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RAP - Rapid Action Profits... is it dead?

by Clark Pearson
19 replies
It's time for me to start using a new affiliate transaction processor. My current provider is sending their own offers to my customers. That is not acceptable.

I want to buy RAP. I really like what it offers. A Payment and affiliate system on my server with no transaction fees. But is it a dead tool? Is it no longer viable? How come there is no buzz about what it can do? It seems like it is a fantastic tool.

One of the reasons I'm worried is because the RAP forum is almost dead - still up, just pretty much dead. The last post was 10 months ago. "20068 Posts in 3469 Topics by 17485 Members. Latest Post: March 06, 2012, 08:55:09 AM"

The other reason I'm worried is the affiliate technology they use with PayPal. Correct me if I'm wrong, but RAP uses a rotating system of affiliate payments. If my commissions are 75% then the first payment goes to me and the next three go to the affiliate. This is good for tax purposes, etc. But it's bad in that the customer sees someone else's name and contact/support info on the PayPal purchase page. It could also be problematic if the customer seeks a refund. It appears that other affiliate transaction solutions (Warrior+, JVZoo, DigiResults) all use a split commission now where each sale is split according to the commission percentage.

Should I be worried about this? I know there is a guarantee... but the time and energy needed to get it installed and tested is pretty large.

So RAP users, if you were to start using a new transaction system right now in 2013, would you buy RAP again?

Thanks for your help!
/Clark
#"rapid action profits" #action #dead #profits #rap #rapid
  • Profile picture of the author KenTheriot
    No, RAP is most decidedly NOT dead. It's awesome! Also, the customer does NOT see the affiliate's name or support information on PayPal! RAP only allows an affiliate's e-mail to be seen. The PayPal customization (PP Header image, etc.) replaces the default affiliate business name at the top of the PayPal page.

    Hope that helps.

    Ken

    ps- Also, if for whatever reason you really hate the rotating payments thing, there is an add-on for RAP called Mass Pay you can use.

    -K
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    • Profile picture of the author Clark Pearson
      Originally Posted by KenTheriot View Post

      No, RAP is most decidedly NOT dead. It's awesome! Also, the customer does NOT see the affiliate's name or support information on PayPal! RAP only allows an affiliate's e-mail to be seen. The PayPal customization (PP Header image, etc.) replaces the default affiliate business name at the top of the PayPal page.
      That helps a great deal! I can definitely live with that solution. I don't hate the rotating commissions at all. I just didn't like my affiliate transactions going to a PayPal payment page that had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the affiliate.
      Cheers!
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  • Profile picture of the author kevinfahey
    Hi Clark,

    I pretty much cannot live without RAP. The way commissions are paid is probably the only downfall but its better than your buyers leads going to some network. Also you save on the fees as well.

    I've never even seen the forum but I know there support desk is pretty good and they've a skype room as well.

    Plugins are always been developed and I run many membership sites using RAP.
    It's prefect for selling your products with no affiliates and prefect for 100% commission offers and I've never have much issues with affiliates and refunds.

    RAP for a onetime payment for the script and all the features it has is a real no brainer for any marketer.

    Hope this helps.
    Kevin Fahey
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris W. Sutton
    Hi Clark!

    I have used RAP for years and it is one of the best programs out there. I never go into their forums because I don't need to... it works just that well for me.

    I wouldn't hesitate to get RAP because it is an excellent program!
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    • Profile picture of the author KatheLucas
      Hi Clark,

      As one of the original purchasers and among the first to "build a business on RAP" about 6 years ago, I wanted to add my own two cents worth here.

      Being active in the marketplace, I (as The Wacky Gals & Gang) have seen almost all the scripts out there as well as have active experience in several other marketplaces where you can list your products "the lazy way," without hosting your own script.

      As with anything, there are pros and cons to just about every one of them but as the others have said "RAP is NOT Dead!" and while I think I've been to the forum twice in all this time (Sorry Sid ), we haven't found the need. When help is needed, the support desk is alive and well, and very responsive - not something you can say about all the solutions out there.

      Take Richard (Wing) up on his invitation to the chat when you purchase and you will find a ton of help at your fingertips (which might explain why we've not felt the need to hang out at the forum?).

      Needless to say, rather than being DEAD...I think you might find that there could be a renewed interest in RAP in 2013 for many reasons that I won't go into here.

      Many marketers prefer to take control of their business and self host rather than leave things to third parties and what I personally like about RAP IS the alternating payments. It not only reduces the need for additional bookkeeping, sending earnings statements and the like, but also provides the exact link (location) where your sales are originating and provides excellent vendor stats on conversions and such.

      Okay, there are a lot of other things too, but I digress. Ultimately, just know RAP is alive and well.

      I've run RAP on more than 8 sites with a combined total of over 500 products, (over 350 still active today), and have been pleased from day one. With all the updates, there is rarely (read "never") a problem that doesn't get addressed and remedied with an update, if needed.

      Come join our RAP "family." You'll be welcomed with open arms...at the forum and in the chat.

      All My Best,

      Kathe Lucas
      The Original Wacky Gal...

      Feel free to contact me on skype as well if you have any further questions: kathelucas
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      • Profile picture of the author Kim S
        Originally Posted by infoagent View Post

        Hi Clark,

        As one of the original purchasers and among the first to "build a business on RAP" about 6 years ago, I wanted to add my own two cents worth here.

        Being active in the marketplace, I (as The Wacky Gals & Gang) have seen almost all the scripts out there as well as have active experience in several other marketplaces where you can list your products "the lazy way," without hosting your own script.

        As with anything, there are pros and cons to just about every one of them but as the others have said "RAP is NOT Dead!" and while I think I've been to the forum twice in all this time (Sorry Sid ), we haven't found the need. When help is needed, the support desk is alive and well, and very responsive - not something you can say about all the solutions out there.

        Take Richard (Wing) up on his invitation to the chat when you purchase and you will find a ton of help at your fingertips (which might explain why we've not felt the need to hang out at the forum?).

        Needless to say, rather than being DEAD...I think you might find that there could be a renewed interest in RAP in 2013 for many reasons that I won't go into here.

        Many marketers prefer to take control of their business and self host rather than leave things to third parties and what I personally like about RAP IS the alternating payments. It not only reduces the need for additional bookkeeping, sending earnings statements and the like, but also provides the exact link (location) where your sales are originating and provides excellent vendor stats on conversions and such.

        Okay, there are a lot of other things too, but I digress. Ultimately, just know RAP is alive and well.

        I've run RAP on more than 8 sites with a combined total of over 500 products, (over 350 still active today), and have been pleased from day one. With all the updates, there is rarely (read "never") a problem that doesn't get addressed and remedied with an update, if needed.

        Come join our RAP "family." You'll be welcomed with open arms...at the forum and in the chat.

        All My Best,

        Kathe Lucas
        The Original Wacky Gal...

        Feel free to contact me on skype as well if you have any further questions: kathelucas
        Is RAP a service where you can upload your ebooks to and your customer are redirected to RAP to pay and download the ebook? If not can you tell me a good service for that? Also can you tell me what you mean by alternating payments?
        Thank you
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by Kim S View Post

          Is RAP a service where you can upload your ebooks to and your customer are redirected to RAP to pay and download the ebook?
          RAP is an acronym for Rapid Action Profits, a payment processing and affiliate management script that runs on your own site. It's not a service in the sense you mean. You can read more details by following the (non-aff) link. Sid Hale, the owner and seller, is one of the good guys.

          Originally Posted by Kim S View Post

          If not can you tell me a good service for that?
          Although I haven't used it yet, respected Warrior Big Mike's company offers Digibilly (non-aff), which appears to have similar functionality but does run as a service. While I can't vouch for the service itself, I can vouch for Big Mike - he'll treat you right, and his stuff works as promised.

          Originally Posted by Kim S View Post

          Also can you tell me what you mean by alternating payments?
          Thank you
          Alternating payments is an affiliate schema where, rather than accumulating commissions and getting paid a percentage of each sale, the affiliate receives the full purchase price on a set percentage of sales, often immediately.

          Consider a $10 product with 50% commission and no fees to keep the math easy.

          Conventional system: You make 10 sales @ $5 commission, and are issued a payment of $50.

          Alternating payments: You make 10 sales. On the first, the owner receives the entire $10. On the second sale, you receive the entire $10. Payments alternate so that after your tenth sale, you would still have made $50. If one of the sales for which you were paid refunds, you are responsible for issuing the refund.
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  • Profile picture of the author danbcaut
    I'm a daily RAP user and have been for several years. The script is updated as required, a couple of times a year which is about right for a mature software.

    I've always found the developer, Sid Hale, to be on the spot, personally responsive and helpful.

    Plugins are also available to enhance functionality in many ways. All of those are professionally developed, by programmers, not by marketers.

    For anyone wanting to administer their own affiliate platform, RAP is, in my experience, a wise investment.

    Wishing all the best
    Dan B. Cauthron
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    • Profile picture of the author Clark Pearson
      Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of your thoughts on this. I pulled the trigger and bought RAP M+. Here's to years of success with this platform.
      Cheers!
      /Clark
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  • Profile picture of the author James_Harkin
    I have RAP, it is great ... Sid Hale answers support questions really quickly. The comprehensive add-ons even work seamlessly with Wordpress so it suits me with Wordpress membership sites

    Regards

    James
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    • Profile picture of the author Clark Pearson
      Originally Posted by James_Harkin View Post

      The comprehensive add-ons even work seamlessly with Wordpress so it suits me with Wordpress membership sites
      James,
      Do you use Member Plus or Rapid Action Press with Wordpress? Or something else?
      Thx!
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  • Profile picture of the author James_Harkin
    Hi Clark, I have both

    Regards...

    James...
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  • Profile picture of the author ratracegrad
    RAP is not dead. It is one of the best membership site software available on the market. It is constantly updated. It can be a challenge to get it setup and configured correctly but once it it setup it will work forever.
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  • Profile picture of the author DougD
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Originally Posted by DougD View Post

      Does anyone STILL (2016) still use RAP?

      Doug, this is one of those times you should have read the thread before posting.

      Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
      Originally Posted by DougD View Post

      Does anyone STILL (2016) still use RAP?
      Tons of people do. It's a software/application... it can always be updated and enhanced at anytime. Maybe you should contact Sid Hale and ask him about it and what it can do for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author DougD
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    • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
      Hey Doug.

      Originally Posted by DougD View Post

      Thanks for the replies!

      Hey Steve... I did read the entire thread, but the last post was from 30th January 2013 12:53 PM, which was over 3 years ago, and the footer of RapidActionProfits.com says "© 2007-2012 Rapid Action Profits", so I wasn't sure?

      I also created a Support Ticket, but have not heard anything back, so I was not sure if Sid is still updating the software?
      Profuse apologies!!!

      I could give you a number of reasons for not responding, but as legitimate as they are... they're still no excuse. Am currently pushing new release of RAP out for beta testing, so I have been a little distracted.

      Does anyone know how to recover their Username and Password in the RAP admin? I have a site I created back in 2012 with RAP and it did pretty well at first, but have not had any sales in the last couple of years. Just recently someone made a purchase, but it did not take them to the download page. I tried logging in to the admin, but forgot my username and password, and I don't see a way to recover it. Anyone know how?
      That will depend on what version you are currently running. That process changed significantly a year or so ago.

      That might also be why your recent buyer was not directed to the download page. There have been upgrades over the past year to keep pace with changes at Paypal, and older releases of RAP could have issues with the Paypal interface.

      I'll get a response to your ticket out now, and we can determine what your issue is and how to proceed
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      Sid Hale
      Coming Soon... Rapid Action Profits (Pro)

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  • Profile picture of the author DougD
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    • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
      Originally Posted by DougD View Post

      Admin Panel v3.2.16
      Included a download link for v3.2.19 (full download) in the ticket response but I can send just the patch file if necessary. In fact, will do so... as the upgrade is simpler with the patch file.

      You should be able to simply re-upload the rap_admin folder and its contents (from the patch file) and then run the install script.
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      Sid Hale
      Coming Soon... Rapid Action Profits (Pro)

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  • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
    I'm glad that someone started a thread not only about RAP (it's awesome software), but the fact that some affiliate networks are promoting products from their marketplace AS affiliates themselves.

    It makes no sense to me. Well, actually, it makes perfect sense. They are making a ton of money doing it. But is it really fair?

    Think about it for a second. The affiliate network has a HUGE list of anybody who is signed up to their network as a vendor or an affiliate and they also capture every email of anyone who buys a product through their network.

    That means that if they promote a new product on launch day they are going to seriously cut into the profits of the affiliates who MAKE their network what it is and they are also making it much more difficult for affiliates to make sales of the product because a majority of people that are on the affiliate's list are most likely on the network's list as well.

    Now, I'm all for capitalism and making as much money as possible, but one thing people need to understand is that the affiliate network is already making a percentage from EVERY product sold through their network. Is it really right for them to be competing with their own affiliates?

    I've wrestled with this question for a long time, and I'm glad I can take this opportunity to hear some other affiliates's opinions on this matter.

    Personally, I know that I took a hit sales wise when the networks started to do this, and it forced me to create other income streams to make up for the lost revenue. This turned out to actually be a really good thing, because I discovered several new lucrative income streams and in the end it actually helped me to increase my income.

    Still, I can see where this could be very frustrating for those just starting out.

    I think it's perfectly fine that the networks take a percentage of every product sold. I mean, they are handling the payment process, and allowing you to list your products. It's only right that they are compensated well for allowing us the privilege. After all, they ARE in business to make money.

    But is it right for them to be promoting products as affiliates themselves?

    I'm very interested to hear what people think.
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