Asher

Hi,

Mike Filsaime launched his PayPeopleOnline
site last year in December and it's officially
out now.

Question is...

I'm going to the site but it's getting redirected
to Google. What's up with that?

I'm not doubting Mike F. but any idea if this
will affect any vendors in making more sales?

Any views on the site?

Asher

GoldenRule

Asher,

Hmmm, that's weird. I'm able to get to the site just fine. You're using .com correct? Hope you are able to get to the site after you retry.

Ken

JagSEO

The site is okay, I don't know what is wrong with your browser but it is definitely fine.
The paypeopleonline site is great by the way I hope they have a great service but a nice clever service idea.

Amanda_Davis

I heard that the cost of the service was passed on to the affiliates - not paid by the merchants... does anyone know if that's right?

RichardLegg

Yeah that's right...

Previously if a merchant paid you through mass pay, the vendor had up to a $1 fee (I believe) and the affiliate had no fee.

Now, the affiliate get's stuck with the fee's.

Under $25 it's a $1 fee.

Over $25 it's a $1.75+2% fee up to a max fee of $100.

https://paypeopleonline.com/fees.php

I just signed up because a merchant who owes me commissions says they are now only paying out using this service.

Amanda_Davis

Interesting strategy by Filsaime (clever really)

Tell the merchants you're going to save them getting fined by the IRS and the service is FREE to use... "so why wouldn't you?"

answer: Because it upsets my affiliates and I don't want to upset my affiliates!

gcintermed

As an affiliate, I was just notified that I had to sign up for this to get paid, and that a small fee would be deducted from each payment.

The amount may be small, but the idea here really stinks. I don't appreciate having Mike Filsaime as a business partner sharing a portion of every affiliate commission. Mike has now set himself up like Don Fanucci in Godfather II <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Fanucci>
looking to "wet his beak" every time you earn a commission in order to provide "protection" against the IRS.

Once again, a guru figures out a way to pick the pocket of the little guy.

jackmiloto

Well that's how he do business and we small time affiliates just turned out to be part of his income generating clients.

bimawarrior

While I am not a supporter of Mike, I don't quite agree with that statement.
To make money is why every and each of run a business, isn't it?

No one would want to make a hassle of himself, providing the service then make no money out of it...

Amanda_Davis

The issue is this (IMO)...

Mike tells business owners that they will probably get stung by the IRS (like he did) if they don't use his system or something similar. And his system is FREE (for them) and will stop them getting stung by the IRS.

So business owners sign up, and the affiliate pays.

btw, not sure it's strictly legal for affiliate programs to say they'll pay you $x but then make mandatory deductions from the money you earn (unless, obviously, they tell you that before you earn commissions). Consult an attorney for confirmation.

The last company I set up was in the UK and I looked into this. We had to provide ways for people to get their money free of charges. If they wanted to use another service (e.g. PayPal) and pay the fees, that was up to them. I think it's common sense that you can't turn around and say "oh by the way, there's a processing fee" unless you disclosed that up-front.

Regardless of legals, though, it does just make the affiliate managers look like they don't care at ALL about their affiliates! Especially since the affiliates are PAYING to help out the business owner!

WendellC

Here are my thoughts:

I certainly don't begrudge Mike Filsaime for creating a business to fill a need. Yes, there are a lot of product creators who don't keep good accounting records and his service apparently helps to protect them from getting stung by the IRS.

However, what kind of bugs me is that I -- the guy who promotes the product -- has to bear the cost of protecting the product creator. If the product creator wants to sign up for PayPeopleOnline to protect himself from an IRS audit, then shouldn't HE pay for the service since he's the one getting the benefit?

The other thing that rankles me a bit is that I just got an email yesterday from the product creator who says that I MUST signup for PayPeopleOnline otherwise I won't get paid my commissions in June. If you want my W9 information I'd be more than happy to send it. I declare all my affiliate income so I don't have any problem with that.

I just don't think that's a cool way to treat existing affiliates -- changing the rules midstream. If you want to make signing up for PayPeopleOnline a requirement for future products or for new affiliates then OK. At least we all know the rules upfront and can choose whether or not to do business together.

Maaaan!

WendellC

Justin_nzpcs

Another problem that irks me with Filsaime because his privacy policy from pay people online doesn't inspire confidence. He has an opening to sell any one using his services information I was forced to join because I promote a few products of Jon Legers via paydotcom but this statement concerns me.

From paypeopleonline.com "In addition, from time to time as we continue to develop our business, we may sell, buy, merge or partner with other companies or businesses. In such transactions, user information may be among the transferred assets"

I sure as hell don't want my information used as an "asset" especially when I am charged a few for every transaction...

One spam mail and I will close my paydotcom account and just stick with clickbank products.

softstor

One serious issue that there is no support for paypeopleonline.com. They do have a support desk but no one ever replies to support questions.

I just can not trust a site that offers no support with my tax information.

mikefilsaime

He guys

The site never fully launched publicly (like a Grand Opening)

It has been in use almost 2 years and the offical grand opening is December 1st. 1 year longer than I wanted.

It has been in EXTENSIVE beta use by over 100 vendors. It works like a charm. We now are working on documentation and more help videos and FAQ

This service was not an easy one to price.

GUESS WHAT - People were not happy with the pricing. Some love it, some don't.

So, we are rolling out a new option.

1 - Keep it like it is.
2 - No fees to your affiliates $49 month 250 affiliates.
3 - No fees to your affiliates $97 month unlimited affiliates.

(If you are a paid member, you also pay no fees if a Vendor using the number 1 model is paying you.)

This is what people were begging us for. We got a lot of feedback. Jonathan Leger was the one that really help me come up with this option. He is a beta user that does not pass fees to his affiliates.

This model is a significant revenue loss to us but it will be crucial for growth. In the long run it is a better service.

Thanks for the feedback.

Also, you may have money owed to you. So signup for free to see if anyone has your money LOCKED UP pending your digital tax profile.

Thanks

Mike :

mikefilsaime

That just does not seem possible. But I want to investigate. Send me an email to mikefilsaime at gmail and I wil have it looked into.

All tickest go to thecustomerhelpdesk.com and we repsond and close every ticket. Has bee that way for 5 years.

Thanks
Mike

mikefilsaime

We do not market to PPO members. Period.

That statement allows me to have an exit strategy.

i.e. I may sell the site one day and I the data in the site gets sold. Also, we may integrate API's with my other sites like UnpsellNetwork.com and paydotcom to allow you to get paid faster. Standard stuff.