Next are changing!

[Frostie]

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This change in networks does signify change in the way in which we will be communicating with affiliates.

The communication via MVi and AWin was, and will be, unbeatable.... so what does that say?

The change is a fresh start more than anything. It makes managing this end a lot easier as we will now have two new identical campaigns on two seperate networks.

Isn't that what an agency is meant to do - i.e. manages your programme?

[Julie H]

Come on Frostie mate - we're all too long in the tooth to buy the rubbish we're about to be furnished with. They're putting on the charm now after cutting commissions and being unable to even email anyone with an explanation. I doubt after my blog posting last week I'd even be accepted onto the program if I begged, after the behaviour they've shown I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a sharp stick than join on a different network.

[nextchallenger]

It's a fresh start. Awin are a great network. However, we have made the decision to move to buy.at and affili.net to make it easier to manage simply by wiping the slate clean and starting afresh on two new networks.

Jonny

I don't know enough about the politics of this thread to comment on some of the replies . However I am with Ian and Frostie - why are you leaving AW, I thought they were perfect.

Ta

[Frostie]

It's a fresh start. Awin are a great network. However, we have made the decision to move to buy.at and affili.net to make it easier to manage simply by wiping the slate clean and starting afresh on two new networks.

Jonny

Jonny, once again I am confused
MANAGE - what are an agency or an account manager employed to do? You had two of the best people for the job last year in Sean and Rachel.

WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN - that implies that problems happened previously and to start again you have headed down a different route. Lets be sure that although the slate does need wiping clean, its not Awin or MVi that needed wiping as they were the cause of 0 issues.

I won't be switching links come 29th February unless wiping the slate means addressing the issues that should have been addressed a long time ago. They can only be addressed internally by Next and switching agencies or networks doesn't fix a single thing.

Anyway, thats my rant over as I feel my messages are now invisible.

[Elaine]

well Keith made me laugh out loud with his niavete - but, WTF,

WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN!!

whose slate would that be then?

- Affiliate Windows who have been treated abominably,
- Sean and the previous agency who were far more proactive than I-level have ever been,
- the combined affiliates slate who were merrily lead up the garden path,
- my slate? It will take more than golden sweetners and a big brush to get rid of those indelible stains

and on that lovely clean slate are you going to write in big bold letters the commision you'll be offering after the initial sweetener - and don't go crying 'margins, margins'
- I also happen to be a merchant in the bedding, beds, nursery and bedroom accessories arena and I know the margins we work with!!

[Qui Gon Jinn]

So when is Newaz going to poke his head above the Parapet if he is head of affiliates at i-Level, rather than let Fiona take the flack? And maybe Jonny's (cannon fodder) boss Joe who picked up the "award" at a4uexpo.

We were right … Next didn’t deserve it.

[John Jupp]

Ooh. Looks like this issue is going to simmer for quite a while yet. Be bold, be brave and if it all gets too much get some body armour to protect you. (note to all - no you CAN'T have the suicide bomb vest)

[Elaine]

.. this issue is going to simmer for quite a while yet. ...

funnily enough I've never got the hang of simmering - always managed to burn everything - although that does add a certain piquancy

[Hero]

I know it's none of my concern and should probably shut it... but to hell with it
we're always complaining that not enough merchants show up here - but when they do, we shoot them down.

I appreciate the frustration against the particular program which has been well vented and documented, but shouldn't the new guys be given a chance, people? I mean, you don't even know what the set up and offering will be like, it hasn't been announced yet.

Why don't you wait for the announcement, see if it improves things, see if the new guys are able to listen to your past concerns and then shoot them down if applicable? How do you expect them to do a proper job if you jump on to them from the word "go"?

Let's be fair - merchants/agencies make mistakes - are they not allowed to try to rectify them, EVER?

[smingle]

I know it's none of my concern and should probably shut it... but to hell with it
we're always complaining that not enough merchants show up here - but when they do, we shoot them down.

I appreciate the frustration against the particular program which has been well vented and documented, but shouldn't the new guys be given a chance, people? I mean, you don't even know what the set up and offering will be like, it hasn't been announced yet.

Why don't you wait for the announcement, see if it improves things, see if the new guys are able to listen to your past concerns and then shoot them down if applicable? How do you expect them to do a proper job if you jump on to them from the word "go"?

Let's be fair - merchants/agencies make mistakes - are they not allowed to try to rectify them, EVER?

Said in the voice of Marge Simpson

[Hero]

Said in the voice of Marge Simpson

DOH!

[Elaine]

see if the new guys are able to listen to your past concerns ?

well I'll be the first to apologise if I'm wrong here - but these here NEW GUYS erm - aren't they the ones that have been in charge all along - I'm sure I received an email from Fiona way back when I was still promoting Next, that was when they FIRST reduced the commission!!

Why the deadly silence when it all kicked off late December - I never recieved one communication from them, and I gave it 3 weeks before I vented my 'concerns' on here.

I mean, you don't even know what the set up and offering will be like, it hasn't been announced yet.

oh yes we've noticed that ommission - we're all waiting with baited breath for the sound of the fanfare

Let's be fair - merchants/agencies make mistakes - are they not allowed to try to rectify them, EVER?

yep it's just some merchants and agencies make larger mistakes than others and then, by default, try to blame the poor network who was batting for them all along - the word scapegoat springs to mind.

[Rich]

Just sticking my nose in. Everyone seems to have jumped on this a bit heavily but I don't think you can blame then when there has been such obvious frustration with poor communication.

As for the competition, does that inspire you with confidence? Running a competition based on increase in volumes in the same month affiliates are meant to switch links surely means they're forced to leave their links on the old network up until the day the program closes. Or are they saying they are going to match up all affiliate accounts across networks?

Hypothetically...
In Jan you make 100 sales with AWin
In Feb you make 40 sales with AWin then switch your links to Buy.at and make a further 80 sales.
Your Awin and Buy.at accounts are set up with different domains as the listed site so how will they be able to tell who has improved? They could ask you to submit your figures, which they would have to check with the networks, but I thought promotions were meant to get you to promote the merchant more and not waste time going thru stats just to enter a draw.

Then again, may be I'm just in a grumpy mood

[Spartacus]

Hi,

I can only find Next Flowers on buy.at ?

S

[Maxafi]

Hi,

I can only find Next Flowers on buy.at ?

S

It doesn't launch until Friday