I think it's not necessarily what you use, its your techniques in how you are selling your product that is more important. The worst that can go wrong is you don't make any money. However long you decide to stick with a program that does not payout, is up to you. Just don't try to market steaks to Vegetarians and you'll be fine.
There are lots of scam affiliates programs. There are sites and forums dedicated to exposing them. But, a good advice would be to encourage you to join an affiliate program which is honest and transparent. Allow me to recommend you this thread: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=846708
Generally programs you are promoting thru affiliate network sites like click2sell, shareasale, affiliatebot, amazon, ebay PN are worth and payments are prompt. In house affiliate programs you will know only by trying. Year back I joined eroticy and earned nicely till april.... now they are not paying anymore and has become scam, what to do?...Avoid it.