voucher4codes.com

[Stas_uk]

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Seeing this website for weeks now bidding on voucher codes terms.

It doesnt contain any codes, offers whatsoever just link straight to merchant with anchor text "Click here to get Merchant.com promo codes and voucher Codes" which just links to merchant site through aff link.

Surely a bit too far but still there weeks after weeks?

http://www.voucher4codes.com/Vouchers.aspx/Screwfix.com

[PhiltheBear]

Have a look at this:
Voucher code announcement

You'll see that the IAB actually managed to smack someone's botty. Or, at least, that's the claim (although somewhat short on detail).

It still amazes me that no-one seems even slightly worried by this sort of sham. If the IAB really does want to promote best practice then it's time some formal strategy was adopted. But I won't hold my breath.

[KevinEdwards]

Hi,

The IAB doesn't cover PPC activity in the voucher code, code of conduct. It was discussed but given the range of activity and margin of error when investigating it was decided this would be unworkable.

However if a advertiser has a specific PPC policy that is being breached you can contact the network or advertiser in question and let them know.

I couldn't find evidence of a PPC breach here but if you drop me an email with the details I'll ensure it's directed to the right network.

FYI, an affiliate was removed from all eight member networks for one week late last year leading to all commissions being withheld. The reason the post didn't contain details is because it was decided it would be unprofessional to publicly outline the full picture.

[Stas_uk]

It's not PPC breach it's just website that doesnt even have 1 single voucher or anything. Doesnt even bother with click to reveal. Just got one link that meant to show codes that just links straight to the merchant homepage through aff link without revealing anything.

[KevinEdwards]

Hi,

We will get in contact with this affiliate.

As I'm sure you can appreciate it is difficult to ensure all affiliates (we as a network have tens of thousands of active ones) are compliant all the time. That's why the AMC made available an email that is fired off to all networks - vouchercode@iabuk.net.

This can be used to report abuses as well ask questions or raise concerns about the voucher code space.

[PhiltheBear]

FYI, an affiliate was removed from all eight member networks for one week late last year leading to all commissions being withheld. The reason the post didn't contain details is because it was decided it would be unprofessional to publicly outline the full picture.

Kevin, whereas that smacked the naughty boy it gave no insight whatsoever into exactly what sort of breach was committed. The professional thing to do would have been to give details but withhold the name of the site/company/individual concerned. It would also be interesting to know if the breach has re-occurred after the week's suspension.

At least the 8 networks did act - for which they should be applauded. But the website being shown here is just out and out cheating. As I've said before, this isn't just not treating the customer in an ethical manner, it's robbing other affiliates of commissions.

[Hero]

As a regular member of the AMC & the regulation committee (whose responsibility it is to investigate received complaints) - we have compiled a list of sites that we audit at regular intervals for compliance to the voucher regulations. However, it's understandable that we can't possibly be auditing every single voucher-listing affiliate out there. We therefore greatly need the help of the community in bringing to our attention cases that need to be looked at. And I can assure you, we investigate all reported issues. In most cases, the issues are easily resolved by discussing with the website owner and making the necessary changes, without the need to publicly stone them.

The forum is not the first point of support for any matters, and neither is for the AMC. We have distributed details of how one can report problems and I would greatly urge the community to use those first.

In the mean time, I'll bring this thread to the attention of the group so we can all look into the matter.

thanks

[PhiltheBear]

I appreciate that the job of monitoring all sites which use voucher codes is just about impossible. Indeed, the IAB guidelines say that "All major sites that generate a significant amount of their revenue via voucher codes are regulated every six months by member networks to ensure their ongoing compliance". It's the bit in (my) italics that's the problem.

There are several separate issues here. There are genuine voucher code sites which keep their codes up to date. There are voucher code sites which don't keep their codes up to date. There are sites which, in reality, don't offer voucher codes at all but which, like the one shown here, pretend to.

The first of these I have no problem with. The second category may be simply lax or may be attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of the customer. These can be dealt with on the basis of a warning and pulling the rug if they continue to offend. The third category should get a warning, a timescale to stop and then just get cut off. It really is that simple.

I have no idea which site got smacked last year. Nor do I care. But the practice of sites deceiving people over voucher codes needs to be stamped on. Hard. And let's be 100% clear about this. Most of the sites causing the trouble need not come into the category of sites being monitored - because they don't use voucher codes at all. They simply deceive the punter into thinking they do.

[JohnnyCash]

There are several separate issues here. There are genuine voucher code sites which keep their codes up to date. There are voucher code sites which don't keep their codes up to date. There are sites which, in reality, don't offer voucher codes at all but which, like the one shown here, pretend to.

The first of these I have no problem with. The second category may be simply lax or may be attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of the customer. These can be dealt with on the basis of a warning and pulling the rug if they continue to offend. The third category should get a warning, a timescale to stop and then just get cut off. It really is that simple.

Why should they even get a warning? They should be cut off and banned instantly, and permanently.

Its not like they're being slack with keeping codes up to date, or made a mistake about how their click to reveal works or something. The site doesn't have a single voucher code anywhere at all - its out and out fraudulent. I think their intent is pretty obvious to any sane person. These sites should be killed on sight by the networks...

[KevinEdwards]

Hi,

Fraud by its legal definition is a criminal offence. Whilst I agree the content is misleading and needs to be changed it's not breaking any criminal laws.

The affiliate was contacted and asked to change the way information is listed.

The voucher code space is fluid and hundreds, possibly thousands, of affiliates make use of codes. I deliberately changed the code of conduct to reflect that categorisation of affiliates by type is in essence unhelpful - what is a 'voucher code affiliate'? Much better to make reference to affiliates who make use of vouchers. There is also the added complication of advertisers sometimes not adding end dates for codes that can lead to out of date content being listed as current. I've always been firm in my belief that affiliates who want to feature these codes should have due processes in place for ensuring the risk of listing expired codes as current is minimised or preferably non-existent.

By widening the remit of the code so monitoring is made more difficult. All networks are reliant on the wider community to flag potential breaches as no network has the resource to guarantee all affiliates are compliant all the time. That is why the vouchercode@iabuk.net email address was created.

With regards the suspended affiliate from last year, changes were made within hours of the suspension but all networks agreed the week's suspension should hold.

[bapages]

The site looks more like a work in progress to me. I'm sure with a little nudge they will get on to it pronto.

[Stas_uk]

The site looks more like a work in progress to me. I'm sure with a little nudge they will get on to it pronto.

No, because they were bidding on many voucher codes terms through adwords

[confuscius]

No, because it was bidding on many voucher codes terms through adwords

... and they are not the only ones who do not know what negative matching means. Pick virtually any retail merchant from say Afiliate Window and you will find the select band of sites that show for merchant + voucher code phrases - report them and the ads will disappear only to reappear a few weeks later.

Why are these repeat offenders allowed to continually breach merchant terms and conditions with a likely limp wrist slap as the usual outcome?

Pick a merchant or two and run the searches and see what you find.

[Stas_uk]

... and they are not the only ones who do not know what negative matching means. Pick virtually any retail merchant from say Afiliate Window and you will find the select band of sites that show for merchant + voucher code phrases - report them and the ads will disappear only to reappear a few weeks later.

Why are these repeat offenders allowed to continually breach merchant terms and conditions with a likely limp wrist slap as the usual outcome?

Pick a merchant or two and run the searches and see what you find.

I think they are actually allowed to bid on merchant terms by merchants. Most of us not, but big voucher codes sites get the power to dictate the rules.

[confuscius]

I think they are actually allowed to bid on merchant terms by merchants. Most of us not, but big voucher codes sites get the power to dictate the rules.

I am sure that AW will clarify this but my understanding on the ones that I have reported is that normally they are not allowed.

Until the networks publish who is allowed to brand bid ( or not negative match) then affiliates will never be able to properly assist in reporting persistent offenders.

Another aspect of this general lack of enforcemnt is where certain merchants specifically state that they do not deal with voucher code sites yet their offers appear on many sites. When you question this it is then that you find out that they have agrred to appear on some but not others. Self inflicted impossible moonitoring.

All this adds up to do what you want until you gte caught and then apologise for your mistake or inability to read and carry on.