First off, I would like to state that I am extremely pissed off. I received a call yesterday stating "We are sorry, but we are no longer offering commission on 'hard to get' items. Effective tomorrow, you will not receive commission for these items." How ridiculous is that? Less then 24 hours notice? I have generated millions in revenue for Amazon, and I feel extremely cheated. How can they define a 'hard to get' item? To me this seems like they are opening the floodgates. Now everytime associates make too much money on a specific item, they will discontinue associates from getting a commission from it. I have never been backdoored like this from any other affiliate program. What are other peoples thoughts?
Of course, they have their margin to maintain and everything, and they also have a right to change prices and terms without notice. But you would think they would take a little more care of their affiliates. And are they REALLY leading a loss with these items? Surely they have lots of clever price algorithms in place to stop that kind of thing... I guess we just can't base our business model solely on those bargain items, it's just too unreliable, like what happened with those Amazon coupon sites a while back.
Thats exactly it right there. It canno't be defined. Amazon needs to keep an updated list for the Affiliates on what those items are.
What's your website that you are making Amazon millions on? Give an example of something Amazon isn't paying you a commission on. Right now you are being deliberately evasive and unclear.
gamefray, please give us some more information on this if you can. Is this Amazon US? Did they specify to you any products? Who phoned you? Is there anywhere we can read more about this?
Yes, this is Amazon US. They stated one product specifically, but they also said they would be doing it for all "hard to get items". Whatever that means. Someone from the Associates team phoned be, I forgot their name. I have not seen this information posted anywhere. Which seems ridiculous.
Thanks Kenneth for avoiding answering the question and not naming your website. Do you think the US will win the war in Viet Nam? Do you think the Boston Red Sox will ever win the World Series? What are the chances that Britney Spears will divorce Kevin Federline? Will we ever land a Man on the the Moon? Tell me, oh wise one. Do you think maybe Amazon is not paying you your commission for selling millions of products because you can not answer direct questions?
Thanks, this all seems quite harsh of them. And to not have any information anywhere is also quite weird. Do you have a blog? If so write about it, plenty of people will want to know. I use the UK amazon associate mainly and have not seen or heard anything like this happening.
Why would I give away my niche? Maybe I will just give you my bank account numbers and credit card numbers too while I am at it.
I would say go get another merchant but I know its tough building backlinks then to get bird turded like this. A hard to get item is way to vague and this is why I will be letting all my links and campaigns die over time. I can see a hard to get item such as a popular xmas item such as elmo .... now becoming a hard to get item ... just way too vague. They can kiss 5 figures a month goodbye.
Gamefray: Big companies are not necessarily big in business ethics. It takes considerable effort in researching the products and promoting the same. One can't understand how an item that sells in thousands is a "hard to get" item? It is likely to happen to other hot selling items as well in your website. Try to diversify the risk so that there are no surprises. Thanks for sharing your experience with DP community.
No surprise. The economy is taking a toll on everyone. Amazon simply has to increase their profit margin, and by decreasing affiliate commissions, they will raise their revenue. Does it suck? Yes. Is it understandable? Yes.
I agree. That really sucks. I hope that doesn't happen to me as well because I've invested a lot to do the right things and bring in business for them.
Mariya: Amazon is noted to have best ROI (Return On Investment) among Internet Companies. According to a recent report, the ROIC of Amazon is as below: 2009: 19.7% 2008: 14.1% 2007: 17.6% http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2008/12/18/best-stock-for-2009-amazon.aspx It is obvious that Amazon doesn't have to struggle to raise their revenues. Refusing high worth affiliates of their rightful commission using programs like "hard to find products" must be helping Amazon meet their enhanced targets. By the way, do Amazon publish a list of "hard to find" products list so that affiliates are intimated before hand of such products?
i would feel cheated too. seems unfair -especially with only a 24hours notice. i could see if you werent giving them any business, but jeez.