Had a phone call today from a direct marketing company who operate an affiliate program. After the usual pleasentries and introductions rather than ask us to promote them, they asked if we’d like them to promote us on a cost per registration basis.

Now we wouldn’t – no other reason than we don’t want to spend money with them (actually we don’t like spending money with anyone) – but their reply took me a bit by surprise “oh, cutting back are we?”!! Eh? How did you work that one out Sherlock!?

So I simply replied “no, i just don’t want to spend money with you”. And it’s not really a surprise. This is a company who run several affiliate programs but only pay one measly 40p lead for one registration (and who’s conversion rate is not so hot for us), and who from past experience aren’t the most forthcoming in the paying of invoices stakes.

We’re not cutting back (actually you can’t cut back if you don’t spend anything in the first place) but being an affiliate gives you an insight into the type of company you’re dealing with. And when the tables turn and a merchant wants your business and your money it’s that insight which helps in making decisions on whether to spend with them or not. In this case, not!

Related Posts... Golf Site Cuts Descriptions From Product Feeds Click To Reveal & The Pop Onder In Affiliate Marketing A Brief(ish) History Of Voucher Codes, Cookies & Clicks A Tale of Two Calls Dodgy Phone Calls