Am I crazy, or does LinkShare suck?

[ViciousSummer]

I used to get small checks monthly from Linkshare.com and it seems that they are no longer being cut, even though commissions are being made. I tried to check my "payment history" and it only allows you to check from Feb 2005 - Mar 2001. Wtf is up with linkshare?!

[mcfox]

Linkshare sucks. Period.

[ViciousSummer]

Oh good. I'm glad I'm not crazy...haha

[5starAffiliates]

Agreed - you are not crazy.

[digitalpoint]

Yeah, they suck... their payments are sporadic at best. Sometimes it takes 8 months to get paid... sometimes only 2. {shrug} I just forget about them and then when I actually get a check it's a nice surprise. hah

[SiCK]

I promote Overstock on Linkshare, they do pay every month, but Overstock is always having tracking problems. I just kind of gave up and ignore my Overstock site these days, but they do send $5.00 to $10.00 every month.

[ViciousSummer]

I used to get several small checks as well.

And ALL of linkshares tracking sucks royally.

[revenow]

They had two accounts for me, and I only signed up for one.

[DanHall]

All I know is that ever since I had anything to do with LinkShares I started getting way to much email into my list address. Good thing I set that aside from my regular addresses.

[bloodwrath]

linkshare just sent me a cheque for $3.89
it not even worth it to cash...
just driving to the bank will eat that cheque in gas
i have to deal with them some of the software in my niche is only available from them.

[GreenGambler]

Yeah, I've only recieved 2 checks from them, each for small change. I always think that they are ripping me but have no real way to find out..

[Netspeed]

They just don't care now that they've been bought.

[Blogmaster]

Overstock is not a bad program, why they have chosen linkshare to represent them ... I will never know

[iShopHQ]

I regularly get checks for $2K+ because I've been successful with Overstock. SmartBargains is working well for me too.....

[Worldwid]

I only set up one site using linkshare, I really dont like them.. I made 64 bucks so far, but when making my account, I set it for them not to send me a check until I reach 500 bucks -- and I don't see where to change that setting anywhere. By my calculations i should get that first check in mid 2008 --haha.

[Lynn Terry]

I'm a little disappointed with Linkshare myself, so this thread got my attention. I havent received a check from them in *months* even though I have a low minimum set, and *have* earned commissions.

There are just a few merchants there that I really like and want to keep on my sites... but I think I might check to see if they also operate through another network. I've noticed that some offer their program through more than one network (or even have an individual program set up in-house too). It would be worth it to check to see if I could side-step Linkshare altogether.

Even their login process is a pain compared to the other programs & networks I work with.

[ViciousSummer]

So it seems fairly unanimous...Link Shares blows!

I just tried to send them an email via their contact form and when you hit "Submit" you get this error:

"The requested URL /fs/ was not found on this server."

Real professional...

[Lynn Terry]

Yes, I sent them a support message via email several months ago... and never heard back. Very frustrating!

[The Big Deal]

I keep hearing that a lot of people are unhappy but I have had a really good experience so far (since June.)

I mainly use Premium Partners so that probably helps keep payments more consistent and timely.

You probably already know this but...

A Premium Partner is a merchant program that:

* Uses LinkShare's check-cutting service.
* Pays affiliates on a monthly basis.
* Pays affiliates based on a maximum $25 threshold.
* Prompt authorization of affiliate payments so affiliates are paid at the end of the following month.
* Seven or more return days (does not apply to merchants with pay per click programs).
* Has supplied valid and complete contact information in their profile.
* Active and in good standing.

I also use the Direct Deposit so I feel this makes payments much faster, etc.

[Lynn Terry]

Originally Posted by The Big Deal

I mainly use Premium Partners so that probably helps keep payments more consistent and timely.

You probably already know this but...

A Premium Partner is a merchant program that:

* Uses LinkShare's check-cutting service.

You make a very good point. I am currently dealing with a couple of affiliate merchants that refuse to send me commissions owed. You can see my blog post about it at: http://clicknewz.blogspot.com/2005/1...-dont-pay.html . Anyway, this morning I called the company that one of the merchants runs their program through. I found out that this particular merchant isnt part of "their network", but an individual merchant that is using their software. Apparently they offer either option to merchants that want to set up through their program.

Anyway, they told me there was nothing they could do on their end (regarding non-payment) but assured me that I would get paid if I worked with any merchants that *were* in their network.

Just pointing that out, because until I spoke with him this morning (and then read your post right after)... I didnt realize the difference.