One order - two affiliate claims

[JamesBond]

We have just started our Affiliate marketing. Just recently an order came in and along with it, message from TWO affiliate programs that we are in, that the order was due to their efforts.

Clearly the person shopping for our product clicked on the ads of both the affiliates during the course of shopping.

So, how in the world do we handle this?

Any advise, T&C modification would be MUCH, MUCH appreciated.

Thanks

[skibum]

Last cookie set usually gets credit for the sale.

[JamesBond]

So, the T&C's would need to cover this I imagine or is this a well known affilate concept.

[kodaks]

I think both affiliates should each earn the amount of commision they both deserve.

[aleksl]

kodaks - I think everyone who has a website should get a commission they rightfully deserve.

you can't put one egg in two baskets.

[rfung]

How could have that happened, if the affiliate programs are doing what they're supposed to be doing?

[sidewinder]

This is quite common for merchants who operate their affiliate programs through multiple networks (eg CJ & SAS, or SAS & inhouse etc).

I'd be checking the click dates on both cookies, and the last click gets the sale.

[johnnie]

you can't put one egg in two baskets.

Boil the egg, then slice it in two. Done.

Think outside the box. They may both claim the full monty, but they can neither *prove* their claim is well-founded. And from the looks of it, neither can you. Just split the commission.

Remember to set up clear guidelines next time and track your logs/cookies :)

[JamesBond]

Thank you all for very instructive feedback. I have decided to split the commision between the two - in some way, the first affiliate generated the exposure, certainly deserving the payment and in the second case, the 2nd affiliate made our site easier to be found.

I have also now modified my T&C to let people know that should two or more claims arrise, they will be split.

Thanks again.