+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 64

 

Thread: Discount Codes - What's the Etiquette?

  1. #1
    getvisible's Avatar
    Moderator

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    My Neighbour is Elvis
    Posts
    4,559
    Thanks
    138
    Thanked 51 Times in 34 Posts


    There must be an etiquette for running a discount code site ne pas?

    I know MVC has been (split)-roasted lately for allegedly taking other people's unique codes ...

    ... but are you "aloud" to use codes you see on other discount code sites (some of them belong to mates)?

    I can see if it says "exclusive" to stay away from it because obviously they've negotiated it.

    And obviously if you see the code "cantbarsed", "ukoffer" or "coldsnail" then you also stay away.

    But what happens if you find a code for a merchant you have on your site on another site and you can't tell its exclusive? What do you do then?

    Can someone jot down the (previously) unwritten rules of running a discount code site? i.e. I don't want to pish off my mates!
    Do you have products for review on my chocolate reviews or Easter eggs blog?s PM me.

  2. #2
    Affiliate

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    2,200
    Thanks
    52
    Thanked 36 Times in 27 Posts
    I think if it has not been announced by the merchany directly via the networks or to your personally you should not list it, if unsure check with network / merchant?

    Not sure what the "big guns" in the discount code world do.

  3. #3
    philhancox's Avatar
    Registered User

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    513
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts
    I've only just started with my discount site but atm I'm sticking to codes that are posted here, in newsletters etc and that's more than enough to be getting on with primarily. I did consider what you're thinking ie using codes that don't appear to be exclusive then I decided against it. As soon as the site grows bigger I'll start requesting codes directly, I think that's what the "big guns" do; e.g Discount codes and special offers wanted (see comment 3 from Kieron)
    PhilHancox.co.uk | Affiliate with sites including discount codes, etc etc | I'm on Twitter

  4. #4
    Bud
    Bud's Avatar
    Registered User

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    1,407
    Thanks
    105
    Thanked 116 Times in 81 Posts
    Apparently, if you're selling loads of stuff you can nick all you like ....

    (Some) Networks and Merchants appear to be very happy with that.

    You'll probably be awarded prizes as well

    (and, No - I don't)
    Bud

    DPSwebsites.co.uk
    All Inclusive Website Solutions
    Affordable Website Design, Hosting & Support

  5. #5
    Super Moderator

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    1,584
    Thanks
    206
    Thanked 189 Times in 98 Posts
    Lee - do whatever you want mate, networks love it! Seriously, exclusives, pop-unders, forced clicks, cookie stuffs, hell, through some adware in and some unauthorised brand name bidding. Discount sites are immune from etiquette!
    While you're at it, steal some candy from a baby and push over an old lady and nick her purse, just make sure you give a third of the candy and a third of the old birds cash to a network and they'll smooth it over with the pigs!

    (Note - heavy sarcasm and undue cynicism applied - it is getting better - best point of call is network account managers - "can you give me a list of all your merchants with discount codes, expiry dates etc" , ask us agencies as well - don't want to spam you but if you fancy a look at our merchants current offers let us know)
    TotalSearchSolutions now providing Affiliate Management services as well as Paid Search
    www.totalsearchsolutions.co.uk

  6. #6
    KieronD's Avatar
    Crunk

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Sunderland
    Posts
    2,307
    Thanks
    22
    Thanked 54 Times in 32 Posts
    From a personal point of view I never even look at my competitors discount code site for codes. Instead I rely 100% on obtaining discount codes from contacts at networks/agencies/foums and merchants themselves. That way I can hand on heart say that I have never used an "unauthorised" discount code, either by mistake or on purpose.
    ContentNow.co.uk - Content Writing and Link Building services | Read my blog here | Follow me on Twitter

  7. #7
    Hero's Avatar
    Registered User

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    London
    Posts
    2,977
    Thanks
    85
    Thanked 226 Times in 158 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by philhancox View Post
    As soon as the site grows bigger I'll start requesting codes directly, I think that's what the "big guns" do; e.g Discount codes and special offers wanted (see comment 3 from Kieron)
    You don't have to be a "big gun" to request codes, just showcase to the merchant that you can deliver the results to warant you the exclusive code. Kieron, like many other affiliates, started off by listing the generic codes & offers available from our merchants. There are plenty of affiliates who were not what you would call big, but we got them exclusive deals once we had some background on their visitors and their performance.

    Lee, to answer your question, treat vouchers as any other content on a fellow affiliate's website - you wouldn't use their content, so why use their codes. What I would advise is, if you see a merchant that you are interested in providing a code on another site, get in touch with the merchant or network and ask if it's exclusive and, if so, whether you could have one too
    So, what sectors interest you?
    Hero Grigoraki
    Head of Media Product
    lastminute.com

  8. #8
    loquax's Avatar
    www.onelittleduck.co.uk

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Swansea
    Posts
    2,802
    Thanks
    45
    Thanked 160 Times in 91 Posts
    We only use codes that are made available to us via network emails or exclusives ... imo, that's the right way to do it... if you don't do it that way then it's up to you - just say "a member of staff probably nicked it" if you're caught and absolve yourself of all responsibility whilst being happy you never got penalised for taking the p*** whilst using iframes and cookie cutting.

    Jason
    Last edited by loquax; 14-01-08 at 10:35 PM. Reason: editted due to half a bottle of red wine
    Stuff That Ducks Do.. Working | Blogging | Duck Twitter | Loquax Twitter

  9. #9
    Elaine's Avatar
    Registered User

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Redcar Cleveland North of Leeds
    Posts
    2,556
    Thanks
    116
    Thanked 85 Times in 61 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by loquax View Post
    editted due to half a bottle of red wine
    tried that on my scales this morning - but it didn't work
    Elaine - Children's Rooms, Allkids & Toddler Beds
    email: info @ childrens-rooms.co.uk
    01642 440110

    Parent Centre - Parenting Blog

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    625
    Thanks
    17
    Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts
    its a shame voucher codes couldn't be tracked to a particular website then no one would copy them!
    Booze Britain - Plan your next pint! (BETA).
    residual income - A community forum to help each other
    affiliate network review - add a review

  11. #11
    Super Moderator

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    1,584
    Thanks
    206
    Thanked 189 Times in 98 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by hero View Post

    Lee, to answer your question, treat vouchers as any other content on a fellow affiliate's website - you wouldn't use their content, so why use their codes.
    Perfect advice distilled.
    TotalSearchSolutions now providing Affiliate Management services as well as Paid Search
    www.totalsearchsolutions.co.uk

  12. #12
    Typing with both fingers.

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Allt Y Coed Farm, North Pembrokeshire
    Posts
    4,122
    Thanks
    246
    Thanked 197 Times in 156 Posts
    Up till now, I only use vouchers that are sent to me or I have asked or arranged.

    Though unless any net 'etiquette' appears this year I have the scripting to do otherwise.

    Ta

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    139
    Thanks
    7
    Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts
    A bit off topic...sorry..

    I have alot admiration for those webmasters running discount codes sites.

    You wouldn't believe amount of emails I get a day from merchants/networks wanting me to promote codes and offers etc, I'm sure it's twice as much for those with half decent voucher sites.

    Changing codes, offers etc must be done on an almost daily basis and I know I couldn't do it. as it would drive me crackers.

    And then to check if someone else is nicking your codes....wow, as Roy Castle use to sing...."Dedication...."

  14. #14
    renegade's Avatar
    Moderator

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    3,526
    Thanks
    289
    Thanked 138 Times in 58 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by getvisible View Post
    And obviously if you see the code "cantbarsed", "ukoffer" or "coldsnail" then you also stay away.
    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!

  15. #15
    Elaine's Avatar
    Registered User

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Redcar Cleveland North of Leeds
    Posts
    2,556
    Thanks
    116
    Thanked 85 Times in 61 Posts
    Well you can all breathe easier 'cos I'm not about to jump in the water. It really does look like never ending hard work.

    At the moment it doesn't appear that I'm losing many prospective customers to voucher/discount sites, but with one eye to the future I will be introducing a system to enable me to offer those that apply to my existing merchants - when I can be arsed
    Elaine - Children's Rooms, Allkids & Toddler Beds
    email: info @ childrens-rooms.co.uk
    01642 440110

    Parent Centre - Parenting Blog

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5 LastLast


Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. The effect of Discount Codes on affiliates - Testing the theory
    By Maxafi in forum Affiliate Marketing Lounge
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 07-12-07, 10:35 PM
  2. Webgains updated weekly promotions
    By Emma Delaforce in forum Webgains
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 29-08-07, 05:41 PM
  3. Weekly Update: Webgains Current Promotions
    By Emma Delaforce in forum Webgains
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 23-08-07, 12:39 PM
  4. Webgains weekly updated offers
    By Emma Delaforce in forum Webgains
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 15-08-07, 06:33 PM
  5. Electric Shopping Discount Codes
    By Sachin Thanki in forum Webgains
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 18-01-07, 06:30 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
To Top

Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.0 RC2