As many of you know... Almost every product nowadays have a refund system. Well, I like to take advantage of that *sometime* . If I ever come across a really expensive but really valuable ebook or software, I would buy it and request a refund days later. Even though I did find it useful, I still request a refund just to save that few hundred bucks after reading it or using it. Do you ever do this on purpose knowing that the book did everything it said? and do you think this is wrong to do? This is like getting it free I guess.
Yes it's unethical and it will come back to haunt you! But if the product sucks, well, that's different
If you found it useful then you should simply pay for it and not request a refund. That's not good for peoples business even though they may offer a refund. IMHO offering a refund on a digital product is not a great idea at all.
Fine line there, your technique along with returned theft & no receipt are reasons why business owners started a "NO REFUND" Policy & added the - AS IS - Use at your own risk - No REFUND - Results may vary - Buyer Understands that... - Etc..... type disclaimers to their products in order to cut down on such activities. Sure it cuts a few potentials out that maybe look at a refund option as a comfort factor prior to purchasing. However if it is a company with a HIGH return rate, they may just get wise to it & start what i mentioned above. There are other counter measures that can be instilled as far as refunds go, such as defective product or wrong order received - these also require proof prior to refund & or product returned. If it is a digital product, then it is safe to assume whenever a refund takes place the Buyer has made a copy. Digital fraud comes in all shapes & sizes.. the Unethical refund to gain free products at the cost of a company man getting laid off because the company can no longer pay their salary due to high return rates & lack of payroll funds is just one of them. I disagree with the tactic. The person that created the paid product has bills to pay just like everyone else. Just my 2 cents on the matter anyways....
Wow sean1989, You are not only hurting the person that is selling the product, but you are hurting everyone else interested in the product or future products by that seller. Why you ask? He will increase prices because he is not making money because of refunds. I am very disappointed in you, VERY unethical.
I offer refunds on the soft cover, not the e-book. I state that I have a refund policy, but I don't state that it isn't on the e-book. ~
Sean1989, I think you really misjudged your audience here. Quite a few regulars on this forum sell ebooks and software, so I don't think many are going to applaud you for...well, stealing from them.
I'm being honest here about it, why don't take advantage of it somehow. I'm just being 100% honest here.. I used to do this only when I first started out in internet marketing because I didn't have a lot to invest. It wasn't too big of a deal for me since they did gave the policy. I never said I return everything I buy though.
Yes you are being honest, but sometimes its best to say nothing than open your mouth and piss off everyone around you. You are on a webmasters forum, did you think everyone was going to congratulate you for ripping off webmasters? If you have a genuine complaint with software or something then its reasonable to ask for a refund, but you're openly admitting to ripping everyone off.