Stealing Exclusive Codes

[jrisby]

After a gentle reminder this morning he has now removed some of the text I mentioned earlier but he still has the original page there complete with URL but minus any links. If you click on "visit site" or even our url it simply redirects back to his page.

Obviously there is no benefit to him in keeping this page up and all this means is there is now a page on his site designed to get into the search engines targetting our sites URL and brand which actively prevents people from getting to our site.

I know he's reading this and I can assure him this isn't the end of the matter.

[aotagain]

What's with the 'Share a code' part of the site then ? Surely this means anyone's codes could get submitted by any member of the public, having seen it on another site ?

So that could include codes given to other affiliates exclusively etc. etc.
Surely that compromises merchants agreements with other affiliates.

Presumably these 'shared' codes don't get automatically published ?

Can't see the networks doing much about this - the site will be far too big an earner. Nice business while you've got it !

[befuddle]

Originally Posted by aotagain So that could include codes given to other affiliates exclusively etc. etc.

For this reason I now pro-actively ask merchants to offer me not only an Exclusive code but one that is branded with 'SC' or 'SHOPCODES' included so that they can easily be spotted by myself, merchants and networks.

Some affiliate sites will then filter these codes from being published after an email request.

[Barry]

Yep although my site is not as big as myvouchercodes, I vet all the codes submitted by my users (not that many people actually do).

Fair do's though I dont think he has any of my codes on his site anymore which is fair enough. I am also not to bothered about him listing my site at the bottom of his page, its all fair competition.

Ta

[aotagain]

Still the wild west out there really ain't it ? Still can't be completely sure whether the sheriffs have enough deputies to deal with the next gang to ride through town a whooping and a shootin'
;-)

"Once upon a time on the net" - that might make a good book !

[renegade]

Originally Posted by aotagain Presumably these 'shared' codes don't get automatically published ?

Not on our site they don't. These days it's unusual to get a code we can share that we haven't got already.

[Frostie]

Originally Posted by Barry I am also not to bothered about him listing my site at the bottom of his page

Personally I am bothered and have requested to have my URLs removed. If I had URLs to others sites, and received requests to remove them, then I would oblige, and I therefore expect the same from every other affiliate.

I go back to my point of not advertising LaSenza on keywords such as BeCheeky. We are asked by networks not to do it, therefore the networks should ask affiliates not to bid on other affiliate websites.

I am saddened at the lack of input from networks on this issue. It seems to me that as long as the affiliate is bringing in money via whatever method or ethics they choose, networks choose to close their ears and put blinkers on, stick their head in the sand and hope that after months it will quietly disappear.

[Mogga]

Originally Posted by Frostie I am saddened at the lack of input from networks on this issue. It seems to me that as long as the affiliate is bringing in money via whatever method or ethics they choose, networks choose to close their ears and put blinkers on, stick their head in the sand and hope that after months it will quietly disappear.

I too am saddened by this lack of action by networks. My only hope is that they are running it past their lawyers before terminating this affiliate and banning him for life.

[km8]

Originally Posted by Frostie I am saddened at the lack of input from networks on this issue.

Which issue specifically?

The "publishing exclusive codes" issue or the "listing other URL's without hyperlinking them" issue?

Personally, I think the former is definitely something the networks should have a view on but the latter seems to have little or nothing to do with networks.

[aotagain]

I think some merchants are watching though...

[Cheapdvds]

Dear Affiliate,



There have been a few amendments to the BoysStuff.co.uk terms and conditions surrounding discount codes. These have been changed to the following:



If you wish to promote BoysStuff.co.uk discount codes then you must contact us directly and we will issue them to you via email. Using/promoting discount codes not provided in this manner will result in pending transactions being cancelled and/or suspension from the programme.

If a customer that has been referred to us by an affiliate, uses a discount code that we have not issued directly to that affiliate, we will have to decline the commission on that sale.
These will from today be applied to