January Sales - merchants - help us to help you

[drivetowin]

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With the big day almost upon us thoughts now turn to the 'January' sales - although I believe some stores are starting on Christmas Day itself with many others starting Boxing Day.

As I, and I'm sure most of the affiliates on this board, would like to take at least Christmas Day off, please can all merchants help us to help you by posting details of your January sales in good time (and 4.30pm on Christmas Eve is most definitely not a good time!)

The earlier you let us know what you have got planned, the more coverage we can give you, the more sales we all make and everyone is happy.

So come on guys and gals - let us know what you've got in store - even if at this stage the details are sketchy at the very least let us know - will you be having a sale and when does it start

[Retail Creations]

ok, ours will start on 23rd for both sites.

I'm always cautions about putting banners up before the content is there but we're hoping to have banners available by tuesday.

As for all our christmas content units, these will change to january sale creative (same width as they already are) and will show the top few bargains.

January was big for Natural Instinct last year and we're hoping it will be big for gadget storm too this year.

we're also going to be introdicing our best offer yet on Natural instinct, more details and creative to come at the same time as the january sale creative

[bodykind]

We've yet to finalise our January push but it'll be with the focus on Detox products, Weight Loss and Getting into Shape.

We'll probably offer 10% across the range of those products and we are going to put together a special creative before the end of next week.

[km8]

Originally posted by bodykind
We'll probably offer 10% across the range of those products and we are going to put together a special creative before the end of next week.

Before the end of next week, eh?

Well, that'll be in good time then - probably.

Kbudden's pleas obviously fell on fertile ground.

Still, I guess it's better than most merchants will manage so I shouldn't gripe. At least you're here and telling us to *expect* short notice.

Why don't I feel grateful - I know I should.

[bodykind]

Originally posted by km8
Before the end of next week, eh?

Well, that'll be in good time then - probably.

Kbudden's pleas obviously fell on fertile ground.

Still, I guess it's better than most merchants will manage so I shouldn't gripe. At least you're here and telling us to *expect* short notice.

Why don't I feel grateful - I know I should.

I'm really not sure how to respond. We are on a very steep learning curve not only when it comes to running an an affiliate program but also as merchants as we are only in our 8th month of trading.

We apologise if its late notice, we are trying the best we can to learn as much as we can about affiliate marketing as we go and we really are desperate to help affiliates as much as we can.

[km8]

OK, sorry about that - I know you were trying to be helpful - and at least you have told us what is likely to happen.

My point was that, affiliates would like to know what to push when the Christmas spree ends, probably on Monday or Tuesday.

The original question asked for enough info to be able to plan, preferably not on Christmas Eve. Your response, and at least you did offer one for which you probably deserved better than I gave, indicated that you would make your plans known 'before the end of next week'. Friday of next week is Christmas Eve.

OK, so maybe you mean Thursday but my response was meant to indicate that as an affiliate, my deadlines are much the same as yours.

If you think 'we finish for Christmas at midday on Christmas Eve so we must get it all finalised by then' - where does that leave the affiliates who then have to put in place the changes to promote those offers? - We only get the details at *your* last minute which is probably also our knocking-off time.

Merchants should be thinking, 'When do we need to do this to give our affiliates a chance to do the best they can for us?', not 'When do we need to get this done so we can knock off for Christmas?.

I often get emails from merchants telling me about a 'one-day only affiliate promotion' when the day is already past or a 'one-week only promo' when we're already half-way through the week, for God's sake! What's the point?

Anyhow, I was probably a bit too caustic - as I say, you do at least deserve credit for responding, and so far, you are the only one.

Apologies if I offended - you just became an easy target for the frustation that this kind of lack of forethought and planning causes in affiliates.

Note to self: make a resolution to be more diplomatic in 2005

[stevenm]

Hey km8

I am sometimes a bit short on diplomacy too but in this instance bodykind was one of the few merchants so far to let us know what to expect and should be applauded for doing so. Just saying maybe you were a bit harsh in this instance.

I'm glad bodykind are willing to listen to affiliates and learn as they go and I just wanted to give a thumbs up for the good attitude. We often moan about merchants who get it wrong so a pat on the back for those doing it right shouldn't go amiss.

I'm definitely considering promoting bodykind in the January sales.

With best wishes.

Steven
--
Virtual Cards UK
http://www.virtualcards.co.uk

[km8]

Originally posted by stevenm
Hey km8

I am sometimes a bit short on diplomacy too but in this instance bodykind was one of the few merchants so far to let us know what to expect and should be applauded for doing so. Just saying maybe you were a bit harsh in this instance.

Agreed Steven. I think I said all that already.

KM8

[stevenm]

Oops...*must read full posts before replying*...sorry km8!

Best wishes.

Steven
--
Virtual Cards UK
http://www.virtualcards.co.uk

[D-Mac]

I understand the comments above about affiliates requiring as much notice as possible.

However, depending on the size of a merchant's business, the products that are in a January Sale will often be leftover stock from Christmas, reduced in price to shift it quick and free up some cash. This means that merchants operating on this basis may not actually know which products are going to be available until the Christmas sales have finished.

At Express Chemist we know roughly which items are likely to still be knocking about after Christmas, but it is still a little early to be specific: Mainly perfumes, electrical hair appliances and electric shavers...

As I have mentioned elsewhere on this forum we are likely to sell of lot of 'quit smoking' products and weight loss products as people start up their New Year's Resolutions.

[Aarti Figleaves]

I've just had confirmation that our sale will start on the 22nd.

Aarti

[Frostie]

I am guessing that merchants will have a rough idea of ending dates. There is nothing worse than sending out a newsletter telling visitors about a SALE that turns out to have either finished, or finishes the next day when people read the newsletter.

Please please please, set a start date, and a rough end date.

BodyKind
We apologise if its late notice, we are trying the best we can

For someone thats been in it 8mths, you are cetainly going about things the right way, and are bettering other merchants who have been on the scene for years! Keep up the good work - us aff's appreciate it. As a result I have just joined BK via POR ready to push the sales

[abagdadi]

Hello all,

Confetti's sale will be starting on Thursday 23rd - it's going to be a big one!

I'll be sending out a newsletter to keep you up-to-date and the product feed will be updated to reflect sale prices on Thursday.

[lmar241]

the LXdirect sale will start on the 23rd December and creative should be with the networks tomorrow.

Mark

[jewellery_tv]

The January sale for Jewellery.tv will officially start on the 26th December and last day will be Sunday the 16th January.

The sale will be themed (hopefully) 'from 50% off selected products', but this could change as we have already sold out of a number of the products that were highlighted for this level of discount. All products will be discounted by at least 10%, so this should be a very strong sale.

There will be new static and rotating gif banners with products from the sale displayed, plus top pic adverts and new product feed to reflect the sale prices.

Full details will go out in an email to all our affiliates.