Freaking Linkshare
Posted by Al Scillitani on April 4, 2008 – 3:06 pmI have accounts with many of the affiliate networks. In the years I have been doing affiliate management, I only got cheated once from a merchant, the Vitamin Shoppe, when they were on Linkshare. They switched networks and never paid me a last payment. It was only for about $150, but it was the point of it all. Plus I ended up getting more upset at Linkshare for their lack of concern. They didnt care nor help try to get my money.
Well, here I am again with another merchant that may not be paying me and yet again Linkshare is giving me the run around. This time I am going to continuously contact them because we are talking about $4,000, not $150.
Shaper Image owes me about 4 grand. They filed for bancruptcy and from what I understand, affiliates have not been paid since. The sad thing about it is this, Linkshare STILL has them as an active merchant and I just received an email from Sharper Image today with new HOT new affiliate promos for me to use. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?
In my first email to Linkshare, they replied that they forwarded my concerns to the merchant. I never received anything from Sharper, but I replied to Linkshare asking how are they still an active merchant and where the heck is my money. No reply.
I then emailed again asking them to forward to a senior level exec for a reply. They replied back the my email has been escalated and I will get a reply in 3 to 5 business day. Seven business days later, no reply. I send again and got this reply:
“Dear Al,
I apologize for the delay in answering your inquiry.
I have contacted the Account Manager and they have given the following response:
“Official communication to affiliates from Sharper Image is coming soon.”
We apologize for this drawn out issue and we are currently doing the best we can do resolve it.
Thank you for contacting LinkShare!”
Meanwhile Linkshare is still signing people up and Sharper is still emailing affiliates to sell their stuff.
Unbelievable!!!
7 Responses to “Freaking Linkshare”
Sharper Image is not honoring all of their Gift Cards either.
I have found that there are MANY shady affiliate sites out there…. Football Fanatics regularry screws their affiliates.
By Dan London on Apr 4, 2008
I wouldn’t waste your breath with Linkshare. They are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars from Sharper that they will never get. Wells Fargo who is financing Sharper post bankruptcy is in first position due to agreeing to lend and the fact that Sharper owes them at least 50-60 million.
My only suggestion is to see if you can get into a similar program such is the one Brookston.com has. Heaven knows, stay away from Red Envelope as they just became toast this week.
Good luck.
By Steve on Apr 4, 2008
I am not owe anything like you but wirefly thru linkshare has even said they would pay me but…
I am still waiting.
You would think a large affiliate such as Linkshare would not go roage,but after googling “linkshare scam” and “linkshare not paying”,I see we are only two out of maybe thousands…
By Chris S. on Apr 22, 2008
Well the latest update I just received today.
“Dear Alfred,
We apologize for the delay in answering your inquiry.
We have received the following response from the Account Manager regarding your inquiry:
Sharper Image is going to contact all affiliates soon with regard to payments. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Thank you for contacting LinkShare!”
I am planning to write back, that as long as Linkshare still has SharperImage as an active merchant, allows them to send promo emails, and not paid affiliates for over 90 days, I feel Linkshare HAS to take some responsiblilty if SharperImage decides not to pay up.
This should get interesting.
By Al Scillitani on Apr 22, 2008
Well, I sent my reply and actually got an unautomated repsponse within a few hours.
“Thank you for your email!
We apologize for this inconvenience. LinkShare is currently doing their best to get payments up to date with Sharper Image. This is affecting all affiliates across our network and we just ask you to be patient regarding this issue.
Thank you for contacting LinkShare!”
I have been waiting for over 30 days for some type of “official” response from sharperimage OR Linkshare. In my email to them I wrote that affiliates are their customers as well, not just the merchants. I definitely feel Linkshare goes out of their way to help their merchants, but not their affiliates.
To date, I have not had any issues with CJ or Performics. I feel CJ does the best job of taking care of both merchants needs and affiliates needs.
I will keep updating this post as information comes in.
By Al Scillitani on Apr 22, 2008
If I am owed money by Sharper Image, how do I make a claim?
An suggestions.
Thank you.
Elaine
By Elaine on Jul 8, 2008
Elaine, I have no idea. I know this has happened before with Linkshare and that is my bigget gripe.
Linkshare completely ignores the affiliates. No updates, no badgering of shaper image for information, nothing. We are their customers too. Without affiliates, their affiliate network is worthless.
It sounds like the “normal” process, is for Linkshare to do nothing and we (the affiliates) have to wait until bankruptcy court and IF we get anything in a few years, it will be pennies on the dollar.
By Al Scillitani on Jul 8, 2008