The arrogance of merchants

[dougs]

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Zak

I agree some, "you" I believe from what I hear are in the exception unfortuately

Doug

[kier]

I really have to echo what Zak said. Merchants, affiliates and networks are like any groups of people - you'll find a range of behaviours and approaches and I think it's important to keep that in mind and not let the actions of a few tar the efforts of others when issues like this come up.

[dougs]

I agree, but how many merchants/networks/affiliates have ever met one on one away for the big events.

From my experience the only meetings that happen are the ones we organise.

Doug

[JonLloyd]

Erm yes! I presume you do know what effects share price right?
Profits!

Really - just profits affect share price. (Tech Boom of 1999 springs to mind) That's not what my years of stock trading have taught me. Still what do I know as a lowly arrogant merchant. Cheers for the discussion today but I gotta call it a day. I'm still none the wiser why you guys are so worried about Next's future.

Hatred is a strong word in hindsight and I was wrong to use it. Sorry if any offence was caused to anyone.

[loquax]

I'm still none the wiser why you guys are so worried about Next's future

It's not so much Next, it's the precedent it potentially sets in affiliate marketing.

If affiliates don't voice their concerns, even if others don't consider those concerns to be important, then nothing in the industry changes. Yes we can move to another merchant and promote them, but this is about a bigger picture.

I'm pretty sure most affiliates who have backed Frostie will "move on" and get on with their business, but it's equally important to voice that message - silence can often speak volumes, but too many affiliates remain silent and allow some of the constant issues that effect us all to be swept under the carpet far too often.

Jason

[dougs]

Looks like I opened a can of worms

I expanded the thread out here

The arrogance of merchants | Doug's mouthpiece

Cheers

Doug

[Spreader]

I agree, but how many merchants/networks/affiliates have ever met one on one away for the big events.

I reckon you're right Doug. I phone Affiliates and they are genuinely surprised that a merchant is phoning them up as it is a massive rarity. This could partly be the fault of the networks though as they don't tend to provide the Affiliates phone numbers on our interface...

Also - with the exception of Graham, I don't know any affiliate managers who actually visit affiliates and arrange one on one meetings.

Food for thought...

[figleaf]

Zak, I have met a number of affiliates in recent weeks and am sure other managers have too. I know you are only stating what you know, but I think the implication of what you are saying is incorrent and a dangerous pre-conception.

Simon

[Spreader]

Hi Simon,

Zak, I have met a number of affiliates in recent weeks and am sure other managers have too. I know you are only stating what you know, but I think the implication of what you are saying is incorrent and a dangerous pre-conception.

That's great. All credit to you. I think the closer you can work with your affiliates the better relationship you'll have with them and the better results you'll get.

All, I'm saying is, in my humble opinion and in my experience, Affiliate Managers and Affiliates don't meet up as often as they should, and historically, when i have phoned affiliates, they have expressed that it is the exception to the rule to be phoned by a merchant.

[figleaf]

Fair enough, and I get the same feedback too, and indeed I think you are rightly cited as an excellent example of how to work with affiliates, I just didn't want anyone reading this to think ALL other aff managers are cr*p!



Cheers
Simon

[dougs]

Very few have ever called us or went out with us or even wanted a meeting....the ones who do get large volumes, surprising that correlation.

Doug

[Spreader]

I just didn't want anyone reading this to think ALL other aff managers are cr*p!

Quite right too matey!!

There's some great Affy Managers out there who do a massive amount of good work. Graham at Buyagift is top drawer as is Naomi at Firebox. Chris at Hotel Chocolate is also passionate about Affiliate Marketing as is Dan Morley, and Ben at Evans Cycles has got a really good reputation... Need I go on

As I say though, this is only my humble opinion, but I do feel that for us to progress we do need to work in closer symmetry with our Affiliates and the Networks. Its a symbotic relationship whereby - if progressed correctly - can be a win, win, win scenario.

[dougs]

I dont think they are all crap......

I just know the ones who talk to us.....and most don't and never have.....I am content with that as our traffic never goes to them.

Doug

[Frostie]

Jon

Really - just profits affect share price. (Tech Boom of 1999 springs to mind) That's not what my years of stock trading have taught me.

Seriously the AM Industry is different to anything else - trust me, I am not wet behind the ears either, especially when it comes to the AM Industry (7 years now) and processes yes I am ITIL qualified so know enough of processes to last me a lifetime!

However, if a company does not deliver on results then YES it does affect the share price. I never stated Profits were the ONLY thing to effect the share price, however a company that doesn't deliver on its expected results will see fluctuation in share price - thats a fact as you know. The tech boom was a one off, never seen before, and so far, never repeated. Share fluctuations due to coming in below expected results happens year in year out, always with the same result - share prices drop.

Still what do I know as a lowly arrogant merchant.

I must have missed the accusation towards you - cant see it anywhere. Believe it or not, if merchants listen, they will find that affiliates want them to develop, grow and become successful - but it does require listening! They also have as much, if not more, business knowledge than some merchants out there who think they know everything and are closed to suggestion or critiscm.

I'm still none the wiser why you guys are so worried about Next's future.

As Jason said, and I said in my blog;
<i>No affiliates want this to be seen by merchants as acceptable and I think if it’s allowed to continue, it could be a very bad precedent that’s set.</i>

Its not a worry for me about next, I have all previous links pointing to M&S and I am benefiting from it. If you look at the bigger picture rather than focus on 1 affiliate vs 1 merchant you will see that it could damage the industry if others see a merchant getting away with it, and follow suit.

Finally, I wont name all the good Merchants (Affiliate Managers) as I am sure I will upset someone and miss them out. But yes to name a few include Zak, Graham, Simon, Claire (Gizoo), Chris (Hotel Chocolate), Adam (JustHom), Martyn (Bet Fred), Tom (iPoints), Peter (Getting Personal).... see. There are some cracking people here, many of which realise that the more an affiliate grows, the more a merchant can benefit too.

Certinaly lets not tar all merchants with the same brush