Leosghost - 7:09 pm on Apr 19, 2011 (gmt 0)

Agree with almost all your points re efficiency etc..but my betting is that G wouldn't ..because it would suit them not to..

I see afflilates as coffee table operations playing the adwords arbitrage game to make a little extra income.

The big ones ( affs ) here will no doubt "bite" at that ..they too have what you list below

I have salaries to pay, legal, accounting, phone, lease, etc. I would hardly call this as zero upfront financial risk.

So do affiliates ..merely a difference of scale.

But affiliates don't have physical merchandise..

So ..invest in some actual merchandise..( I emphasise the "some" deliberately..just enough and an address ( you can always be closed to physical "visitors" 24 hours a day ) "suite xyz,101 Main st etc

I don't think its fair to list the two different modesl as being affiliate. With our model, it is more of a partnership.

Its what they think that will count ( and your current model looks like an aff "duck" )..so with a little adjustment ,when they start looking for ducks ..you will not walk like a duck, look like a duck ..nor will you quack like a duck..

btw ..I'm sure if the IRS looked at you as you are currently set up ..they'd say you were an affiliate..to not seem like one to G ..you need to think how would the IRS or whatever your local tax system would take you for.