Comments on: Is Negative Optioning Still a Viable Marketing/Billing Tactic?

By: robert ouimet

robert ouimet — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:52:59 +0000

Quick follow up.
After a lot of back and forth with Amex, they did eventually ‘open a case’ and reversed the charges. Apparently no-one at Classmates was able to provide any proof that I had agreed to recurring charges.
So, I must credit Amex with FINALLY doing what’s right, though it was like pulling teeth.

By: Elaine Fogel

Elaine Fogel — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:12:59 +0000

Thanks, Neil. What do you really think?
I appreciate your weighing in on this one. I couldn’t decide whether to share it with the organization that sparked my initial reaction. But, for better or worse, if it were me on their side of the fence, I’d want to know. After all, aren’t we in business for our customers? This outfit has an excellent reputation and I wouldn’t want to see it damaged.

By: Neil Anuskiewicz

Neil Anuskiewicz — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:49:19 +0000

Wow. How is that even marketing to do nothing but piss people off? That tactic is about as old school (in the negative sense) as the proverbial sales guy in the polyester suit.
Think of the sales guy on WKRP in Cincinnati but sleazier…

By: Elaine Fogel

Elaine Fogel — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:14:52 +0000

Thanks, Emily. I wonder how they will take it.

By: Emily Brackett

Emily Brackett — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:54:00 +0000

I would try to avoid that whole situation. Negative optioning is one big negative all around. Seems very evil & underhanded.
I’d definitely show the summit host this blog.

By: Elaine Fogel

Elaine Fogel — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:12:19 +0000

Thanks, NW Guy and Jonathan. If this happened to you, would you show the summit host this blog post?

By: Jonathan Kranz

Jonathan Kranz — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:29:15 +0000

Evil. That’s really all there is to say about the negative option. In effect, it’s a form of extortion.
I can’t help but think that as tempting as it may be for some enterprises, the negative option can’t be good for long term business. Could there be a worse way of initiating a relationship with a customer?

By: NW Guy

NW Guy — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:40:45 +0000

Definitely go for a refund.
My experience with free subscriptions has been miserable. They all appear to include an “auto renewal” option, and the cancellation process is typically very onerous in terms of time or effort.
These offers lower my perception of the company, conference, credit card that facilitates them. The third party marketers have their own image but the premier people engaging me should not put them in front of me.