What To Do? Big Advertiser Wants Non-Affiliate Link In My Review

Hi everyone,

In my niche there are approximately 15 affiliate advertisers - some bigger than others. One fairly big advertiser for whom I have numerous web pages linking to their products, is asking that I link from my review of the new product to its newly dedicated website/sales page ... and here's the kicker - there is no affiliate link available and yet they still are requesting the link. I have an affiliate link to a parent website selling the same product, but this advertiser wants a link to the product's dedicated site - a freebie link.

I'm relatively new to affiliate marketing and so I'm not sure if there's affiliate marketing etiquette I should be aware of where when a big advertiser wants such a favor I should comply in order to curry favor. Perhaps I'm paranoid; it would not be fatal to my site to lose this advertiser, but I do okay from this advertiser and expect to do well by them in the future (and they do well by me).

They tell me no affiliate link is in the works. Another thought I had is maybe an affiliate link is in the works, but they want the freebie link up front (testing dedication, loyalty, etc.) and then will grant it later (yeah, maybe I'm a bit cynical).

What do I do? Do I say absolutely no way that will I place a non-affiliate link, or do I give them the freebie? Has anyone had any similar experiences to this? Of course I'm inclined to say not a chance and establish this as my policy. This review was published yesterday and is already attracting okay traffic.

Thanks in advance