VistaPrint

[schaery]

Didn't really know where to put this but is the following bit from an article on VistaPrint talking about sites like SR? If so, don't see what the problem is.

Meanwhile, Citron Research issued a negative report on the company Tuesday, suggesting VistaPrint could lose 44 percent of its net income ? the portion it derives from referral partnerships with third-party websites ? as the U.S. Senate begins an inquiry into such online referral programs.

[PSL1013]

Didn't really know where to put this but is the following bit from an article on VistaPrint talking about sites like SR? If so, don't see what the problem is.

Meanwhile, Citron Research issued a negative report on the company Tuesday, suggesting VistaPrint could lose 44 percent of its net income ? the portion it derives from referral partnerships with third-party websites ? as the U.S. Senate begins an inquiry into such online referral programs.

Oh no! Doesn't sound good. :(

[cglaura]

I found this article. I think what they are referring to are those ad-ons you could accidentally click when checking out, that will enroll you in a club sort of thing.

For the past few years, Vistaprint has been a controversial name amongst investors. On one hand you have a printing servicing company that provides printed products to small business at an affordable price. But on the other hand, you have a company with a dirty secret which derives a large portion of its income from ?referral fees? ? from companies that offer web loyalty shopping clubs, or in layman terms, those $14.95 a month charges on your credit card bill that leave you scratching your head.

The word ?referral? sounds innocent enough, but in real terms, as a consumer, when you complete an online purchase, you are shown a button saying something like ?Save $10 on your Next Purchase from this Company?. Beware! If you click, even accidentally, your full contact info, but worse, your credit card information, is sent on without your permission to a 3rd party company you haven?t given your permission to. From that point, the debate rages about how many of these charges represent trickery, and how many more are simply fabricated without the consumer?s consent or knowledge.

http://www.citronresearch.com/index.php/2009/07/21/citron-research-reports-on-vistaprint-vprt/

[SunshineGirl]

It's that add on thing. They do make a lot of money off of those. We have a few merchants who "offer" that kind of thing at the end of the purchase. Half the time, you are just paying to join a cash back/coupon site like SR....that you get for free!!

[schaery]

Yea, good, I was afraid maybe sites like SR may not be able to offer rewards for shopping with sites. Vistaprint has tons of complaints about those "add-on" services. You do have to go thru alot of "no, thanks" buttons when placing an order with them.