Originally Posted by Relentless

There is absolutely nothing unethical about pre-checked cross sales when they are properly presented. They exist on many mainstream sites and adult sites as well. A pre-checked cross sale that is clearly explained, presented above the submit button and easy to uncheck is ethical. The best cross sales are the ones that include a discount offer to another site or product making the combined price lower than the total price would be if they were bought separately.

The certificate of any Website Secure certified site that offers cross-sales plainly states 'this site offers pre-checked cross sales" or "this site offers unchecked cross-sales." Click the WebsiteSecure seal on any site, or verify the unique certification number using WebsiteSecure.org to see a full report. WebsiteSecure.org also has an entire section of the site devoted to explaining Adjunct Sales (cross sales and upsells) to assist in educating consumers.

Any site with 'scams' of any kind, including but not limited to x-sells that can't be unchecked, shown below the submit, ambiguously worded offers etc are not certified and are asked to correct their sites before resubmitting.

The response from consumers is excellent. Consumers are not afraid of being given a fair offer which they can easily opt out of, they are concerned about unethical practices. The fact that many scammers abuse the x-sell concept does not make all x-sells unethical - just as the fact that many crimes being committed with guns does not make all gun ownership unethical.