[Kellie aka Ms. B]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/166909_ads30.html?searchpagefrom=1&searchdiff=1

Look at those figures and it's pretty dang obvious why the Networks will never say 180 in not in compliance.

I hope folks really appreciate how significant it is when a merchant does drop these guys from their programs like Chris recently did with the WU program. Many times it's not a small deal on the Merchants part to make the drop if all they are seeing is the bottom line figures and not understanding where those figures come from.

That whole article makes me ill. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Lovely start to the day. NOT!

But he did get one thing right in that article....2004 WILL be the Year of the Consumer. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Andy]

http://66.132.187.8/smilies/puke.gif180solutions

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> "We are a company that is focused on making money," said Smith, citing one of the company's core values.

"We are very, very focused on the bottom line."
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Even if they have to steal commissions from others to do it, apparently.

I guess they haven't heard that consumers are getting sick of pop-ups. Targeted or not, no one wants them!

I'm looking forward to the day when legislation is enacted that will put dolts like this OUT OF BUSINESS! http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

Thanks for the link Ms. B, you're right, it's not a great way to start the day...

Andy

[Jane]

I think who they are stealing from the most is the people who run ads with them. Do they have a way around the pop up blockers? Isn't it reported that about 80% of users uninstall the software? It's been proven over and over again that in your face advertising doesn't work on the Internet. Nevermind the fact that they are stealing from affiliates, it looks to me like they are selling a lot of hype and garbage.

[northernstudio]

Can't help but notice the article quotes our own Jason when discussing nCase: "a disaster waiting to happen to your computer."
http://abw.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=548608979&f=8916013434&m=8886011675

No surprise that there's big money behind the 1-800 scumware. It's my hope that a big chunk of it gets burned up in legal fees and lobbying costs when the courts and Congress get serious about bursting the dot-scum bubble. It's clear there will be no help from networks like CJ or merchants like Overstock who claim the high road while still wallowing in the scumware sewer with 1-800.

Wayne

[ecomcity]

In a nutshell this article pretty well justifies my years of campaigning against the advertising mindset, which brought us all the .com bombs. This VC firm and 180Solutions will learn how the pissed off consumers will run them and the greed driven advertisers out of town. No one wants this crap and the deceptive ways it infests systems, Slapping consumers with the distasteful Gorrilla marketing of a Gator/WhenU/180Solutions will hurt any advertiser brand monitizing the destruction of consumers systems.

TV Ads can be ignored. TV Ads that destroy the workings of the TV will not be tolerated. Reminds me of the Stupid Canadians thinking their liberals can govern with the bent morals and ethics of Soddam and Gomora. Seems one liberal socialist project there got a 250 million grant. They spent 100 million with the Ad Whores who just took the money and produce squat for adverting value, while asking for another 50 million to get more reach for the message.... http://66.132.187.8/smilies/rotflol.gif

The advertising industry is run by a worthless group of scumbags from top to bottom. The VC vultures are leaving the bankrupsy and criminal attorneys with plenty of Clinton era ebusiness. Notice how eBay was mentioned as a 180Solutions supporter. Bet 500 of those advertisers are placed into the gator/WhenU/180Solutions camp by those 3rd party AM firms running major branded affiliate programs. Real merchants should fire the entire group of these pimps and find real AM workers. If not then the next BHO application with super glue Ads onto the inside of your CRT and site stats showing it's effective advertising.

[Linda]

And yet another name to start watching for.

"They also claim that n-Case, which is being phased out and replaced by newer software called Zango, tracks what Internet sites people visit and then delivers pop-up advertisements based on those visitations."

[Chris - AMWSO]

What makes me http://66.132.187.8/smilies/puke.gif

Is that the reporter asked for details on what we thought of 180, I supplied him with details, background and then he goes and bottles out

Excuse me I gotta go http://66.132.187.8/smilies/puke.gif http://66.132.187.8/smilies/puke.gif http://66.132.187.8/smilies/puke.gif http://66.132.187.8/smilies/puke.gif

Chris

[qball0213]

Everybody email Sir Mix a Lot and tell him where the money is coming from.

[Catalyst]

I had just found the article and was coming to post.

Merchants be advised that a new division or company called MetricsDirect is forming.
They probably have had too many good merchants say, we know your reputation and won't work with you. Sounds to me like a name change trick similar to what Gator did once their reputation was trash.

Chris, I'm sorry they did not print more about what you and others interviewed told them re parasitic advertising.

For the record - I kicked them out a long time ago - and/or would not approve them for DentalPlans, EveryTicket, 4LowRates and all my other 5 Star programs.

[jtoskey]

While I completely agree with all of the above, I still have to think that this is a step in the right direction. There has been little if any discussion in the mainstream press on the problem of adware/spyware. The more exposure that this issue gets, the sooner it will become a higher priority for those who can effect it, and better awareness of those unknowingly infected.

And I'm with qball, I'm emailing Sir Mix a Lot and that VC today. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

John

[Jane]

I got a call from one of these parasites this morning. Decided to listen to his spiel so I could find out how much it cost and more about how it worked. But he said it was easier to show me and took me to their page. Told me to click on the upgrade IE link. I asked if that was going to install their software on my computer and said no way! Needless to say he was not pleased.

[northernstudio]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by EcomCity.com:
[ - Irrelevant Right-Wing Fanatic Rant snipped. - ] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Industries "run by a worthless group of scumbags from top to bottom" represent a wide range of political idologies, not just Liberals as is constantly being parroted here. Just ask the folks whose lives were ruined by Enron, hardly an enclave of Liberal supporters.

Address the issue at hand. Don't hijack the thread for your own political purposes. Start a new thread. (Oh, forgot. The Current Affairs forum was closed.)

Wayne

[phillyburbs]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> But Smith, who was studying to become a youth pastor before leaving college, <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Came to the Crossroads and took the wrong path. Proof positive, once again, that once you sell your soul, you can accomplish almost anything. Sadly, that bill will come due in time.

http://66.132.187.8/smilies/crap.gif

[jasonco12]

Another article from news.com related to this issue... for your info!

http://news.com.com/2100-1025%5f3-5182072.html?tag=st%5flh

http://66.132.187.8/smilies/banghead.gif I think I'm about to http://66.132.187.8/smilies/puke.gif on this issue.

[Chris - AMWSO]

and it does actually get worse....

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Second, 180solutions plans to make partners of Web publishers, which often hate ads obstructing their content. Publishing partners get fees for each person who downloads Zango. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Or in other words, an affiliate program..... Good news everyone, put an affiliate link up for Zango and I'll have to boot you.

Cheers

Chris

[Gordon]

I'm just emailing the reporter seeing as that is the only address I know<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Hi John

After reading that write up of yours for 180solutions I just had to say it is a perfect example of the journalist not knowing his subject. I would just like to let you know that 180solutions are nothing but a bunch of thieves and con men. They use underhand ways (via software) to cheat other affiliates out of their commissions by diverting and redirecting the visitors from the site they were on to their own site and thus claiming the commissions, in other words they are stealing from other affiliates.

I would hope you would have the strength and courage to let your readers know this instead of giving 180solutions a glowing report that completely skims over the fact that they are nothing but thieves and con men. If you would care to read some very interesting words about this company and I might add other very similar companies please take the time to look at http://abw.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=frm&s=548608979&f=8916013434 I think this will indeed open your eyes to what you have written about them.

regards
Gordon Skevy

PS: I would like to hear what you think about your write up and 180solutions after you have taken the trouble to visit that link if you get the time.
Thank you
Gordon <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Linda]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris - WSO:
Good news everyone, put an affiliate link up for Zango and I'll have to boot you.

Cheers

Chris <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thank you for this, Chris.

I know I have gotten to the point when looking to sign up for new merchants or responding to invites to join, if there are ANY BHOs or incentive sites in the merchants program, I don't sign up. I don't care any more whether a BHO is compliant or not. BHO in a merchant's program = no sign up from me.

And for the record, all existing relationships I have with merchants that have BHOs or incentive programs are being eliminated as they reach their minimum payout. 70+ were removed in January and a few more last month and this month. I may end up with only 2 or 3 merchants in the end but I've reached my limit on allowing others to ride on my back as a free ride.

[Drewbert]

These are the guys that gave them 20 million...

http://www.spectrumequity.com/home.html

email:
boston@spectrumequity.com
menlopark@spectrumequity.com

[Gordon]

Well I am surprised I got a reply from John Cook, Any advice on how I should reply to it please?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Thanks for writing Gordon. I appreciate your thoughts. I was attempting to
be balanced and fair in my coverage. I thought I pointed out both the
negatvie and positive. But the feedback I am getting on this probably
warrants a follow up.

Would you care to relay your experiences with the company on the record for
publication? Are you an affiliate or former affiliate? Why do you feel
this way about the company?

Thanks,

John Cook
Business Reporter
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
206-448-8075
johncook@seattlepi.com
www.seattlepi.com/venture (http://www.seattlepi.com/venture)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[happypoon]

Tell him your feelings exactly but for cripes sake, please leave out your normal humor. LOL!
http://66.132.187.8/smilies/rotflol.gif

"Wha-chall" think, should "Gordo the Humorous" or Gordo the "tired of being crapped all over and stolen from" respond?

[Chris - AMWSO]

Linda that is awesome http://66.132.187.8/smilies/ylsuper.gif

Just like it can cause a Merchant a lot of worries to dump the Parasites it's equally a huge challange and brave step to drop Merchants who work with Parasites! I know every merchant who strives to support a parasite free stance appreciates every partner who does likewise http://66.132.187.8/smilies/thumbup2.gif

Gordon : PM Coming

Cheers

Chris

[Kellie aka Ms. B]

I spoke with John at length on the phone today. He seems sincere in trying to understand all points of view. I appreciate his willingness to listen and look at doing a follow-up.

For anyone communicating with him, realize that he is a business reporter. His knowledge in this whole area is limited. He didn't know what Affiliate Marketing was and I spent much of the time explaining how affiliate marketing works. Keep that in mind when making your explanations to him.

Gordon...always just stick to the facts. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif The truth is more than adequate when dealing with these issues.