The New Intimacy

Your code or theirs?

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Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I recently had a new contributor come to me, confused about affiliate codes. They'd been given a code by an advanced reviewer and asked to use it when they checked out but were never told they could sign up and get their own, adding a few pennies to their own affiliate account and, hence, pockets.

It made me wonder how often this happens and how y'all feel about it.

Should a mentor or other advanced reviewer be informing new contributors about the affiliate program and the ability to make commissions using their own code? Is it ethical to give our your code without informing folks they could get their own?
08/08/2010
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Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I recently had a new contributor come to me, confused about affiliate codes. They'd been given a code by an advanced reviewer and asked to use it when they checked out but were never told they could sign up and get their own, adding a few pennies ... more
Absolutely unethical.

I also think it's really tacky to use affiliate codes in on-site reviews. I think it's fine to use them for off-site reviews, though.
08/08/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
Absolutely unethical.

I also think it's really tacky to use affiliate codes in on-site reviews. I think it's fine to use them for off-site reviews, though.
Absolutely. Affiliate links are to draw people to the site, not make money from folks who are already here.
08/08/2010
Contributor: Alicia Alicia
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I recently had a new contributor come to me, confused about affiliate codes. They'd been given a code by an advanced reviewer and asked to use it when they checked out but were never told they could sign up and get their own, adding a few pennies ... more
I didn't even know that I could use my own code and get a discount. That's good to know though!
08/08/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Alicia
I didn't even know that I could use my own code and get a discount. That's good to know though!
Absolutely!
08/08/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Alicia
I didn't even know that I could use my own code and get a discount. That's good to know though!
I didn't know either...I was planning on requesting a code once my blog was a little further of the ground but I think I'll be doing it sooner rather than later now.
08/08/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
I agree that it's unethical not to tell people about the affiliate program who could benefit themselves. If someone is aware that they could get their own code but for some reason don't want to, then at least they are making an informed decision if they use someone else's code.

If a mentor or advanced reviewer suggested the affiliate program to someone else, they can also suggest/ask that the new person put the recommender's affiliate code in when they sign up, so they get a kick back that doesn't affect their own commissions.
08/08/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
Absolutely. Affiliate links are to draw people to the site, not make money from folks who are already here.
I don't know how the codes/cookies work, but if someone comes to EF through an affiliate's link (on another site), and then clicks an affiliate link onsite before buying something, would the second affiliate get the commission from the sale instead of the first?
08/08/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Rockin'
I don't know how the codes/cookies work, but if someone comes to EF through an affiliate's link (on another site), and then clicks an affiliate link onsite before buying something, would the second affiliate get the commission from the sale ... more
I think so? But Gary would have to answer for sure, since he's the all knowing boss of that.
08/08/2010
Contributor: Misfit Momma Misfit Momma
Last time I used my own code, nothing went into pending for affiliate....the discount worked though
08/08/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Could someone please explain what the affiliate code is and when you use it? Is it only used when you have a blog or could I be using it for discounts on items I purchase for myself right now? (I have not yet set up my blog, but hope to do so soon). Thank you to anyone with the patience to explain to me what is probably a basic concept!
08/08/2010
Contributor: Midway through Midway through
I think it's unethical that people wouldn't tell others that they can get their own affiliate code.
08/08/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
Could someone please explain what the affiliate code is and when you use it? Is it only used when you have a blog or could I be using it for discounts on items I purchase for myself right now? (I have not yet set up my blog, but hope to do so ... more
You can set one up at any time. link There's the page. Should be guidelines to walk you thru it. You can access it at any time from your account dashboard, as well.
08/08/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
You can set one up at any time. link There's the page. Should be guidelines to walk you thru it. You can access it at any time from your account dashboard, as well.
Thank you!
08/08/2010
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
You can set one up at any time. link There's the page. Should be guidelines to walk you thru it. You can access it at any time from your account dashboard, as well.
Ok, just to make sure I get this, I can get a affiliate code even though I do not have a blog?
08/09/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
As a new member here at EF, I know all-too-well how easy it is to be confused about the various available programs, including the Affiliate Program. I wonder if the new contributor misunderstood and that the advanced reviewer was just telling them to do this? link
08/09/2010
Contributor: Alegria Alegria
I thought it was frowned upon to use your own code because you draw commissions from the purchases?
08/09/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Quote:
Originally posted by Alegria
I thought it was frowned upon to use your own code because you draw commissions from the purchases?
A sale is a sale. I think of it like a discount I can get since I'm driving other traffic (and potential sales) here.
08/09/2010
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I recently had a new contributor come to me, confused about affiliate codes. They'd been given a code by an advanced reviewer and asked to use it when they checked out but were never told they could sign up and get their own, adding a few pennies ... more
I can see how, in showing a friend around the site or something, a person might forget to mention "Oh, by the way, you can get some commissions by grabbing your own affiliate code," because, let's face it, there's a crap ton of stuff to show to someone new to Eden. I have, in the past, offered friends and roommates use of my affiliate code so they could get a discount, but only if they weren't interested in having an account of their own. I never made it a huge secret that they could sign up and reap the benefits themselves.

While accidentally leaving out info like that is fine, it is NOT ok for a mentor to mislead students! Contributors who choose to be mentors should do so because they want to help new contributors out, not to benefit at their students' cost.
08/09/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
As a new member here at EF, I know all-too-well how easy it is to be confused about the various available programs, including the Affiliate Program. I wonder if the new contributor misunderstood and that the advanced reviewer was just telling them ... more
It's possible, but didn't sound like it to me.
08/09/2010
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
I never knew we could get an affiliate code unless we had a blog or store either. Glad you brought that up. Though once I was an advanced reviewer I never used a code because I usually would just do buyouts or wait for a special code for 30% off.

And I have no idea who was doing that but, no, it's not right.
08/09/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
I never knew we could get an affiliate code unless we had a blog or store either. Glad you brought that up. Though once I was an advanced reviewer I never used a code because I usually would just do buyouts or wait for a special code for 30% ... more
Anyone can get an affiliate account and you don't need to be an "online presence" to use it. You can order coupon booklets that you put your code on and can give coupons to your friends!
08/09/2010
Contributor: gone77 gone77
OK, so using our own code to get a discount is news to me. Learn something new every day!
08/09/2010
Contributor: gone77 gone77
Oh, and yeah, I think it's unethical. If it's a friend you know who has no interest in or ability to sign up for the affiliate program, then I think it's fine to give them your code so they can have a discount. But keeping that information from someone who does? Bad form.
08/09/2010
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
Here's a thought. If so many of us didn't know this then maybe the person who has been doing this didn't as well. Not sure. Just trying to give a possible benefit of the doubt.
08/09/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
I finally signed up for an affiliate code yesterday. So, if I give this code to someone, they get a (15%?) discount AND I get a commission for it?

As far as applying this code to my own personal purchases, I agree with NuMe that it is better to wait for the special discounts for a greater percentage off (or do the buyouts for a review -- but I am new and not an advanced reviewer, so buyouts do not apply for me yet!).
08/09/2010
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Quote:
Originally posted by Selective Sensualist
I finally signed up for an affiliate code yesterday. So, if I give this code to someone, they get a (15%?) discount AND I get a commission for it?

As far as applying this code to my own personal purchases, I agree with NuMe that it is better ... more
I don't yet have a blog, but I plan on starting one at some point. I wish the online purchaser could get a discount when clicking on an affiliate link. It seems as though the only time the purchaser receives an affiliate discount is through the offline coupon (and that the affiliate then receives a much smaller -- 5% instead of 20% -- commission to offset the discount provided to the purchaser).
08/09/2010
Contributor: Andromeda Andromeda
Definitely unethical, unless the person doesn't qualify for their own affiliate code, like those of us who are still under 21. At least the affiliate requirements say you need to be at least 21. Is that rule still in effect?
08/09/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by removedacnt
Here's a thought. If so many of us didn't know this then maybe the person who has been doing this didn't as well. Not sure. Just trying to give a possible benefit of the doubt.
The way I was approached with it, the person said "here, this is my coupon code, you can use it for 15% off your purchases!" but didn't ask if the other person had an affiliate account. When the person found the affiliate accounts in their dashboard, they were a little upset that it was presented poorly - as a coupon, not something they, themselves, could also have and give others.
08/09/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by Andromeda
Definitely unethical, unless the person doesn't qualify for their own affiliate code, like those of us who are still under 21. At least the affiliate requirements say you need to be at least 21. Is that rule still in effect?
yes - legal reasons, I believe.
08/09/2010