Cash Back Decreases

[SunshineGirl]

Unfortunately some of you have probably noticed that we have decreased the cash back on some of our bigger name merchants. It's not because we are trying to increase our margins--quite the opposite. We have been informed by at least 20 merchants in the last couple of months that they are dropping commissions because of the economy. We are currently paying back as much as we get at places like Staples, Gap, and Old Navy. We hate to decrease what we pay out, but they are leaving us no choice when they cut our payout to 1%.

Now more than ever it is important to support the smaller businesses. They are not only the ones in danger of going under but are also the ones actually willing to work with us to keep the cash back rates high. Companies with "big names" feel like they don't need to work with us because you are going to shop with them regardless of whether you get cash back. They might be right. But we'll continue to test out smaller merchants and point out good deals where we can find them.

Thanks for your patience and loyalty as we continue to make our way through what is a difficult time for just about everyone. We know our members are cutting back and sacrificing and trying to get by. We're here to help as much as we can.

[chipndale]

Tricia thanks for the heads up. I am so glad that you let us know what is going on and why. I just wish I could convince some more of my friends to use this site when they shop online.

[kimntrent]

whats sad is that those bigger merchants have no problems charging more for their items recently too and cutting their customer service. Supporting small industry is a huge way to go.

[SunshineGirl]

whats sad is that those bigger merchants have no problems charging more for their items recently too and cutting their customer service. Supporting small industry is a huge way to go.

In many cases, they are very open about their attitude. They flat tell us that they don't need to entice people to shop through cash back sites because people always go there first because of the name. :(

I like some of the big box stores as much as the next guy (e.g. I love shopping at Disney...but they have lowered our rates about 1% a quarter since we started working with them a couple of years ago and totally ignore us when we say we won't promote them anymore). But they make it really hard to want to support when they just continuously take away and never give back.

[askomsky]

Thank you again for keeping us in the loop and making us aware of what is going on. I know when I'm looking for something I always try to find the smaller merchants who have the better deals. Some of the giants aren't great with their prices in the first place.

We understand the scrafices and hope one day some will appreciate the business you supply them.

[sunshinecindy]

Not only do the big name merchants not want to pay commissions, but they are also harder to deal with when we don't get credit. With the exception of Sears and Kmart, really none of the big names have an AM that we can deal directly with. The smaller merchants generally have a great Affilate Manager that will do whatever they can to ensure customer service and help with tracking issues. I avoid all of them when I can, would much rather help the little guy, corporate America hasn't done me any big favors.

[Blessing and Miracle]

I think the larger companies are failing to realize that even though we might shop with them regardless of reward sites, the payback is quite the enticer. I may not need that red blouse, but since I'm getting a little cashback, that makes it a lot easier to purchase not only the red blouse, but jeans and jacket to go with it. Know what I mean.

They all better realize that in these trying times we all need a little enticing with an incentive!!!

[sqromano]

I think the larger companies are failing to realize that even though we might shop with them regardless of reward sites, the payback is quite the enticer. I may not need that red blouse, but since I'm getting a little cashback, that makes it a lot easier to purchase not only the red blouse, but jeans and jacket to go with it. Know what I mean.

They all better realize that in these trying times we all need a little enticing with an incentive!!!

I completely agree! I sometimes factor in the potential money back when making a decision. At the same time, I have found some wonderful smaller businesses here that I never would have known about if not for SR. I will really be giving them more of a look from now on!

[rumrunnergirl]

Yes! Like Nuts on the Net. They are my fave and I wouldn't know about them if it wasn't (weren't ?? LOL) for SR.

[nicholfamily5]

see? now I am the perfect example of why they SHOULD offer more cash back. Just today I had to buy my son some shorts, and I went to every store link checking the percentage before browsing the merch. Sorry, but I don't just GO to Target.com right off the bat. I wouldn't have shopped with them if the price wasn't right and the cash back wasn't there. It's bad enough it was only 1%

I will certainly keep the smaller businesses in mind when I do my shopping. Maybe you could group them or make some kind of notation letting us know that they are a smaller business so we can make that effort

[disneyforever]

I want to send a big THANKS to Tricia :thanks:(and everyone else at SR :D) for everything you do for us and for making this such a wonderful site. :cooldance:

I have had to cut way back on my shopping and spending - so when I do need something I am going to look for the most percentage back as well as compare prices. The big companies just don't seem to understand that. Maybe that is why so many of them are going out of business.

[athoods]

Well i for one have a few favorites that i shop from and they have become ny shoes source exclusively and i would be in one heck of a pickle if they left.:eek:

Hope that things turn around soon for everybody.

[Magical JenK]

Thanks for letting us know Tricia! What's sad is the that big names need to realize in our current economic state, "names" aren't going to get you business all the time! Retail is suffering, period.

That being said & working for one of those big names, I can see where our direction to get guests in to shop is being focused & I agree it's a smart strategy. I just wonder if some of the big names don't get the strength that having a higher percentage means to a site like SR & their members?? I mean, I'd like to see/know of the total online sales, how many were driven by affiliate sites??....just sayin':angel:

[SunshineGirl]

That being said & working for one of those big names, I can see where our direction to get guests in to shop is being focused & I agree it's a smart strategy. I just wonder if some of the big names don't get the strength that having a higher percentage means to a site like SR & their members?? I mean, I'd like to see/know of the total online sales, how many were driven by affiliate sites??....just sayin':angel:

I think part of the problem with some of the big companies is that they don't understand affiliate marketing. They just lump it in with their newspaper budget, commercial budget, etc. So if they get to the end of a quarter and are over budget for "marketing", they come to us and tell us they are cutting our rates or suspending the program for awhile. But if they are only paying us when someone actually buys something, doesn't it mean that less people will buy stuff?? It's really a strange perspective. But the companies that actually hire people who are specialized in affiliate marketing and trust them to make decisions are the ones that do right by us no matter their size.

[Magical JenK]

I think part of the problem with some of the big companies is that they don't understand affiliate marketing. They just lump it in with their newspaper budget, commercial budget, etc. So if they get to the end of a quarter and are over budget for "marketing", they come to us and tell us they are cutting our rates or suspending the program for awhile. But if they are only paying us when someone actually buys something, doesn't it mean that less people will buy stuff?? It's really a strange perspective. But the companies that actually hire people who are specialized in affiliate marketing and trust them to make decisions are the ones that do right by us no matter their size.

Interesting....I may just have to go take a peek at the budget now!! :sunshine:

[OhMari]

I noticed on a big order I did for my office.
It was suppose to be 3%
office equipment 1%
90% of the office supplies was paper
10% was office equipment.
I was suppose to get almost $6.00
and I was lucky I got a little over $2.00
But I'm glad I got something, rather than nothing.
Angie usually has to "go fight for me", every time I make a purchase to this company.