***RESOLVED*** Gold Star Nutrition (SAS)

[Adarsh]

I'm sure, we will have a lot to discuss about this merchant on SAS Affiliate Network. Mind it, they are SAS Exclusive Merchant. The stats are amazing:

Gold Star Nutrition
www.powerthin.com
Health
ID: 13543 Active on: 07/23/2007


Stats:


As you can see the 7 Days Reversal at 133.33% and 30 Days Reversal at 60.00%, their PowerThin program seems to be working the best on affiliates. Also, note their 7 days Avg Sale + 30 Avg Sale with 7 days EPC + 30 days EPC figures. And look at powerfully thin 7 days and 30 days Avg Commission.

Sure, PowerThin is best at squeezing/reversing commissions and making affiliates thinner!

I think, leaky merchants are lesser evil than these merchants. Open Robbery at its best! We need a separate forum for such merchants just like we have a 'Leaky Merchants' forum. Just a suggestion.

A question though. Can we use Merchant Alert Request for these 'High Reversal' merchants? If yes, what should be included in the Alert? Most of all, is it even worth sending an alert to such merchants? They know, we know, they are doing things they shouldn't be doing. And it is not something like they are not aware of it. They know what they are doing. So the question, is it of any use to send an alert to such merchants?

Regards.

[~Ed~]

Originally Posted by Andy

Can we use Merchant Alert Request for these 'High Reversal' merchants? If yes, what should be included in the Alert? Most of all, is it even worth sending an alert to such merchants?

Yes, a merchant alert can be sent. There is a checkbox for "Extraneous commission reversals". Just check-mark that box and enter a link to the discussion here. I think it's worth letting the merchant know that there is current discussion about their program that could be detrimental...

[msladybug]

Andy - Your stats image isn't showing up. You might want to try and repost it before contacting the merchant.

[Adarsh]

Here is the stats image:

STATS:


I'm sending the alert right away.
Regards.

[Adarsh]

Affiliate Trust Merchant Alert Email Sent

~ Marketing Partner Observation Report ~
6/28/2009 11:14:21 PM (Pacific Time)

[Adarsh]

Here are the latest Gold Star Nutrition stats ..



This is getting worse ..

[powerthin]

The reason for the recent reversals was we found 3 affiliate submitting
fraudulent transactions to get commissions. We have cancelled these
affiliate's accounts so you should not see these high numbers in the next 7
or 30 day periods. Please come back and visit so you can see the new numbers.
Thank you.
John Cantu
Gold Star Nutrition
www.powerthin.com
800-284-3116

[MattMcWilliams]

This does make me think that SAS needs something to prevent this.

If the high reversal rate is the by-product of 1 or 2 rogue affiliates, the program should not be penalized.

I cannot speak for the program, but I would suggest giving it 30 days Andy. You never know what the cause might be.

It could be 1-2 bad affiliates, a lot of testing, the affiliate manager was out sick for a few weeks and processed all the reversals in a short period of time, etc.

Just my two cents.

[msladybug]

I would like to thank John for coming to AT and for addressing the reversal issue. As Matt said many factors can affect the reversal rate for a merchant and it seems fair to revisit this issue at a later date. Here's hoping we'll see a much lower reversal rate then.

Thanks again John for the explanation.

[Adarsh]

It could have been the case as John said and really appreciate that he took out time to register/reply to this thread. I couldn't believe that an 'Exclusive Merchant' could have such a high reversal rate. On the other hand, agree with what Matt mentioned, SAS should do something to keep the program's image safe. I was about to start posting links on my sites when noticed that high reversal rate.
I will wait for some time to make sure everything is alright.

Regards.

[powerthin]

Thanks to you all for giving our program the benefit of the doubt on these reversals before passing judgment and telling everyone what a bad program we're running. Before these three affiliates (all from the UK), we didn't have any chargebacks or reversals. We always have above a 3% conversion rate and zero chargebacks due to people loving our product. If there's a way to go into the shareasale platform by date range and see what our past stats are, please do so. I think you'll be pleased at what you see.
Concerning the chargebacks, what happened is someone got a hold of some credit cards and addresses and put in fraudulent transactions within a short time period. One affiliate had submitted 2 fraudulent transactions and had 3 more pending to be paid on. I called the other three people that had supposedly submitted transactions to see if they had ordered our product (since it hadn't be delivered to them yet) and they told me they never heard of our company but they had suspicious charges on their card from other companies. I immediately cancelled these transactions on the shareasale platform and notified shareasale about the affiliate so they could see if they signed up for other programs and were putting in fraudulent charges on these programs as well. Believe me, I don't like chargebacks. It costs our company and additional $25 every time we have to do a chargeback.

I really appreciate all the fine affiliates out there that have brought us so much business and want to earnestly continue our great relationship. If there is ever a need to talk to me directly, please feel free to email me at order@powerthin.com or call me on my mobile at 512-632-5127.
Thank you again for all your help!
Best Wishes,
John Cantu
Gold Star Nutrition

[~Ed~]

Welcome John to Affililate Trust. Good discussion and great job by AT members. Everyone wins!

[Adarsh]

Definitely I'm glad to know more about PowerThin. I wish if there was a way to view 30 days past figures in SAS. Affiliates could research better before expressing their thoughts or views about programs.

P.S. John, apologize about agressive posts here and on other forums. Its just that I noticed lately, too many merchants with high reversal rates and didn't know there could be factors beyond control which could cause high reversal rates.

Appreciate your timely reply to clear all doubts.

A suggestion for John, why not post your Program Details at Affiliate Trust[ed] Programs Merchants Agents. Affiliates here would love to know about your program details and most of members here promote 'ethical affiliate marketing'

Regards.

[powerthin]

Hi Andy, Thanks for the suggestion on posting our program at the Affilate Trusted site link you provided. I'll go there and add our program details.

[~Ed~]

Originally Posted by powerthin

Hi Andy, Thanks for the suggestion on posting our program at the Affilate Trusted site link you provided. I'll go there and add our program details.

You may post your program details in Affiliate Marketing Programs John.