There is always a holding period on almost all type of affialiate stuff. The sale isn't final until the CC chargeback period is past. Some of higher volume places only hold back a % of your sales.
You get your check 2 weeks after pay period ends, so basically once they start rolling in you get a check every 2 weeks and they've always paid me on time.
Clickbank is good. Not had any problems with them but like with all affiliate programs, one needs traffic. That's what takes up most of my time.
every 2 weeks. you have to sell (i think) 4 products from 4 different states before they will send your 1st cheque out
Yes, it's so you don't keep buying products through your own affiliate link and then get the money back. BUT I have changed accounts a few times and simply asked them to send me a check for the other account because I was no longer using it and they have no problem with it. Not sure if they actually looked into whether it was actual affiliate sales (but only like 2 or 3) or products purchased through my own link (in this case they weren't) or if they just sent it out without caring.