UPDATE on Amazon doings

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Updated

Hi everyone! Today, my 'second day' back from a hiatus, I want to provide a follow up of the previous blog I wrote about Amazon.
Yesterday, I got an email saying that I was receiving $6 and change from them. I had cancelled my account because they had refused to pay me for sales made through my site, citing that "they were to people I knew" and were ineligible. Wouldn't tell me HOW they knew, or WHO the customer was.
So, I contacted them. The following is the chat I just now concluded with their rep:
***********************************************
Hollee:Thanks Vicki, how can I help you today?
Me:Hollee, I hope you can clear up some confusion for me. I had an Associate account for a few months, and there were some sales that resulted from it. I was told that those sales were not "applicable" because Amazon 'discovered' somehow that the sales were to people "I know."

I was told that I would not receive any commission at all due to that. I spoke with several representatives, all of whom told me the same thing - that I would not receive payment due to "pre-existing relationships" with the customers who ordered.

Now I get notified that I am being paid - and I want to know what changed, please. Did they decide those sales WERE valid for commission? If so, WHY?

Hollee:I'd be glad to look into that for you.
Me:thanks. I've been round and round with Amazon - I'd like the straight answer, please.
Hollee:It looks like there were 3 orders shipped out in December that were eligible for payment. The other orders shipped were marked ineligible.
Me:any chance you can tell me what those sales were?
Hollee:They are:

TOGGLER SnapSkru SP Self-Drilling Drywall Anchor with Screws, Glass-Filled Nylon, Made in US, For #6 to #10 Fastener Sizes (Pack of 20)

Wool Dryer Balls - Handmade in Kathmandu by Nepali Artisans - 100% Natural Organic Wool, Eco-Friendly - 6-pack XL - Allergen Safe For Clean & Healthy

KidCo Auto Close ConfigureGate - Black

Me:interesting - I was told the baby gate and dryer balls were ineligible. Why did that change?
Hollee:I'm sorry, I don't have any more information on that. As far as I am aware the status of an order as being eligible or ineligible cannot change.
Me:ah, okay, well, that doesn't answer my question, but I appreciate your effort.
Hollee:Is there anything else I can help you with?
Me:Nope. Just be aware that somehow the eligibility DID change, and that I was not notified of it, nor given any reason for the rejection except that it was "to someone I know", which is entirely untrue. I've asked EVERYONE I know, and none of them ordered dryer balls or a baby gate. Perhaps Amazon is cleaning up their act - which would be good.

Thank you for your assistance.

Hollee:You're welcome Vicki. Enjoy your weekend!
***********************************
Hmmm. So - is it because I squawked? I have no idea. I do know that I worked as a photographer of newborns for a few months back in 2009, and when I left (because I wasn't getting paid the 'commissions' due to me in a timely manner) they told me I would not get any commission for pictures that I HAD TAKEN if sales came in after I left.
I argued with them - on the grounds that I took the pictures, and the parents had 3 years to order them before they 'expired'. They said "tough".
A couple of months later, I got a check from them for sales of pics I had taken that were made after my departure.
This makes me very curious as to how much of a stink sales-persons have to put up in order to be paid fairly. In any case, 6 months in, I have now officially earned 'commission' from my original website - maybe I should re-contract with them, I don't know.
I have taken a break from my site entirely - no new posts for about 6 weeks now (I think), and no social media output at all. To my surprise, I see my website is getting a consistent 220-ish hits per month (down from 500ish when I was asking for feedback on here) - so that's good. It's interesting.
I don't know if you all are aware that FB and other social platforms are downsizing their distribution of 'marketing' posts also...making FB a useless tool for us now.
Anyway, I'm back - slowly but surely getting back on the horse; I just find it so ironic that EXACTLY 6 months after I joined here, I made some money from sales on my site! Just like Kyle said....
have a great day, everyone - don't give up, but DO take breaks when you feel the need. If we aren't "into" it, our posts will show it. Taking a break does NOT kill your site, though! Apparently!
All the best,
Vicki

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Recent Comments

31

Hello Vicki,

Interesting post... I guess Amazon does what ever they want. Congrats on sticking to your guns. Thanks of sharing.

Jeff

Grats on the sales and sticking to your guns. Best of luck always

And so the nonsense goes on

Thanks Vicki for sharing your experience with amazon. I have my own thoughts about all the affiliate programs out there like amazon, Clickbank etc for some time now. I think the online market becomes more and more popular to anybody and with higher demand or should I say interest, the rules are getting tougher, stricter sometimes totally bogus. And they know they can do it, at least for awhile until the masses also fight back.
It makes you feel naked when you have to fight for a few dollars commission you have earned fair and square.
We just have to keep rolling and do the best we can, each one of us.
Sylvia

Amazon on many levels can be frustrating.

I haven't gotten that far yet but I'm hearing what you're saying. Check out VickiB58's blogs, on "Amazon-the dirty Truth" also. It's a great read. Good to know about some of the things I may encounter as I progress! Thanks Sui!
CeCe

Just finished a blog that will post tomorrow about speaking up in general titled, "Make some noise, make some changes" I mentioned your "UPDATE on Amazon doings and your name! You deserve recognition!

Well, thanks very much!!

Thank you for sharing!

Here we go: "Beginning in January 2015, people will see less of this type of content in their News Feeds. As we’ve said before, News Feed is already a competitive place — as more people and Pages are posting content, competition to appear in News Feed has increased. All of this means that Pages that post promotional creative should expect their organic distribution to fall significantly over time."

https://www.facebook.com/business/news/update-to-facebook-news-feed

Thanks again Vicki,
I have bookmarked the article. That's need to know stuff for all of us!

Vicki,
This is a great read. And the news about FB is a surprise and a time saver. We're very conscious of our time and managing it efficiently. I really appreciate your insights and for making noise! Also, about taking a break. When I get to feeling like I'm overwhelmed or just getting that stress indicator revving up, I do just what you have suggested; take a break.
Thank you!
Good luck in every endeavor!
CeCe

I don't recall at the moment where I read about the FB changes - I'll see if I can find it again and post it here....
thanks for your reading and encouragement, CeCe

No problem. I'm following you. Let me know if I can be of any help. I'm pretty new here but also zealous lol. Enjoy your day!

That is some very interesting information. I remember when you posted that about not getting credit for sales form people you know. I had the same thing happen to me.and I argued with them also. After about 3 emails back and forth, they pretty much told me that as far as they were concerned the matter was closed. As far as I am concerned they can take their #@!(^&*^ products and shove them straight up their $#*()$#@*$) a**. That's what I think.

Isn't it just so weird? Squeaky wheel, you know. Maybe their practices being talked about online have encouraged them to rethink their policy - but of course, I don't expect an "apology" from them.

Yeah bad press is not good for them. I don't think you'll get one either. Sad. They have to know that treating people so callously can't be good for business.

I've always been a strong Squeaky wheel advocate! I'm with you and pbar47. Make some noise, make some changes (I'm going to blog about that).

Yes!! Blog about it. I think I will do the same. Maybe we can get their attention!!

Just finished a short blog about speaking up in general. It will post tomorrow!

Looking forward to it!!

I went through very similar experience as Vicki's when Amazon denied me sales. Because of what happened, I removed several Amazon ads from my site and left only one ad up. This way there's more room for other non-Amazon affiliate ads. -Tina

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