"Email Delivery Only"

“Email delivery only” is the title I chose for this message, and it refers to the countless offers posted on certain websites dedicated to acting as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. I am also referring to those that say “Free shipping” or “Free email delivery.”

And I thought it was necessary to write about this, although without any hope that this situation will change, or even that anyone will pay attention to it. It seems to be a flourishing business with many people willing to allow it to be so—a business for some, and a utility (?) for others. But I ask this because I really don't know if it actually serves any useful purpose for the buyer. That is to say, I would believe that a minority might find it useful, but I don't think that is the case for the majority, though I have no way to prove it is as I think.

When looking at offers for books and magazines, one often has to waste time looking through one or more pages of books, courses, and manuals that are "auctioned off at $1" on these well-known online sales sites—the most famous of them being MercadoLibre.

In the description, somewhat hidden and in smaller print, they clarify that "delivery is by email only," and they add an extra charge of $3, so that the buyer ends up paying these money-hungry individuals a total of $4.

It is worth remembering that I wrote this back in 2009. Now, moving into 2014, a few things have changed—mostly cosmetic touch-ups. On one hand, the site banned the sale of "manuals," which doesn't mean they aren't still being sold, only that they changed the tone of the listings. On the other hand, prices have been updated; today we are talking about higher prices.

To continue, some sellers have the nerve to publish the exact same book, course, or magazine countlessly.

The trick works easily on the gullible and those who don't know how to use the Internet. They put up spectacular graphics and photos with wonderful descriptions and announce "free shipping."

And of course! How could shipping not be free if it's by email? Even so, these individuals charge $3 as an "extra fee"; some don't put free shipping and add that charge as shipping expenses—when delivery is by email! Others brazenly clarify "email delivery only," and that is the only way their business yields them money.

The result of deceiving people is $4, provided it goes well, because many times they don't even receive what was promised. Four pesos that comfort the souls of those who abuse, of the "cunning Argentines"* who think they are cleverer by taking advantage of good, highly gullible people.

All those books they offer for sale can be downloaded for free from the Internet using search engines—any of them. Anyone can download them without paying a single cent, but these opportunists are always around to get their hands on $4.

It doesn't escape me that there are people willing to pay, even knowing it's a scam, even knowing they are being deceived. Many allow it; it's nothing strange or removed from reality, it just moves to the virtual world. Just as there are people willing to buy stolen goods at a lower price, there are people willing to pay for what they see is a deception. Even those who doubt when faced with the possibility of being tricked still move forward with a "go ahead, trick me, I don't care, I'll pay."

The best thing to do is BUY NOTHING FROM THOSE WHO SEND BOOKS, COURSES, AND MAGAZINES BY EMAIL. You are feeding ill-tempered people who profit at your expense.

With a little time and patience, all those books can be found for download on the Internet. Just type “download + the title of the book or course” and that's it! You download it WITHOUT PAYING ANYTHING.

Fortunately, so many have dedicated themselves to this type of deception that, judging by the sales of those who do it, they aren't taking much—meaning, they take almost nothing.
Often, these books, courses, and/or manuals come in a file larger than what email allows, which causes the recipient to follow unsuccessful instructions on how to download it from a server—something cumbersome for the buyer, who of course, once paid, doesn't have much room to complain.

Other times they send poorly scanned books or courses, with shadows or lacking colors, which aren't good for reading.

And as a final corollary, if you have no other choice or you are a conformist and don't want to learn how to search for it on your own and download it for free yourself, then pay these individuals, and remember that legal principle that says: "He who pays poorly, pays twice."

Note on context:

•    In the phrase "los vivos argentinos", the word "vivos" refers to the cultural concept of viveza criolla (taking advantage of others through cunning or deceit). It has been translated as "cunning Argentines" to preserve the original meaning.