I've been thinking for sometime that my affiliate directory could benefit by having a page dedicated to naming and shaming those programs that refuse to pay bona fide commissions to affiliates. I'm talking about agreed, approved and properly earned commissions. I've had commissions rejected because the goods were returned or it turned out someone had used a stolen credit card, but I don't mean those.

I have two examples. RU-21.cc had a program running on Fusionquest. They shut up shop and closed down. I was owed over $90, I expect others were owed more. Tabooboo.com ran a program on AffiliateWindow. They refused to authorise the commission and they stayed showing as 'pending' for months. In the end they just changed their status to 'rejected' because I was hassling them to pay up.

I would like the 'naming and shaming' page to warn potential affiliates about these companies and any others conducting business in this way. There are thousands of honest afiliate program managers out there I don't see why the crooks should get our business.

If you think this would be a good idea please let me know. If you think it a bad idea definately let me know. If you have any examples I can use please tell me about them.

Thanks

I think it is an excellent idea. I can give you several from DirectLeads alone that have been showing "pending payment from merchant" in my stats for months

I think it is a good idea as well. DrumCash would be my first submission.

Thank you both MrCoupon and CatWoman (great pic by the way) for your feedback. I'll add the page shortly. If you let me have the details of what happened I'll add you stories to the page. Either post them here given about the same level of detail as I have in the first post, or you can email me at george@globalaffiliateprograms.co.uk. If you want your identities withheld for any reason let me know.

Thanks, it has been my favorite avatar so far.

George,

What information do you want about the programs and their dubious actions?

Just which programs you mean and what happened. How many sales, their value, did they keep the sales shown as pending to string you along, did they give you any excuse, maybe more importantly are they still going and trying to trap other affiliates. Whatever you think could be relevant to other potential affiliates.

One of mine would be Instant Computer Consultant program. I have over $400 in commissions pending for over a year.

My emails to them go unanswered.

Thanks for that MadDog, sorry to hear about your expereince with Instant Computer Consultant.

I'm of on holiday so if anyone wants to be post examples please continue to do so here, although I won't be able to reply for a couple of weeks.

Speak soon.

Where are you going on holiday to? Getting out of the UK ?

PS I think we need to get Avatars

Have an awesome vacation

Is there anything we can do more than just posting the fraud programs? Can we as a group contact BBB, etc?

Credit Masters of America owed me more than 120K as for the last months stats. I don`t look much into my stats any longer though.. Here is their web site http://www.owenart.com Anyone has an idea about what`s to be done?

Here is their whois information:

quote:

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Registrant: Make this info private
Credit USA,Inc (26480384O)
PO Box 206
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
US
Phone: 479-253-5119
Fax: 999 999 9999

Domain Name: OWENART.COM

Administrative Contact :
Credit USA,Inc (26480384O)
owenlb@arkansas.net
PO Box 206
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
US
Phone: 479-253-5119
Fax: 999 999 9999

Technical Contact :
Ridenour, Kim **
(KR2325)
kim@positiveidea.com
PO BOX 243
EUREKA SPGS, AR 72632-0243
US
Phone: 479-253-2401
Fax: 479-253-9179

Record expires on 04-May-2006
Record created on 03-May-1997
Database last updated on 08-Jul-2004

Domain servers in listed order: Manage DNS

NS1.POSITIVEIDEA.NET 216.110.37.146
NS2.POSITIVEIDEA.NET 209.61.168.4

Show underlying registry data for this record

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I would try giving them a call first. Then maybe the BBB, etc.

Thanks Frank! I tried to call them, faxed, emailed, there is an autoresponder and no response to my messages. I will try BBB, not sure it it helps though

At the very least if you call the local BBB they can tell you if there are other complaints about the same company and they will contact the company. Plus from past experience it is good to have it on record with the BBB if you seek legal action. Further they list themselves as Inc. In some states there are strict guidelines to being incoporated and penalties for claiming to be when you are not.

Wow 120K??? I would be pi**ed If I was owed that much, even if it was only 1K I agree with frankc - seek legal action.

Has anyone ever been successful, legally, to get dead beat programs to pay up?

frankc- I agree with MadDog, speak to a lawyer or someone who knows about litigation and nail the b*****ds.

It would be nice if there was a legal firm that was proactive in the affiliate sector that would take on class action suits against adware, shady merchants etc.