December 21, 2006

Class Action Santa Suit?

I was surfing around reading the blogs of other affiliate marketers, and I came across a post by Linda Buquet of 5 Star Affiliates that really bugged me. Not with Linda, no way, but with merchants who think they can rip off the affiliates and totally get away with it.

Seems that DadaMobile slammed shut the doors of their affiliate program right befor Christmas.

That means that any affiliates who were promoting their products and services are basically out of luck for their commissions. Man, I'd hate to be the guy running PPC ads for this affy program … that's gotta hurt!

I think merchants like DadaMobile need to be exposed … to the winter's elements … for the doing bad business.

If you're an affiliate with them, I'd highly recommend you get out of there NOW!!! If you've owed commissions from sales you made prior to the closing of their affiliate program, you need to demand payment. If they refuse, you affiliates need to files a class action suit. Stick together and shady merchants like this will not have as much of an impact in the Affiliate Marketing Industry.

I also received an Associate email from Amazon today outlining more changes to their affiliate payout structure. Man, they're down to 4% for affiliates now … that's just wrong!

The email continued:

Announcing Monthly Payments!

Beginning January 1, 2007, your Amazon Associates payments will be monthly instead of quarterly, paid approximately 60 days after the end of each month. For example, referral fees you earn in January will be paid at the end of March, and payment of referral fees earned in February will be paid at the end of April. As part of this change, referral fee tiers will be adjusted to reflect monthly instead of quarterly item quantities:

Amazon's also sending out another email to some of their associates. I haven't gotten this one yet myself:

Dear XXX,

At the end of the year Amazon.com will be changing the pay structure that it has in place with you today to one in which we pay you referral fees only on items that we send to you (and result in a sale on our website) on a regular basis.

To incorporate these new payment changes, we have attached an amendment to the existing Associates Operating agreement that you have in place with Amazon.com today. To migrate to the new pay structure, please print out, sign, and fax the amended agreement [fax #: (206) 266-1352] by close of business on Thursday, December 28. Alternatively, if you prefer to not continue as an Amazon Associate, there is no action required on your part because our existing agreement will be terminated as of Friday, December 29. Please note that if you choose to discontinue with the Associates program, you will still be paid standard referral fees up through December 31 of 2006.

Amazon.com values our business relationship and we certainly hope that you choose to continue as a member of the Amazon Associates program. We recognize that transitioning to a new business model may have its challenges, which is why we are open to your feedback on this new payment structure moving forward.

Thank you for your time,

Amazon.com Associates team