farmboy - 3:59 pm on Jan 27, 2009 (gmt 0)

That may be the company's way of recruiting large producers only and discouraging smaller affiliates from joining their program.

I agree. When you have an affiliate program that attracts the masses, it's like throwing a fishing net into the sea. You'll get some fish, but you'll also get some crabs. Crabs cause headaches, create extra work, etc.

This might be a company that wants to deal with a small number of good fish while keeping out as many crabs as possible.

If this is a good company and a good product, you might consider getting in contact with their affiliate manager. Explain how you'll be a good affiliate, have a good site, have good visitor numbers, etc. and explain your concern. They just might grant you a lower threshold or give you a good explanation why they need to stick to that $500 threshold.

The $500 threshold alone wouldn't turn me away, I'd need more information.

But I would also need an assurance that if I want out in a few of months and haven't reached the threshold, I could still get the amount I had earned.

FarmBoy