Dodgy Affiliate Networks
We all repeatedly hear about unethical working practices by affiliates but what about Networks? After all, it is common place for networks and merchants to vet potential affiliates. What mechanism is in place for an affiliate to check out a network or a merchant?
Well it’s amazing what a quick Google search can do to bring up the “dirt” on some dodgy activities by networks or specific merchants. Just type in “merchant/network name complaints” or something similar and the results can be very illuminating.
Affiliate Program Advice was recently asked by an affiliate for help. This affiliate had effectively been ripped off by a dodgy overseas network and to date is owed a considerable amount of money.
So we did a quick security check up on the network concerned and found:
The business traded under two names as the original name received too many complaints.
The network was listed in numerous locations on the net by disgruntled affiliates and merchants who were owed money or who had received dubious trading activities.
The network was subject to a Court Order.
Well it was certainly an eye opener. The end result was that we passed on to the affiliate details of the local legislative body which had repeatedly handled issues with this network before and they have filed against the network.
A quick tip for affiliates on places to check out suspect merchants or others.
is a great location to check up on individuals or companies which may have in the past been involved in dubious trading and have been reported online.
In the case of the network concerned, a simple Google search was almost enough and we found a link as mentioned to the local legislative body which had juristiction over the corporate body. We visited
Better Business Bureau in the Washington DC area (the business home of this network) and found the following:
On March 23, 2006 the Office of the State Attorney General in New York brought suit against the company for privacy violations in its alleged sale of personal information gathered on its internet site.
The suit seeks an Order and Judgement permanently enjoining the respondents from further acts and practices identified in the suit, directing record keeping of privacy issues, and a monetary judgement.
Number of complaints processed by the BBB against this company:
in the last 36 months: 834
in the last 12 months: 100
Complaints Concerned:
Selling Practices (88 complaints) Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure film
75 Resolved
4 Unresolved
3 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve
6 Company did not respond
Advertising Issues (58 complaints)
48 Resolved
1 Unresolved
4 Delayed Resolution
5 Company did not respond
Service Issues (191 complaints)
152 Resolved
10 Unresolved
3 Delayed Resolution
2 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve
24 Company did not respond
Credit or Billing Disputes (16 complaints)
13 Resolved
2 Unresolved
1 Delayed Resolution
Delivery Issues (396 complaints)
323 Resolved
17 Unresolved
3 Delayed Resolution
12 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve
41 Company did not respond
Refund Practices (2 complaints)
1 Resolved
1 Company did not respond
Contract Disputes (75 complaints)
59 Resolved
4 Unresolved
2 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve
10 Company did not respond
Guarantee or Warranty Issues (5 complaints)
5 Resolved
Repair Issues (1 complaints)
1 Resolved
So my advice when entering into any business relationship is do your research.
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Superb article John!