Madaboutwine.com

Madaboutwine.com ran an independent affiliate program (formerly Amivin). Has anyone been a member of this program? Have you ever got a revenue report or been paid?

I have never received a thing.

More recently I have noticed that all referalls to their site under their affiliate program return a 404 error.

Emails to their affiliate manager bounce.

This is another example of a company treating affiliates with total and utter contempt.

I have a similar problem with Chateau Online
I've accumulated a decent balance with them but they haven't paid it, their afiliate email bounces & their sales email gets no response.

Chateau Online's affiliate manager is Sarah Macrae, her email is sarah.macrae@chateauonline.com. (her email should'nt bounce)

I usually dont have any problems with them , however I have sent a couple of emails to her in recent weeks regarding payments and have yet to receive a reply.

Thanks - I'll give her a try

I have tried both these companies over the 18 months and both are a waste of space.

To be quite honest we have been ditching 75%-85% of the Indie programs. Most treat you like second rate ******s or have second rate ******s running their programs - basically the end result is even when you get some sales, you seldom get paid.

Many of the Indies florists are just the same - simply more hassle than it's worth.

Indie Adult products are just the same - stay away from Best Buzz -0 big talker but doesn't want to pay you!

I'm starting to think that is an Indie can't be bothered to even spend £800 to join a network, they simply aren't bothering with. But having said that I've had a bad day!!!!

I think you're being a little harsh, lets not tar all independents with the same brush...

I run two independent programs, payments always on time, affiliate support is processed as a priority and I work hard to maximise my partners revenues.

Further, as an affiliate my top 3 programs are all independent. These are smaller companies that really do 'get it'.

The use of network v. independent has pro's and con's for both merchant and affiliate alike. But at the end of the day a successful program is less abut the technology solution and more about the programs strategy, management and merchants ability to close sales.

Yes, some independent programs suck but then many a networked program can be just as bad!

Affiliates have a choice.

Implement due diligence.

Vote with your links.


Neil Durrant
www.AffiliateMarketing.co.uk

Totally agree with Neils post.
There are some truly exceptional independents out there which offer great commission rates, lots of promotional things like free prizes, collaboration on TV promotional opportunities, and pay fast.
My record for payment is with an independent that paid me on 5 February by bank transfer for Januarys sales.

As you note there are also some lame ones, just like there are some lame network merchants