Discount Codes - What's the Etiquette?

[Fruit_and_Veg]

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A newsletter is sent to you as a customer not an affiliate. It says here's an exclusive discount code for our subscribers/customers would you promote that code on your site to non-subscribers/customers?

ps. I have, am I a bad person?

[3wdl]

Webgains seem the best at distributing voucher codes (via their blog) and Paid on Results (through their voucher code systems) - not sure if other networks have similar things..

[getvisible]

Hi Lee, another competitor, just what I need, come on in the water is erm... effin HOT ATM!
You've got the basics, steer clear of exclusives, watch yourself and prepare for some late nights!

lol - geezer! Nah I'm not going to do it any big way. Just to reference from my niches.

I've also got a different angle on it which doesn't directly compete, discount codes are simply "supplementary content".

p.s. I'm adverse to late nights in front of the PC so you're all safe - not like you've got anything to worry about anyways

[purple]

A newsletter is sent to you as a customer not an affiliate. It says here's an exclusive discount code for our subscribers/customers would you promote that code on your site to non-subscribers/customers?

ps. I have, am I a bad person?

you are a bad person, these codes are from another sales channel, and were not meant for the affiliate channel

[Hero]

you are a bad person, these codes are from another sales channel, and were not meant for the affiliate channel

ah, see, that's where you need to check with the merchant - the phrase "exclusive to email subscribers" is usually bull. We always consult with our merchants whether we can use the customer newsletters to create email templates and distribute them to affiliates - the vast majority are absolutely fine with it.

[purple]

ah, see, that's where you need to check with the merchant - the phrase "exclusive to email subscribers" is usually bull. We always consult with our merchants whether we can use the customer newsletters to create email templates and distribute them to affiliates - the vast majority are absolutely fine with it.

Agreed I think the best thing to do if you see a code on another site, or in a customer newsletter or email, is to contact the network that merchant is with to see if you can also use it on your site.

[befuddle]

Changing codes ... must be done on an almost daily basis

That should read DAILY basis. You'll have approximately 30-50 merchants codes to replace on the last day of the month alone.

Of the 70 emails a day that get past my spam filter, 15 of those emails a day include information which I have to action ie they detail codes to add, replace or remove from my site.

Take a weeks holiday that crosses over the last day of the month and the only way you can catch up is working through the night.

[befuddle]

A newsletter is sent to you as a customer not an affiliate. It says here's an exclusive discount code for our subscribers/customers would you promote that code on your site to non-subscribers/customers?

Yes, where I have asked permission. As I test all codes I become a customer of all the code sites I promote, so I receive emails when it's not clear if the promotions are allowed to be shared or not.

Some networks and account managers encourage you to promote the content that is available in the customer emails.

Where there is a blurred line, I'll reply to the email and ask if I can promote it. Sometimes it results in an Exclusive code being created.

The only times I don't promote them is when it clearly says in the footer that it's for the sole use of the intended recipient. That one liner makes all the difference.

Or when a merchant pops onto this forum (as an example Figleaves) and says don't do it.

[renegade]

lol - geezer! Nah I'm not going to do it any big way. Just to reference from my niches.

I've also got a different angle on it which doesn't directly compete, discount codes are simply "supplementary content".

p.s. I'm adverse to late nights in front of the PC so you're all safe - not like you've got anything to worry about anyways

As a result of your post I spent the next few hours adding a post to my blog (link in sig) which is worth a read for anyone thinking about starting a code site.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with, different angles are always good.

[loquax]

You'll have approximately 30-50 merchants codes to replace on the last day of the month alone

Don't run a competition site if that's a "lot" - most end of months we have about 500 sites to check (and we update discount codes on another database just for added fun).

Affiliates of today... don't know hard graft like

Jason

[befuddle]

and we update discount codes on another database just for added fun

The word database is key here. My site is currently all hand crafted with no SQL in sight - until a few months anyway

[max99]

As a result of your post I spent the next few hours adding a post to my blog (link in sig) which is worth a read for anyone thinking about starting a code site.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with, different angles are always good.

nice blog post you got there, very true, Code sites do take a hell of a lot of work. Something I found extremely hard while holding down Uni work

[getvisible]

lol - I'm already getting it wrong!

On one of my niche sites I added some Hotel Chocolat codes. I got them in a hurry from MVC and whilst communicating with Chris Bishop about promotion opportunities he told me they were out of date. (i did it before this Etiquette post).

I told you I didn't anything about codes sites!

So MVC could you keep your site up to date so when I nick your codes I don't get into trouble ;-)

(p.s. that was a joke!)

[renegade]

The word database is key here. My site is currently all hand crafted with no SQL in sight - until a few months anyway

Darn it Ray, I knew it was a mistake letting you have a peek at my admin screens at the Expo!

[befuddle]

Darn it Ray, I knew it was a mistake letting you have a peek at my admin screens at the Expo!

In return I have also shown you the designs of the brand spanking new Shop Codes