Forum Moderators: martinibuster
Yahoo Google!
Who is AdsenseAdvisor, really?
They're a Google employee AFAIK. If you don't like AdsenseAdvisor - try GoogleGuy (another Google employee).
I vote for Paypal..
A lot of people have to pay to receive Paypal payments, and there are many countries where money cannot be withdrawn. OK for small amounts maybe but a couple of hundred dollars in fees on mid-4-figure amounts!
I get payments from a domain parking company in Germany. They can manage to offer worldwide bank deposits for free for all balances over 50 euros a month. They pay on the 15th of each month for the preceding month, and it's in the account within 7-10 days in most countries.
So it can be done, and is being done. There are probably even bureaus that offer the service. Note this is worldwide, not just an ACH deposit to a US account which would only help a subset of Adsense publishers.
I'm on the way to the mailbox now, glad to know I'm not the only one whose check has disappeared after two weeks in the mail. Could it be that they didn't actually issue it on the 21st as they said? There is no way this many checks could be "in the mail" without arriving.
On behalf of the AdSense team, I'd like to sincerely apologize - I know that a lot of you depend on these checks, and it's more than an inconvenience to you. The team will continue to work hard to create a robust and improved payment system moving forward.
As always, I'll take your feedback to the AdSense team.
ASA.
This suggests they had to send out many multiples the number of cheques they normally send out... but I'm not convinced this isn't something they were unable to prepare for.
No, I really do like AdSense, and you just have to laugh about it sometimes.
Thankful
Hope you all realize just how much interest the check provider can earn each day the checks do not go out.
Interest rates on dollars are close to zero nowadays. For the vast bulk of the Adsense checks it'll be a cent or two a day. Insignificant. Even across all accounts it's only in the hundreds of dollars a day.
I've just been told the reason some of your checks haven't arrived - unfortunately, due to our biller being overloaded with the volume of checks and 1099s, some of the checks were postmarked between February 2 and February 6...
That's pretty much what I was figuring. Thanks for reporting back to us.
It might also help to send a short email out to all the adsense publishers that don't read WebmasterWorld (there has to be at least 2) :)
When I received a different check (in CA) today from NY postmarked February 3rd, I knew the service provider must be running late.
How many of you are mentally screaming the words "direct deposit" now?
:)
a) why don't Google ditch the cheque-printing company and do it in-house
and
b) set up a Paypal-like website to offer direct deposit. This could also be used by advertisers too who don't have a credit/ debit card but do have a bank account. I'm sure there are enough phDs at Google to be able to program this before the next batch of cheques are due. Even if they wanted to outsource the design etc - I'm sure Adsense Advisor could make a post on the Commercial Exchange form and ask for a quote.
Anyway.... perhaps I'm underestimating the number of advertisers/ publishers involved and how difficult the above would be to implement. Personally I think that direct bank transfer must be cheaper (in the bulk quantities Google would do it) than printing and mailing cheques. Anyway.........
This is not a honest communication which I expect from support.
Regards
pasheng
It might also help to send a short email out
Adsense have done that now (got an email from them at 00:47 UTC, apologising for the delay).
Has anyone else received it as well?
Communication is good :)
Next step, ACH!
Your feedback in this forum is greatly appreciated.
This delay is due to the volume of year-end checks, as well as mailing 1099 forms to publishers.
That's right, they had to mail checks to all the publishers who hadn't reached the $100 (I think it's $100) minimum. Good thing they don't have electronic deposit; the volume of payments might have brought down the Internet. :-)
I have been a publsiher since July and my AdSense income is several thousand $ a month. It is an insult to me and others like me to say that checks are delayed because of 1099's and extra year end checks.
First of all, Google knew of the 1099 reporting requirements from the beginning. They should have planned for this....this is a miserable excuse.
Second, excessive year-end checks? You are telling me that my 5 digit check was delayed because of a bunch of publishers that didn't earn more than $100 in the several previous months? How about some respect for the guys that are bringing home the bacon.
And what's with the European and Asain publishers getting checks before American publishers. Jeez...I am less than 200 miles from NYC and it takes longer for a check to reach me than Beijing.
Why does a hi-tech company use a payment delivery system straight out of the 19th centrury. I mean really, payments traveled faster than this in the days of stage coaches.
If ASA is reading, please pass the message along that many publishers are upset about this and things have got to change. If Google can develop a sophisticated algo you would think that it could master the ultra-hi-tech task of direct deposit.
Does Google really think that after the fiasco of the last (Austin) update, and now this failure to pay in time that the IPO will go well - of course the answer is yes.
I wonder if the folks that pay for adwords have to pay on the spot thru a credit card, or if google just lets them pay whenever is good for them?
ASA - this is amateur hour - how will things look when this all hits the press next week?
All I can say is that CaryissoVery hit the nail on the head.
At least some reaction.
Still, they better get their wireing options fixed and launched soon, someone else could grab a lot of frustrated publishers with a competing product.
That was one of the reasons why I dropped LS and went to CJ years ago. Made five digits with them every month (revenue, not commission).
Jens
Google, if I were you, I would take this a shot across the bow.... you have been warned. I would also run this conversation by your legal team because you are now only standing on goodwill... meaning if you breach the contract that says we can't take legal action against you, there is nothing stopping anyone from filing suit. Granted it would be stupid to go through the hassle of filing suit when the check is only a few days later than the last possible date it could have been mailed, but it seems equally as stupid to wait until the last possible date to mail a check, and don't, not only opening the company up to legal action, but such unnesessary ridicule as well.
Google didn't contract a sales and marketing program with you , they're paying you royalties from using there network.
This just happens to be the first year google has really had a full life cycle to deal with so GIVE them some room.
Get some backup with Adsonar or other PPC programs. Signup with other affiliates and sell some of your own ads. NEVER put all of your eggs in one basket as that is YOUR fault not googles.
Some of you must be some newbies to this stuff as well.. affiliate programs are notorious for paying MONTHS late if anything at all (before going bankrupt or saying you broke some policy).
For those raking in the big bucks, communicate to google that you want some better suppoert - an affiliate and marketing person you can deal with.
Keep in mind though, your making the big bucks because this is an automated and non personal system. The more "human" you expect to be treated the lower your earnings because the higher the cost to provide adsense to you.
Get used to it, have a backup plan, budget your income and don't put all your eggs in a single basket.
[edited by: Jenstar at 11:40 pm (utc) on Feb. 7, 2004]
[edit reason] language, as per TOS [/edit]
And this isn't a fly by night affiliate program where payment delays are to be expected. I chose AdSense because of Google's reputation as a reputable company. When I signed up and they said they would pay me within 30 days I didn't expect 45 or 50 days. That is false advertising.
So, no I won't take a chill pill. Google enforces the contract obligations on us. If you make one mistake they are quick to say "fix it and if you don't see ya!". What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
I have given them room but I am sick of the excuses. They need to get it RIGHT!
