Removal of Myvouchercodes from Play.com

[albo]

Removal of Myvouchercodes from Play.com affiliate program

Play.com has removed MyVouchercodes.co.uk and any assigned websites from their affiliate program with immediate effect.
The reasons for this are:

• Constant misuse of voucher codes
• Displaying out of date voucher codes
• Displaying invalid voucher codes
• Displaying voucher codes with the wrong expiry dates

Having been asked on numerous occasions to stop using and remove the voucher codes Mr Mark Pearson has either neglected to do so or only removed them temporarily.
Play.com believes that this malpractice by Mr Mark Pearson also puts other affiliates running an honest business into a disadvantaged position.
Play.com further takes the stance that this practice is misleading to their customers, resulting in bad online shopping experience and disrupting the customer journey. Ultimately, the referral for customers via invalid discount codes results in damage to the brand.
Play.com decided to take this step in order to discourage this practise and actively encourages all other merchants to take the same position toward promoting a sustainable online shopping experience.

[oki-ni]

Removal of Myvouchercodes from Play.com affiliate program

Play.com has removed MyVouchercodes.co.uk and any assigned websites from their affiliate program with immediate effect.
The reasons for this are:

• Constant misuse of voucher codes
• Displaying out of date voucher codes
• Displaying invalid voucher codes
• Displaying voucher codes with the wrong expiry dates

Having been asked on numerous occasions to stop using and remove the voucher codes Mr Mark Pearson has either neglected to do so or only removed them temporarily.
Play.com believes that this malpractice by Mr Mark Pearson also puts other affiliates running an honest business into a disadvantaged position.
Play.com further takes the stance that this practice is misleading to their customers, resulting in bad online shopping experience and disrupting the customer journey. Ultimately, the referral for customers via invalid discount codes results in damage to the brand.
Play.com decided to take this step in order to discourage this practise and actively encourages all other merchants to take the same position toward promoting a sustainable online shopping experience.

Are any other merchants considering cutting MVC! It would be interesting to see if play.com stands alone on this issue.

[Cheapdvds]

love it , respect to play

now who else is gonna put their hands between their legs and check to see if anything is there?

[tomj]

love it , respect to play

now who else is gonna put their hands between their legs and check to see if anything is there?

Well if MVC checks in between his legs I dont think theres a shortage of Network reps down there currently....

[mattb811]

Personally, without trying to apportion blame as to whether Mark was in the wrong or not, I find the tactic of announcing the expulsion of an individual affiliate on a public forum very distasteful.

In years of working both network and agency side, I have been party to kicking numerous affiliates off campaigns but never before have I seen it announced to all and sundry.

I would hope that all at Summit have their facts very clear as I suspect there could be legal comeback if not.

This is not what the forum should be used for in my opinion.

Matt

[affiliatemarketingltd]

Personally, without trying to apportion blame as to whether Mark was in the wrong or not, I find the tactic of announcing the expulsion of an individual affiliate on a public forum very distasteful.

In years of working both network and agency side, I have been party to kicking numerous affiliates off campaigns but never before have I seen it announced to all and sundry.

I would hope that all at Summit have their facts very clear as I suspect there could be legal comeback if not.

This is not what the forum should be used for in my opinion.

Matt

I have to agree

[Cheapdvds]

I have to agree

yeh i sort of agree , its a bit unproffessional , but then again , we see so many posts moaning about voucher sites and nowt seems to happen , this gives a clear message that if u dont play by the rules , no matter how big or small u will be kicked off.

distasteful? maybe but i can think of plenty of voucher related things that leave a bad taste in my mouth also and the only solid action ive seen is this one (if true)

[DannyW]

In response to what you've just said Matt about apportioning blame I'd like to add a little pointer that last month Play issued a voucher code "Save £50 On The Sony AR71M Laptop" which was valid whilst stocks last... Still in stock now - yet the discount code (just done a test purchase) is invalid...

This is not trying to excuse anyones actions but this thread made me go and check, yes still in stock - must be OK as was listed exactly as it was given to me... no!

Now this bit is worrying

[*]Displaying out of date voucher codes[*]Displaying invalid voucher codes[*]Displaying voucher codes with the wrong expiry dates

I was party (until 10 mins ago) of all of those with Play.com due to no fault of my own; but due to fault of either/or/and Play/the network/the agency...

[Paul Wright]

whilst it makes for interesting reading gotta agree with matt. I support the decision to maintain a healthy affiliate program that works for all parties concerned but looking for public support isn't necessary or beneficial in the long run.
--<br>Posted via my Mobile Device

[getvisible]

I'm in two minds on this.

I agree with Matt that sometimes it's best to sort things out in private especially when Richard (no disrespect) asks if others are intending to sanction action. I'd expect these discussions should be done (correct me if I'm wrong) from merchant to network and then if approved back from network to other merchant? Or even in the private affiliate managers den on this forum.

However, on the other hand. I believe that many merchants are flabbergasted by the continual requests to modify how MVC market their brands online an end up going unheeded. Is it like some agencies have started to name and shame criminals by putting their name and photo in the newspaper?

I hate to offer a footballing analogy. But Rio Ferdinand was given an 8 month ban for the same "crime" that a Manchester City player got a slight ban for just weeks before - purely because he was a big name. Will this action prevent others from wilfully breaking the rules (if that is what has happened)?

I suppose there's a point we all get to before we crack. Perhaps a more appropriate response to the situation would be for Play.com to announce that a Voucher Code site has been excluded for breaking the rules and others will follow. Without naming MVC directly. Then anyone can, on their own volition, seek further information.

[ian]

I was party (until 10 mins ago) of all of those with Play.com due to no fault of my own; but due to fault of either/or/and Play/the network/the agency...

I think there is quite a difference between your circumstances and the MVC situation. Albo says that they have been asked on numerous occasions to get things in order, and decided not to, hence the play.com reaction.

[purple]

I would not normally agree with naming individual affiliates, but I think in this instance it gives the wider community the message as some else has said that however big u are you still have to play within the rules for the greater good.

It might be felt the big affiliates can do what they like as networks only interested in their overdie so this reaction shows that merchants at least will not be taken for a ride.
I am sure the decision was not made half heartedly as i am sure this affiliate earns a lot of money for Play, but by having expired codes can effect a merchants brand and customer expeirence

[Andy10]

I would hope that all at Summit have their facts very clear as I suspect there could be legal comeback if not.

Very true, and also a very interesting decision to announce this publicly.

[getvisible]

Very true, and also a very interesting decision to announce this publicly.

It'd be interesting to hear MVC's PR Agency's view point on this wouldn't it Andy

[Stuart]

I am in 2 minds on this one as well, part of me says the professional approach is to kick them off but not announce it on a public forum, on the other hand there have been numerous posts about underhand tactics used by MP. Personally I have been ripped off in business before, now if it's something that effects me directly I in most cases name and shame, no problem. Although this has not directly effected me, I know some other affilaites who say his tactics have effected them - dunno which is right way or not...!