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For CA Affiliates -- What are the alternative merchants to Amazon?

by CopyAcolyte
16 replies
I think some newbies starting out in affiliate marketing may be asking this question, so I decided to make an independent thread (from the main CA Amazon-Affiliate termination thread).

Can someone please recommended a viable alternate physical product merchant for a Californian affiliate just starting out? Or is it better to go with Clickbank and CJ.com programs now?

I was banking on Amazon but now that's out of the question..

Thank you.
#affiliates #alternative #alternatives #amazon #merchants
  • Profile picture of the author Heidi White
    Originally Posted by CopyAcolyte View Post

    I think some newbies starting out in affiliate marketing may be asking this question, so I decided to make an independent thread (from the main CA Amazon-Affiliate termination thread).

    Can someone please recommended a viable alternate physical product merchant for a Californian affiliate just starting out? Or is it better to go with Clickbank and CJ.com programs now?

    I was banking on Amazon but now that's out of the question..

    Thank you.
    I'm glad you started this thread. I hope it doesn't get closed.

    The other thread has become a catch-all for the Amazon issue - but it's also degraded into politics - which I thought wasn't allowed in here.

    There are several people already promoting WSO's on the subject - but I for one would prefer not to spend $27 or whatever just yet.

    I hope this thread is dedicated to solutions including pros and cons.

    I just started my CA Amazon Affiliate business, so it's not the end of the world if I switch those sites to something else. But, I know plenty of people depend on their Amazon incomes.

    Personally, I'm still on the fence about what to do next.

    A discussion about alternatives would be welcome.
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  • Profile picture of the author CopyAcolyte
    So there are no other product merchants for California affiliate marketers?
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  • Profile picture of the author ijohnson
    I think Commission Junction (CJ) may be an alternative. In addition, I was on Barnes & Noble's site the other day and it appears that they are beginning to offer more than books -- check them out, too.

    Iris
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    Make every day count!
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  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    Buy.com is located in California already so a perfect option for California based affiliates. In fact, I was just reading somewhere today a letter they sent to affiliates in California welcoming the to switch over from Amazon since Amazon is cutting everyone loose.

    Lee
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    Gone Fishing
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    • Profile picture of the author CopyAcolyte
      Originally Posted by cashcow View Post

      Buy.com is located in California already so a perfect option for California based affiliates. In fact, I was just reading somewhere today a letter they sent to affiliates in California welcoming the to switch over from Amazon since Amazon is cutting everyone loose.

      Lee
      This sounds promising. I've bought stuff from buy.com in the past.

      It may have fewer buyers than Amazon, but the bevy of dumped CA Amazon affiliates may change that!
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  • Profile picture of the author jerytohn
    Is it possible to just change your address?
    Signature

    Good Day People! This is my fav search engine: Google

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    • Profile picture of the author goldengater
      I have begun to look at alternatives, but when I checked ebuy.com, I found that they require that you ship within two days and that you ship via the method the buyer chooses, regardless of cost to you.


      Sorry, that's buy.com
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      • Profile picture of the author CopyAcolyte
        Originally Posted by goldengater View Post

        I have begun to look at alternatives, but when I checked ebuy.com, I found that they require that you ship within two days and that you ship via the method the buyer chooses, regardless of cost to you.


        Sorry, that's buy.com
        Ship what, exactly?
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  • Profile picture of the author cindyw
    ebay partnership ....that is really the only thing I ever made money on. Amazon is good for me but only at Xmas time, so i will have to figure out something else then...or fork out the 800 bucks for the edd charge...havent decided yet.

    Cindy
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  • Profile picture of the author CopyAcolyte
    Does anyone have any experience with shareasale.com?
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  • Profile picture of the author cookingdiva
    I am in similar situation. I think best alternative for amazon for California Affiliates are;

    Replace Affiliates:

    Barns and Noble and Borders: Replace books and dvds from amazon
    Walmart, Target: replace clothing, misc items
    babiesrus, toysrus: toys, kids stuff
    best buy: electronics, computer

    Alternative:

    skimlinks: can use amazon legally but get to keep 75%, they get 25%
    Some have suggested PO box in other state, for some if may not be viable
    Sell the site to someone who still has amazon associates program
    change articles in squidoo (you will get partial money/legal)

    Wait
    Amazon has removed affiliates in many states, only state I heard to get back is Hawaii, it may happen to California (I wish for all of us 25K affiliates) that it may come back.

    Lesson Learned:

    Do not keep all of your eggs in one basket, diversify affiliates and way to earn income. As more and more people are turning to IM (due to bad economy), many things are going to change. Google panda also has effected many content farming which used to work before.

    Adapt and change as we learn.
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  • Profile picture of the author dennisrosenberg
    Here's another option:
    Affiliate Programs - LinkShare
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  • Profile picture of the author MsKeshaOnline
    Originally Posted by CopyAcolyte View Post

    I think some newbies starting out in affiliate marketing may be asking this question, so I decided to make an independent thread (from the main CA Amazon-Affiliate termination thread).

    Can someone please recommended a viable alternate physical product merchant for a Californian affiliate just starting out? Or is it better to go with Clickbank and CJ.com programs now?

    I was banking on Amazon but now that's out of the question..

    Thank you.
    I was reading a good article on smartpassiveincome.com about this today. See links below:
    Alternatives for Amazon Affiliates – Life After the Tax Bill | The Smart Passive Income Blog and Internet sellers must collect tax, like it or not
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    MsKeshaOnline

    My sites coming soon...
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    • Profile picture of the author CopyAcolyte
      Originally Posted by MsKeshaOnline View Post

      I was reading a good article on smartpassiveincome.com about this today. See links below:
      Alternatives for Amazon Affiliates - Life After the Tax Bill | The Smart Passive Income Blog and Internet sellers must collect tax, like it or not
      Thanks for this. It's a good read.

      Any other thoughts?
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      • Profile picture of the author nohype
        There are multiple alternatives to Amazon:

        commission junction
        buy.com
        barnes and noble
        CPA networks
        target, etc.. these have all been mentioned. The only issue/problem is the 'trust factor' people have with buying products through amazon. I have had only luck with them during Xmas. I have a kindle site, received 800 clicks thru amazon with NO purchases?! I think because for highly competitive products, like ipads/kindels/etc....the shopper is STILL going to shop around. Point being: you still have to be competitive and amazon is NOT always the cheapest. So, there are many alternatives to amazon. Best way to find affiliate programs? Just google "affiliate and ______". fill in the blank with whatever it is you wish to promote. Usually the 'affiliate' links for most sites is way at the bottom, or you have to perhaps search more diligently. Either way, its not the end of the world. Amazon sells OTHER companies products! so think about it? Search for that vendor first. Hope this helps. I am scrambling right now to make the switchover, then writing my Governor (here in Calif) and Amazon and rather scathing letter! :rolleyes:
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        • Profile picture of the author sarasayshi
          I just started switching my links over to Buy.com but discovered one HUGE disadvantage as a consumer which will lower conversation rates significantly. On many of their products they do not reveal the price and won't reveal it until you are ready to check out with credit card in hand. I tried adding items to my cart and just viewed my cart to see the prices and still they won't reveal it until you checkout. No person in their right mind is going to deal with that garbage when they can just hop on over to Amazon and see the price their paying right away.

          If there are several listings of the same exact product available then this is not a problem because the consumer will naturally click on the listing with a decent price but if there are not many listings of the product and the only listing is an unknown value, there will not be a conversion on sales.
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