Well if it is a company like Google or eBay or even Amazon, and they ask for a $5 starter fee, what the heck! They are loyal companies and not risking our fine 5 dollars! But the majority are just rip offs!
It's rarely done. Most are free and some offer a signup bonus that's under the payout threshold so you still need to make some sales before you get paid. Cheers, Peter
There is an Affiliate network called Affiliate window very populor in UK .They charge 5 pounds to join there Affiliate network. it is a Fee to review your application and your 5 pounds wasted if your application rejected otherwise its sent with your first cheque .its the only company i know hey are using this model from long time and very successful in business .
I am assuming that you are not north american ..and yahoo publisher network accept only north american affiliates under its beta version ..... only way to Serve yahoo ads on your website ( if you are not north american) in join online media group network( OMGUK ) .. They accept affiliates from all over the world provided that you have quality website and once you accepted you can serve yahoo ads via them . Visit my blog to read more about them .. (hope now you guys would not worry that you dont have adsense alternative )
I haven't seen any serious affiliate progr am that requires payment which is not MLM - and people don't like to associate themselves with MLM!