Affiliate Programs this can't be the norm

[paymaster7]

So, I closed my account at an affiliate program and contacted them. I told them that I wasn't going to be uysing their program anymore and 'can I please have my check'. Their reply was "no".

Apparently they had a $100 threshold limit for payments. I made $72.24. This is their justification for denying payment. They claim that it's not my money, essentially, since I didn't hit $100.

This is the first time this has ever happened to me... I've participated in dozens, if not hundreds of affiliate programs, and every single time I have been paid out my money if I closed my account, regardless of their minimum monthly payment level or whatever.

I spent some time and some money on this program and it didn't work out very well... but to deny me the money I did earn is ridiculous. Am I wrong to be outraged here? What course of action should I pursue?

 

[A D]

You should be outraged!

That's rediculous.

-=DCG=-

 

[seeker]

if it was in their TOS that the minimum payout is $100, then there isnt much you can do.
The same applies to PPC.
many have min. requirements for payouts, like $25 or $50.
If you do not mind sharing, which affiliate was it?

 

[Mark Bolyard]

I have seen this with many programs out there...

Think thats bad, try working for a company that pays out commissions on a once per month basis. A job I had years back... I worked three weeks into a month, made around 5K in commisions, quit just before months end and they never paid me. Turned out that thier company policy, which I never knew of, said you had to complete the month for which commissions were earned to be paid... :disappoin

 

[theparrot]

I do think it is the norm. I have seen that with many programs.

 

[DNjet]

I would put the links back up until I got to the $100 then tell them after what I think of em!

 

[furca]

I told them that I wasn't going to be uysing their program anymore and 'can I please have my check'.

The reason they have a minimum is to avoid people that work a little then cancel or terminate their account, just get to $100. If they say minimum payout = $100, then minimum payout is $100!

 

[seeker]

I like that.
kind of like sticking your middle finger out at a McDonalds after you ordered and you just leave.
I use to do that in the early 80s.

I hope no one from mickey Ds is here...
their food sucked (and still does).

 

[JEsports]

NO that is ridiculous ... the NORM is if you dont meet the minimum payout requirement and wish to cancel your account. You can still cash out your current earnings in which you are entilted too ... however you pay a penalty for doing so. Usually around 15%

 

[paymaster7]

The reason they have a minimum is to avoid people that work a little then cancel or terminate their account, just get to $100. If they say minimum payout = $100, then minimum payout is $100!

For the record, the reason I quit the program was because I sold off all websites that had any connection to the product they were selling. Obviously I had no reason to stick around, as I couldn't exactly put banners for pixel logos on soccer or poster sites.
It didn't make any sense for my money to just sit there when I knew it would never reach $100 - as my links were all down.

I don't see any justification for not paying out when someone closes an account, I've never had trouble with this in the past.

I should share some of the emails they've been sending me. Apparently they consider affiliates not reaching $100 an example of "abusing" their system. That's a pretty poor attitude towards affiliates... is the money brought in by affiliates not "good money" if it doesn't reach a minimum threshold?

 

[ForumDomains]

Of course, this is not the norm and it has never been. This kind of affiliate programs should be avoided! Could you tell us who are they?

 

[domaintalk]

Try emailing them again or make a new site and put the affliates because you will have 75 $ waste for your hardwork then .

 

[Tippy]

If you do not mind sharing, which affiliate was it?

What he asked...

 

[FuseFX]

So, I closed my account at an affiliate program and contacted them. I told them that I wasn't going to be uysing their program anymore and 'can I please have my check'. Their reply was "no".

Apparently they had a $100 threshold limit for payments. I made $72.24. This is their justification for denying payment. They claim that it's not my money, essentially, since I didn't hit $100.

This is the first time this has ever happened to me... I've participated in dozens, if not hundreds of affiliate programs, and every single time I have been paid out my money if I closed my account, regardless of their minimum monthly payment level or whatever.

I spent some time and some money on this program and it didn't work out very well... but to deny me the money I did earn is ridiculous. Am I wrong to be outraged here? What course of action should I pursue?

I once got $7 in check from a company (It costs me about $10 to encash a check so I never encashed it ) and on asking a 'semi-lawyer' friend that why would they do something like that, he replied that people can drag them to court for it.

You may want to discuss the above point at some law / business forums and send them a Legal Notice.

 

[fatter]

I have money sitting in several parking companies accounts as i moved to greener pastures, I doubt i will ever see any of it again, didnt meet the threshhold for payment

 

[namestrands]

If you dont cancel you could always sell the affiliate account!

 

[paymaster7]

What he asked...

I finally beat them down, after multiple emails. They said they'd cut a check on June 6th. They told me I was 'rude'.

I'll tell the name of the program after I get my check, not risking anything.

 

[A D]

Better rude with a check than friendly without one.

-=DCG=-

 

[kodeking]

Its been 7 days now. Did you get the check? I'm very curious

 

[fab]

You could have always tried Namestrands advice. Sell your account to someone else (you could try that here), and let him get the minimum of $100. I assume that you can change over the account.

In any case, I hope you get your money. I have the same concern with some other programs.