Have You Ditched Next Directory And Other Low Paying Programmes - Poll

[Elaine]

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wondered with all the latest shenenigans if the poll would turn out differently now?

Here's the old results

removed them all - 20
switched to other merchants - 6
demoted them 9
will remove links later 3
still promoting as usual - 16

[jess1]

Can I ask a question? Who voted for NEXT at the a4uExpo awards? Because that really confused me... its been bugging me. How did they manage it, if you look at the history of Next and what they did... who voted for them and why?

[Elaine]

Can I ask a question? Who voted for NEXT at the a4uExpo awards? Because that really confused me...

when the voting started taking place Next had a cracking programme on Affiliate Window- and even though they reduced their commission in August (it was around then) they were very plausible with their reasoning and I was informed that they would be seriously looking at introducing category based commission rates to take into account those affiliates who didn't attract huge returns - and if Children's Rooms hadn't been nominated, Next would have got my vote ... back then.

It all really started going pear shaped late December, and down hill all the way since then.

[purple]

Buy.at are looking to add diff comm segments, but this might be after the horse has bolted when they get this in place.

[jess1]

Again I was a bit surprised at the Next win as there were far better affiliate programs with better conversions and really switched on Merchants who have been here for a number of years, I don’t get how a fairly new program that had already announced a cut in commission could win? Does this mean that people were voting without doing their home work? Surely a cut in commissions could be seen as a pre-cursor to something else? Why set up a program knowing your margins, knowing how much commissions you can afford and then do a UTURN, makes no sense unless they got the maths wrong? Or introduced a high priced product where by the margins could be compromised.. but then you would set up a tired commission group. So... people were clapping and honouring a company that were already giving signals of a company that is not quite at ease with their program.

[jess1]

Purple... you mean AOL, the ultimate in spyware (user settings)

[Rich]

Again I was a bit surprised at the Next win as there were far better affiliate programs with better conversions and really switched on Merchants who have been here for a number of years, I don’t get how a fairly new program that had already announced a cut in commission could win?

The award was for Best New Merchant of 2007.

[fionah]

Dear Affiliates,

The next affiliate team would like to put to rest some concerns on the application form process. We took the opportunity at the time of migrating the program to ask affiliates a few questions regarding your business. This is so we can have a full understanding of how you promote next.

We understand that affiliates operate in very different and complex ways, PPC affiliates have different requirements to incentive sites and so on. We hope that moving forward we can start to address the different types of affiliates in ways which will improve your performance and ensure you have all the tools you need to succeed.

Also, we are aware that there has been a lot of bad feeling from affiliates of late which has been discussed on the forum and various blogs. We obviously want to hear from affiliates and try to address any concerns you may have. The reason we have asked for user names and blog addresses is so we can be aware of the problems you are facing. It also puts faces and online personas to companies and so on. However, from our point of view it is far easier to deal with concerns on a one to one basis so I would urge you to contact us via email at nextaffiliates@i-level.com with any queries you may have.

Another point that has been brought up is moving towards product tiered commission groups. This is still on the agenda however as previously mentioned this requires updates to the reporting system. It’s something we are working towards however ,we do not have an ETA of when we can go live with it.

As a public company, discussions on an open forum are very difficult to manage. This is why we have not been as forthcoming in discussions as we would have liked. However, I hope we have addressed all the issues here and in our previous posts, but if you feel you are unclear on anything please email us so we can discuss the matter on a one on one basis.

All the best,

Fiona

[jess1]

Hi Fiona... Dialogue is healthy
My advice is call in the experts (not touting for business as our books are full), as you say aff marketing is complex and Im not sure where or who's advice you have been listening too. I would call in two or three affiliates and your network account manager and a rep from Next, if you have not already done so.
To go from Top of the tree to the bottom... clearly something went wrong to cause such a back lash. Im sure I can speak for most people, that it's appreciated that you came here and commented.

Maybe affiliates can now come here and post how they think Next could improve, maybe use this op and turn this into a really positive thread?

So what would next need to do to turn things around?

[Frostie]

Also, we are aware that there has been a lot of bad feeling from affiliates of late which has been discussed on the forum and various blogs. We obviously want to hear from affiliates and try to address any concerns you may have. The reason we have asked for user names and blog addresses is so we can be aware of the problems you are facing.

Affiliate please wake up and smell the coffee!

Sorry but thats the biggest pile of bull I have ever heard! From what we have seen in the past week, you want blog address so you can reject anyone who questions the programme.

If you need any further proof, then please, proceed to my blog, and tell me why the response I received was;
"I appreciate that you have had issues with Next in the past and have been quite vocal in your thoughts regarding their programmes. In light of this Next has decided that they would prefer not to work with you moving forward, particularly after your last blog entry."

The post referred to above, questioned Next not honouring the 7 day cookie when leaving Awin!

No one is going to tell you what is wrong Fiona, if you simply bin affiliates off! Do you really want to improve the programme or remove affiliates who have issues with the programme? Is this how ilevel/next plan to address anyone with concerns?

I have emailed you the address above and look forward to a response. Its sad that you rejected 1 affiliate who merely raised all these concerns in the beginning, which with a great PR response above, could even stand you in good light! You can thank me for pointing out, as blatant as possible, what you needed to do another day! Its shocking when an affiliate has to educate an agency!

I wonder if you will reject the 108 who have backed my post? Nahhhh i-level/Next aren't that brave are they!

Edit
Just so its not all negative, I second Jess comment that it is good to see you communicating (albeit a damage limitation exercise IMO). I believe 5 days has been too long to hide away while this has been going on. I still stand (against some affiliates) by my belief that in relation to this particular issue, it wasn't the job of Buy.At or Affilinet to and explain the situation (neither sponsor my blog ). This could and should only be the responsibility of the merchant, or the agency who contractually agreed to act on behalf of the merchant.

[dougs]

UTTER S**T
As a public company, discussions on an open forum are very difficult to manage. This is why we have not been as forthcoming in discussions as we would have liked.

What you mean is no one had the guts to stick their neck out.....

We employ opinionated gits because, they atleast say what they think......sometmes admittedly I dont like what they say, but hey it makes it more fun.

Doug the unopinionated one

[Frostie]

However, from our point of view it is far easier to deal with concerns on a one to one basis so I would urge you to contact us via email at nextaffiliates@i-level.com with any queries you may have.

Any emails you send, are either forwarded directly, or cc'd to Next.

I just wanted to be transparent to everyeone!

[hpops]

Fiona

Thanks for joining the dialogue. We're an agency not an affiliate of yours, but like others, am hugely passionate about steering our industry forward in a way that is mutually beneficial for all stakeholders. One of the key reasons to be proud to be involved in this industry is the transparent and co-operative sharing of critique and praise relating to a program/network/issue.
Although I feel that Dougs response was a little harsh (sorry dougs but the language isn't helping the industry one iota) I find it a grave concern that Frostie received the response that he did relating to his comments. Chris has years of experience and credibility behind him and I would suggest that his (and others) influence on this issue may far outweigh the power of your brand in establishing performance marketing as a cornerstone of your online strategy.
If the implication (which seems grounded) of your company refusing to work with those who are critical of its policies are true. I would suggest that your tenure in this arena will be a very short one - and rightly so. Democracy and free speech are fundamentals of this industry - a fashion retailer with a catalogue business are not.
Again on the flip side, why not engage with this dialogue, plenty of considerably larger brands than Next do, very successfully. Nobody here (except your competitors, who must love this) wants you to fail in this market, why would they? People want to earn more, to make you more - thats why you're here in the first place. But your actions to date almost demand readressing.

[dougs]

Calling a spade a spade is what I do.......if they want to sort this stuff out, get travelling round the company, go and see people, look them in the eye, then deliver on what you are saying. Talk is very very cheap....

Frostie tell me when they come to see you

Doug

[befuddle]

I've just made my first Next via buy.at sale and even though it's only 2% commission it's money for old rope as Frostie puts it.

I am more concerned about Thomson Holidays who reduced their commissions for voucher sites to £5 without warning or consultation. So where I once would receive £50 for a booked family holiday I now get a fiver. And I don't have a voucher to help induce a sale in the first place.

I won't ditch that merchant either, just won't promote them over-and-above other better performing and rewarding merchants.