Faithlife - is this really ethical?

I recently received an email from Faithlife which is typical of some emails that I've received before. The subject line is something like this:

Just $8.70 More a Month for Word Biblical Commentary 59vols!

Now, my current payment plan is $40.88 and they are offering a payment plan of $49.58. Sounds great right? Except that my current plan has only one month left. what is actually on offer is $8.70 for one month and then just $49.58 more for 14 months.

This is not just a mistake. I generally only get this kind of email when a payment plan is coming to the end of its life. Granted I can work this out for myself but, nevertheless, the subject line is absolutely untrue and the claim within the body of the email that this is a "consolidated payment" is only true of the first month.

I understand the psychology behind this kind of sales technique but a Christian company ought to steer clear of this kind of ...dishonesty (?).

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Comments

Fred Chapman

I do not see the "dishonesty" in this, however I would suggest contacting FL directly to express your concerns regarding this issue.

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/762588#Comment_762588

I do not see the "dishonesty" in this

'Dishonesty' is probably the wrong word. I was thinking more along the lines of 'predatory'.

As I've said before, providing a product that people want at a price the market will bear is fine. Creating a market for a product that people don't know they want is a different animal. Using psychology along with easy forms of credit crosses lines. Blurred lines, in this culture, maybe...but lots of lines.

It bothers me as much as it does the OP. But that's just my opinion. It is obviously in the minority report (where I'm happy to live).

Sean McIntyre

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/762614#Comment_762614

for me it's mostly the fact that, whether or not the word dishonest is the best one, what is stated in the email is simply not true. since the payment plan is ending, $49.58 is no $8.70 more. As Christians we are held to a higher standard in our business practices, which may sometimes mean not getting ahead so much as the rest of the world.

Jan Krohn

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/762614#Comment_762614

As I've said before, providing a product that people want at a price the market will bear is fine. Creating a market for a product that people don't know they want is a different animal.

I'd say that's also fine, and necessary for any innovation to succeed.

Using psychology along with easy forms of credit crosses lines. Blurred lines, in this culture, maybe...but lots of lines.

Been there, done that...

https://community.logos.com/forums/t/100199.aspx?PageIndex=1

From my side, nothing more to say than the two lines I already quoted from the Vyrso blog.

https://community.logos.com/forums/p/100199/693042.aspx#693412

It bothers me as much as it does the OP. But that's just my opinion. It is obviously in the minority report (where I'm happy to live).

I'll join you in the minority report.

Ted Weis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/762702#Comment_762702

Offer most likely generated by a number crunching computer

Mike Childs

Well, for years now Logos / Faithlife has used the same advertising ethics as any other business. For example, I am much more bothered by the false % discounts based on a "regular price", which is higher than the regular price Logos charges for the item. And this "regular price" is for a product which cannot be bought anywhere except from Logos. So how can the "regular price" be higher than the price that Logos charges? Did you follow that?

In other words the "regular price" often does not exist, except as a marketing tool to make the % discount seem larger than it is. That used to happen much more frequently than now, as there have been many complaints.

Logos / Faithlife is a great company, and I am not attacking them. However, in purchasing from Logos / Faithlife, it is still buyer beware.

Personally, I have appreciated the notice that for a few dollars more a month I could add a resource that I have long wanted. But before purchasing, I would do the math myself, and check the terms. Such offers usually come to me from my sales agent, and I don't mind.

Dustin Pearson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/762859#Comment_762859

Frankly, to be honest...I just find them insulting and delete the emails out of course.

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/762882#Comment_762882

I get similar offers every so often. Adding something from my wish list or upgrading base package. I did once feel inclined, but now I just look at what's offered and mostly just delete the offer. I'm eager to finish off paying on my stuff.

If Faithlife really wanted to pry some dollars from me they would get some of those core heavy resources out of CP and Pre-Pub. I'm not in a big rush anymore, but it would surely be nice to finally have access to some of those scholarly treasures.

Phil Gons (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/762859#Comment_762859

Well, for years now Logos / Faithlife has used the same advertising ethics as any other business. For example, I am much more bothered by the false % discounts based on a "regular price", which is higher than the regular price Logos charges for the item. And this "regular price" is for a product which cannot be bought anywhere except from Logos. So how can the "regular price" be higher than the price that Logos charges? Did you follow that?

In other words the "regular price" often does not exist, except as a marketing tool to make the % discount seem larger than it is. That used to happen much more frequently than now, as there have been many complaints.

Michael, we stopped doing this about three years ago (with the launch of Logos 5 in November of 2012). We used to have a retail price which represented the sum of all the corresponding print list prices. We decided that this "retail" price wasn't helpful and could be misleading, so we dropped it. We replace it with a regular price, which truly is the price we normally sell the product for. Occasionally we'll discount products below the regular price for a sale price. In short, the prices are accurate reflections of what they indicate. No tricks. Just the facts.

We're also in the process of rolling out a new price for collections that shows the sum of all the parts (like we do with base packages), so you can see what you're saving by buying the collection instead of the individual volumes. I think we'll call this product value, or something along those lines.

We appreciate your feedback on this. It's our desire to use sales and marketing tactics that are honest, transparent, helpful, above board, and consistent with the teaching of the Bible. Thanks for calling us out and holding us accountable.

Phil Gons (Logos)

I understand the psychology behind this kind of sales technique but a Christian company ought to steer clear of this kind of ...dishonesty (?).

Thanks for your feedback on this, Sean. I'm sorry this came across as dishonest. We're discussing it internally to make sure our sales and marketing efforts are always transparent and above board.