I'm wondering how some of you define exactly what a "permanent link" actually is when you're offered one. I purchased a site wide permanent link in March 2006. The price was set by the site owner, we agreed on placement and the format of the link (anchor, description, etc.) and the payment was accepted and the link was placed. Today I get an email from the site owner (member here @DP) telling me that I purchased a permanent link on his site in March 2006, and mentions that it has been over a year and he's planning on removing a number of links from his site. He asks me to send him my PayPal address so that he can refund 50% of the payment. He then says after that he will be able to remove my link from his site. In another response he tells me that those permanent site wide links usually go for 1 year and when I purchased the link, the site was a PR4, and now it's got a PR5 and PR6. In a later response he tells me that there's no doubt I purchased a permanent link there, but Permanent is Directly Proportional to the 100% payment I made and that he's offering me a 100% refund and that this make it all balanced. So what's your take? Why does he want to remove my link and other links? Do you think it reflects on his credibility and professionalism? What's your understanding of a permanent link?
My understanding is that permanent is permanent but I am sure he wants to resell it again. That is the downside of buying links, people always seem to change the rules later or the site goes down. I guess at least he willing to give you some money back. Was it a good traffic draw?
Permanent means permanent - eg. for ever (the life of the site). I never sell permanents to avoid this sort of problem. From what you've said it sounds to me as if the vendor is being reasonable and accepts he is reneging on the original agreement, hence the offer of a partial refund. To some people permanent means a year!
The offer to refund full price is nice deal. I would be mad that he is now trying to get better prices for links. Basicaly he used your money for a year and could have earned interest on it. Permanent means just that. I see alot of this and i see reciprocal links add urls and take them down latter. Your better off trading links with people you know or trust. Ask him what he will do if you say no and want your link to stay on the site. I think he will just drop all links and charge more to next people.
CReed, I say permanent is permanent. Whatever you do, don't accept that paypal payment. I've been on both sides of the fence where I bought pernanent links and sold them On the buyer side I felt that I literally bought a pernanent link that would stay on the site forever. This is what was quoted to me from the beginning. When I was approached about the site owner wanting to remove my link and refund me partial payment, I wrote back stating what he said in his actual agreement. I've kept the records which he did not anticipate. This does wonders... On the seller's side, I felt myself in a bad position much like the seller was above. The thing is that the main SEs have changed drastically...especially Google. They now want relavent links. This being said, no I didn't end up deleting anyone's link, but I seriously thought about it. I like my reputation better than I like making a few bucks. To me it wasn't worth the trouble. Just so you know, yes my PR went up and the rates that I gave to the original set of people remained as is. I've charged a little more for the people who buy links now though. Hope thsi helps... Mary
Well permanent links are normally sold for lifeterm of the site, that does not mean the site will keep running for ever. Lets suppose after an year when the hosting/domain renewal falls due and the owner of the site/domain does not renew it, in that case you probably can not do anything, so its good to buy a link for a limited time period instead of the vague life term. At lease in case of the limited time period you have the guarantee that your link will be there at all times.
I discussed the similar issue here http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=261240 You will also find wikipedia reference.
Sorry for your experience, Creed. This guy sounds dishonest. Like everyone else has said, Permanent=Permanent. Otherwise it's rented for a term like 1 month, 1 Year, etc that is specified up front. This is one of the problems with permanent paid links. I think the web changes too much to call anything permanent. The only thing is...perm links sometimes can be cheaper overall than monthly rentals, so you have to ask...did you get your money's worth?
Permanent means for the lifetime of the site. At least the guy has offered you something, many would just remove it.
I would say a permanent link stays till the website owner has the ownership of the website and a minimum of 1 year guarantee
Permanant means the link will not be removed till the website is online. Since we take it that website will remain online forever, thus permanant links. If the website is offering you refund after one year and if you have benefited from the links, I'd have gone for the refund. It's time for another permanant link.
I think if the price is not so high, then 1 year is enough for a listing. It's even OK if he don't refund you.. But as he is giving 50% - grab it.
So for example, if you were listed in eWebPages Directory you wouldn't mind if after 1 year one of our editors refunded 50% (or maybe not) of your submission fee and deleted your listing? Even though listings are supposed to be permanent? As an aside, we did reach an amicable agreement. I'll just have to see if he keeps his word and if he was honest with his reasons why he wanted to remove the text ad.
My take: PERMANENT IS PERMANENT! The ONLY reason and I mean ONLY reason where it is acceptable to do what he has done is when a site changes ownership. SOmeone with poor ethics would just delete all the sitewides and features. If he had just purchased it and said this is under new management; I understand you bought a permanent but the site has changed I will refund you 100% of your money(SMALL amount) sorry for the inconvience. That is fair. (Look at it from both sides people). Or if he said I can refund you now OR leave you for a free full year and then start charging if you wish to continue that is also acceptable in my opinion. If you SOLD a permanent and still own the site.... YOUR STUCK GIVING A PERMANENT. (PERIOD). You can take it down but that's poor customer service in my opinon. What were you thinking anyways when you offered 25$ for a permanent.... That should be a lesson you learn from. I just wish that more people realized permanent is forever. LOOK IT UP people. Either way I think you are entitled to keep it up there for life. If he wants to refund you 100% then you got a good deal anyways and I wouldnt' complain but ethically and from a business point of view it is still poor show. At least if he refunds 100% he is kinda making up for it but still poor form. Offering you 50% back is just lame. This is a sitewide link right? If someone is getting like that over that small amount of $ I'd say you found out cheap that he isnt' worth dealing with and it will only hurt him in the long run. Shame on people who dont' keep there ends of the deal.
I see what you are saying but dont' agree with it. Sure he may or maynot of gotten a good deal if the guy refunds some but that's not the point. The point is CReed only agreed to do business because he thought he was getting a permanent. He wasen't wrong the guy said I'll sell you a permanent. Then the seller changed his mind. Who's fault is this? The buyers .. NO! He was told a price and conditions... agreed to it .... paid in full.... He did his part.
When you paid for the link, where there any conditions? If there where no conditions he is violating your agreement. It is in his/her interest to disclose all data when agreeing to a contract.
Nope. We agreed on the placement, ad format, and price for a permanent link. Payment was sent and accepted. Thanks for all of the feedback. I agree that a permanent listing should be just that - permanent. I find myself disappointed and I've lost quite a bit of respect for this member and will likely not purchase links or directory listings from him in the future. No telling what will happen there either as he suggested that it would be alright for me to refund his payment and remove his listings from my directory. Go figure.