[Mike Abolafia]

Welcome to the GSI Commerce Affiliate Forum!

We recognize abestweb as one of the top destinations for affiliate marketing professionals. We realize that in the past we haven’t had as close of a relationship with our affiliates as we would like. We have set up this forum as a first step to turning this around. We would like to know from our current affiliates as well as past affiliates what aspects of our programs you would like to see change. Our goal for creating this forum is to improve affiliate relations and more efficiently drive sales that will benefit both our affiliates and our merchants.

Mike A.
AAE
GSI Commerce, Inc.

[Andy Rodriguez]

Mike,

Welcome to the ABW family...

Folks, i have personally spent phone time on the phone with members of the GSI team and i can tell you that they have every interest in turning this group of programs around.

Mike, ABW can be a tough crowd, but they will make your program shine as they did mine....welcome !!

Andy Rodriguez,
Online Advertising / Affiliate Marketing Manager

TigerDirect.com
P: (305) 415-2313
E: andy.rodriguez@tigerdirect.com

Parasite Free in 2003!

[happypoon]

Hi and welcome,

I for one can't wait to what "Charlie" has to say http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif.

[MJCB]

Hi Mike and welcome,

Let me start you off gently. I once took a look at a couple of your golf-related programs at CJ. You have a one day cookie and 5% for example at progolf.com.

All your competitors in that field, e.g. Edwin Watts, PMG, Gigagolf, TGW, Golfsmith offer better conditions. Either longer cookies (up to 120 days) or higher commissions (up to 12%).

I remember thinking I'd love to have promoted the LPGA store more, but there was little economic justification for doing so with those kinds of basic terms.

I can see how people like PMG can afford to give better conditions, but I think you need to at least match the TGW's and Edwin Watts' of this world to get a chance at attracting the kind of affiliates that deliver a large amount of qualified traffic to you.

[Andy]

happypoon wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I for one can't wait to what "Charlie" has to say http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yup, gotta give Charlie a chance to respond to this one first... http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Andy

_______________
"If you were born to be shot, you'll never be hung." -Unknown

[Mike Abolafia]

MJCB.....Thank you for the constructive criticism. It has been noted and will get looked into further.

[popdawg]

http://abw.infopop.cc/smilies/parrot.gif

Game on!!!!

[ecomcity]

OK ...Charlie and another Mike will offer some advice and direction for GSI's group of merchants. First off you will have to overcome the record of poor conversion ratios as most normal Non-BHO affiliates have done poorly will all programs managed by GSI. As a merchant aggregrator, covering a few shopping verticals, you created a monopoly and one phone call resource for every "incent" Parasiteware affiliate hawking our traffic and pre-sell efforts. Booting some of the worse BHO offenders out of your commission pool would speak volumes to this group.

Steps to a slow steady growth in all the GSI merchant's affiliate programs need to parallel the steps take by Andy of TigerDirect.

1. All back commissions problems get settled
2.Every GSI merchant get's verified test purchases, right down to network reporting, on a weekly basis till you KNOW your not dropping any sales on affiliate traffic due to intercepting sales info prior to transmitting to the networks.
3. Make use of the new creative linking tools at the various networks and concentrate on high conversion landing pages.
4. Batch those sales to CJ -LS -Perfomics and BeFree daily so your affiliates see immediate results from their pre-sales activity. No affiliate will showcase a merchant till they see they are making money. Any GSI merchant not averaging 1 sale per 100 affiliate generated clicks needs a site overhaul or better landing pages.
5. Conversion ratio, not hits to your sites, must become your #1 indicator your program is moving forward. Add in the fact that every affiliate who receives their first check from a GSI merchnat will automatically double the impressions for that merchant.

Mike & Charlie ... http://abw.infopop.cc/smilies/parrot.gif

If they won't adopt and feed a bird ..flip them one! BBQ some Gator and remember to flush WhenU..

[Mike Abolafia]

Thank you Mike and Charlie for your insight. I am happy to announce that we have begun to take some of the steps that you have outlined.

1. All commissions are current. If you feel that you are owed money feel free to contact me directly.
2. We have just recently tested all links to make sure that tracking is successful.
3. We have recently added an advanced link within TheSportsAuthority. The link has a pull down menu representing all major sporting good categories.
4. All sales are updated on a regular basis through BF and CJ. However, cancelled and rejected orders are only updated once a month within CJ. We are looking into making this more efficient.

Now that Mike and Charlie have posted I welcome you to add to the discussion.


Mike
AAE
GSI Commerce, Inc.

[happypoon]

Now that Charlie has had his "say so" he was much nicer to you than I thought he would be http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif. I'll say that it's a pretty well documented around here that there are a couple of areas that overall convert miserably and are or for the most part a waste of time to even try and promote :

1) Sports
2) Childrens

There may be some that do good but I tried some ppc on sports with your stores for a while which netted some traffic but yielded crap in sales from your entire family.

The stores in your group are a dominent force but I'd venture to say your online sales are suffering due to your poor reputation and the lack of serious promotion of your stores. How many sports stored do you need to run anyway? One good one isn't enough?

I'd love to promote you again but your participation with parasites that only allow my marketing efforts to be diverted into your and a parasites pockets prevent me from doing so.

You responded to most of Mikes Ooops Charlies post in most every regard BUT.... parasites.

Guess which requirement is most needed to really gain the suport of most of the great affiliate marketers here.... It's the one area you conveniently avoided.

It doesn't matter to me if you do test purchases, have good links, update sales regularly or even pay on time. As long as you allow someone else to take credit for sales I help drive to your site you'll not get benefits from my promotion efforts.

[jimh009]

Same thing here. Long as GSI has all the parasites in their network, there will never be a spot for them on my site. The low conversions are well documented in other posts in this forum. Just do a search for GSI and you'll see what I mean.

This is all the more so since BackcountryStore is parasite free. Why promote parasite merchants when you can promote one that isn't??

Jim

[Nova]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> This is all the more so since BackcountryStore is parasite free. Why promote parasite merchants when you can promote one that isn't??
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Amen to that!

But lets give him a chance to comment about their association to the parasite issue!

And maybe he will see the light, just like TD, EA, BCS and other parasite free merchant did.

The benefit of parasite free:
1)100% support from affiliate promoting them extensively
2)High Revenue in clean way
3)Great PR exposure
4)Clean Conscious!

I know there's more, but this is on top of my list.

By the way MikeGSI,
Welcome to the best affiliate forum on the Web
http://www.abestweb.com/smilies/wave.gif

------------------------------
What does the COC http://abw.infopop.cc/greamlins/deal.gifstand for? &lt;b&gt;Crooks Overwriting Commissions.&lt;/b&gt;
------------------------------
Love Life to the fullest. we only get ONE chance! :-) !

[Mike Abolafia]

Happypoon.....I recognize Parasites as the #1 issue that is preventing our affiliate programs from being "affiliate friendly". This is a change that I dont have the power to directly make. It is a decision that has to be made up the ladder. However, that is why I am here. With enough backing for change it should be an easy argument to win.

Like Jerry Maguire said, "Help me, Help you."

Again I appreciate the constructive criticism.

Thank You,
Mike A.
AAE
GSI Commerce, Inc.

[jimh009]

Hi Mike,

I feel sorry for you then, if you know about the parasite issues but can't change them. Nasty place to be, especially in this forum!!

Anyways, hopefully someday GSI will see the light.

Jim

[JarrettGSI]

It's not that Mike doesn't have the leverage... ...I have been watching the parasites with Mike for a while now.

Now we need to figure out where that line is...

We only work with 2 affiliates that are currently considered parasites and that has changed from when Mike started on our programs. Stay with him, he will make as many changes as are possible... ...trust me on this one http://abestweb.com/banana.gif

Jarrett
OMAE
GSI Commerce

[Haiko de Poel, Jr.]

I'm available anytime for a conversation about parasites!

Affiliates definately don't need another Overstock "situation" in moving forward with any GSI programs!

<font size="2" face="Verdana">Haiko


The secret of success is constancy of purpose. ~ Disraeli</font></p>

[midnightcoder]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> We only work with 2 affiliates that are currently considered parasites <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, thats 2 too many.


Are datafeeds available for these programs?

[happypoon]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Like Jerry Maguire said, "Help me, Help you."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Isn't that the same guy who said... Show me the money? http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I'm not sure what kind of "help" you need but I'm open to helping you in whatever way I can.

Here is an old post that may have some value. (http://abw.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=548608979&f=1526051621&m=4606012741)

I went and reviewed your terms for MC Sports... which I believe has the best EPC out of your group of stores...

It offers a 4% commission and you only have a session based cookie. My oh my! After seeing that I'll be straight up and say "It's going to take much more than removal of parasites before I promote you".

[Mike Abolafia]

Yes Jerry did say, "Show me the Money". However, he was saying it as an agent for the football player that he represented. http://abw.infopop.cc/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Ok happy.........So from your comment about MCSports it is obvious that you feel that a higher commission rate and cookie length are necessary for you to consider joining a program like MCSports. I am going to create a new folder very shortly that will discuss that topic further.

Mike
AAE
GSI Commerce, Inc.

[Haiko de Poel, Jr.]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Haiko:
Affiliates definitely don't need another Overstock "situation" in moving forward with any GSI programs!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

After a very good conversation with Mike this morning I am confidant that GSI will not be another "overstock situation".

<font size="2" face="Verdana">Haiko


The secret of success is constancy of purpose. ~ Disraeli</font></p>

[ShawnSchwegman]

An "Overstock" situation?

http://abw.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=548608979&f=444603789&m=6826017563

What's that supposed to mean?

Shawn Schwegman
VP of Sales & Marketing
Overstock.com
801-947-3119
shawn@overstock.com

[ecomcity]

Well Overstock is having to hire troops with flame throwers to kill off the parasites in their basement. Obviously Shawn is making good on his promises ...law suits + de-monitizing some prominent BHO's.

Throw the affiliates a bone or two and save some of your companies profits....kick 2 BHO's to the curb as a peace offering. Then make all GSI merchants have a 14 day cookie. That way more commissions will flow to those willing to actually do some branding -pre-sell and qualifying buyers with something other than a stupid coupon or rebates that costs the merchant extra money.

Mike & Charlie ... http://abw.infopop.cc/smilies/parrot.gif

If they won't adopt and feed a bird ..flip them one! BBQ some Gator and remember to flush WhenU..

[popdawg]

Posted this elsewhere ...
ahem ... ARGH!!!!!

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> United States Based Individuals and Entities Only. Affiliate represents and warrants that Affiliate is based in the United States. Any Affiliate which is not based in the United States is ineligible to be an affiliate of Merchant. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Game on!!!!

[jimbo2002]

I couldn't believe GSI was on abestweb. I thought it must be a different GSI.

Why don't you let us know when you clean up the program, and then we will see about promoting you.

If you don't have the authority to make changes, then get someone else on here. That is just not sincere for them to send someone without any say to address the affiliates.

[Mike Abolafia]

Jim.....I am sure that you weren't the only person to do a double take.

I will be sure to let you know when any changes are made to the program. You should notice that I have by no means asked for anybody here to promote GSI. At this time I am simply asking affiliates like yourself to help me gather ways to improve our affiliate programs.

I may have given the wrong impression in a prior post. I do not have the power to snap my fingers and make change. However, I am fighting for the affiliates and have the power to initiate change.