Here is the first email (HT: BoingBoing):

I work on the Cash4Gold site. We are trying to clean up their first page of results in Google. Your article: http://www.cockeyed.com/citizen/goldkit/cheat.shtml is ranking very well for term “Cash4Gold”. The site looks like you may do well from Adsense.

Is there a financial arrangement we can come to that will offset your Adsense income and make it worth your while to take down or at least “de-optimize” it for that phrase? I would be happy to speak more about this on the phone…

Thanks,
Joe Laratro
President
Tandem Interactive – Trendy Online Marketing Solutions
Hollywood, FL 33020

Rob ignored the email and left the article up on his site.

After a few weeks, Rob received a second email:

Rob,

I work with Cash4Gold on the reputation management. Your article is ranking #3 on their brand term. They would really like to make it worth your while to take it down or make it more positive. They did something similar by joining (OTHER CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE)’s advocacy program. Is it worth a few thousand to take it down? If not, maybe a donation to your favorite charity is more to your liking?

Feel free to call me anytime to discuss further.

Thanks,
Joe Laratro
President
Tandem Interactive – Trendy Online Marketing Solutions
Hollywood, FL 33020

Rob ignored the second email, as well and kept his article about Cash4Gold up on his site.

We promote “As Seen On TV” products on ASOTVOffers.com.  We just received our own envelope from Cash4Gold, yesterday to return with some old gold for cash to evaluate Cash4Gold.  When we become aware of situations like this with regard to our products, we will immediately pass that information on to our readers.  As with all products on this or any other site on the internet, you need to closely evaluate everything you sign up for and agree to.  Read the fine print.  Read the terms and conditions.  Be comfortable with the decision you’re making and take action.  We have some excellent products on this site — we use many of them, ourselves.  Hopefully, one bad apple doesn’t ruin it for the bunch.

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