my two cents worth - whatever you do will be ok, people soon move on and forget.

  Iain

• 118 Julie D. // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:10 pm

  I also agree that the offer should have run for at least 24 hours. You caught some people at work, some people who were asleep because they worked graveyard shifts, etc. etc.

  Opening this up to a few more people wouldn’t hurt you at because the bottom line is you are helping folks and those that want to bitch, cry and moan about you re-opening it up to those who did not get in are just selfish and greedy.

  Statistically speaking most that bought will not do anything with it anyways so might as well give folks who would act on this information a chance to get in.

  You guys are the owners and creators of the product and system and you can not let others dictate to you what your heart is telling you to do. Stop being political about it because the fact that you’re asking us what to do in reality is already causing you to lose face with some people.

  So if I were you I would just do what your heart tells you do to. If you truly want to help more people then do it and you will be rewarded for it but if you want to bow down to the pressure of what some whiners and cry babies might think of you for re-releasing it then you’ll never be right with folks who did not get in.

  You built up their excitement and hope then pulled the rug from under them. Until you do right by those folks you probably not be fully whole in my opinion. You can’t please everyone but those who you do help and take advantage of your offer will return the blessings to you.

  Sorry so long but that is my humble opinion. I would not listen to those who claim this was only their opportunity for being available to purchase. It is not fair to the working folks who were not by a P.C. ready to act on the information. Ask yourself what King Soloman did when both mothers cried and fought over the baby. He offered to cut the baby in half but when the real mother spoke up and said no let the other who claims the baby have the baby King Soloman said that the baby should go to the mother willing to give the baby up! That showed a true giving spirit.

  

• 119 Rich // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:12 pm

  Chris -

  Very refreshing to know you are concerned about your customers in a “no-face” environment we work in as affiliates. Most, experts in the field have turned a blind eye and ear to proven buying customers, in my experience. Not sure why, maybe they do not have the resources to handle the feedback and concerns, maybe they do not have the bandwidth and wherewithall to manage the relationship for short and long term? Not sure, just know that publishers in this space do not focus on nurturing on-going customer relationships for the long term but rather protect the buck for the short run. My concern falls somewhat on my shoulders and yours (50/50). Although I tried to purchase at noon, the system would not allow. I assumed, although I did not anxiously refresh my browser to the second, I was customer 101 and thus missed out. I don’t have problem with that.
  However, I do have a problem with your approach to pre-sell at discount for limited volumes to all your customers. This is the tactic most internet experts (gurus) use to create unnatural hype and undo stress on customers and students learning the trade. This tactic would be ok if you were one on those self proclaimed gurus. But in my experience as a loyal buying customer, this is not the impression I have about your style as a businessman as you have delivered and even over deliver time again.

  So, although I was disappointed I do not have the product today, as some of your customers have mentioned in this blog, I am still on board to learn from you as you have provided solid information I understand and use.

  So, I am unclear as to your objective to offer this limited discount? If the value of the product far outweighs the price and you honestly believe that the quality will carry the price ($67), why not release the product to all your customers in a fair and equitable manner.
  If anyone has purchased from you in the past, they will know you deliver value and not hesitate if the time is right for their respective business.

  If you’re intent is to build on loyal relationships and offer a “thank you” incentive to those customers that continue to purchase and grow using your techniques, then creating tiered lists based on amount of purchase or sales may be a way to do that. And if only 50 of those tier 1 customer respond and buy, you can sell 50 to the next tier, and so on. I know this sounds like high maintenence, and probably is too much to manage, but may be the way to go if you are truly concerned about customer sat and building loyalties and jv’s within your teachings?

  All this is obviously just my feedback and ideas that may help, since you asked.

  What ever you decide I’m sure you will have put your best foot forward. And if you continue to provide services/products that is customer driven, you will continue to see growth in your business and I will be the first in line. (again)

  Thanks for listening.

• 120 Steve // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:16 pm

  Chris
  I purchased the ebook but did not receive it, sent two emails with Trans. ID please send to this email.

  Thanks
  Steve

• 121 Jon // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:17 pm

  Here’s the problem that I have after trying to buy for an hour an a half starting BEFORE 12 noon:

  1. I refreshed CONTINUOUSLY leading up to noon,
  2. I CONTINUED to get the Stay Tuned page until 12:05,
  3. I sent a ticket to your help desk at 12:05 so that there would be a time-stamped verification that I didn’t “snooze and lose” on this one,
  4. I really cleared time in my day before and after noon to make this purchase (I wasn’t waiting around until 12:59pm),
  5. I thought that no one got through because I NEVER saw anything different than the Stay Tuned page,
  6. Now I found out that some got through. How?

  Exactly the same for me, with the exception of sending the support ticket. I’m on your VIP list, I refreshed constantly, at least once a minute from Noon on, and never saw the offer.

  Dissappointed, think you should make it right for your VIPs, since it looks like something went wrong on your end…. is it possible you swapped the link on the original page rather than changing the actual page, so those of us refreshing from the link you sent out the day before, never actually got a chance to see the offer?

• 122 Robert Nelson // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:22 pm

  I was lucky.. I got my copy at 12:02
  I can understand your dilemma with upset potential customers.
  You may want to allow more people to purchase at the discounted rate, but give a bonus to the 100 who did get the product.

  I have missed out on offers by other marketers by not being there on time and understand the frustration.

  I’m sure whatever you do will be fair!

  Rob

• 123 alain // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:27 pm

  Hi Chris,

  I think as others that you don’t have to be shame, for this. The rules are the rules.
  That said, I didn’t get your offer because I am in a foreign country, so I was not sure, precisely at what time your product will be live, then I expected to be outdoor at that time.
  So when I returned at home, obviously the loophole was closed
  That said (an other time), I am tired, as many, of these marketing gimmicks, these pre-launches, the up-sell etc.
  If you have a good product to sell (and habitually you have), put it on the market, don’t hype it and give good facts and clear vision of what it is about.
  If you want to give some advantage to your good customers, simply give them, no limit.
  I sell physical products on my site, and time to time, give some advantages to my good customers.
  All of them benefit from the promo. No limit.
  New customers haven’t.
  I think many are going to be blind from the gimmick.
  When I read a sale letter, I pass the hype and go directly to the facts.
  Either it is clear and eventually I buy, either it is not clear and I don’t.
  That said (third time :-), your honesty and the quality of your products are undisputable, so don’t mind.
  I will buy it tomorrow with my hop-link :-))

  Best regards

  Alain

• 124 Mark // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:34 pm

  Just so we all can learn a little, I would like to know why you limited this to 100 copies, and then still plan to open it to the world at CB? Just curious.

  I’m sure there’s some marketing strategy in there somewhere. ;>)

• 125 Shelby C. // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:35 pm

  100 is 100 don’t go back on your word, a happy customer is one thing a manipulative customer is another.

• 126 Chuck Staff // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:37 pm

  Chris:

  This thread is the reason I dropped all the other “gurus” and stayed with you — you’ve got ethics and class (and you’re definetly the ugly one on the left…)

  Stay the course, man. I missed out and I’m very bummed-out but it is what it is…

  I, of course, would love to see another “not quite so limited time” offer for a bumped-up price but, if that doesn’t happen, it’s no biggie.

  I just want to get my hands on it.

  Chuck Staff
  Palmyra, Virginia

• 127 chrisg // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:45 pm

  If the product was completely sold out, I’d say offer more, but it’s not since you already will be reoffering the product.

  The people who missed out still have a chance to get it at a great price, and they know to be on the ball this time.

  So I’d say simply do nothing, except maybe take the ones who sent you nasty emails off your list (give the gracious people a better chance). Who do those people think they are?

• 128 Cindy // Nov 3, 2008 at 7:46 pm

  Hi, Chris:

  I’m one of the lucky one to get a copy of your launch. I kept checking my watch every hour basically because you and me are not at the same time zone. I almost missed because I needed to do something outside the house very close to your time launch!
  Anyway, is very kind of you to be worried about the guys that didnt get a copy but, You should stick to your word. I’m not a selfish person and if you decide to re-open again the pre-launch, there is no problem to me.
  The only thing there will be a problem is( if you do another pre-launch) will your credibility. A man of his word, is a man of his word, period! Next time , with a new product, people will always expect a second chance.They can always get a copy with the official launch, if they really want to. Even your regular price is a very fair one!

  One more thing: now You re