Serious question to Affiliate Future about rejected sales

[drivetowin]

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Iskander

You are obviously really bothered by this issue (and don't get me wrong, you were right to raise it) - however, Singapore Airlines have been clear about the way the programme works right from the start, and it has worked that way for at least the last 2 years, so I don't see them changing it any time soon - which means you have a choice, either continue to promote them with the programme as is, or stop promoting them....

You can carry on asking questions and making suggestions till the cows come home but unfortunately if the merchant isn't going to change (and there is no indication that they are going to), then there is precious little you or anyone else can do about it (other than vote with your feet).

Your idea of returning traffic to the affiliate by the way is completely impractical for two reasons - 1 the merchant is not passed the referring url, so has now way of returning the visitor to your site and 2 even if they did, most affiliate sites are simply not designed to cope with a returning visitor so the visitor would more than likely just end up confused and leave your site without buying anyway. Remember the visitor couldn't give a jot whether you get commission or not, all they want is to book their flight.

One thing Singapore could do is only show London and Manchester as departure points for affiliate sourced traffic.

[Iskander]

You are obviously really bothered by this issue

I am. As a violation of principle, it rattles me. I am unaware of any other merchants who conduct themselves in this manner nor of any networks which allow them to do so. I have been waiting a long, long time, for Affiliate Future to lean on Singapore Airlines and demand that it plays fair, but I have seen nothing, hence my motivation to finally start this public conversation.

An advertising model in which the merchant only pays the publisher when the advertising has proven its worth is entirely rational.

An advertising model in which the merchant avoids paying the publisher even when the advertising has proven its worth is fraudulent.

you have a choice, either continue to promote them with the programme as is, or stop promoting them....

Ultimately, that's the choice, yes. But I thought I'd have a public consultation with Affiliate Future first, since, at the end of the day Singapore Airlines is not my customer, while Affiliate Future is.

unfortunately if the merchant isn't going to change (and there is no indication that they are going to), then there is precious little you or anyone else can do about it (other than vote with your feet).

As I indicated at the start of this thread, it is my understanding that it is Affiliate Future's responsibility to do something about it. If I am mistaken in that understanding and the networks see themselves as the merchants' whipping boys, obliged to defer to whatever conditions the merchant arbitrarily determines (commission paid on sales only in months without an 'r' in them?) - there is plenty of evidence that networks do not regard themselves in such a light - then my point is insubstantial. If I am not mistaken, then Affiliate Future will take up the case.

most affiliate sites are simply not designed to cope with a returning visitor

Not a problem. Affiliate Future could offer publishers two alternative links - one which returns the visitor to the page/landing page and one which does not. It would be an exercise in democracy to see which alternative proves more popular.

One thing Singapore could do is only show London and Manchester as departure points for affiliate sourced traffic.

Wholeheartedly agree. An advert for London and Manchester outbound flights should be just that - not a source of free traffic for lots of other products as well.

[Iskander]

Affiliate Future, there's been no response from you of late, so I thought I'd ask again directly:

Are you going to allow Singapore Airlines to continue this leakage or are you going to tell SIA to get their house in order?

Here are the results of my two latest SIA sales:

28/08/2008 Singapore Airlines £ -11.95 01/09/2008 14:43:00
Order Cancelled - Flight Itineraries not originating from the UK

09-01-2008 Singapore Airlines US $ -15.00 09-02-2008 01:55 PM
Non US/Canada departure point.

(It's a good thing I haven't started promoting them in earnest yet, isn't it?)

[3wdl]

Hi Iskander,

As mentioned before I'm afraid that this will not be changing - the programme still converts very well and it has always been clear that the programme operates this way.

We do appreciate where you are coming from and we will of course continue to speak to the client about ways in which this can be fixed but I do not expect this to happen for some time.

Thanks
James

[Iskander]

Alright, this emaciated old nag has clearly wheezed her last, so I'll stop flogging her with my riding crop.

Thanks for your patient and timely replies to my fairly repetitive interrogation. (It's journalistic habit).

[sticky]

Have to agree dont like the teasing - just had £252.60 commision for Singapore Airline knowing 99% it will be cancelled in a few days as the passenger is left handed or something. Maybe they could do the 1p thing like a few hotels do as feels less of a loss?