Update... Scuba Diving Controversy

I have Internet access again, so I can write a few words, but that probably will be the last thing I post on the Blog until I can write about my whole trip and post it as one long post.

I was out in the countryside, visited many places and spent time with Balinese people, getting to know the culture. It was great!

While I was away there has been quite a controversy around a sale we did on my website, called “the Scuba Diving Sale” — where the idea was to raise enough money to send me on a Scuba Diving Trip.

Now, I don’t know what the controversy was about, but I think many people have either no sense of humor whatsover, or their sense of humor is so foreign to mine that this whole thing just seemed “SO SERIOUS.”

Come on folks, every business does occasional “sales” once in a while. Christmas sales, Halloween sales, etc. Why not be original. The owner of the business gets to spend the money on whatever she wants -- so I’m just telling you upfront what I’ll be spending the money on!

My business helps a lot of people. Heck, some people think I shouldn’t be paid for that. Well, that’s something I don’t quite understand (if you’re a banker, it’s okay to make money, but if you help people, it’s not?!).

We’re spending big money to print all of our mass-market books on 100% recycled paper, so no trees are cut. I don’t know any other “raw-food” business that does that.

Anyway, I did go on a diving trip. It was amazing! Off the shore of North Bali in Pemuteran is one of the best diving sites in the whole world. Check it out on the Internet.

Many thanks for all of my readers who supported us with the Scuba Sale, and to all of those with a sense of humor similar to mine... (maybe that’s a Canadian thing...)

I’d appreciate your comments.

Fred

Comments

[Sean McEligot]

When I got an email I shook my head and felt sorry for poor Tera. I knew exactly what was coming. She violated a few email etiquette rules internet users are very unforgiving about these things.

The subject line was the main miskate. When a subject line of "Sean, we have a problem" popped on my computer, my heart jumped. I thought it was work related. I understand that this was just a simple mistake and I wasn't mad at all.

It's difficult to communicate online (and off). That's why we have have :) smiley's, because we don't have facial cues. You are a great writer. I couldn't do what you do. I'm constantly miscommunicating, even in the real world.

I would forgive these people who got mad at you. Here in America, someone is trying to cheat you out of money every day. It's difficult, not to be on the defense all the time. They will come back to you, because you're offering information that we can't find anywhere else. Don't let this affect the great work you are doing.

[Frederic Patenaude in Bali]

You're right about the email subject line... Tera and I didn't spend enough time (with me in Bali) discussing that part. I've made lots of marketing mistakes in the past, so this is another one... but we learn from them.

Well, we lost 200 subsribers over the whole thing, unfortunately. The good thing is that 25 new people subscribe almost every day. :)

[Jennifer]

As a person with experience in sales and marketing for 17 years, I think the primary issue surrounding the manner by which you marketed your diving trip was how blatantly self-serving it was. While granted the reduction was a decent % off the retail e books, the manner by which it was handled left a strong perception that the sole purpose of your company's long term customers and support were meant to fund your own personal desires. The information you provide in your business is highly beneficial for one who seeks to rise higher on a physical level. However, there are many (I am certain) who are in a limited income bracket who save just to afford one of your products while it is announced you are enjoying extensive foreign travel and other opportunities most will spend their lives only dreaming about. Dreams are within reach, however, perhaps you might also want to consider seeking to use a percentage of customer sales to benefit an organization, charity, mission group, or less fortunate persons abroad that you have been confronted with on your trips. I know persons in many of the places you have visited assuredly are lucky to have one meal a day or even one set of clothes to wear.

God bless your business and inspiration Frederique. Yet, seek to look at things from another perception when if it were not for the loyal customer, you would have no business to speak of.

Just a thought.

[Amy]

Well Fred, I agree, it must be a Canadian thing... I'm Canadian, and I wasn't at all offended and was really surprised by the backlash you receive. I can't believe people were so upset with you for your cute little advertisement - especially after all you share and give to your readers each week for free!! Unbelieveable in my opinion! So, oh well... onwards and upwards. By cutting themselves off from you, they've lost a lot. I'm just sorry that some of them felt it necessary to be so hurtful in their reaction. All-in-all, I'm glad you got to go on your scuba trip and I hope your sale was a successful one!

[Dhrumil]

This is awesome!

[LogRock]

Amazing, isn't it? People will gladly fork over their hard earned money for cars, clothing, dining out, electronics, etc. without a second thought about how the profit is spent. But many, it seems, believe that our teachers, law officers, and others in healing/protecting/caring roles should struggle through life on a meager existence.

Next time you visit a farmer's market, watch for a few minutes. You most likely will see someone telling a grower something like "But I can get cucumbers 3/$1 at the grocery store...you are charging too much." Some of these people will have a Starbucks cup in their hands that they paid full price and never once thought to say, "$3.50?? You are charging too much!"

Thank goodness, we have this wonderful & growing raw community that becomes more enlightened everyday, and places a higher value on the goods & services that help make this world a better place.

Thanks for being upfront & honest, keep it up!

[Rah Food]

I'm in agreement with what someone said about the nature of that ad. It wasn't in good humor, it was downright foolish.

[Autumn]

I agree with all the positive supportive comments you've recieved on this thread!! Really what you offer is so wonderful. Personally for the most part I can only take advantage of the free stuff, and am trying to manifest a change in my own life so that I can afford ALL your great products and help to support you personally and your great company!! Wow thanks for printing your stuff on recylcled paper!

I do have to say though I was a bit (ok a lot) envious! Although I know I support corrupt billionares everyday! It's hard for poor people to actually see others having a balance life I guess...

Not being able to even dream about taking such trips though is MY responsibilty to change!! Not being able to even dream about helping people as much as you do, is also my responsibilty to change!! You're a complete inspiration to become successful (hopefully helping others too).

Although I myself in my current situation, if possible, would go to the third world for humanitarian reasons AND to swim and eat the fruit. You yourself are already importantly helping a lot of people and it's good to stay balanced yourself as well!! Keep up the good work and don't let us crazy Americans bring you down!!

Love,
Autumn

[steermrop]

Love may laugh at locksmiths, but he has a profound respect for money bags.
-- Sidney Paternoster, "The Folly of the Wise"

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