ireviewer
join:2007-12-12
Hudsonville, MI
| ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues I am a current ViaTalk affiliate who has not received the commission payment due me for over 3 months. Attempts to contact ViaTalk and their affiliate manager have been met with silence, and the issue continues unresolved about a month later. I have filed with the Better Business Bureau, where ViaTalk's rating is currently "unsatisfactory." Hopefully they can get a response out of ViaTalk. I'm writing here to see if anyone else is encountering a similar issue, and what you are doing about it.
As a side note, this does not bode well for ViaTalk customers as a whole. Often, when a company like this goes under, the affiliate program is the first thing to go. It's what happened with Sunrocket... | |
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VTBrendan
Viatalk
Premium,VIP
join:2005-06-27
Clifton Park, NY | Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues Hi,
The next batch of affiliate payments goes out at the end of the month, so basically the end of this week. If you PM me your details I can confirm for you that you are indeed in that group.
-Brendan | |
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 | ireviewer
join:2007-12-12
Hudsonville, MI
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues Brendan,
It's almost the end of the week as you said, and though I PMed you my account details, I haven't heard any response yet as to whether or not I can expect my commission within the next 2-3 days. In case you didn't get the PMs, my affiliate account name is ireviewer. If you could look into that for me soon, I would appreciate it, as I am starting to get a little nervous about the lack of response...
Thanks. | |
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| ireviewer
join:2007-12-12
Hudsonville, MI
| Well, it's the new year now and I still haven't received any payment from ViaTalk. What's more, besides the one post above, I have had no contact with Brendan or anyone else from ViaTalk, even having sent 8 PMs and countless other emails. A simple response, an explanation, and a set date at which this matter will be resolved is all I'm asking for. If ViaTalk were any other company, I would have expected that they would get around to those things weeks ago without any prompting required. At this point, if I continue to be ignored, I will assume that it is purposeful and may begin taking legal action - the amount of money I'm missing is substantial enough to warrant that. | |
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| racer510
join:2007-10-17
High Springs, FL | Brendan, can you please confirm if I will receive my commission payment with this "group"? I sent you a PM
Thanks | |
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B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
| Just an observation, but I'm somewhat surprised that these payment threads aren't being locked or modded. I don't care either way, but with such a strong DSLR stance against referral discussions ( »Forum Rules - Please Read ) I would have thought this was a similar area...
Regardless, good luck to you "affiliates"...
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function | |
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| Russell_
join:2006-04-06
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues I don't believe they should be locked or modded. Discussing how to increase your referrals (or promote your referral business) is what, I think, is prohibited. But, considering that SunRocket first stopped paying affiliates before they went out of business, any company having issues paying affiliates is of concern to current and future customers (considering that most people renew / signup for a year or more in advance). And, if DSLR locks such threads and the company subsequently goes out of business, I'd say DSLR would lose credibility.
As a VT customer with a contract through 2009 and having been through the SunRocket experience I'm most interested in such threads. After all when there are bogo or other renewal specials we're allowed to dicuss those. Such threads provide another data point.
I'm also reassured by the VT CEOs statements that VT is now focussing on such issues and they will be resolved by the end of the year.
--
Russell | |
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| | justDave
join:2000-02-29
Brooklyn, NY
 ·ViaTalk
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by Russell_  :I'm also reassured by the VT CEOs statements that VT is now focussing on such issues and they will be resolved by the end of the year. You are? You must be new here. | |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA | Brendan,
I too have sent you a PM regarding my affiliate payment.
Please advise.
Thanks
Chris | |
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| Russell_
join:2006-04-06
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues Yes, it appears to be the squeaky wheel model ... you hear about this forum and how publicizing your status helps, come here and do publicize it, and eventually get paid - note the post ahead of yours from farmer9282 who joined 2008-01-03.
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Russell | |
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| | B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues Yeah, it's really an airing-dirty-laundry situation that I'd rather not be witness to. 
I don't know what a normal or acceptable turnaround is for these things, but if it's under a month or two I'd suggest keeping it private -- not that it's any of my concern... 
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function | |
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| | | racer510
join:2007-10-17
High Springs, FL
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues I agree and have attempted to contact both the affiliate dept. and Brendan about this over the past 4 or 5 months with not one response. The first sale of this batch that I am waiting for goes back to 5-1-2007. It seems that you have to file a complaint with the BBB and or threaten with a lawauit plus publicly complain here to get noticed and responded to.. | |
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| | | | druber
join:2000-04-11
Marlborough, MA | Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues I noticed that too. I find it odd (to say the least) that after all of these contortion, when someone finally *does* get paid, their attitude seems to be "it's all good!", as if this was a one-time thing, or something... | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
1 edit | Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by druber :I noticed that too. I find it odd (to say the least) that after all of these contortion, when someone finally *does* get paid, their attitude seems to be "it's all good!", as if this was a one-time thing, or something... Just because I finally received a payment after 5 months of my initial first payment from ViaTalk doesn't mean I'm satisfied or happy. I still have lots of 'pending approval' sales that date back as early as 7-30-2007. Brandi definitely needs to get well and step up the approval process by clearing legitimate sales from all affiliates.
Now, if I were to get these sales approved and another payment within a reasonable time frame I'd be happy. ViaTalk really needs to get squared away with all its affiliates or I can see no one bothering to advertise for them. | |
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RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by Judson :I can see no one bothering to advertise for them. it's not just the advertising. the more bitching about not getting paid by VIA TALK the more chances that search engines will find these threads about VIATALK and prospective customers looking for VIA TALK INFORMATION will find that VIA TALK does not meet its obligations and thus will scare off additional sales, especially of prepaid amounts which seems to be important to feed the beast.
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"Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers." | |
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| | | | | | | jester121
Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL
 ·surpasshosting
·ViaTalk
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by RockyBB :said by Judson :I can see no one bothering to advertise for them. it's not just the advertising. the more bitching about not getting paid by VIA TALK the more chances that search engines will find these threads about VIATALK and prospective customers looking for VIA TALK INFORMATION will find that VIA TALK does not meet its obligations and thus will scare off additional sales, especially of prepaid amounts which seems to be important to feed the beast. Given the amount they pay for referrals I'd say they certainly feed the beast with prepaids. If I'd have known about this crap I'd have certainly had second thoughts about signing up prepaid 5 months ago. Other than Lisa Hook and free Uniden phones, it's like SR deja vu. | |
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RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| said by racer510 :I agree and have attempted to contact both the affiliate dept. and Brendan about this over the past 4 or 5 months with not one response. The first sale of this batch that I am waiting for goes back to 5-1-2007. It seems that you have to file a complaint with the BBB and or threaten with a lawauit plus publicly complain here to get noticed and responded to.. which is all evidence that you should have shut off your banners and links already.
This discussion is very valuable, especially to those evaluating whether or not to sign up new with VT. Our industry experience with the flame out of SunRocket (professional agents will also remember Worldcom, TouchAmerica, Spring Valley and Global Crossing) teaches that the first warning sign is when the provider does not take care of its obligations. We are not able to know if a carrier doesn't pay its carrier bills, but we can know -- by reading this thread -- if they don't pay their obligations to the sales staff. My view is that any reasonably risk averse person considering VT as a provider should absolutely NOT prepay for a year of service because VT is not able to fulfill its obligations. Not until everyone in VT's food chain has been paid, and is regularly paid without having to complain or make phone calls to get paid, should anyone feel comfortable at all in sending any prepaid amounts, including renewals, to VT.
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"Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers." | |
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| | | | | racer510
join:2007-10-17
High Springs, FL
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues I agree and have taken the banners down but most of my clients are willing to take the risk and I just email them a link. Viatalk really is a great value and most of my clients (actually all but the wife) have been very satisfied with the service (they don't have to deal with support,I do). I just wish they would "do the right thing" from the get go rather than requiring the customer to complain and jump through hoops to get action (e-911 fiasco a few months ago for example). | |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| I think a couple factors to consider here are:
1. What is the policy from VT as to how long a referral needs to stay in pending status in order to prevent fraud? If they paid out after only 30 days of a sale, then it would be fairly easy for VT to lose tons of money to fraud.
2. Currently, every pending affiliate fee must be reviewed manually (again, to prevent fraud, and may also be a factor of the version of the affiliate web app). I had an affiliate fee for HostGator once, that took MONTHS to finally get. I don't participate in too many affiliate programs, so I can't say what the norm is for getting payments.
3. I believe the next release of the software VT is using for their affiliate program (which, btw, I think is one of the better ones out there with their more recent versions) may have some additional components to help schedule approvals in a way that protects against fraud. I'm going to try to verify this with the developer. | |
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RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by CyberSultan :I think a couple factors to consider here are: that's all nice, BUT, methinks the similar stories of no response, no callbacks, no replies to emails, followed by stalled (if any) payments are the most important factors to consider. If your employer didn't get around to paying you this Friday, how many days would you show up for work next week? Commissions = payroll, and any company that does not respect that does so for only one reason.
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"Teleblend has an agreement with the Assignee to solicit and support former SunRocket customers." | |
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| | druber
join:2000-04-11
Marlborough, MA | Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues thank you, rocky, that's kinda what i've been getting at. "the dog ate my homework" excuses are only credible for awhile, then one needs to wonder what the real problem is... | |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| said by RockyBB :said by CyberSultan :I think a couple factors to consider here are: that's all nice, BUT, methinks the similar stories of no response, no callbacks, no replies to emails, followed by stalled (if any) payments are the most important factors to consider. If your employer didn't get around to paying you this Friday, how many days would you show up for work next week? Commissions = payroll, and any company that does not respect that does so for only one reason. How quickly are people expecting their payouts from the affiliate program (from the time the order is actually fulfilled)? I'm curious as to what the general understanding is of when people should get paid their affiliate commissions. Maybe some people have been lucky with some affiliate programs, but I have had to wait a bit for payments on those that I have participated in (from reputable companies, too).
One of the points I made in my previous post is that there is a newer version of the affiliate software in the works that, IIRC, adds some extra functionality into the software so it does not have to be such a manual process to avoid the fraud issues. I just got a response back from the developer of the affiliate software when I asked how the new version was coming. He said:
"If you're talking about 5.2, it will be a few more months. We just finished a few modules and have decided to add a few more features to 5.2 as it will be the last Version 5 created. After 5.2 is released, we'll work on more modules then start working on iDevAffiliate 6 later in the year."
So, VT may want to look into that product when it is ready to see if it can help streamline the affiliate approvals and payouts.
I have never known VT to not make good on their affiliate payouts. Let's let Brendan work on this issue now that he sees there have been some longer outstanding affiliate payouts due. | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by CyberSultan :How quickly are people expecting their payouts from the affiliate program (from the time the order is actually fulfilled)? I'm curious as to what the general understanding is of when people should get paid their affiliate commissions. Maybe some people have been lucky with some affiliate programs, but I have had to wait a bit for payments on those that I have participated in (from reputable companies, too). I've used ViaTalk affiliate ads from Commission Junction and never had any problem receiving payment for sales within a month or two. The reason it sometimes takes two months to receive a payment via Commission Junction for a sale is because advertisers have the option to 'extend' a sale for ONE additional month (probably for fraudulent checks, which is understandable). However you lose a portion of the affiliate sale earnings because of going through Commission Junction.
This is why I was pleased to see that ViaTalk soon offered up their own in-house affiliate program with larger payouts per sale.
»www.viatalk.com/voip_affiliate_program.html states, "Monthly VoIP Affiliate Program Payouts: Payouts will be paid on the 15th of each month for balances of $100.00 or more. No more waiting and wondering where your affiliate check is every month."
With that in mind I wondered where my affiliate check was for 5+ months with the only response (after my BBB complaint) coming from Brendan himself. If ViaTalk can approve sales through Commission Junction within two months what's stopping them from doing the same through their own affiliate system? A one or two month turn around for ViaTalk affiliate sales in their system would be a god send and definitely help solve many of these problems.
Just my 2 cents and thanks again to Brendan making good on his word. | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
| Just a quick side note on some *breaking* ViaTalk news: HostRocket.com and ViaTalk Founders Contribute $20,000 more to the US FIRST Robotics Team at Shenendehowa High School
»www.businesswire.com/portal/site···sLang=en
Follow the money trail :P | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues They make this contribution every year. The press release I linked was for their 2007 contribution of $20,000 bring their total to $100,000 towards the robotics team. | |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by Judson :They make this contribution every year. The press release I linked was for their 2007 contribution of $20,000 bring their total to $100,000 towards the robotics team. Do you think this is good or bad? I can't tell from your post. I think it is a good thing. | |
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| | | B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
1 edit | I see -- they've done a bad job "reworking" the release for this year -- they only changed a few words, and the last paragraph of yours still reads "The 2007 FIRST Robotic competition begins on January 6," which is why I thought the whole thing was a mistake.
It's a nice contribution, and worth actually writing a new release for (in my little opinion).
Also, the one you linked isn't even at vtinside.com yet.
-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function | |
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ben14
join:2003-10-29
Boynton Beach, FL | Well I PMed Brendan as he mentioned hoping to get my commissions from July on. Its January 4th now and no word in any form. Definitely disappointing. In good conscious, I can't bring anyone to VT till some resolution is forth coming. | |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA
| Still no Commission payment from ViaTalk. I have PM'd Brendan, filed a complaint with the BBB, sent numerous emails to Brendan and Brandi with no response what so ever.
Please share with me any methods that I may be missing so I can get paid. Any advice would help
Thanks. | |
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See 9 replies to this post |
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dmolavi
Premium
join:2005-04-11
Sewell, NJ | Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues my begging got me paid TWICE for the same amount (coming to almost $7000 total).
I did the right thing and returned the duplicate payment. Brandi said she's back and working through the backlog. | |
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ben14
join:2003-10-29
Boynton Beach, FL | My squeaking got me my commission check last week. Only $200 but it helps. Paid for one line! | |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA | I still haven't received money since August '07. All emails and IMs to Brendan and Brandi have gone unanswered numerous times. Also, there has been no response to my BBB complaint.
Chris | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by farmer9282 :I still haven't received money since August '07. All emails and IMs to Brendan and Brandi have gone unanswered numerous times. Also, there has been no response to my BBB complaint. Chris Just keep this thread alive and Brendan will get to you eventually. I also had ZERO luck getting in contact with Brandi Solomon via emails. Oh, and your BBB complaint will go unanswered now that they have been removed from the BBB. (Just a heads up). | |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA | I really do not know what the delay is in getting my commission payment. Any suggestions? | |
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See 13 replies to this post |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA | Still no resolution for me yet. | |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA | Bump! Still no payment for me | |
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| coaster
join:2007-07-13
New Port Richey, FL | Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues A new customer after reading this thread and the other problems with the BBB has to be feeling nervous... | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
| I found some out dated information when logged INTO my affiliate account and click 'affiliates' at the very bottom of the page like so.
home | faq | sitemap | -->affiliates | on tv
I know this is nit picky but it still shows payouts will come after $130, nothing about the 3 tiered levels of payout, oh and the all elusive 'pay me' button which I've never been able to find :P | |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by Judson :I know this is nit picky but it still shows payouts will come after $130, nothing about the 3 tiered levels of payout, oh and the all elusive 'pay me' button which I've never been able to find :P They use to use a different affiliate program/site. The current one does not have a 'pay me' button, there is only 2 Tier levels, and the payouts are after $100. It looks like someone at VT just needs to quickly change this info to properly reflect the current program offering. | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by CyberSultan :said by Judson :I know this is nit picky but it still shows payouts will come after $130, nothing about the 3 tiered levels of payout, oh and the all elusive 'pay me' button which I've never been able to find :P They use to use a different affiliate program/site. The current one does not have a 'pay me' button, there is only 2 Tier levels, and the payouts are after $100. It looks like someone at VT just needs to quickly change this info to properly reflect the current program offering. You are correct... 2 Tier levels and 3 different payout levels depending on your number of sales. | |
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RedTag
@pureserver.info
| I am seeing a high percent volume of reversals from Viatalk in CJ for some reason or the other. I do not see the same with other VoIP merchants and never experienced reversals like this with Sunrocket, for example.
It seems the reversals from Viatalk seem to be very suspicious. Does anyone else here seeing the same trend with Viatalk - unusual reversals compared to other VoIP providers? I have stopped my advertising campaign as I no longer trust ViaTalk. | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by RedTag :
I am seeing a high percent volume of reversals from Viatalk in CJ for some reason or the other. I do not see the same with other VoIP merchants and never experienced reversals like this with Sunrocket, for example.
It seems the reversals from Viatalk seem to be very suspicious. Does anyone else here seeing the same trend with Viatalk - unusual reversals compared to other VoIP providers? I have stopped my advertising campaign as I no longer trust ViaTalk.
I stopped using the Commission Junction ViaTalk ads since their in-house affiliate system pays more per sale.
However, I have noticed about 30+ sales just disappear in my pending queue since starting. So, who knows what happened to those sales since their current system doesn't offer them any reason for declining/removing a pending sale. Which in my mind really sucks because it would be comforting to know why these sales are randomly disappearing. | |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues said by Judson :said by RedTag :
I am seeing a high percent volume of reversals from Viatalk in CJ for some reason or the other. I do not see the same with other VoIP merchants and never experienced reversals like this with Sunrocket, for example.
It seems the reversals from Viatalk seem to be very suspicious. Does anyone else here seeing the same trend with Viatalk - unusual reversals compared to other VoIP providers? I have stopped my advertising campaign as I no longer trust ViaTalk.
I stopped using the Commission Junction ViaTalk ads since their in-house affiliate system pays more per sale. However, I have noticed about 30+ sales just disappear in my pending queue since starting. So, who knows what happened to those sales since their current system doesn't offer them any reason for declining/removing a pending sale. Which in my mind really sucks because it would be comforting to know why these sales are randomly disappearing. It's an issue with the software. The software they use is, IMO, one of the better ones out there. But even their latest version does not give an explanation to the affiliate as to why a pending commission is not approved. If the customer related to the commission is no longer with ViaTalk (canceled during trial period, etc.) when they go to process the pending commissions, then it simply disappears from your view.
I use the affiliate software myself. I will send a note to the developer with the request to add this feature in for future versions. | |
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Judson
join:2007-11-20
Fremont, NE | Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues Great to hear sbradshaw! | |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues I emailed the developer of the affiliate software and requested that a section be added to show those sales where the pending commission was declined. That way you have a visual indicator of the pending sales as well as the declined pending sales (which would indicate that they no longer qualify and were therefore declined). That way it is not perceived that they disappeared because of some glitch in the software. This was his reply to my request:
"I can probably get that added for the next release due out Mar/Apr." | |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA | I guess I will keep bumping this until I get word that I will be paid at some point. I still have had no response to my request for my affiliate payment. | |
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farmer9282
join:2008-01-03
Ladera Ranch, CA | Brendan,
I sent you another PM regarding my situation. Please do respond.
Thanks
Chris | |
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Re: ViaTalk Commission Payment Issues