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I am an Advertiser new to CPA, am I being scammed?

by apogee91
16 replies
I sell health products online, I have never worked with a CPA network besides Linkshare (affiliate network).

Yesterday I got a voice message and an email from someone that owns a CPA network, he claims that he can get us X number of conversions per day for a specific product at a specific location worldwide. After talking to him 30 minutes on the phone, his website seems ok, I couldn't find any case studies (he claims to be working with only the top brands in the health industry). The thing is - he wants 20k upfront to test and prove himself / his company within a week. so the 20K is per week. at around $40 per acquisition / conversion.

I have been using Google Adsense / MSN+Yahoo and some banner ads from Google DoubleClick.

I have never received such an offer, which is very tempting.
Am I being scammed? Do advertisers really pay upfront anything before they see any actions / sales?

P.S. We are a pretty big company with many products, we don't do Free trial products.

Thanks
#advertiser #cpa #scammed
  • Profile picture of the author Francisco78
    Originally Posted by apogee91 View Post

    I sell health products online, I have never worked with a CPA network besides Linkshare (affiliate network).

    Yesterday I got a voice message and an email from someone that owns a CPA network, he claims that he can get us X number of conversions per day for a specific product at a specific location worldwide. After talking to him 30 minutes on the phone, his website seems ok, I couldn't find any case studies (he claims to be working with only the top brands in the health industry). The thing is - he wants 20k upfront to test and prove himself / his company within a week. so the 20K is per week. at around $40 per acquisition / conversion.

    I have been using Google Adsense / MSN+Yahoo and some banner ads from Google DoubleClick.

    I have never received such an offer, which is very tempting.
    Am I being scammed? Do advertisers really pay upfront anything before they see any actions / sales?

    P.S. We are a pretty big company with many products, we don't do Free trial products.

    Thanks

    ALWAYS remember... is it too good to be true? Then Probably is !
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  • Profile picture of the author Maraun
    If you think the offer is legit, go with an escrow service. If they can do what they claim, they shouldn't have a problem with this.
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  • Profile picture of the author harrisunderwork
    Name the cpa network and we can tell if it can be true.
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  • Profile picture of the author outwest
    20k lol

    1. never believe a testimonial coming from the person who is getting money OF COURSE HE IS GOING TO TELL YOU HIS COMPANY IS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BANANAS, his opinion doesnt matter

    thats like asking a car salesman if he thinks you are getting a good deal on the car he is selling you. Whats the answer going to be 100% of the time? OF COURSE YOU ARE, YOU ARE SO LUCKY

    always go for a disinterested third party, who has used this company before,

    me I would not part with 20k

    Also how can you be . being scammed, if you never paid the money yet?
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    • Profile picture of the author silverace
      Originally Posted by outwest View Post

      20k lol

      Also how can you be . being scammed, if you never paid the money yet?
      Every scam begins somewhere right

      20k isn't that much as upfront payment. a lot of larger advertisers pay ~20k daily! If you give us the name of the network we can tell you if they are legit.
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      • Profile picture of the author apogee91
        Originally Posted by silverace View Post

        Every scam begins somewhere right

        20k isn't that much as upfront payment. a lot of larger advertisers pay ~20k daily! If you give us the name of the network we can tell you if they are legit.
        Hi Silverace, I'd rather not write the company name here (for many reasons, Google cache.. etc..) I can PM to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author nickdamodda
    Yes, Networks do charge up front for all offers. Make sure you look around before you pay. Just give us the name and we can tell you.
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  • Profile picture of the author nitsud7
    20k?!?!

    That is extremely expensive! I know some networks to charge insanely high prices just to list.

    But when you are just starting out - the last thing you need is to be 20k down. First get in the door with a cheaper network who gives you a better rate. Shop around see what the networks will offer you.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author mtmjohn
    Yes, most networks do require upfront deposit from advertisers. Only choose trusted networks to work with and make sure to sign an IO with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author PPC-Coach
    $20k is not that much.

    Depends on the network you're dealing with. CPA networks can get you a lot of sales, but I would tell him you'll give him $5k to start, let you check and see if he can convert and IF they stick, (ie no refunds).

    Don't dive in head first, start small and build a relationship first. Ask for references from him too.

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    • Profile picture of the author apogee91
      Originally Posted by PPC-Coach View Post

      $20k is not that much.

      Depends on the network you're dealing with. CPA networks can get you a lot of sales, but I would tell him you'll give him $5k to start, let you check and see if he can convert and IF they stick, (ie no refunds).

      Don't dive in head first, start small and build a relationship first. Ask for references from him too.

      Thanks PPC Coach, That's what I will offer probably offer him, either that or an escrow to him.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Originally Posted by apogee91 View Post

    I sell health products online, I have never worked with a CPA network besides Linkshare (affiliate network).

    Yesterday I got a voice message and an email from someone that owns a CPA network, he claims that he can get us X number of conversions per day for a specific product at a specific location worldwide. After talking to him 30 minutes on the phone, his website seems ok, I couldn't find any case studies (he claims to be working with only the top brands in the health industry). The thing is - he wants 20k upfront to test and prove himself / his company within a week. so the 20K is per week. at around $40 per acquisition / conversion.

    I have been using Google Adsense / MSN+Yahoo and some banner ads from Google DoubleClick.

    I have never received such an offer, which is very tempting.
    Am I being scammed? Do advertisers really pay upfront anything before they see any actions / sales?

    P.S. We are a pretty big company with many products, we don't do Free trial products.

    Thanks
    I guess the first question that comes to my mind is did you seek them out or did they seek you out? All I see is that they left you a VM
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  • Profile picture of the author edwardperry
    Most ad networks charge around 100 dollars onward in order to get ad campaigns started. Ours charge from 40 dollars onward to get ad campaigns.

    But... 20,000 dollars? That is kind of expensive to just get started, all the more with a company you dont know yet. You should try to talk him to offer you a lower price, and if you are satisfied, then pay more later.
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    • Profile picture of the author jordanberg2311
      I wouldnt even pay a single penny if the CPA network is not reputable.

      He/she might fake a good network and ask you send them money. You as an advertiser or product creator need to know your stuff.
      Contact the network and ask if anyone name 'so and so' trying to do business with you.

      If it's true, a reputable network I will pay a small amout to test it out.
      If it's a network you never heard of say , CPAanimal, you can try negotiate ask them send you leads, verified , no charge back then only pay them.

      Some network run lots of fraud leads...

      Good luck
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  • Profile picture of the author outwest
    Just because you get an email from some nameless company requesting 20k , so that means you are being scammed? It sounds like more of a request to be scammed, to me

    If I get an email from UPS delivery notice.(get those scammy ones every day) does that mean I am "being scammed"?
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  • Profile picture of the author JayInOrlando
    WTF?

    Unless this networks name is "clickbooth" you'd better not just send them 20k... Yes, some networks might want a 5k prepay or 8k.. based on how much traffic / sales they are sending your way.. but 20k?

    Dude. Take that 20k, go get yourself someone who does media buys and run your own traffic!!!!
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