Who is breaking Voucher Code guidelines

[bapages]

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I don't know why I keep chipping in as I don't own a VC site, but if out of date codes should be removed why are they still locatable on this forum when you search?

I know the obvious answer but rule is a rule....

Although you could automate the removal of codes.....
Seriously though - I agree - here's a post from Kieron that put's it far more eloquently than I could :-
Kieron, why don’t your remove your old discount codes?


TTFN

BFG

[Karelellis]

Yes it is. Merchants and their agents need to provide as much information as possible when supplying codes.

Agreed! There have been numerous codes released recently (this month) with no expiry date given what so ever - so before mails like these are sent out - by the networks that are on the look out for rule breaking affiliates - shouldn't they be checking such mails as the affiliates they are bound for are the ones who ultimately will be ones penalised.

I appreciate that larger networks with a large number of merchants may be have their work cut out proofing all voucher code mails that go out - but with the new IAB rules in place, this information has become all the more important!

[edwyn123]

Is having endless code with 'end date unknown' acceptable?

If the end date is truly unknown then this is acceptable, if however, it is clear that a site has not made an effort to list as many expiry dates as possible then it is not. There is a voucher site currently in this state but discussions are ongoing as to the best possible solution for their site.

Any further questions feel free to get in touch,

Thanks

Edwyn

[mattg]

Yes ... codes expire at midnight and I'm not staying up late to edit my site at that time.

Ah you mean an automated scheduled data processing task. There are machines nowadays that can do things like that for you. Dead good they are.

[Mogga]

Codes could be issued in javascript like the blurbs on OMG so they're always right.

[Travel Pixel]

Ah you mean an automated scheduled data processing task. There are machines nowadays that can do things like that for you. Dead good they are.

LOL. :tup - what are these strange machines Matt?

On our system the scripts just dont show codes that have expired - basically by comparing dates in PHP. I think sites that show codes as expired and still include a button are just trying to increase the chances of a clickthrough - fair enough you could say of course.

If we recieve an offer or code that doesnt have an expiry we will add a expiry date we feel is reasonable - in most cases in the travel sector at the end of the peak season for example......

Dave

[Keith]

Codes could be issued in javascript like the blurbs on OMG so they're always right.

This is something I've been telling people for ages, usually get the response that most merchants cant even keep banners up to date

[purple]

This is something I've been telling people for ages, usually get the response that most merchants cant even keep banners up to date

It seems it will remain the affiliates responsibility to keep track of the 100s of codes issued, the expiring of code for it to go live 2 days later etc .
If merchants dont issue expiry date its "ok" you can list with no expiry, but if you display lots of codes with no expiry date you will be investigated.

I think the new code is good to try to move the industry forward.

However even this week I have seen a high profile code sites bidding on brand + discount codes

Basically what i am saying is , it is going to be almost impossible to monitor everything going on, the data is not always complete in first place, but the new regime is a positive step

[aotagain]

Its a shame the networks can't just issue an edict that says:

"If any VC affiliates take the p... by doing clever modifications to get around the spirit of the IAB guidelines, then they'll be hung drawn and quartered" ;-)

Quite clearly, some affiliates believe that if you just keep ahead of the scythe, you'll keep your legs. Unfortunately imo they are right and they'll keep doing it until someone puts an insurmountable object in the way. Or Arnie.

[buspassjohn]

It is clear that certain Voucher code directory affiliates are blatantly disregarding merchants advice on the expiry of codes and are continuing to claim they have codes when they know they haven't and the only purpose is to drop cookies and overide any other referer.
PrezziesPlus is no longer issuing codes, there are no valid codes and there is no code entry box on site, this should be clear enough to all, we have stopped all voucher codes because of the abuse of them and the complete disregard of brand bidding rules by certain affiliates.
We are now in the process of closing our affiliate program completely, any so called conversion from any affiliate claiming to have a voucher code from Prezziesplus will be rejected and no payment will be made for any such sale, genuine sales by other affiliates will continue to be authorised and paid.
It is a pity that the affiliate industry has come to be dominated by a few large voucher code sites that overide other hard working affiliates rightful commisions, I hope that this coming economic storm will make other merchants think twice about the margins they are losing to voucher code directory sites that add no incremental sales, only leech from existing ones.

This is my personal opinion only and does not reflect the views of any other advisors we may have had, past or present.

[dougs]

John

I can see your point as you probably are aware of from numerous of my threads I am not in love with the existing system, but there are sites appearing that use voucher codes and can add incremental value. Let me show an example:

Freeads.net - Classified ads, place free ads

This site gets close to 2 million visitors per month and you will see a link on the front page to their discount area, but over the next few months we are working to integrate voucher code offerings into their classified listings, hence encouraging a customer who was going to purchase for example a second hand washing machine to buy a new one using the discount offering.

Hopefully you will wish to work with such sites that can add incremnetal sales to your business.

Doug

[bapages]

John

I can see your point as you probably are aware of from numerous of my threads I am not in love with the existing system, but there are sites appearing that use voucher codes and can add incremental value. Let me show an example:

Freeads.net - Classified ads, place free ads

This site gets close to 2 million visitors per month and you will see a link on the front page to their discount area, but over the next few months we are working to integrate voucher code offerings into their classified lsitings, hence encouraging a customer who was going to purchase for example a second hand washing machine to buy a new one using the discount offering.

Hopefully you will wish to work with such sites that can add incremnetal sales to your business.

Doug

Like it, but not a good idea to broadcast your future plans as someone could most likely use it first

[befuddle]

John, whilst my own PrezziesPlus page needs refreshing as the content expired 31st, code sites do add value.
In our own case I promoted the Slanket specifically for your site.
The work involved isn't hard as in bricklaying hard but I am a hard working affiliate all the same.
I have promoted many things in many years in different forms and it wasn't until I built a code site and then went on to build relationships for exclusive codes that I began to see the financial benefit. So that's why there are code directory sites. It's a model that works.
--<br>Posted via my Mobile Device

[buspassjohn]

Ray,
I'm sure you realise that I''m not referring to you or the way you promoted our vouchers and thank you for that, you must know as well as I that the sites that are just databases of codes, with all sorts of tricks to get a cookie dropped are the ones that are the problem, they overide your rightful commisions as well as every other affiliate's.
Being a small merchant means we can see exactly what every visitor does and the number that put together a basket of goods and then go trawling for a code has become too high a percentage to stomach, I object to paying commission plus a voucher for sales we already have.
We are going over to a 'Value' offer, with never undersold policies in place of our affiliate program, it may result in lower sales but at least it will put us back in control of our own margins.

[ian]

John, whilst my own PrezziesPlus page needs refreshing as the content expired 31st, code sites do add value.

But do they add enough value to offset the cookie stuffed sales from 'brand + voucher searches' that would have completed anyway? You vc site may be unique and drive customers looking for voucher from merchant x, to instead buy from merchant y, but the general theme of vc sites is to drive customers to a single merchant at all costs.