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California Amazon Affiliates - Interesting Development

by TinkBD
16 replies
Just got an email about this article:

US: Walmart Looks To Cash In On Amazon's California Woes

Headline - US: Walmart Looks To Cash In On Amazon's California Woes

If only the Walmart Affiliate Interface was as smooth and easy as Amazon's

Tink
#affiliates #amazon #california #development #interesting #walmart
  • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
    Amazon is fighting the good fight but the cash-poor states are piling on. Colorado, Texas, IL, and so on.

    Wal-Mart says it supports "retail fairness legislation"... now that's funny. Wal-Mart was the final nail in my uncle's 40 year small business when they came to his small town.
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    • Profile picture of the author caseycase
      Originally Posted by Alan Petersen View Post

      Amazon is fighting the good fight but the cash-poor states are piling on. Colorado, Texas, IL, and so on.

      Wal-Mart says it supports "retail fairness legislation"... now that's funny. Wal-Mart was the final nail in my uncle's 40 year small business when they came to his small town.
      Yes, I like how Wal-mart wants to "level the playing field." Really? Hey I have to admit I shop at Wal-mart regularly, but I have never felt sorry for them, that's for sure.
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      • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
        Originally Posted by caseycase View Post

        Yes, I like how Wal-mart wants to "level the playing field." Really? Hey I have to admit I shop at Wal-mart regularly, but I have never felt sorry for them, that's for sure.
        I admit that I also have EXTREMELY ambivalent feelings about Walmart.

        On the other hand, it seemed like this could be important info for Affiliates.

        It just goes to show that the world isn't always black and white, and we all need to make our own decisions... WOW! That is a bit much this early in the AM. I think I'll go hug my dog! LOLOLOL
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  • Profile picture of the author sarahberra
    This doesn't surprise me! I think Walmart is trying to change their image, but they still have a long way to go.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave Rodman
    Banned
    Amazon>Walmart in so many ways. That's not a real alternative for affiliates.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimG
    Originally Posted by TinkBD View Post

    Just got an email about this article:

    US: Walmart Looks To Cash In On Amazon's California Woes

    Headline - US: Walmart Looks To Cash In On Amazon's California Woes

    If only the Walmart Affiliate Interface was as smooth and easy as Amazon's

    Tink

    Interesting....I wasn't aware that California and Amazon were at odds with each other.

    Unfortunately, Walmart has not proven to be a better alternative for me over Amazon in terms of conversions.

    At some point I would hope that Amazon could fix this mess. Losing 10,000 affiliates in California along with those already lost from the other states is gonna cost them some lost dollars at some point in time.

    Of course, at the moment Amazon appears to be dominating many online searchers based on what I've seen since the latest algortihm change so perhaps they don't need affiliates after all.

    Respectfully,
    Tim
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    • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
      Originally Posted by TimG View Post


      At some point I would hope that Amazon could fix this mess. Losing 10,000 affiliates in California along with those already lost from the other states is gonna cost them some lost dollars at some point in time.
      This is my hope, too.

      Plan B is incorporating in Delaware... ;-)
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      • Profile picture of the author BeechHill
        I don't see incorporating in Deleware as a long term solution. Standing up for affiliate rights can't be accomplished by retreating, but getting active against such legislation when it appears in your state.

        As states fall one by one, there may come a point when diminishing returns leads Amazon to make the decision to chuck the whole program. It looks like Amazon has already demonstrated that they are more concerned over loosing its sales tax free status edge then committing to its affiliate program.
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        • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
          Originally Posted by BeechHill View Post

          I don't see incorporating in Deleware as a long term solution. Standing up for affiliate rights can't be accomplished by retreating, but getting active against such legislation when it appears in your state.

          As states fall one by one, there may come a point when diminishing returns leads Amazon to make the decision to chuck the whole program. It looks like Amazon has already demonstrated that they are more concerned over loosing its sales tax free status edge then committing to its affiliate program.
          Hi BH - I totally agree with your comments... and I WILL get active when/if my state is affected.

          I also agree that it looks as thought Amazon is focused on sales tax status rather than its affiliate program.

          My Plan B comment was posted in a lighthearted manner and does not mean that I am ignoring the long term ramifications.
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          • Profile picture of the author BeechHill
            Originally Posted by TinkBD View Post

            Hi BH - I totally agree with your comments... and I WILL get active when/if my state is affected.

            I also agree that it looks as thought Amazon is focused on sales tax status rather than its affiliate program.

            My Plan B comment was posted in a lighthearted manner and does not mean that I am ignoring the long term ramifications.
            Tink..

            Just so you know, I didn't want that to come across as some kind of reproach. Thanks for bringing up the topic and being concerned about the issue.
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            • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
              Originally Posted by BeechHill View Post

              Tink..

              Just so you know, I didn't want that to come across as some kind of reproach. Thanks for bringing up the topic and being concerned about the issue.
              Hi BH - No problem. I really appreciate the points that you were making. ;-)

              Getting responses such as yours is why I posted originally!
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        • Profile picture of the author jan roos
          If this law passes then wouldn't that mean that soon all of us product creators, Clickbank, CJ etc will have to pay Taxes in all the States we have affilliates in?

          Doesn't seem very practical to me but oh well. The States are broke and would grab the chance to get that extra tax revenue without really thinking what the consequences might be.

          Cheers
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          • Profile picture of the author BeechHill
            Originally Posted by jan roos View Post

            If this law passes then wouldn't that mean that soon all of us product creators, Clickbank, CJ etc will have to pay Taxes in all the States we have affilliates in?

            Doesn't seem very practical to me but oh well. The States are broke and would grab the chance to get that extra tax revenue without really thinking what the consequences might be.

            Cheers
            Jan...

            As one of your WSO customers, I know that this has even more implications for yourself. I've been following some of the news on this in the financial blogs and I think your inclination is on the mark. As long as deficits run wide and deep across all the states this is not going to go away until they figure out how to secure lost sales tax revenue from online providers.

            I guess in some respect we have to blame ourselves. As we turn more people on to the benefits of products purchased online it inevitably takes away sales that would have been made locally.

            Gary
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  • Profile picture of the author ShaneM686
    Another reason why you should diversify your affiliate programs even though Amazon is great. Unfortunately, there aren't many sites that convert as well as Amazon
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  • Profile picture of the author BlondieWrites
    I agree with Shane. Never put all of your eggs in one basket. Even though one or more affiliates might be working really well for you, you never know when the bottom will fall out. It happens.

    If you don't already have a backup plan in case Amazon pulls out of your state, get one now.

    Say what you will about Walmart, but at least it seems they are willing to jump in where Amazon might be jumping out.... that'll be some income for folks when it's needed.


    Cindy
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    • Profile picture of the author Dave Rodman
      Banned
      I wouldn't worry about the CA law as an affiliate. You can always incorporate in another state. There have been people saying that's illegal or referring to it as a "Shell Corporation", but that's nonsense. If you incorporate an S-Corp in NV, the profits get taxed on your individual tax return. So you're not evading taxes at all.

      In a case like that, you're only trying to get Amazon to allow you to participate in the program. And setting up a corporation in another state will do the trick.
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