Nothing online ticks me off more than this action. Now maybe it took me a while longer than an extrovert to express this, or gosh, would an extrovert even say anything about this?
I tend to be a Go-Giver. Online and in person I have this paper for no charge, this complimentary report and this free eBook excerpt. The role is to lead to inspire introverts who want to be more successful and happier in their life. Free makes for good marketing, good sense and helps people all at the same time. Do you get the idea? I've been this way since I started in sales many, many, many years ago. If there was something that would help a potential customer experience the value of a product or service, and marketing hadn't thought about making it a gift in some way, then it was natural for me to suggest it. When I later was promoted to a sales manager, I tried my darndest to stay with that philosophy.
Online things are the same for the giver but a bit different on the takers side and this specific behavior really burns me up ---
Someone signs up for a free report. Some offers require an opt-in to comply with spam law, others might not because of being launched before such a law. Then the person opts-in. Then no less than 60 seconds behind that, the same someone - opts-out.
Here's what plays around in my introvert mind which has now reached the boil-over point:
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1- Does anyone really believe they can solve their situation with a one-page pdf file?
2- Could they have really read that 32-page eBook excerpt in less than 60 seconds even if they took a speed-reading course?
3- If someone is interested enough to get a 9 page report, then why not read it first to decide the value of what is just preliminary information?
4- Knowing you have the right to opt-out at anytime, and giving the paper or report a thumbs up once you have read it, why not stay around to see what else promises to lie ahead?
5- Is someone subscribed to so many lists that while they find the information might be valuable they don't want really want to go deeper to get to the nitty gritty?
6-Did the person really read it, and then decide they didn't find it valuable? (I'd like to know this!)
7-Why do people do this?
"You cannot have a happy ending to an unhappy journey." - Abraham
The action of request, opt-in and immediately opt-out speaks to an unhappy journey. And no doubt if the journey is in and out, it seems the ending would be unfulfilling as well. Is this kind of action one of distrust? Is it something else? Who knows except the taker.
I get upset with things like this, let them percolate, express it and then move on. What's the real point in not expressing it? I'm on a mission and something is getting in my way. Would an extrovert take the risk of expressing this? Maybe; extroverts are sometimes quicker to let things like this go. For me, it's actually more of sadness for the taker. I suppose that is why sales rejection (another topic) may not be so awful for me.
Sometimes as an introvert I might hold this kind of frustration in a bit longer than is really healthy. And that gives the American Psychiatric Association fuel for labeling, introversion as a mental disorder! (I'm laughing aloud about this weeks later!) Thanks for letting me vent a bit.
What do you think is the motive of someone behaving as I describe?
How do you respond when you are the giver and in a scenario like this?
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Well, a lot to think about. Solving this is just behind world peace.
What do you think is the motive of someone behaving as I describe?
I suspect it is similar to gambling... looking for something for little or no effort. However, that is quite simple and there are as many variations on this as there are people who take the reports.
I think it is just electrons across a wire... move on. My updated version of water under the bridge.
There are many was to view situations and this behavior points that out.
Q. How many pawns does it take to change a lightbulb?
A. One, but it takes all knight.
Q. How many pawns does it take to change a lightbulb?
A. One, but it has to queen first
Q. How many pawns does it take to change a lightbulb?
A. It depends on whether it is hanging or prophylaxis is used. In either case, it is re-volting.
In that specific kind of situation, I think some people like to think they are "getting away with something" if they get the goodies then unsubscribe - as if they think they've figured out something very clever! They may go to many sites, some of which don't even fit with their needs, downloading any free items they can get.
I've noticed a lot of takers in this world more generally though. It seems that for them it's all about Number One - except maybe for their own kids. About any other human being they have no empathy or desire to help or cooperate at all. Well - they are missing out on some wonderful relationships and benefits, as they just go along in life looking to take-only!
Jim I never thought of it like gambling but it is a bit like that. I wonder if people are addicted in the same way?
Christie, what you say takes the gambling to the addictive phase! The take-only route is just one way for sure.
Thanks for you sense of it.
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