DISCLAIMER: These posts contain hints, tips and ideas from folks that have had some experiences dealing with this. It is NOT meant to be legal advice here - just related experiences. Please consult with a reputable professional if necessary. Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 00:54:36 -0600 (MDT) From: Pat Calloway Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Affiliate Programs Anyone? Or do you all have more money than you know what to do with and aren't letting the rest of the rescuers in on it? I know there are proofs programs out there that many rescuers participate in (dewormers and such). What about affiliate programs? At 08:34 PM 4/8/01 -0600, Pat Calloway wrote: >Someone posed the question on the Dog Rescue list of whether or not >affiliate programs worked for others. Affiliate programs such as those >offered by Amazon.com, Petsmart, etc give small amounts back based on >purchases made from links off the affiliate site. > >Some have found that the hassle is just not worth the small return, others >say any money is 'found money' and they think it's worthwhile. What has >been your experience in participating in such programs? Worth it or >not? Which affiliates are you with and roughly how much are you getting >back from them? Pat Calloway, Equine Rescue Listowner epona@concentric.net (AZ) http://www.crt-stable.com/equinerescue ============================================================ From: Heather Haworth Subject: EQ-ResQ: Affiliate Programs How about iGive? It seems as if they give money back to the orginazations. I don't reap the rewards myself, but I help another organization by having their site as my homepage. They give money to whatever organization you choose from their list for 1) people clicking links on their site 2) a percentage of sales made online from merchants in their shopping mall. I think the website is www.iGive.com Heather Haworth Southern CA ============================================================ From: "Huston, Virgil H." Subject: RE: EQ-ResQ: Affiliate Programs Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 13:02:45 -0400 Well, I have some experience with affiliate programs and they are generally much better for the merchant with the program (like amazon.com) than for the affiliate. That said, some people make a lot by being an affiliate of program(s). These folks usually work at promoting their programs. Here are some rules of thumb: 1. Pick a program that is relevant to your site audience. If you go with amazon.com, pick out some books you recommend, do a brief review, and post them on your site. You get a higher percentage commission doing it that way. 2. What you make depends also on how much site traffic you get. The more the merrier. Non profit organizations can promote their programs as "helping the organization." Same with informational sites. 3. Promote the program, particularly in email newsletters. 4. Don't just throw up a banner and expect much. A personal recommendation is better - of course, only join affiliate programs for products you really believe in. 5. You won't get rich, but you might make enough to pay some of your expenses. 6. Check out http://www.associateprograms.com for more info on affiliate programs. I have no connection with the site, but it has lots of great info on it. Regards, Virgil Huston ============================================================ From: "May, Cris" Subject: EQ-ResQ: Affiliate Programs Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:52:24 -0500 We don't participate in affilate programs. Haven't given it much thought, actually. As every little bit can help in tight times, it would seem to be a good idea, as long as the hassle factor doesn't outweigh the benefit. We have very good luck with the Southern States coupon program, and the dewormer proofs programs. Cris May Days End Farm Horse Rescue http://www.defhr.org ============================================================ Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 21:38:31 -0600 (MDT) From: Pat Calloway Subject: EQ-ResQ: iGive.com Possible Problems Since we were recently discussing affiliate programs on this list, I thought I'd pass this along. I've had no personal dealings with iGive.com, but several folks on the Dog Rescue list have expressed concerns with delays in payments and this person is passing along her correspondence with the President. >Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 19:47:27 -0600 >From: Jude Fine >Subject: CHAT: Further (and final) info on dealings with iGive.com > >I post this final information as a heads-up to other rescue groups. >The President of iGive.com has kindly suggested that we would cheat >them, say we had not received a cheque, when we in fact had, and cashed >it *and* send them bogus bank information. He did not, however, offer >to look at his own bank statements to positively confirm that our >cheque (still not received as of April 26) has NOT been cashed. (we'd >love to cash it; we have to receive it first) > >If you search the web for information on iGive you will find that they >are definitely a "for-profit" corporation - there are some interesting >past press releases. Perhaps anybody dealing with iGive.com should use >extreme caution. I would hate to see what happened to us, happen to >other groups. Permission to cross post. > >An excerpt from my message to Mr. Grosshandler: > >cash >them and then advise that they have not received the cheque - you are >more than >welcome to view the bank statements for our rescue account for the last >60 days. >You can then see for yourself that, as I have stated, we have NOT >received >iGive funds due to us, and no funds from iGive have been deposited in >the last 60 >days.> > >And an excerpt from Mr. Grosshandler's reply to me: > >send >us bank statements suggesting it wasn't cashed, I don't believe you'd >send >us the bank statement for the account used to cash the check. And, to >close, when we get an executive office, stop working 14 hours days, and >begin to recoup the millions of dollars invested, we'll let you know. > >Yours, > >Rob > >====================== >Robert N. Grosshandler > > >iGive.com, inc. > >PH 847.477.6968 >FAX 888-933-6595 > > >rob@iGive.com >http://www.iGive.com> ============================================================ From: JJGrand7@aol.com Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: iGive.com Possible Problems Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 00:23:27 EDT Just to add to the comments about iGive.com...I used it as a consumer and found the people very difficult to deal with. I purchased a $4000 computer from Dell, and it was very difficult to get iGive to credit my designated charity (TIER). They didn't want to do it at first and accused me of fraudulently billing them for my purchase (this was back when you had to forward iGive copies of your receipts for online purchases). When I complained, they investigated it. Finally, after several months, they credited the charity, but only for part of what I paid. iGive seems to automatically treat anyone with a question or problem as if they are a criminal, and they hope you will just get frustrated and leave them alone. I wonder what really goes on behind the scenes there. Jill ============================================================ DISCLAIMER: These posts contain hints, tips and ideas from folks that have had some experiences dealing with this. It is NOT meant to be legal advice here - just related experiences. Please consult with a reputable professional if necessary.