Quidco no longer working with Affiliate Window

[GW-Sean]

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For what its worth I believe that you've acted in the best interests of the industry here.

From a personal standpoint, I'd have to agree here guys.

I can understand Quidco looking to appeal to their customers with the guaranteed cashback (makes sense from their standpoint) - but if they are doing this without offering the same dedication and protection to their merchants...(and leaning on merchants/networks in the process) ...some questions have got to be asked.

Mark, thanks for the transparency - I really appreciate this. You guys are a great Network to work with. Having all your merchants and partners contacted without your knowledge has clearly put you in a difficult position, and I just wanted to offer my continued support.

Cheers

Sean

[Derrenbrownpoker]

From my day job as an affiliate manager for quite a large program i have to say Quidco members have the highest attrition rate of any affiliate we deal with. Yes they deliver good numbers but the quality is extremely bad.

[Elaine]

Just shows why AWin won best network 2 years running - good on you guys for not bowing to pressure from the 'big guns' and looking after the interests of your bread and butter merchants :tup

[arcticsunrise]

Just to say that we fully support Awin's stance on this matter and welcome their response. Also well done to Tel at RO-EYE for bringing it into the public eye.

Mark - we will be in touch re how (if at all) this affects our merchants.

[hpops]

Really pleased to see all the positive and supportive comments in this thread.
This is a classic example of how networks engaging honestly with the forum can earn respect and support.

[tbp]

I think Affiliate Window have dealt with this well.

A couple of merchants I`ve worked with have had problems with Quidco, and removed them from their affiliate schemes. There were a number of cases where Quidco sales had been approved and they had received payment, but for whatever reasons didn't pass it on to the customer. The merchant then gets angry calls from the customer who think that its the merchants fault, and demands their cashback. They don't realise that the cashback deal is between them and Quidco, and not them and the merchant, and Quidco have actually been paid.

Doesn't help the merchants reputation and loses them customers even though it's not a fault of the merchant.

[Mike_Scott]

I don't really count for much in this one
but for what its worth...........

I think it was a brave and a very smart move from AW given the T&C's that were added by quidco.
It shows that they have really thought this through.
Other networks would have probably bowed down given the volume that Q gives.

Although the cashback system will always unfortunately bring its own problems, it cannot be allowed to cloud or get in the way of the basic affiliate marketing model.
The merchants have to make a profit - that must be protected above everything - or we all lose.
I think this is a good reminder and a lesson for us all.

Affiliate window are leading the way forward here and its a move in the right direction IMO.

The reprecussions of this I expect will eventually pay dividends to AW and rightfully so.

Plus the fact they have been so open, shows why they are the Top dog as far as the networks are concerned.

Well done!

Mike

[Andrew Starr]

Interesting that Quidco have not (yet) replied to this thread.

As an affiliate, I would just like to add myself to the overwhelming majority who have said 'well done' to Affiliate Window.

We can't have one dictate terms such as this to the detriment of everyone else, merchant and affiliate alike.

[ian-d]

Well done AWin on your stance against this, I can see other networks maybe following. Could this be commercial suicide for Quidco?

[stu-art]

Smart move AW - good to see such integrity (and business sense).

[D-Mac]

Could this be commercial suicide for Quidco?

Could be, but presumably their business wasn't sustainable without the terms they wanted?
Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[darrenb]

With the removal of AW merchants by Quidco surely members will just go to another cashback site when they use AW merchants, after all most members are clued up regarding the cashback model and will want some cashback in one way or another as they know it's available.

Surely it's more business for the other cashback websites out their and they may even gain some cashback shoppers out of it if Quidco are not a one stop shop/solution when getting cashback online.

[sellingschool]

Having worked on both sides of the affiliate fence (merchant and SEO affiliate), I have struggled to see the benefit for merchants from cashback sites getting established as "brands". Sure a fragmented cashback sector is okay for driving some traffic (although as one poster alluded to, it is not exactly top quality long-term prospects), but when people (as many already are) shop at a cashback site by name, then that is a major downer for merchants.

As with voucher sites, they start to get customers landing on-site via their own PPC ads and natural SEO, before popping off to the recalled cashback brand, saving their £2 and costing the merchant where no cost really need have been incurred.

I am sure there are decent counter arguments, but that is just my personal take on the sector.

Accordingly, I am watching this one with interest to see which side the major merchants who are affected take. Plus, if quidco's stance sees any stampede away from AffWin then what does that say about the point of Affiliate networks other than as a BACS service and banner host...

[Mr Pointy]

As the owner of a white label cashback site, operating on the 50% commission share & a former operator of my own (now defunct) cashback site, I have to follow most people's comments and congratulate AW on their stand.

I gave up running my own cashback effort BECAUSE of the amount of fraud being carried out by members and as a one man band, could not build the infrastructure to catch all these cheats. Without wanting to besmirch the character of most of the users of cashback sites, there are a hardcore few people (as in most things) who will always try to get what they can out of such a situation & for Quidco to blindly promise to honour all transactions, at the possible expense of the merchants is just unrealistic.

If they are so desperate to hang on to their members, regardless of whether they may be defrauding the merchants, then what message does this give about the affiliate marketing industry & cashback sites in particular?!

Despite all the infrastructure put in place by my white label partners, I am still also actively picking out members who are trying to join my site with multiple accounts as, in my experience, these are the same people likely to attempt fraudulent transactions & I don't want them as members of my site!

Maybe this is a far too idealistic viewpoint for business, but at least AW's response is also an example that not everyone in business is out to make money at all costs! :tup

[channel5]

100% well done to AWin on this.. totally applaud and stand by your stance on this one..

Has anyone else noticed that Quidco's "100% Cashback" offer only offers 100% of the standard rate back, and not the enchanced rate that they will be gaining for volume and sometimes worse.. £65 back for Virgin Media Cable when standard rate is £100 now?