voucher codes stealing commission

[doma1n]

Hello,
I have a really big issue with this. People offer voucher codes to save money on products but the vouchers (once clicked) dont exist, but they then get the cookie for the commission I have worked hard, or in some cases paid to get.

I know this is against the 'Affiliate Marketing Council Code of Conduct' to offer vouchers that dont exist but what can be done? I have complained to the affiliate sites and to the networks but all fall on deaf ears.(I guess this is because they are still getting their cut of the commision whether its illegal practive or not)
My sales in last 12 months have been over £50,000 for one programme but conversion is only 0.48 % but the standard conversion is 2.5%. I know people search for the vouchers once at the checkout because I have run a few tests to see how people react at the payment page and all go to google to search for the vouchers before they pay(who wouldn't) But the voucher sites then get the comission for no hard work on their behalf.

Does anyone have a solution to the problem of how to stop voucher sites stealing your commision, apart from offering my own vouchers. (which im not allowed to do)

Regards
John

 

[dazc]

Once someone goes looking for a voucher you are going to lose out whether they find a valid code or not.
There are 2 ways around this problem:
1) Publish your own voucher site. If you can't beat 'em...
2) Just accept that it happens and be selective which merchants you work with.
Promote the hell out of the few worth working with and forget the rest.

Complaining to networks and merchants isn't going to get you anywhere.

 

[anthony]

This is why both voucher sites and affilliate sites are dodgy business models to me, you never really know if the trust element is in place.