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Horrible Bait and Switch Directory

Discussion in 'Directories' started by onlinedude, Aug 15, 2006.

  1. #1
    I won't name names, but I'm sure that this has happened to several people here.

    A well known directory used to charge $5 for a "lifetime" listing.

    Today I get several emails (I'm assuming one per listing I bought) telling me:

    "Every listing on our directory now expires after a year. This means you will have to pay an additional $9.95 to keep your listing up for the following year."

    I find that horrible, because when I submitted payment, I was assured (and you can still see in the google cache):

    "Total Cost: Only $5.00 USD for a Lifetime Listing"

    Webmasters must be having really short lives if a lifetime is only one year.

    Of course, the appropriate thing to do would be to implement this change only for new listings. I do hope that this directory changes its mind and does that. Unless it does so, it certainly won't get more custom from me.
     
    onlinedude, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  2. forumrating

    forumrating Notable Member

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    #2
    strange
    few ppl start getting greedy , wait for reply, hope they resolve your issue.
     
    forumrating, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  3. EveryQuery

    EveryQuery Well-Known Member

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    #3
    I got the same email from the same directory. I know the original poster didn't want to name names, but I will: iWebTool's directory. I thought it was nice directory and had submitted several sites to it in the past, but no more. We all were clearly taken by this unethical directory owner. I will be damned if I am going to get scammed into some yearly subscriptions. :mad:

    Here is the email:
    :eek:
     
    EveryQuery, Aug 15, 2006 IP
    maldives and (deleted member) like this.
  4. sachin410

    sachin410 Illustrious Member

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    #4
    I got the same mail. Luckily I have just 1 listing there.

    Now what’s the guarantee that this "annual fee" won’t become "semi-annual" or "quarterly”?
     
    sachin410, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  5. yfs1

    yfs1 User Title Not Found

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    #5
    This is the user "Kenni"

    There is no doubt that is is really underhanded to double charge the webmasters that helped support the directoy. Hopefully everyone does the same as me, let the listing expire and never buy another one from that directory
     
    yfs1, Aug 15, 2006 IP
    EveryQuery and routed11 like this.
  6. silencer

    silencer Notable Member

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    #6
    I haven't listed in the abovementioned directory, but for me this is the same as a directory dumping the entire free queue (and free listings) and then mailing everyone on their now massive mailing list and saying "feel free to re-submit your site to us for $x".

    It is totally unethical. Even if a directory is sold, its original guidelines should be continued, otherwise it makes a mockery of the system.
     
    silencer, Aug 15, 2006 IP
    EveryQuery likes this.
  7. EveryQuery

    EveryQuery Well-Known Member

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    #7
    My guarantee is never to purchase anything on iWebTool again....yes, I guarantee THAT is permanent!
     
    EveryQuery, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  8. mdvaldosta

    mdvaldosta Peon

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    #8
    That sucks, I have like 20 listings there. I won't be renewing, now would I with a webmaster that apparently has no regard for their word, and I'm sure they'll have even less submissions after people read this thread.
     
    mdvaldosta, Aug 15, 2006 IP
    EveryQuery and onedollar like this.
  9. yfs1

    yfs1 User Title Not Found

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    #9
    I PMd him about the existence of this thread...Maybe he has something more to add
     
    yfs1, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  10. forumrating

    forumrating Notable Member

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    #10
    i was gona buy one submission for my business forum, but i dint at that moment, dint knew they would jus change their pricing structures coz of popularity, any ways thats their own calculations for pricing @ directory, wont comment much on it, as they reserve rights, but regarding permenant listing shifted to yearly is not good, wont agree with that, as i havent seen tht thing happening often.

    well ok, need to wait for his reply
     
    forumrating, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  11. praveen

    praveen Notable Member

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    #11
    i am not surprised at all by this...

    infact this was the same kenni, who tried to sell lots of seo tool sites where the buyer doest get the script but all linked from iwebtool

    here is the sale thread to refresh memories
    http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=39772&highlight=kenni


    looks like this is another wave ;)
     
    praveen, Aug 15, 2006 IP
    EveryQuery, onedollar and onlinedude like this.
  12. yfs1

    yfs1 User Title Not Found

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    #12
    There is a thread in his forum on the subject too

    http://www.iwebtool.com/talk/thread2847.html

    Apparently you didn't have it in writing...:rolleyes:
     
    yfs1, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  13. silencer

    silencer Notable Member

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    #13
    aren't the terms in the original email of purchase? I wonder if anyone would've bothered to keep that.
     
    silencer, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  14. praveen

    praveen Notable Member

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    #14
    http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=42698

    the subj clearly says
    "
    PR5 Permanent links for one-time fee of ONLY $5 -- RECIEVE PAGERANK + TRAFFIC"

    unless my understanding of Permanent is flawed :cool:
     
    praveen, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  15. dvduval

    dvduval Notable Member

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    #15
    They should at least "grandfather" in the people who already paid, and make their renewal fee $0.
     
    dvduval, Aug 15, 2006 IP
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  16. instyle

    instyle Guest

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    #16
    I thought iwt is good. Now ...
     
    instyle, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  17. yfs1

    yfs1 User Title Not Found

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    #17
    Absolutely, a directory owner can make the price of a link a million dollars if they want, but its not fair to all of the people that paid for permanent listing to then have to pay again or lose their link.

    Its not even like it changed owners (which still wouldn't be right but happens).
     
    yfs1, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  18. chimaera

    chimaera Peon

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    #18
    Permanent, one-time fee ... hardly "pay this for a year and then we'll double the price".

    Way to disgrace yourself and your site for a few dolalrs.
     
    chimaera, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  19. ResaleBroker

    ResaleBroker Active Member

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    #19
    ForumRating, didn't your directory recently go from Free to Paid? What did you do with all of the pending Free listings?
     
    ResaleBroker, Aug 15, 2006 IP
  20. iowadawg

    iowadawg Prominent Member

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    #20
    Man, this thread opened up my eyeballs.

    Way back when, iwebtools started advertising their goodies on here, I went and real quick found out that things were not what they seemed.

    Glad I did not buy any listings, as I would have been screaming to high heaven, denouncing him (well, you all did a good job of that here) all over the place.

    If he has any sense at all, he will change his policy real quick and let all paid submitters know that they are okay and do not have to pay anymore.

    The other day, or was it last week? I went through all my directories to make sure that all paid listings are unlimited (permanent) and that they will stay that way.

    Then acting on a suggestion by another poster, I put into each submit page of my directories a short guidelines that has one line that does state, all paid listings are permanent.

    Right now, all my directories have, until my 4100th post, featured ads are only $4.00.
    ANd yes, permanent listing!
     
    iowadawg, Aug 15, 2006 IP