CJ.com - High sign up fees.

Can any merchants give feedback.

[ulounge]

I have been looking into CJ.com for my commerce site. There sign up fees are alot more than other merchant programs.

Does anyone use them and can you tell me if it is worth the fees?

Do they provide good traffic and sales?

Any information will help. Thanks alot.

[justageek]

They are too high for a lot of people. Sorry I can't give you any feedback because I don't have the $$ to start or even test with them :-(

[RodBee]

I'd wait until 11/3 when a new parasite free network is planning to launch. :)

[Catalyst]

RodBee,

I tried to PM you but got an error. Please contact me re: the parasite-free network. If you know who I am, and have read my posts on other forums, you know this is something
I could really get behind.

[justageek]

Excuse my ignorance but what does parasite free network mean?

JAG

[Chef_Brian]

Hey justageek,

Well it means just that ...

It will be a network that does not allow merchants who use any programs that reside on computers to over-write affilaite links which is what a parasite is.

Figure if you promote a merchant at cj or any other network that supports these "parasites" you could and most likey will (assuming you get sales) be loosing money to these parasites.

It works like this:

1. You create a site and use affiliate links which track *your* sale

2. The parasite merchant creates "special free software" and entices people to down load it. Once this software is on a "host computer" it will overwrite any and all affiliate links.

3. You start to get visitors to your website, and also start earning commissions as well. However here is where it goes bad. Someone finds your site in the search engines who has this parasite software on there puter ..... that software overwrites YOUR affiliate link with it's affiliate link and you loose money.

Sad but true.

Brian

P.S.

Say Linda or anyone else outthere ....

Does buycostumes.com use parasite software?

[justageek]

Oyy. So that means that the link with your affiliate id goes directly to the merchant? It doesn't go to CJ or whomever first and then get redirected? Seems if it did that and the network checked the referring url and id to see if it matched this wouldn't be a problem then?

JAG

[RodBee]

Sorry am sworn to secrecy but hang on to your hats. I am told this is a hotty. Furthemore it is from guys who are the real deal.

[Catalyst]

justageek,

The link does go through the network however the last referring affiliate gets the sale.

So pretend I'm the affiliate and you are the customer.
You downloaded some app called "ScummySoft" or you are a member of a rebate site called "ScummyRebates".
You want to buy a computer from MY site. You click MY link to buy. I should get the commish. But no wait, suddenly you get a "Scummy" popup saying click here to save or to redeem your points. You click to save and Scummy gets the commission instead of me.

That is a very simplistic example. There are many more sophisticated ways the parasites can over-ride your links.

Problem is SOME networks support parasitic practicies, some affiliates, merchants and consultants are getting sick and tired of it. All my programs are parasite-free but I am getting pressure from loyal affiliates to move to a network that does not support and empower parasites at the expense of my honest hard working affiliates.

I am working with several key people to try to find solutions.

RODBEE - I am waiting with baited breathe. I have a call with another company about the same thing in 10 minutes.

Hi Brian - Don't know about them right off hand.

Linda

[justageek]

OK....thanks. I think I get it now. Sorry to be so slow on understanding this. Now I see how everyone should be concerned. I take it that the networks who you all say support this don't really support it but rather don't give the scumware folks the boot? They would have to have a valid id to get credit right?

JAG

[Catalyst]

Some Networks even actively support and promote parasites.
Turning a blind eye is one thing - helping them grow and thrive is quite another IMHO.

I just got off the phone with a company that is coming to market with a new parasite-free network in October. I think it's different than the one that RodBee mentioned.

Linda