If Argos was on another network?

[fizzbird]

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I can't remember the last time I logged into CJ, it is just an unpleasant experience.

I totally agree

[babrees]

Paul, you could have reworded this poll. "Does CJ's horrid interface discourage you from promoting their merchants?"

Or even, "Does being solely on CJ reduce the likelihood of a merchant doing well in the affiliate channel?"

I can't remember the last time I logged into CJ, it is just an unpleasant experience.

And there was I thinking it was just me being stupid with hating CJ! I joined them but have never actually promoted any of their affiliates.

[Qui Gon Jinn]

lol - Good to see CJ voting for themselves within "It's already on my preferred network."

Also No's might pertain to their policy towards Loyalty sites .. btw there is also a CJ rep voting No in there too.

Cohen's Part Deux?

[Julie H]

I wonder if the four Network staff feel a bit silly now.

[Shane]

lol to "feel" would imply cognitive thought.. I though big networks beat that out of staff thesedays

[Greavsie]

ooh it's all a little anti CJ. I've put my network hat on here,

If Argos was on another network, and this alternative network was one that you preferred doing business with even though the commissions remained the same.
- all business comes down to relationships at the end of the day, lots of affiliates work on their own but eventually you are going to favour one above another. So if one supports you better, then why not transfer your links?
- if you have the merchant heavily implemented into your site, then a cost-benefit analysis would make sense. How much time will it take you to switch links; and how much is your time worth?

Would you be inclined promote them more on an alternative preferred network than their current existing network?
- this is just illogical to me; if you are not promoting a merchant properly because it is on X network; then you are doing yourself, your users and your merchant a great dis-service. Why did you bother signing up in the first place?
- Surely it's about what works, what your users want, and how much it's worth to you. I'd promote them as much as they warrant, then say bye to X network when NEW network comes along.

Anyway back to work.

Greavsie

[Hero]

Nope - I'm just mercenary - it's all about the commission rate for me - 2% is plain insulting.

out of curiosity and nothing to do with Argos themselves nor you Elaine - do affiliates take under consideration the merchant's price competitiveness, ie if they have very low prices and therefore lower margins, which would warrant the lower commissions?

[fizzbird]

if you are not promoting a merchant properly because it is on X network; then you are doing yourself, your users and your merchant a great dis-service. Why did you bother signing up in the first place?

You sign up for the merchant - not the network

Surely it's about what works

I rest my case - CJ doesn't. Creating a simple deeplink can be difficult or impossible. Even if you manage to do it the link will stop working at any moment.

Anyone who defends CJ either: works for them or is doing such high volumes that the failings don't matter so much.

[jd77]

Paul, you could have reworded this poll. "Does CJ's horrid interface discourage you from promoting their merchants?"

Or even, "Does being solely on CJ reduce the likelihood of a merchant doing well in the affiliate channel?"

I can't remember the last time I logged into CJ, it is just an unpleasant experience.

Couldn't agree more my friend. I occasionally log in with the best of intentions but the speed, difficulty in getting hold of what should be a simple link and just general confusion give me a totally frustrating experience.

They have some really big brands on there but the interface is a complete nightmare.

[aotagain]

Well I was having a nice day and now someone's gone and mentioned Argos and CJ in the same breath...

Perhaps its because I'm getting on a bit, but I don't like having to relearn the CJ interface for an hour every time I go back to use it. ...Oh, I see, if I promoted more of their merchants I'd get used to it... or more likely keel over and die.

One merchant I promoted heavily a few years ago moved TO !!!!! CJ from my favourite network and I haven't really bothered promoting them since (brand bidding, my PPC ads. 'acquired' word for word). Things not up to date - unanswered stuff etc. Quite an appropriate tie-up actually.

Woops got sidetracked.

Answer is yes just out of principle and I'm a child of the Thatcher years as well !

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Looking at our own stats from last year (approx)

93% of orders were click & collect (ie lead).
It's a shame we have no idea what the average basket size is for these orders.

Of the 7% which were sales the average basket size was about £205

[ian-d]

I voted yes as i had this decision to make just the other day. I require to register with a number of merchants, most of which on AWin and Buy.at. When i came to Argos, i noticed they are on CJ and know from reading on here plenty of times that they aren't great, so for the time being i've left them! I've now to make the decision of leaving them on with a standard link, or remove them to avoid the potential of visitors buying from them and not other merchants. Come on Awin/Buy.at, one of you snap them up

PS - I've emailed Argos about this, lets hope they respond