Comments on: Amazon Change Referral Rates – Consumer Electronics Publishers Hit Hardest http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/ Make Money Online Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:03:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: coffeerama http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-4596178 coffeerama Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:10:51 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-4596178 it seems to me that Amazon has always had a habit of squeezing their affiliates, which is a good reason to never get involved with them to begin with; i guess it's nothing personal, though, right? it seems to me that Amazon has always had a habit of squeezing their affiliates, which is a good reason to never get involved with them to begin with; i guess it’s nothing personal, though, right?

]]> By: HART (1-800-HART) L http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-248689 HART (1-800-HART) L Sat, 01 Apr 2006 06:55:40 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-248689 I'm with Chi-An #14 .. I've never received anything EVER from them. However, my amazon account has been sitting at 98.27 since last quarter 2005 (less maybe 40cents or so) .. and that includes my time before blogging.. for years now. So, I doubt I will continue after hitting the $100 payout level and probably disable the plugin in my wordpress. I also have been complaining about the country issue too (amazon.com vs amazon.ca for instance). When I put amazon.com links on my site, and fellow canadians or other countries actually buy an item - i get nothing - because the sale then defaults to their local country amazon for purchase and delivery. Even though I now have affiliate accounts in the other countries, it works just the same in reverse. If people in US click and buy stuff from my canadian affiliate link - I also get nothing. I think that's more unfair, when you think about it, then the reduced rate on consumer electronics. Despite what you think about lowered margins .. I'll bet the sales of consumer electronics have been growing exponentially in past 2 years (erm - that is just a gut feeling, and not based on any facts) .. So I'm not sorry that people who sell C/E product commission earnings have only grown by 1000% (at the lowered rates) instead of 5000% (with the higher rates). C'mon .. Sure you could be earning more - but dollar for dollar .. how did you do this year over last year? Is it really that bad? Before that .. it used to be mostly books and CD's .. now people are buying everything and the kitchen sink. Of course - it's really that bad for me. Included in my stated Lifetime earnings above .. was one sale - commission of $80.74 for the sale of a a 10,000 watt portable generator meaning I've only earned about $17 over 3-1/2 years promoting Amazon products. That's why I added the letter "L" after my name on this post! I’m with Chi-An #14 .. I’ve never received anything EVER from them. However, my amazon account has been sitting at 98.27 since last quarter 2005 (less maybe 40cents or so) .. and that includes my time before blogging.. for years now. So, I doubt I will continue after hitting the $100 payout level and probably disable the plugin in my wordpress.

I also have been complaining about the country issue too (amazon.com vs amazon.ca for instance). When I put amazon.com links on my site, and fellow canadians or other countries actually buy an item – i get nothing – because the sale then defaults to their local country amazon for purchase and delivery. Even though I now have affiliate accounts in the other countries, it works just the same in reverse. If people in US click and buy stuff from my canadian affiliate link – I also get nothing. I think that’s more unfair, when you think about it, then the reduced rate on consumer electronics.

Despite what you think about lowered margins .. I’ll bet the sales of consumer electronics have been growing exponentially in past 2 years (erm – that is just a gut feeling, and not based on any facts) .. So I’m not sorry that people who sell C/E product commission earnings have only grown by 1000% (at the lowered rates) instead of 5000% (with the higher rates). C’mon .. Sure you could be earning more – but dollar for dollar .. how did you do this year over last year?
Is it really that bad? Before that .. it used to be mostly books and CD’s .. now people are buying everything and the kitchen sink.

Of course – it’s really that bad for me. Included in my stated Lifetime earnings above .. was one sale – commission of $80.74 for the sale of a a 10,000 watt portable generator meaning I’ve only earned about $17 over 3-1/2 years promoting Amazon products. That’s why I added the letter “L” after my name on this post!

]]> By: Market Participant http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-248671 Market Participant Sat, 01 Apr 2006 05:13:51 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-248671 Well there is one very very good use of Amazon.com ads, you can serve them to people who have javascript disabled and so arent seeing your Adsense ads. I've modified all my Adsense ads, after my value investing blog became popular with linux users. What you do is enclose the amazon.com ad units inside of tags right after the adsense ads. If someone has Javascript enabled, the broswer will ignore the Noscript content, and the adsense will be displayed. If the sneaky bastards have javascript disabled, then the NOSCRIPT content will be activated and they will see Amazon ads. I learned about this trick from: http://www.jensense.com/archives/2005/10/monetizing_from.html <a href="http://gewinnvortrag.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Market Participant</a> Well there is one very very good use of Amazon.com ads, you can serve them to people who have javascript disabled and so arent seeing your Adsense ads. I’ve modified all my Adsense ads, after my value investing blog became popular with linux users.

What you do is enclose the amazon.com ad units inside of tags right after the adsense ads. If someone has Javascript enabled, the broswer will ignore the Noscript content, and the adsense will be displayed. If the sneaky bastards have javascript disabled, then the NOSCRIPT content will be activated and they will see Amazon ads.

I learned about this trick from:

http://www.jensense.com/archives/2005/10/monetizing_from.html

Market Participant

]]> By: Jon Heizer http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-248338 Jon Heizer Fri, 31 Mar 2006 17:29:49 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-248338 Grrrr... And I was just starting to add Amazon to my sites. I haven't made anything from them yet, but I am not sure if I am going to add any more links now. Grrrr… And I was just starting to add Amazon to my sites. I haven’t made anything from them yet, but I am not sure if I am going to add any more links now.

]]> By: Michael http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-248125 Michael Fri, 31 Mar 2006 13:47:21 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-248125 Darren (and others)--any experience with <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/affiliate/intro.asp?z=y" rel="nofollow">Barnes & Noble's affiliate program?</a> Darren (and others)–any experience with Barnes & Noble’s affiliate program?

]]> By: : ProBlogger Blog Tips http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-248085 : ProBlogger Blog Tips Fri, 31 Mar 2006 11:49:08 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-248085 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Darren Rowse http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247855 Darren Rowse Fri, 31 Mar 2006 04:05:42 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247855 you could be right icooltools although I'm not sure about that. I know of one Amazon publisher that earns $20,000+ per month from Amazon and who sends them thousands of visitors per day who is set to loose up to 40% of his income from these changes. He's angry and on the hunt for a new program. He's also finding other programs are willing to cut him special deals to get his traffic. The other thing I wonder whether Amazon has factored in is what impact that cutting our their small publisher might have on them in terms of PR. Can you imagine what'd happen if the blogging community got put offside by Amazon for cutting their earnings (however meager they are). It's going to be interesting to watch what happens. you could be right icooltools although I’m not sure about that. I know of one Amazon publisher that earns $20,000+ per month from Amazon and who sends them thousands of visitors per day who is set to loose up to 40% of his income from these changes. He’s angry and on the hunt for a new program. He’s also finding other programs are willing to cut him special deals to get his traffic.

The other thing I wonder whether Amazon has factored in is what impact that cutting our their small publisher might have on them in terms of PR. Can you imagine what’d happen if the blogging community got put offside by Amazon for cutting their earnings (however meager they are).

It’s going to be interesting to watch what happens.

]]> By: icooltools http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247854 icooltools Fri, 31 Mar 2006 03:56:44 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247854 They've obviously thought about this before taking such a drastic measure. I sympathise with the drops in incomes for small publishers, but clearly they actually want certain people to leave their program or don't care if they do. Many companies once they achieve a certain stage "rationalize" out small players to cut administrative costs. If they improve the benefits to the big guys that locks them in and then makes other competitors deal with the small fish first. I would say it's strategic. People may not like it but I think they (amazon) are prepared for that. A manufacture would rather deal with Woolworths than having to flog their where's to 100,000 corner stores. Sorry for the analogy. I'm a corner store as well. So know crowing here. Just trying to see it from their perspective. The only people that complain will be the ones losing and my guess is that they obviously don't care if they lose them anyway. You can never rest in this game can you? Thanks for listening. They’ve obviously thought about this before taking such a drastic measure. I sympathise with the drops in incomes for small publishers, but clearly they actually want certain people to leave their program or don’t care if they do.

Many companies once they achieve a certain stage “rationalize” out small players to cut administrative costs. If they improve the benefits to the big guys that locks them in and then makes other competitors deal with the small fish first.

I would say it’s strategic. People may not like it but I think they (amazon) are prepared for that.

A manufacture would rather deal with Woolworths than having to flog their where’s to 100,000 corner stores. Sorry for the analogy. I’m a corner store as well. So know crowing here. Just trying to see it from their perspective.

The only people that complain will be the ones losing and my guess is that they obviously don’t care if they lose them anyway.

You can never rest in this game can you?

Thanks for listening.

]]> By: Market Participant http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247817 Market Participant Fri, 31 Mar 2006 02:01:18 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247817 The removal of the deep link premium is especially stupid, because chances are that many smaller publishers relied on the higher conversions of deep links to make up for reduced volume. Given that it's probably damn hard to have more than 20 items shipped this change in policy mostly affects smaller associates. I have a feeling that amazon will go back to the old style if and only if some major afiliates change over to other sites. For lots of people wal-mart isn't an option, so that may not happen. How is overstock.com's affiliate program? The removal of the deep link premium is especially stupid, because chances are that many smaller publishers relied on the higher conversions of deep links to make up for reduced volume. Given that it’s probably damn hard to have more than 20 items shipped this change in policy mostly affects smaller associates.

I have a feeling that amazon will go back to the old style if and only if some major afiliates change over to other sites. For lots of people wal-mart isn’t an option, so that may not happen.

How is overstock.com’s affiliate program?

]]> By: Kim http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247675 Kim Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:40:31 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247675 In an effort to support independent business, I switched to Powells.com from amazon.com a couple of months ago. I anticipated not as many sales going through, but I'm surprised I'm making more money now. Part of this is that Powell's offers a higher affiliate rate, and part is that Powell's sells books at full price, instead of the ridiculously discounted Amazon prices (as an author, I value paying full price for books). Plus, I've been to the enormous Powell's store in Portland, OR, and could spend every day of my life there. The selection can't be beat, the people who work there love their jobs and are super helpful. In line with my personal priorities, I won't touch Wal-Mart with a ten-foot cyber pole. In an effort to support independent business, I switched to Powells.com from amazon.com a couple of months ago. I anticipated not as many sales going through, but I’m surprised I’m making more money now. Part of this is that Powell’s offers a higher affiliate rate, and part is that Powell’s sells books at full price, instead of the ridiculously discounted Amazon prices (as an author, I value paying full price for books). Plus, I’ve been to the enormous Powell’s store in Portland, OR, and could spend every day of my life there. The selection can’t be beat, the people who work there love their jobs and are super helpful. In line with my personal priorities, I won’t touch Wal-Mart with a ten-foot cyber pole.

]]> By: Stephane Grenier http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247608 Stephane Grenier Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:32:05 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247608 Hi Darren, I know a lot of people link to Amazon.com for products, but what other options are there that have the same level of credibility and pricing in the eyes of the people making the purchases? If you know of any, especially with a similar level of credibility, I'm sure a lot of people would be interested in reading about it. Just a thought for a follow-up article... Regards, Stephane Grenier <a href="http://www.FollowSteph.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.FollowSteph.com</a> Hi Darren,

I know a lot of people link to Amazon.com for products, but what other options are there that have the same level of credibility and pricing in the eyes of the people making the purchases? If you know of any, especially with a similar level of credibility, I’m sure a lot of people would be interested in reading about it. Just a thought for a follow-up article…

Regards,
Stephane Grenier
http://www.FollowSteph.com

]]> By: Dave http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247362 Dave Thu, 30 Mar 2006 09:23:24 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247362 What are the alternatives to Amazon? Are there any other companies who offer the same amount of advertising methods? Personally I think Amazon have made a mistake and soon enough they will realise it and implement a new system. (although they won't admit it was a mistake, they will try and play it off as "an update on their current system".) What are the alternatives to Amazon? Are there any other companies who offer the same amount of advertising methods?

Personally I think Amazon have made a mistake and soon enough they will realise it and implement a new system. (although they won’t admit it was a mistake, they will try and play it off as “an update on their current system”.)

]]> By: Chi An http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247341 Chi An Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:54:37 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247341 I'll run Amazon until got my 1st payout. Btw, my Walmart revenue always higher than Amazon with more commision and return days. I’ll run Amazon until got my 1st payout. Btw, my Walmart revenue always higher than Amazon with more commision and return days.

]]> By: Michael Hampton http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247335 Michael Hampton Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:52:26 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247335 Bill, Powells.com (bookstore) has an affiliate program similar to Amazon's, though the last time I looked at it, it didn't seem quite worth going for. I forget exactly why... Bill, Powells.com (bookstore) has an affiliate program similar to Amazon’s, though the last time I looked at it, it didn’t seem quite worth going for. I forget exactly why…

]]> By: airfreddy http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247323 airfreddy Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:15:35 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247323 I came accross this when I was trying to install carp on one of my websites. Carp also has a program called grouper that will let you put amazona feeds up with your affiliate link in it. But I have not pushed amazon since they don't pay a bunch. airfreddy I came accross this when I was trying to install carp on one of my websites. Carp also has a program called grouper that will let you put amazona feeds up with your affiliate link in it. But I have not pushed amazon since they don’t pay a bunch.

airfreddy

]]> By: Rich Owings http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247317 Rich Owings Thu, 30 Mar 2006 06:49:50 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247317 Thankas Darren. I'm using Shopping.com and Chitika, but still get more $ via Amazon. WalMart's prices just don't match Amazon's, and people usually go for the low price / trusted vendor. I've had good luck giving people some shopping choices, and Amazon was one of them, but I'm certainly going to look for alternatives now. Thankas Darren. I’m using Shopping.com and Chitika, but still get more $ via Amazon. WalMart’s prices just don’t match Amazon’s, and people usually go for the low price / trusted vendor. I’ve had good luck giving people some shopping choices, and Amazon was one of them, but I’m certainly going to look for alternatives now.

]]> By: Darren Rowse http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247316 Darren Rowse Thu, 30 Mar 2006 06:41:13 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247316 everyone in the Amazon forum is raving about WalMart's program paying more and having longer cookies. I'm yet to look into it though. The other is Chitika which isn't an aff program but seems to have alot of CE ads. I know of some people who are part of shopping.com and pricegrabber's aff programs and like them. everyone in the Amazon forum is raving about WalMart’s program paying more and having longer cookies. I’m yet to look into it though.

The other is Chitika which isn’t an aff program but seems to have alot of CE ads.

I know of some people who are part of shopping.com and pricegrabber’s aff programs and like them.

]]> By: Rich Owings http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247315 Rich Owings Thu, 30 Mar 2006 06:34:05 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247315 Darren, What are some other affiliiate options for people selling consumer electronics? Amazon is my leading revenue stream. Darren,

What are some other affiliiate options for people selling consumer electronics? Amazon is my leading revenue stream.

]]> By: Darren Rowse http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247294 Darren Rowse Thu, 30 Mar 2006 05:05:02 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247294 Paul - I'm in two minds. I'm definately looking at alternatives - my only problem is that I've put many many hours into implementing them deeply into my blogs and so I'm not about to delete all the links. However for future links I'm strongly considering moving to test other programs. Paul – I’m in two minds. I’m definately looking at alternatives – my only problem is that I’ve put many many hours into implementing them deeply into my blogs and so I’m not about to delete all the links. However for future links I’m strongly considering moving to test other programs.

]]> By: Paul http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/30/amazon-change-referral-rates-consumer-electronics-publishers-hit-hardest/comment-page-1/#comment-247277 Paul Thu, 30 Mar 2006 04:31:12 +0000 http://www.problogger.net/?p=2420#comment-247277 I've heard bad press about Amazon's affiliate program in general - low payout's... tracking not so hot etc. (It may be unsubstantiated - I'm a n00b) Will you personally be dropping / minimizing Amazon referrals as a result of this change Darren? I’ve heard bad press about Amazon’s affiliate program in general – low payout’s… tracking not so hot etc. (It may be unsubstantiated – I’m a n00b)

Will you personally be dropping / minimizing Amazon referrals as a result of this change Darren?

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