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Bogus Web Sites.
How to spot a bogus Astrologer.
Be
warned, many Astrology sites are not what they seem; some are
downright fraudulent. Spotting them is not easy because many of
them look very professional with great graphics. Here is what to
look out for.
The
vast majority of sites are offering nothing more than cheap computer
reports which are probably not set up correctly and operated by people
with little or no Astrological experience. A real giveaway is if
reports are promised instantly or in no time at all. Real Astrology
takes time. Always ask if the report on offer is computer
generated and then beware of evasive replies.
Reports
only.
Beware
of sites that offer nothing else other than reports or at best
free horoscopes, and the accent is on sell, sell, sell. They lack
any real Astrological information other than the usual Sun Signs,
in other words you are, say, a Capricorn therefore you are... Use
my site as a measure of what a real Astrology site should look
like. Don't be fooled by references, how do you know they are
real? You don't. In one case there is a cunning ploy giving the
impression that Princess Dianna had responded favourably to a
report sent to her. Reading between the lines she did no such
thing because the reply came from one of her aides.. If I sent a
free report to some famous person, chances are that some member of
staff would send me a polite thank you and this is what happened
here, except that the 'Astrologer' misrepresented the facts. Looks
good, but it's a con.
Numerous
reports.
The
site operator is assuming that the sheer quantity will give
the impression of quality and know how - and he's right! The truth
of the matter is that they are all likely to be computer junk - so
walk away.
Personal
replies from experts.
A
difficult to spot scam are the sites offering experts who will
solve your problems with personal replies. You may find
photographs of these experts with comments such as, 'Nigel is our
financial expert who will use his Astrological and financial
skills to ...' How do you know that Nigel is a financial expert?
How do you know that Nigel is an Astrologer? More to the point,
how do you know that Nigel even exists! You don't. How can these
so-called experts come up with a personal report
'instantly'? It can take hours to work through a birth chart and
type out the results, so what is going on? It's yet another
computer scam, probably operated by a lone unskilled worker who
just puts in the information and presses a button. Would you trust
this site now?
Dear
Astrologer......
A
scam used by some 'Astrologers' to make them look professional and
knowledgeable involves letters or e-mails from people asking questions
about Astrology or their personal life. How do you know these come from
real people? You don't, so best to treat them with suspicion.
Free
horoscope and lucky numbers.
Beware
of web sites offering a 'Free Horoscope' and nothing else, they usually
lead to overpriced computer reports and pester-mail. How
about a 'Free' reading with your lucky numbers thrown in for good
measure? Remember: if it looks too good to be true then it
probably is. There is no such thing as 'free', one way or another you
usually end up paying for it. Lucky numbers are a scam, if they were any
good wouldn't the person offering them be taking advantage of their own?
By now they ought to be millionaires, but they obviously are not else they
wouldn't be trying to palm them off onto you for free. The free horoscope
is a front for a sales pitch. Here are two examples.
1.
In the first case the lady in question - describing herself as a respected
psychic with lots of references [with no proof!] sends you a very
long-winded e-mail with her predictions for you. None of them ever come
true, and while you are waiting you are bombarded with e-mails offering
you inducements to buy what is in effect a useless get-rich-quick scheme.
There is no return e-mail address for you to raise queries - or get your
money back! Little evidence of Astrology here.
2.
In this case we have a similar procedure, but the pressure is put on to
buy her Astrology report - the usual poor computer printout with a high
price tag. Don't bother.
Psychic
Astrologers.
Let
me dispel a common myth. Astrology is not, nor has it ever been, connected
in any way, shape, or form to the paranormal. Astrology is a logical
system of deduction requiring no special psychic or intuitive skills
whatsoever and so is no different to, say, mathematics or physics.
It can be learned by anyone who has an interest and is willing to
study.
You
will come across people advertising themselves as 'Psychic Astrologers' or
implying that they will use their special powers to do all manner of wondrous
things for you. Astrologers, worthy of the name, would never present
themselves in this way. No, I am not decrying the genuine psychic for whom
I have a great deal of respect, but I do object to people weaving a web of
mystery around the subject in order to make money, sometimes to cover up
the fact that whether they are genuine psychics or not, they have little
grasp of the subject.
Psychics
who have thoroughly studied the subject, or Astrologers who are
psychically gifted, do exist - in which case they ought to know better
than to bring the two together and should make this clear in their
advertising.
I
predicted....
You
will occasionally come across claims such as: Successfully
predicted the death of JFK, or a rise in stocks and share prices,
and so on. Anyone can claim this sort of thing after the
event, but can they prove they did it before the event?
Probably not. Don't let this sort of thing sway you.
Wow,
look at the graphics.
You
will come across Astrology websites that look really professional with
stylish graphics and flashing banners, etc. This does not mean that
the site is run by a competent Astrologer. Sometimes it is a complete scam
designed for the sole purpose of extracting money from you. Is there any
genuine Astrology on offer or is it all about Sun Signs, special offers
and other inducements? Genuine Astrologers tend to use plain, simple
websites to offer their services, which do not include computer reports.
They are rare.
Free
horoscopes.
Some
are genuine, if not a little misguided, but most are a trick to keep a
particular web site in your mind so that you visit regularly and
eventually purchase what is on offer - usually a useless computer report.
The plain fact is that it is impossible to produce an accurate daily or
weekly forecast, so what are you really getting? Some web sites give me
the impression that the 'astrologer' is simply making it up.
See
my testimonials.
This
is a trick often used by scam-merchants to convince you that they are bona
fide. Ask yourself; how do you know they are genuine? You don't. There is
a good chance that they are fictitious. Genuine Astrologers have no need
to pull stunts like this.
Refunds.
You
may come across individuals who offer to refund your money if you are not
satisfied. Tow things to bear in mind. Firstly, is there an e-mail address
you can complain to? I know it sounds obvious, but believe me all too
often there isn't! So how do you get in touch? Secondly, offering a refund
is one thing - getting it is anther matter. What do you do if the
company/Astrologer ignores your e-mails? You are faced with a complicated
procedure with little chance of ever getting a penny back. Don't fall for
this scam.
Copyright
© 2003 First Stop Astrology.com.
All rights reserved.
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