Internet Direct - whats going on?

[tobyt]

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Having been affiliates of Internet Cameras Direct ( through an Independent Affiliate Program) for over 2 years, I have just been notified that they were placed in Administration on Jan 30th, 2004.

I was also informed in the same correspondence that they along with Internet Direct (they appear to be one in the same) were sold to what looks like a shelf company on February 26th. This is an astoundingly fast sale!

Such quick sales are often possible because some or all of those in the old business are able to buy the business back without the debt - which in this situation included Affiliate commissions.

As Internet Cameras Direct were always dogs to get commission payments from, I would like some clarification if any of those involved with the old Internet Cameras Direct/Internet Direct, are in any way involved with the new company Pinco 2083 Limited that now owns them.

Seeking such a clarification is only appropriate as I - and I am sure other Affiliates either currently promoting them, or considering promoting them, need to know how secure our Commissions are going to be this time around.

Also VERY IMPORTANTLY - if the new owners of Internet Cameras Direct/ Internet Direct are not liable for Affiliate Commissions prior to February 26th 2004 as I have been informed, why has there not been a formal notification of this being made here or on CJ. Alternatively are the new owners selectively choosing to pay some affiliates and not others.

While I might smell a bit of a rat here, I hope I am wrong.

If anyone has any further comments on the matter or has any knowledge of the situation it would be appreciated.

[tobyt]

Further to the above - an email sent to the company asking for clarification in respect of the above points has brought no response!

Maybe the silence says it all!

[getvisible]

toby - it may be worthwhile doing some research into "pheonixism" (can't get the right spelling)

its when one business is effectively shut down to get rid of debts but is effectively restarted in a different gise by the same people - which I believe is illegal.

if you can work out the correct spelling ( ) then you may be able to get some useful info!

[ianm]

Toby,

Can't you get directors information from Companies House?

[Stuart]

Hi,

I spoke to Internet Cameras Direct yesterday on another matter - apparantly the original Founder/Director bought the company back when it went into administration. I think the Founder is the guy that ownes Pinco 2083 Limited.

They told me that they are now trading as normal but it's like starting from scratch.

Don't now about affiliate commissions though - sorry

Don't know if that helps!!

[999gi]

Im pretty sure that a letter I got from the receivers said that Nigel Apperley(?) was involved in the new company, and as I recall he was CEO of the old one, so yes I think your suspicions are right.

[tobyt]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I suspected as much when the sale took place so fast. Also the fact that my enquiries to them about the existence of any relationship between old and new owners went unanswered.

I have come across this before having sat on a number of creditors committee's in the past. This type of situation, while legal - stinks. How in hell can someone that does not know how to run a business be allowed to buy that business back for a minimnal value minus all the debts - and then commence running up debts again is something that is absolutely ridiculous.

Anyway I'm glad that I started this thread and hope that it serves as a warning to anyone silly enough to sign up to their their new affiliate program.

What really chews me up though is that surely CJ must have been made aware of this because they would have received correspondence from the Liquidators (PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Leeds) in respect of Affiliate Commissions owed - and yet no notifications have been forthcoming from them. Alternatively it means that no-one has signed up to the Internet Direct program - in which case - GOOD JOB!!!

Anyone from CJ care to offer any comments or an explanation?

This is one merchant that should be Blacklisted - unless of course they dig a bit deeper into their pockets to where they found the cash to buy the business back - and find a bit more moola to pay their affiliates that busted their balls sending them sales before.

[smn2]

Yes, I'm going to stop promoting them.

Took a long time to get paid in the past, anyway!

Steve

[CompareStore]

yep if they don't pay up then they won't appear on CompareStorePrices.co.uk again either!

[Mogga]

InternetCamcordersDirect
Digital Camcorders & Accessories 21.05.04 JOIN MORE

InternetDVDsDirect
DVD Recorders, DVD Players, Portable DVD Players and Home Cinema systems 21.05.04 JOIN MORE

InternetTVsDirect
Televisions, Video Projectors, DVD Recorders and Players and much more. 21.05.04 JOIN MORE

InternetCamerasDirect
Digital cameras & accessories


All as new merchants on Affiliate window today.

Were issues resolved over previous payments?

[CompareStore]

Had plenty of correspondence from PWC but no payments as yet.

[tobyt]

They have refused to answer 3 emails from me about the past and present ownership of their business and also as to when payments of past commissions will be made.

To me this crew represents the very worst in merchants....

Warnings should be made under the Affiliate Windows section about them.....

[Gary England]

I saw your messages on the Forum and would like to clarify your comments over previous and present Affiliate Programs run/commissioned by InternetDirect.

InternetDirect were placed into the hands of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, as Administrators on 30th January 2004 by the Directors of the then Company, with the intention of creating some relief from the financial pressures which they were under. The Company traded through this period as normal, with the support of Suppliers and Partners alike, whilst the Administrators searched for a prospective buyer.

A number of offers were made for the Company, from various sectors of the market. The successful buyers were a newly formed buy-out vehicle, advised by Corporate Solutions and financed by Epic Reconstruction plc and Eurosales Finance, who purchased the Company for a substantial sum.

InternetCamerasDirect was set up by Nigel Apperley in 1999 as a specialist on-line retailer of electrical products specialising in digital cameras. It was with regret that Nigel had to appoint Administrators of his Company, earlier this year, but such is his belief in the Company that he was prepared to raise considerable personal finance to be involved in its acquisition from the Administrators.

It was with regret that some Affiliates within the previous Affiliate Program had unpaid invoices at the time of the Administration, however they would all have been advised by the Administrator of the situation with regard to their commissions, both during this time and prior to the sale of the Company. The Administrators are paying Affiliates their commissions on sales during the period of Administration, and we continue to pay Invoices raised for any commissions received after the Administration period.

Our decision to join AffiliateWindow was to provide added security for affiliate members and their commissions earned, and indeed we have placed a Bond with them to cover initial commission payments. In addition, pending commissions for successful sales will be validated each and every business day, Following the launch on the Network it is our intention to wind down our own Affiliate Programme and encourage our affiliates to move across with us to AffiliateWindow.

I am happy to discuss any concerns which you may have about our AffiliateWindow launch or your account within our own Affiliate Programme. You can email me at gary.england@internetdirect.co.uk or call me on (01484) 848872.

Gary England
Marketing Manager
InternetDirect