Monday, April 30, 2007
More Bad News from Woolworths
Woolworths - or Woolies - is a high street brand that I want to like. It's got a long and proud history but in recent years seems to have lost its way and nowhere more so than in its online presence.
An email was sent to affiliates today announcing that Woolworths won't be paying commission on sales of the Nintendo Wii as of tomorrow. The email from Affiliate Window says "Due to stock and customer services issues Woolworths have decided to cease selling Nintendo Wii's through the affiliate channel".
Are they really going to cease selling Wiis through the affiliate channel, or do they mean they will continue selling them to any customer that comes through an affiliate link but they just won't pay affiliate commission?
So why have they done this? The Wii has been incredibly popular so maybe they feel they don't need affiliate sales to sell their allocation. But it would surely be an unpleasant precedent to stop paying commission on items simply because they are popular. I don't know what's behind their decision but it just doesn't sit well with me.
That's not the only problem with Woolworths I'm afraid. Visit their website (direct or through an affiliate link) and you'll find their site plastered with adverts for other companies, like Sky and Expedia. So your affiliate traffic could be generating money for Woolworths which you'll never get the benefit from.
Their problems go on - so many of their products can be found cheaper elsewhere. I checked chart CDs, videogames and toys and had no problem finding the same products on other websites at a better price. Add to that the hefty postage fees that Woolworths charge and you have to wonder if that site is good for anyone at the moment - doesn't seem to be good for affiliates or consumers. I certainly can't see much point in promoting them from an affiliate point of view.
[EDIT 01/05/07]
I suppose it's one of lifes quirks that the day after slating Woolworths and its website, I get some monster sale come through their website (I've got a link to them on a store directory) with a very pleasing commission. Look out merchants - I will soon be slating you and expecting similar results!
An email was sent to affiliates today announcing that Woolworths won't be paying commission on sales of the Nintendo Wii as of tomorrow. The email from Affiliate Window says "Due to stock and customer services issues Woolworths have decided to cease selling Nintendo Wii's through the affiliate channel".
Are they really going to cease selling Wiis through the affiliate channel, or do they mean they will continue selling them to any customer that comes through an affiliate link but they just won't pay affiliate commission?
So why have they done this? The Wii has been incredibly popular so maybe they feel they don't need affiliate sales to sell their allocation. But it would surely be an unpleasant precedent to stop paying commission on items simply because they are popular. I don't know what's behind their decision but it just doesn't sit well with me.
That's not the only problem with Woolworths I'm afraid. Visit their website (direct or through an affiliate link) and you'll find their site plastered with adverts for other companies, like Sky and Expedia. So your affiliate traffic could be generating money for Woolworths which you'll never get the benefit from.
Their problems go on - so many of their products can be found cheaper elsewhere. I checked chart CDs, videogames and toys and had no problem finding the same products on other websites at a better price. Add to that the hefty postage fees that Woolworths charge and you have to wonder if that site is good for anyone at the moment - doesn't seem to be good for affiliates or consumers. I certainly can't see much point in promoting them from an affiliate point of view.
[EDIT 01/05/07]
I suppose it's one of lifes quirks that the day after slating Woolworths and its website, I get some monster sale come through their website (I've got a link to them on a store directory) with a very pleasing commission. Look out merchants - I will soon be slating you and expecting similar results!
Labels: woolworths
Permalink // posted by Rob @ 11:08 PM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
