Hydra going belly up!

57 replies
It looks like one of the bigger CPA companies is going belly up according to Hydra Network Financial and Legal Nightmare | NickyCakes.com

Any warriors owed a lot of $$?

They only owe me a few hundreds so no biggie for me.
#belly #hydra
  • Profile picture of the author Elle Holder
    Huh. I joined the network about a year ago, but haven't used them for a bit and don't have anything owing to me.

    Hope no one gets burned!
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnPark
      They owe me $85. Was going to call them. Now I know why I haven't received a check. I quit promoting their offers a while ago. I'll stick with never blue. I understand they have a good reputation. Anybody have any problems with Never Blue?
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    From that article I would assume any money in Hydra is lost.

    A few interesting observations:

    1. 'Reading between the lines' the last month or two I had already assumed many CPA companies would be at a similar risk due to crackdowns on questionable offers.

    -- Oprah lawsuits.
    -- Bad media publicity.
    -- FTC investigations.
    -- Google bans.
    -- Now Mastercard/Visa reviews.

    I've seen two other CPA companies this week refer to such problems. For a big company like Hydra to be facing problems is a wake-up call to anyone doing business with the hundreds of smaller firms.

    2. Never a wise idea to violate a noncompete. While void in California for employees, it's a different story for owners. Any money any of these guys still has is going to be sucked-up in brutal litigation.

    3. Never a wise idea to send that email calling someone a dishonest felon fond of hookers, gambling, and alcohol. Privately vent, then delete before sending.

    4. Gotta love the screen shot from the other 'WF'. Why? I take screen shots all the time 'just in case' they might come in handy sometime. Often, they do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
    I'm owed $305 . I didn't worry about it until now. No wonder I couldn't get it. They had a flag on my account that I needed to send it a w9 which I did several times, but could never get them to change the account and send the bucks. Figures.

    I'm glad I didn't go too wild with them.
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    Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill

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    • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
      Originally Posted by Scott Ames View Post

      I'm owed $305 . I didn't worry about it until now. No wonder I couldn't get it. They had a flag on my account that I needed to send it a w9 which I did several times, but could never get them to change the account and send the bucks. Figures.

      I'm glad I didn't go too wild with them.
      AHHHHHH...

      I wondered what was going on. I've had a similar issue.
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  • Profile picture of the author buckapple
    Hi,

    I sent Hydra an email Monday reminding them they owed me $55 from a accounting snafu from 08. The payment was sitting in my paypal this morning.

    Gary
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Allen
    Hydra is my main network. I have never had any issues with them. I have always gotten my money and they have been pretty large checks. On the other hand, their offers are getting scarce. I noticed that the amount of free trial offers they have are winding down. They do have tons of email submits which is what I prefer. Looks like I will have to go with copeac and neverblue a little more!

    Thanks for the heads up!
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    • Profile picture of the author terryrayburn
      Interesting.

      They just recently started sending me emails promoting several campaigns. Maybe a last-ditch effort for rustling up some business?
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      • Profile picture of the author Joseph.
        My prediction is that more big networks will have financial/legal problems in 2010. As far as FTC is concerned, their whole business model is questionable.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    This is alarming, in my book. I'm in Hydra, haven't done much with them as of yet, but I do know they are one of the 'big boys' in the cpa industry. I'm off to do more research on this now.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    Upon reading that blog post, I have to conclude that much is not known as of yet. There's a lot of innuendo and mud-slinging going on due to the owners and ex-partners battling it out, but until we hear something official from the courts or Hydra I'm not going to get too worried about them going bust just yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Always-A-Warrior
    I'm owed as well but until I hear it from Barbara then I'm cool. Maybe Google can pick it up like they've been buying everything under the sun lately.
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  • Hmmm... this is pretty alarming...
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  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    Pretty scary! Now I am also having a problem with Affiliatebot

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ebot-scam.html
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  • Profile picture of the author Lincoln Ryan
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
      Anybody have a number for Hydra's accounts department please.
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      • Profile picture of the author greenovni
        Originally Posted by SimonHarrison View Post

        Anybody have a number for Hydra's accounts department please.
        Here Let me google that for you
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        • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
          Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

          Not clicking on tiny URL stuff thx.
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          • Profile picture of the author Woody C
            Originally Posted by SimonHarrison View Post

            Not clicking on tiny URL stuff thx.
            It isn't an affiliate link or anything like that. It is just him/her mocking you.
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            • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
              Originally Posted by Woody Crenshaw View Post

              It isn't an affiliate link or anything like that. It is just him/her mocking you.
              I normally avoid them , I didn't presume an affiliate link , perhaps something worse, I once clicked on a tiny url link on another well known marketing site from a user with a high post count and lived to regret it, thanks for the safety verification though.
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            • Profile picture of the author Jeff Noel
              I lost 17k with one network when they went belly up. Another networks assets were sezied by the FTC and they were closed down. FTC says I will get my money $7500.00 after the audit is done. Both networks weren't very big, but now with Hydra going donk down this whole CPA marketing has me a little scared.
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              • Profile picture of the author Riz
                Wow, that's a lot of money to lose out on.

                Hydra is a big network and their struggle is worrying for CPA marketers.

                Riz



                Originally Posted by Jeff Noel View Post

                I lost 17k with one network when they went belly up. Another networks assets were sezied by the FTC and they were closed down. FTC says I will get my money $7500.00 after the audit is done. Both networks weren't very big, but now with Hydra going donk down this whole CPA marketing has me a little scared.
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        • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
          Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

          Thanks, clicked it now, very cute application btw.

          I did actually try the main switchboard number and option 4 and infact my own reps direct number, both of which went to voicemail .

          Hence requesting a more direct phone number than the one they leave prominently on the website.
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          • Profile picture of the author greenovni
            Originally Posted by SimonHarrison View Post

            Thanks, clicked it now, very cute application btw.

            I did actually try the main switchboard number and option 4 and infact my own reps direct number, both of which went to voicemail .

            Hence requesting a more direct phone number than the one they leave prominently on the website.

            Yeah, I have been calling and voice mail ALL day!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author greenovni
      Originally Posted by Lincoln Ryan View Post

      I do limited CPA marketing and was dealing with one company that was paying per lead. I was making about $2k per month like clockwork from these guys. Once the economy hit the skids, I started noticing that about 80% of my leads were getting rejected. They are supposed to approve them if they are valid leads with valid contact info...then they started rejecting them if they couldn't sell the person on the other end. (not my problem)

      Then without warning, they just dropped my commission by about 60% with no warning.
      Looks like it is also happening with Affiliatebot!
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  • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
    Can't get through to Hydra's main accounts number via their main number, just a voicemail....

    Anybody have a direct number to somebody in accounts...
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  • Profile picture of the author hydraMason
    The rumors that Hydra is going bankrupt are just that - rumors. We did face business challenges in 2009 like many networks and had some additional challenges as well. But we have always paid on time and continue to pay on time. Plus we we just received new investment.

    I will note that we are cracking down on bogus/fraud leads - leads we might have just paid on in the past. We are attempting to improve the overall quality of our network so as to be able to attract larger advertisers. We don't engage in shaving. That would be just plain stupid.

    If you have any problems whatsoever you can call me and i will help you resolve them.

    Best,

    Mason Wiley
    SVP Marketing, Hydra
    310-659-5755 X2197
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    • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
      Originally Posted by hydraMason View Post

      The rumors that Hydra is going bankrupt are just that - rumors. We did face business challenges in 2009 like many networks and had some additional challenges as well. But we have always paid on time and continue to pay on time. Plus we we just received new investment.

      I will note that we are cracking down on bogus/fraud leads - leads we might have just paid on in the past. We are attempting to improve the overall quality of our network so as to be able to attract larger advertisers. We don't engage in shaving. That would be just plain stupid.

      If you have any problems whatsoever you can call me and i will help you resolve them.

      Best,

      Mason Wiley
      SVP Marketing, Hydra
      310-659-5755 X2197

      Mason, please check your PM's.

      Thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author Zach Booker
      Originally Posted by hydraMason View Post

      The rumors that Hydra is going bankrupt are just that - rumors. We did face business challenges in 2009 like many networks and had some additional challenges as well. But we have always paid on time and continue to pay on time. Plus we we just received new investment.

      I will note that we are cracking down on bogus/fraud leads - leads we might have just paid on in the past. We are attempting to improve the overall quality of our network so as to be able to attract larger advertisers. We don't engage in shaving. That would be just plain stupid.

      If you have any problems whatsoever you can call me and i will help you resolve them.

      Best,

      Mason Wiley
      SVP Marketing, Hydra
      310-659-5755 X2197
      Oh how complacent the Warrior Forum is with the information they get. Can't believe you got thanks for that post.

      Guys, go read the court docs, then read Nicky's post, then make your decision.

      All is not well at Hydra. Do your homework, don't rely on Nicky or Mason to do it for you.

      Zach
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      • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
        Originally Posted by Zach Booker View Post

        Oh how complacent the Warrior Forum is with the information they get. Can't believe you got thanks for that post.

        Guys, go read the court docs, then read Nicky's post, then make your decision.

        All is not well at Hydra. Do your homework, don't rely on Nicky or Mason to do it for you.

        Zach
        I did actually get contacted about my outstanding amount.

        I'll reserve judgement after I've seen payment hit the bank.

        The "thanks" was for somebody from Hydra actually showing up.
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        • Profile picture of the author Zach Booker
          Originally Posted by SimonHarrison View Post

          I did actually get contacted about my outstanding amount.

          I'll reserve judgement after I've seen payment hit the bank.

          The "thanks" was for somebody from Hydra actually showing up.
          You'll get paid, Simon. There's no doubt about that.

          I actually respect Mason quite a bit - he is dedicated and at all hours of the night is defending himself on another forum that I'm much more active on.

          ...The point I've always tried to make however is that you need to work with a network you can trust. Many have lost trust in Hydra even though they know they probably will be paid now and in the future. They don't have the rewards, the AM's, the direct contact to owners, and the communication and worry free environment other networks have.

          Hydra needs to seriously differentiate themselves from their competition or else high volume affiliates are going to start wondering why they would ever use Hydra when C2M, EWA, Ads4Dough, etc offer, hypothetically, the same service without the problems.

          This is quite the mess, and contrary to what Hydra says it is not "all fixed".
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          • Profile picture of the author ocean80
            Banned
            To me is fine..because my affiliate application has been denied previously...

            I am just surprise to see this BIG news.

            Well to me HYDRA is a SUPER difficult Network to get approve with...
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  • Profile picture of the author Always-A-Warrior
    There you go. Thanks Mason. Hows Barbara?.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Aragon
    wow! Now I feel bad! Before I repented of my spamful ways I used Hydra cpa offers to make the easiest cash ever,until they suspended my account and with held the thousands of dollars I 'spam'fully made. They had nice account managers too...oooh! This just inspired a thread idea!
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  • Profile picture of the author Alan50
    Thank you for the advice. Appreciate it.
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  • Profile picture of the author joedwi1
    i it true? why hydra belly up? is it because they are loose in margin?
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  • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
    No response via PM, will try phone call today.
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    • Profile picture of the author KevinWaldo
      Had a phone interview with these guys late last year that went very well.

      But still haven't heard about being approved.

      Guess they've been busy.
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    • Profile picture of the author mrizos
      where there's smoke there's fire...and those court papers look like a sh*t ton of smoke to me.
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      • Profile picture of the author Robyn8243
        Interesting post by NickiCakes.

        After reading some of the responses, it seems unclear whether Hydra is currently at risk of going under.

        However, the conversation including the $$ numbers being discussed as far as investors go should serve as an excellent demonstration of why it is important to choose the networks you promote for carefully. There is a lot more money required to run a successful network than many people realize, and many new networks are under-capitalized.

        Robyn
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  • Profile picture of the author brp002
    Wow this is big news. I hope this industry does not go down.... There is going to be some change soon. I hope everything turns up better. We just need real offers not bogus "boiler room" offers like someone said up above!
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Allen
    Uh Oh... Guess who is getting worried?... ME!! I still haven't received my payment from December. Normally, it is here already but, I guess I can give them the benefit of the doubt by saying the mail was delayed due to MLK Day. Hope it gets here soon! I tried to email my AM but, no responses. Time to switch networks because that is unacceptable!!!

    -Derek
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  • Profile picture of the author caliviper
    Too many of these networks put all their eggs in one basket with all those free trial scam offers.
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  • Profile picture of the author caliviper
    There are still some good networks out there. Sucks for those still owed money though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Quattro
    Hydra was a great network with tons of offers. I'm kind of glad there going "belly up", since they banned me for false acquisitions. I was owed over 5k with them, they waited till payment period and then hammered me. Good for them.. there are tons of other networks out there thankfully
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  • Profile picture of the author vickeyr
    yes, I totally agree with all of you guys... you must consider this that. inc 500 says hydra made $108.6 million dollars... in 2008, but their 2005 Revenue was only $16.0 million I did think something was fishy 579% growth in 3 years... Now the ftc who would have thought

    check the chart here Hydra -- Advertising & Marketing

    and now they are paying back for it

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    the likely scenario
    as time progresses advertisers will just strike deals with big publishers like yahoo, msn, aol, they are much more profitable from an advertiser stand point just cutting out 2 middle men and making hell of a lot more money

    cpa network
    super affiliate (so called cause of the traffic from high-level Ad networks)

    the more middle men in the pay the more you pay right!!
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    and for affiliates, don't think the advertisers don't know where your traffic is coming from guess again!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Miss_McCoy
    This thread just saved me from using Hydra! Thank You! I'm fairly new to CPA and have only been paid from Hydra so far now I will try a different CPA Network. Thanks Again

    Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

    It looks like one of the bigger CPA companies is going belly up according to Hydra Network Financial and Legal Nightmare | NickyCakes.com

    Any warriors owed a lot of $$?

    They only owe me a few hundreds so no biggie for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
    I did get my money, at least a check, from Hydra. That restored my faith some.
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  • Profile picture of the author dmayne
    Its always a bad thing to see our income sources dwindle. But ya gotta be able to handle the market. To bad for hydra they couldnt.
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  • Profile picture of the author ukbuddy2
    Mmm
    THought the support had gone downhill a bit so its good bye to my XXX$$ then i suppose


    any updates from anyone been able to talk with them
    d
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  • Profile picture of the author quamism
    I have been paid on time every week. So no problems for me so far.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Hydra has apparently resolved all there financial problems, however I would be hesitant to do business with them personally.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnS88
    Man, that sucks for affiliates who are owed a lot of dough.
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  • Profile picture of the author FrankBowman
    I'll tell you one thing thats definitely going on at Hydra.........they're either scrubbing leads with a double action Brillo pad, or they're just flat out taking the leads and not paying.

    I had a campaign running for a little over 2 months, simple email submit, that was converting between 15% and 20%, and now, at least the last weak or so the conversion are down to Zero!!!

    I just found the campaign at another network and I switched the links.

    Now I have to do the same with the remaining campaigns I have running at Hydra, there cooked in my opinion.

    Anyway.......thats all she wrote
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    • Profile picture of the author Midas3 Consulting
      I was also paid, only just realised it hit one my paypal accounts a couple of days ago, few thousand bucks, that's restored my faith somewhat.
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