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:
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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!
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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
