Take this, they have an overpayments department for wages, just shows u how many ****ups they make.

Bad news about the Hatton fight, but already there is talk about (if he wins) his next fight being in New York! So get saving.

I appreciate you coming along and clearing this up from an ROEye perspective and have edited the comment in question. Apologies for this.

Colin here, Affiliate Director @ R.O.EYE. I hope that all is well.

A person called Chris Wright worked for our company a year ago and no longer works for us. As far as I know, he no longer works in the industry. I obviously want to make it 100% clear that this is not an employee of R.O.EYE and none of the views expressed by this person are connected to R.O.EYE in anyway whatsoever.

So please do not be concerned that this is R.O.EYE’s official stance.

We have been keeping a very close eye on developments and learning a lot from this and the comments from all parties to benefit the development of the programmes that we successfully manage.

Keep up the good work.

(Chris Wright from above – verification on this issue would be appreciated. Thanks to everyone who pointed this error out to us.)

BTW, sorry – can’t do Hatton, on my holidays! Enjoy though..

Col.

With a comment this long, I agree, it does appear some people have too much time on their hands! I guess what it does show, is passion for the industry. If you think this is wrong, then maybe it’s not the right one for you?

I am not sure where you are hearing the the programme is doing great nor what great building has been done… oh how ignorance is bliss!

This blog post received over 100 backs on the A4U forums, by agencies, fellow affiliates, merchants and networks. Seriously this should be taken very seriously. Also, if you take the time to follow the forums, you will soon realise its a slightly bigger issue than a single affiliate with a gripe.

As for paper forms for trails – again I am confused here. You are obviously involved in the industry Chris, so you should know its not need for “paper trails. Simple”. If it is, then maybe explain as to why I don’t need to complete forms for 1000 other merchants?

I simply have the balls to stand up and say what I see, and as it transpires, others feel.

In response to “If we continue to throw stones, accuse them of stuff, and generally bicker on the net – who are we making a fool of?” I ask you;
If we roll over and accept this as a way a programme should be run, who are we making a fool of?

Thanks for your input :D

If you cant make it work. Get out.

Lowering commission rates is always a bitter pill to swallow but it is made to ensure that it can be profitable.

The agency that assist Next (post MVI) are Ilevel. They have built the program to what it is today and from what i hear, it is doing brilliant. Good on Fiona!

The issues:

They lowered commission – their decision, a business decision. Accept it or move on.

They didnt honor 7 day cookie after the end of the campaign – change your links early then. Move to Buy.at – doh!

There is a form to fill in – So what? As a supplier to an organisation, you need to have forms and paper trails. Simple.

They changed networks – they were pitched to by all the networks.

Brand bidding – we all know it is done. But Google can be a pain.

They don’t discuss in forums – have you seen what you lot are saying! They try to make amends and you go for the throat.

It looks to me that there are sour grapes (networks, agencies and affiliates), miscommunication (client, networks, agencies and affiliates) and some ill feeling. (networks, agencies and affiliates). Let’s put a stop to all this bickering and either get on with our day jobs or get a life.

If a business wants to have an affiliate program they will do so at a profitable level. They are doing so. If you cannot stand the rules. Dont promote them Simple as. If we continue to throw stones, accuse them of stuff, and generally bicker on the net – who are we making a fool of???? If we want to discuss the issue, call them! dont shout about it in the street.

Chris Wright

I do think the role of the network is to advise, it must be, has to be for quality control reasons if nothing else. Knowing awin its probably what they did anyway.

You got to admire the network that tells a brand to take a walk :)

I’m still not convinced its the networks job to be honest. I would have thought that this is the role of the agency? Surely they are there to advise or manage a programme? If not then, what exactly is the role of an agency?

As I said on the forum, I’m not convinced shooting the messenger (Buy.at in this instance) is correct.

I have learnt that simply removing links and moving on speaks bigger and greater volumes then publicly condemning. I have come to the conclusion that for big high street brands, affiliate marketing will always have varying degrees of conflict. A lot of the problems will stem from the fact, some times affiliates know more about online consumer behaviour, traffic aggregation and better understanding of organic search, paid search and all the clever routes to acquiring and reminding customers to come back then the merchant. I doubt is there is anyone that could contradict that.

My tact would be a gentle nudge to the powers that be at Next to seek advice from their networks that they are partnered with. The margins are there for better commissions, the network tools are there to protect their brand and to start looking at affiliates as partners rather then as a necessary evil. Next is a great brand and have products to die for and conversions are good. It is possible that maybe affiliate marketing is not right for them, it happens and we have to accept that. But we don’t have all the facts, we don’t know who, what, when and why. Of course Ill support this… but I have to wonder if this does not send people running in the opposite direction?

The message to Next would you rather pay 3.5k (ex VAT) per affiliate x 100 per month tenancy? No guarantees

Or would you rather pay 5% based on a basket transaction, acquire new customer (what’s the life time value of a next customer).

I know what I would chose, simply because I know all those great websites (glossy ones) that charge 15p + per click and wont convert. Can you afford to take those risks? Affiliate marketing minimises that risk and you get some of the best marketing talent you could ever have dreamt of :0)

There has clearly been no discussions, meetings with affiliates about how to best resolve any issues to meet their objectives/expectations – surely in this day and age every affiliate program worth their salt should be in touch with their base to communicate!

The rise and fall of this program is amazing and I feel more should be done by the networks to offer guidance during their pre-sale and also post-sale.

I am sure this is one that the industry will all remember for some time and to turn this around will take one hell of an affiliate manager!!

Chris I am sure you’ll keep us all updated and I’ll surely be watching this…