Avoid the Trap: Spot Unethical Pricing Techniques! Cut the crap!
"You just lost a student, madam"
This might sound off-topic for a Midlife Erotica publication but, guess what, it is not at all. I started this substack to talk about everything and anything that comes to my mind and life and, one way or another, can be shared in the benefit of others.
Be that in the form of information or just pure entertainment.
Midlife, in fact, involves pretty much anything nowadays, right? Feeling like your life is over while your heading closer and closer to retirement that’s something of the past, those days are gone (Thank Plod*!)
*Authors note: Since God is just a word to conceptualise the divine and there are many others…here’s my own: Plod.
And so, in my personal case and with my energy map, learning is kind of an obsession. I cannot see myself giving that up. I picture myself being 99 years old and learning a new skill, lol
Plus, did you know keeping your brain cells active is healthy as fuck?
So there I go searching for my next quest in the learning (mine)field and finding something that really resonates with me: Applied Astrology.
I did study Astrology in an online school for two years and this sounded like a MUST DO when listening in a podcast to the owner of this other online school that merges the study of the stars with psychology.
I had an instant hard-on that (can a woman say this?)
So there I go subscribing to the Newsletter (it must be subscription number 89 in my inbox😑) and receiving straightaway this extraordinary unmissable one-off early bird OFFER!!
The description of the “course” fits totally my ambitions: a “knowing yourself” journey with mentors, study groups, etc. etc. A dream.
“Time to invest in myself” - I thought - and, potentially, passing it on to others by sharing the wisdom acquired later on.
But it is a NO, GO AND FUCK YOURSELF
So this is my main focus in this writing today: PRICING and the ridiculous and aggressive marketing technique of:
“Don’t miss out, it ends in 2 days”
“The value of this offering is $20,000 but, for you today, is $12,997”.
Proof 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Do you think I am stupid? Are you trying to rush me and intimidate me? Who do you think you are? (this last question comes out of my thuggish egoic self🫢)
If you tell me that the value of your course is $12,997 and that I can get a 1K off with a code… well, fair enough, we all like a discount, don’t we? so you will have a new student.
But let me tell you that, unfortunately, you just lost one by doing this, in my humble opinion, unnecessary shady and unethical technique.
Of course that I assume enough people don’t even THINK about this and happily sign up being deceived into the idea they are actually getting a bargain! And I base this assumption in the fact that your business is clearly ‘working’ and making you rich.
But I am not one of them and it is time somebody addresses publicly on the internet that such tactics violate principles of transparency and honesty.
Deceptive comparison - These marked-up prices that are NEVER really charged mislead consumers into believing they are getting a large discount that they are really not getting.
Manipulating perception - This strategy plays on psychological triggers and create a false sense of urgency or value. This is manipulation and leads people to make impulsive decisions.
So let’s all in whatever our life experiences are consider ethics FFS. There should be ethical marketing standards that emphasize honesty and fairness.
I don’t know who you, reader, are but you might potentially be one of these predators marketers or a consumer and be in one of the poles of this spectrum.
To the marketer I say: please reflect on this and listen to your heart, put yourself in the consumer shoes and evaluate whether this practise is in any shape or form align with a commitment to transparency, respect, and fairness.
As we experience a collective awakening in humanity, there is an increasing awareness among consumers about this. More people are now discerning and will recognize marketing tactics that seek to exploit rather than engage honestly.
So your days are counted. Mark my words.
To the consumer I say: be discerning and question the marketing messages you come across. Recognize that if a price seems too good to be true, it often is. Take the time to research and understand the true value of what you're purchasing, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about pricing and practices.
Your voice and choices matter; by supporting brands and/or people that prioritize honesty and transparency, you contribute to a marketplace that values integrity.
In this era of awakening, your awareness and informed decisions can drive positive change, encouraging companies to adopt more ethical practices for all.
And so…I have booked a free discovery call that they offer to put my message across and maybe, just maybe, make them reconsider this off-putting techniques once and for all.
And I am really pissed off because I really want to do that course but I just…can’t.