Originally Posted by Robbie

xxxjay is correct. X-sells have been around for 10 years. Giving away the entire members areas of websites for free has only been happening the last year and a half.

FYI, I bought quickbooks 2009 a few months ago online at their website. My accountant made me do it to replace my 2003 version. Well, I just realized that I've been getting charged $39.95 every month since Dec. for "unlimited support"

My wife bought the software and didn't realize she needed to uncheck the x-sell. Yes, it really does happen everywhere.

I also just went round and round with Wells Fargo as I just noticed I've been getting drilled $9.99 every month for their online "Bill Pay" on my business account. Turns out I missed a x-sell in their TOS Now THAT is a hidden x-sell.

The tubes that rip the whole members areas and the torrent sites have absolutely KILLED the affiliate business. I'm making half of what I did last year as an affiliate. On the flip side...I'm making MORE as a paysite owner because of all the type in traffic I'm getting. So it's a wash out for me. But if I were still only doing affiliate work it would be panic time. No reason for ANYBODY to buy a membership from my affiliate links anymore. They can either watch it for free or type it in these days.

EDIT: One other thing about that Quickbooks x-sell. You CAN'T cancel it online! They make you call a phone number during business hours and go through one of those 30 minute long automated directories to wait on the "next available representative" It took me about an hour to cancel it. And of course I'm not getting any money back from the months they already took.

At least on a porn site a person can get their money refunded with no questions asked by the banks.