Who is breaking Voucher Code guidelines

[buspassjohn]

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Morning,

I see that the conversation has shifted to Comet's new T's and C's rather than this rather lengthy post.
Col.

Good to see it's not just tiddler merchants like us that detest the voucher code directories that have become an endemic part of this industry, taking sales from merchant and affiliate alike, in the current business climate no retailer can afford to have his margins cannabalised endlessly by voucher codes.

Wouldn't it be nice if all merchants dropped voucher codes completely and competed on price and service again? it's not a completely impossible scenario and would save a lot of aggravation on this forum, people might start to be helpful to each other again.

Dream on.

[fizzbird]

Wouldn't it be nice if all merchants dropped voucher codes completely and competed on price and service again?
Dream on.

Dream on indeed. In a straight price comparison it's always going to be in the worst retailer's interests to muddy the waters with codes and limited offers?
The fact that there are so many interested parties only encourages this and ultimately the likes of amazon and adsense will win in the end?

I started a new site a while ago that can make money without any affiliate income - I suspect others will be trying the same?

[Travel Pixel]

I started a new site a while ago that can make money without any affiliate income - I suspect others will be trying the same?

This is something we will be looking into doing more in the future but in our case it would be arranging CPC or CPM deals with individual merchants rather than the CPA model. I think its sensible to have a mixture.

[bazza99]

It may be a case of someone saying 'right, prove to me that it IS working', or we'll stop it, which has more scary implications for the industry.

I think it would be fair enough if merchants did turn around and ask this very question. In fact, I think it's something that all merchants should be asking.

If used correctly, we know that affiliate marketing can be a great channel. It can increase sales and also profits. But is this the experience for all merchants? Probably not.

If an affiliate program isn't performing then it's certainly worthwhile to sit back and ask why not. Is it because the merchant hasn't put enough effort into making it work or are there other reasons? It seems fair enough to consider whether a merchant is paying for new sales, or simply paying a commission on sales that they would have received anyway.

[BFG 9000]

It seems fair enough to consider whether a merchant is paying for new sales, or simply paying a commission on sales that they would have received anyway.

I blogged about this (with my merchants hat on) a while ago - admittedly it was about cashback sites, but my comments bear true :-

I used to use cashback sites myself - The process went something along the likes of this :-

1. Decide to buy something online.
2. Log in to a couple of cashback sites to see if cashback was available.
3. If cashback is available - clickthrough & buy.
4. If cashback was not available - go back to the site & buy.

So, given the above, the sale would have happened anyway - the cashback sites added nothing (& potentially cost the merchant).

All that being said though, I have seen (& made) the argument that cashback might be just enough to sway a buyer who couldn’t quite justify the cost without cashback.

Could just as easily become :-

1. Decide to buy something online.
2. Do a google search to see if a voucher code was available.
3. If voucher code is available - copy the code (which may or may not result in me getting a free cookie) & buy.
4. If voucher code was not available - go back to the site & buy.

So, given the above, the sale would have happened anyway - the voucher code sites added nothing (& potentially cost the merchant).

All that being said though, I have seen (& made) the argument that a voucher code might be just enough to sway a buyer who couldn’t quite justify the cost without cashback.

TTFN

BFG

[ash]

It could just as easily be something like:

1. Decide to buy something online.
2. Do a google search to see if a voucher code was available.
3. If voucher code is available - copy the code, ah but discount is only available if i spend X more, find additional products & buy.
4. If voucher code was not available - go back to the site & buy.

There are alot more variables to be considered before leaping to the a straight cut conclusion that all voucher code sites / affiliates are evil.

[BFG 9000]

There are alot more variables to be considered before leaping to the a straight cut conclusion that all voucher code sites / affiliates are evil.

Whoa There! - Chill Out.
Read the rest of my post - particularly this bit :-

All that being said though, I have seen (& made) the argument that a voucher code sites might be just enough to sway a buyer who couldn’t quite justify the cost without cashback.

For the record, I run both cashback & voucher code sites, I'm also a merchant who is seriously considering the worth of cashback & voucher code sites, rather than just "leaping to the a straight cut conclusion that all voucher code sites / affiliates are evil."


TTFN

BFG

[ash]

Whoa There! - Chill Out.
Read the rest of my post - particularly this bit :-
For the record, I run both cashback & voucher code sites, I'm also a merchant who is seriously considering the worth of cashback & voucher code sites, rather than just "leaping to the a straight cut conclusion that all voucher code sites / affiliates are evil."


TTFN

BFG

Sorry if it seemed i was getting at you, it was'nt meant that way.

Just pointing out that its not as clear cut as many people on here seem to think it is.

[BFG 9000]

No worries mate - you make a good point !!!

[dougs]

Fully agree.....code sites can contribute to sales if used properly by a merchant. But with my merchant hat on I don't wish to give codes to people who I constantly feel are trying to fiddle me, irrelevant of the rules.

Doug

[ash]

Fully agree.....code sites can contribute to sales if used properly by a merchant. But with my merchant hat on I don't wish to give codes to people who I constantly feel are trying to fiddle me, irrelevant of the rules.

Don't then. Perhaps merchants should look at implementing the following:

a) Codes / Discounts that they feel makes economical sense and can drive sales. (Free delivery Codes when spending over X amount, Free items when spending over X amount, Discount of X when spending over X amount etc, maybe only offering generic discount codes on a shorter term basis (not 24/7/365))

Merchants need to find what works best for them, i don't think in most cases simply withdrawing codes altogether is the answer (since many consumers are now used to using them)

b) Implement their own rules regarding the use of their codes, then opening dialogue with offenders and then ultimately banning them from the programme if they still fail to comply.

[dougs]

As a merchant we won't be allowing MOST code sites onto our program for 2 simple reason:

We don't have codes
My view of some code sites and their ethics is open.

We are more than happy to talk and work closely with people who will add extra sales though.

Doug

[Travel Pixel]

Just been on myvouchercodes and seen for myself the 'copy and paste' technique used now. Does look really poor and tricks users - the opening window is a popunder on a right click. Shouldn't this be sorted out by the networks / the new guidelines?

[mejorantes]

Has the IAB meeting taken place yet? If so, what happened regarding the guidelines being broken?

[edwyn123]

Has the IAB meeting taken place yet? If so, what happened regarding the guidelines being broken?

Hi,

The meeting has taken place, action has been taken against an affiliate but I believe there will be a communication about this in due course.

Additions to the current guidelines are also being disucssed to ensure it is all encompassing and to help create a more even playing field in the voucher code directories sector.

Cheers

Edwyn