merchant problems

reduced commissions and reduced cookies

[lacymc]

Hi,
I was wondering how people deal with these types of situations. There are a group of websites that bring in thousands of dollars of sales to <merchant> which is affiliated with cj. Over the last year they have lowered there commission rates from 30% to 25% to 20 % now to 15% and their cookies from 160 days to now 45 days. A group of us are negotiating a similar affiliate program with another online skin products store hoping to get some type of incentive based program with cookies lasting 360 days, since 75% of our customers are repeat customers.

Why would a company refuse to work with their best publishers, in fact not even respond tp their concerns? Does it sound as though they may be going out of business. Has anyone heard anything?

[edited by: rcjordan at 8:15 pm (utc) on Feb. 9, 2003]
[edit reason] generic may work better [/edit]

[rcjordan]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, lacymc.

>refuse to work with their best publishers, in fact not even respond tp their concerns

While I'm not familiar w/ this particular merchant, I've seen the symptoms you've described a few times and it often points to a failing affiliate program --they just aren't making enough profit to consider the program successful or worthwhile. In the worst case, it's a merchant following a bait & switch tactic.

[lacymc]

"While I'm not familiar w/ this particular merchant, I've seen the symptoms you've described a few times and it often points to a failing affiliate program --they just aren't making enough profit to consider the program successful or worthwhile. In the worst case, it's a merchant following a bait & switch tactic."

Thanks for your response. It's very depressing for some of us because we have worked so hard for this company and the person who usually deals with us is "no where to be found" or he does not want to be found.

I guess if you look at their history of paying out commissions from 30 to 60 days, then the reduced commission from 30% to 15%, reduced cookies from 160 days to now 45 days; YOUR RIGHT, it's either a failing affiliate program or the good ole bait and switch. I just wish people would be more honest when they deal with the people who work hard for them. Oh well, you live and learn.

[yankee]

I think I know the merchant you are talking about (starts with S)? I'm pretty sure the reason is lack of competition. They know who their competitors are, and at 15% they still offer the best program out there. When they get a competitor offering 20%, they will go back to 20%.

[mfishy]

I am so tired of the bait and switch. Can you imagine working for a company as a sales person, consistently being a top performer- only to get pay cuts instead of raises?

The moment a merchant changes its pay program for the worst, I am out...

[lacymc]

"I am so tired of the bait and switch. Can you imagine working for a company as a sales person, consistently being a top performer - only to get pay cuts instead of raises?"

Tell me about it! Not only do they punish their top performers they don't even answer their e-mails or telephone!