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First Cookie Or Last Cookie?.. Which Do YOU Prefer..

by JayXtreme
36 replies
Hey folks.. this isn't a poll as such so I didn't unclude one..

I'd just like to know your thoughts..

Do you prefer first cookie or last cookie gets the sale when promoting a product?...

I was just musing over an upcoming launch

And it showed last cookie.... which ain't that big a deal to me cos if I go with it I'm gonna pump the inboxes full of promotion anyhow so chances are I'm gonna be the last cookie these folks ever do see..jus playin

But seriously... does the cookie issue affect your decision when looking at a launch?

Peace

Jay
#cookie #prefer
  • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
    I think the person who actually closes the deal should get the sale. Anybody
    can get a person to go to a site first. Doesn't mean he did the job of making
    the sale.

    So I am for last cookie.
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    • Profile picture of the author lakshaybehl
      Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

      I think the person who actually closes the deal should get the sale. Anybody
      can get a person to go to a site first. Doesn't mean he did the job of making
      the sale.

      So I am for last cookie.
      Me too.

      I think last cookie is better because of the same reasons as Steven posted as well as some more... The idea is that people are creating exclusive bonuses at every product launch. At that point of time, people just buy when they find the best deal and in that very case, they would get the bonus only if the last person to convince them got credited for the sale. Even CB now has last cookie system.

      -Lakshay
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Lee
      I prefer to just eat the cookie.

      Seriously, there are times when a cookie might give credit to someone even if he didn't even promote the product.

      For example, Mr. Z is subscribed to both Marketer A and Marketer B's list.

      Mr. Z clicked on Marketer A's Clickbank affiliate link. Then Mr. Z also clicked on Marketer's B affiliate link to a DIFFERENT Clickbank product.

      After a few days, Mr. Z decides to buy the product recommended by Marketer A but he typed the main direct link. Guess who got the commission? Lucky Marketer B, even if he didn't even promoted that product.

      Just something to think about.

      Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author Sean A McAlister
      Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

      I think the person who actually closes the deal should get the sale. Anybody
      can get a person to go to a site first. Doesn't mean he did the job of making
      the sale.

      So I am for last cookie.

      I agree with you Steven,

      that would be like me saying Hi....here is my product.

      Now the guy who comes in last...answers the questions, provides customer service and closes the deal...gets nothing.
      Not Fair.

      Sean
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      • Profile picture of the author clawson44
        Banned
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        • Profile picture of the author Harvey Segal
          Originally Posted by Michael Lee View Post

          Seriously, there are times when a cookie might give credit to someone even if he didn't even promote the product.

          For example, Mr. Z is subscribed to both Marketer A and Marketer B's list.

          Mr. Z clicked on Marketer A's Clickbank affiliate link. Then Mr. Z also clicked on Marketer's B affiliate link to a DIFFERENT Clickbank product.

          After a few days, Mr. Z decides to buy the product recommended by Marketer A but he typed the main direct link. Guess who got the commission? Lucky Marketer B, even if he didn't even promoted that product.
          Michael

          That's true only in the (unlikely) situation that both products
          belong to the same publisher account.

          Harvey
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        • Profile picture of the author Chris Lockwood
          Originally Posted by clawson44 View Post

          I agree too. The last cookie will get the sale. Just think about it. When you go out to purchase something aren't you going to go where the customer service was the best.
          I agree three.

          Rewarding the last affiliate also helps fight the cookie stuffing problem.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kenneth Maddux
      I agree with you if iyou are the last cookie , It more than likely means you are the one who closes and makes the deal $$$$$ which is what counts in the end. Right?
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnny
    I think last cookie is much fairer to the marketers who want to promote the products.
    If it is a first cookie, the marketers just need to market fast, after that, they can "wash hand" and do nothing else.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
    yep last cookie for the reasons as above.

    However if you have a big launch coming up and want to get some big marketer's involved, then you need to be looking at first cookie at least for that launch period. (they gonna be upset otherwise)

    As soon as the launch is over, go for last cookie
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    • Profile picture of the author pjs
      A lot of the big affiliate networks (ie, CJ) use the first click philosophy. A lot of affiliates will not like the last cookie option, but then, a lot of affiliates will. Can't make everyone happy all the time
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  • Profile picture of the author seodeveloping
    Cookie stuffing isn't really a problem, as much as it's a tool to help internet marketers make money. It's all relative in perspective... someone takes your sale, you take someone else's. Vicious cycle.
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  • Profile picture of the author seodeveloping
    I know I know... tar and feather me, whip me in the center of town for everyone to see... Black wave's bring in money too.
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    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by seodeveloping View Post

      I know I know... tar and feather me, whip me in the center of town for everyone to see... Black wave's bring in money too.
      It ain't a question of money...

      It's a question of ethics...

      And based on your comments...

      Ethically... you're a little shaky..

      Peace

      Jay
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon_Sezs
    first cookie, imo...here is an analogy....

    Let's say, you are selling cars for a living. Someone comes in looking for a particular car and you take care of them. You spend a couple hours with this client going over packages, upsells, ect. They test drive the car. Then, at the last moment, they back out and say they want to "sleep on it". They say they will come back later that week.

    A couple days later, they walk in basically pre-sold, thanks largely because of your sales efforts. The only problem is YOU AREN'T THERE. They go to another sales guy instead. They don't need to know anything else. All the sale guy has to do is the paperwork. He writes it up and gets the sale.

    Now, using that as an example...tell me....who should the sale have gone to?...the first salesman who spent the time and energy convincing the customer that they need the car....or the last one who simply wrote up the paperwork?

    If I am going to spend a couple hours writing a lengthy review on a product, I do expect to get the sale (or in the case of a bad review, no sale at all) and I think it is only fair.
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    • Profile picture of the author garyv
      Originally Posted by Simon_Sezs View Post

      first cookie, imo...here is an analogy....

      Let's say, you are selling cars for a living. Someone comes in looking for a particular car and you take care of them. You spend a couple hours with this client going over packages, upsells, ect. They test drive the car. Then, at the last moment, they back out and say they want to "sleep on it". They say they will come back later that week.

      A couple days later, they walk in basically pre-sold, thanks largely because of your sales efforts. The only problem is YOU AREN'T THERE. They go to another sales guy instead. They don't need to know anything else. All the sale guy has to do is the paperwork. He writes it up and gets the sale.

      Now, using that as an example...tell me....who should the sale have gone to?...the first salesman who spent the time and energy convincing the customer that they need the car....or the last one who simply wrote up the paperwork?

      If I am going to spend a couple hours writing a lengthy review on a product, I do expect to get the sale (or in the case of a bad review, no sale at all) and I think it is only fair.
      Well suppose you walk into a car lot, and ask the first sales man you see "hey where's the corollas?" He points out the Corolla section, where another salesman meets you and sells you a car. Which one should receive the sale?

      I'm with Steven - it's always the last cookie that seals the sale. Even if someone comes back later to make a purchase - they have to come back somehow - and it's usually via a PPC ad which some affiliate had to pay for. If you can't convince a visitor to make a purchase on their first visit, then you risk losing the sale. That's just the way this business goes. That's also why list building is important. If someone goes away thinking about a purchase, hopefully they'll at least join your list, where you can hit them up later, after they've made up their mind.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Last cookie - definitely.

        In real estate, if an agent is "on duty" they get the customers who walk in. However, there's a lot of work between getting that customer and selling to them.

        The car story doesn't work because the salesman greeting you will take you to that section and show you cars. He won't turn you over to another salesman until they have an agreement and work together. In addition, he will give you a card and mention several times that you should ask for him if you return.

        Quite different from looking at a page and then later finding a page that convinces you to buy a product - and also might foil the current crop of blogs that are running cookie stuffing scripts where they become the "affiliate" yet do absolutely nothing for the sale.

        If your page is the one that convinces me to buy a product - you should get the credit and cash for that purchase in my opinion.

        kay
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    • Profile picture of the author JonnyAndrews
      Originally Posted by Simon_Sezs View Post

      first cookie, imo...here is an analogy....

      Let's say, you are selling cars for a living. Someone comes in looking for a particular car and you take care of them. You spend a couple hours with this client going over packages, upsells, ect. They test drive the car. Then, at the last moment, they back out and say they want to "sleep on it". They say they will come back later that week.

      A couple days later, they walk in basically pre-sold, thanks largely because of your sales efforts. The only problem is YOU AREN'T THERE. They go to another sales guy instead. They don't need to know anything else. All the sale guy has to do is the paperwork. He writes it up and gets the sale.

      Now, using that as an example...tell me....who should the sale have gone to?...the first salesman who spent the time and energy convincing the customer that they need the car....or the last one who simply wrote up the paperwork?

      If I am going to spend a couple hours writing a lengthy review on a product, I do expect to get the sale (or in the case of a bad review, no sale at all) and I think it is only fair.
      I'm 100% behind this. I think last cookie will screw all the small affiliates out of most all of their sales. Especially because of the massive prelaunch.

      With this particular promotion we're all chatting about this is one of the worst ways to sell JV partners I've ever seen.

      Sure it's a high $$$ item but think about it: in order for people to trust enough to put up that sort of dough there needs to be A LOT of social proof, communication and trust built up. This comes from a lot of people mailing all at once...

      How can I mail with any level of hope if the dudes with the 300K+ are hitting "send" at the same time?

      The car sales remark is pure perfect.

      Just from my perspective I put a MASSIVE degree of effort into my JV promos... videos, reviews, interviews, constant blogging and unique bonus creation.

      If I'm going to drive traffic I want to know if I take all that time, effort, energy I'll see it pay off. With last cookie I don't see it happening.

      At the end of the day guys like me with under 100K on their lists (or people with no list) lose hands down to the big players.

      It's a very interesting way to push a "newbie" sort of program as it completely kills the chances for newbies to make any money.

      My vote: 1st cookie.
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      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by JonnyAndrews View Post

        I'm 100% behind this. I think last cookie will screw all the small affiliates out of most all of their sales. Especially because of the massive prelaunch.

        With this particular promotion we're all chatting about this is one of the worst ways to sell JV partners I've ever seen.

        Sure it's a high $$$ item but think about it: in order for people to trust enough to put up that sort of dough there needs to be A LOT of social proof, communication and trust built up. This comes from a lot of people mailing all at once...

        How can I mail with any level of hope if the dudes with the 300K+ are hitting "send" at the same time?

        The car sales remark is pure perfect.

        Just from my perspective I put a MASSIVE degree of effort into my JV promos... videos, reviews, interviews, constant blogging and unique bonus creation.

        If I'm going to drive traffic I want to know if I take all that time, effort, energy I'll see it pay off. With last cookie I don't see it happening.

        At the end of the day guys like me with under 100K on their lists (or people with no list) lose hands down to the big players.

        It's a very interesting way to push a "newbie" sort of program as it completely kills the chances for newbies to make any money.

        My vote: 1st cookie.
        Hey Johnny..


        Thankyou VERY much for your thoughts...much appreciated dude

        Jay
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Obviously there are people here who have no idea how the auto industry
        works.

        Having been in it for 10 years of my life, this is the deal.

        A person comes up and talks to salesman 1. Gets some info on the car.
        Decides he's not ready to buy yet. Doesn't matter. The customer is logged in
        as an UP.

        The next day he comes in and sees another salesman. The UP from the prior
        day is logged. If the customer then decides to buy, the two salesmen split
        the commission.

        That's how it works in 99% of the auto dealers in the US. Any ex car
        dealer vets here can back me up on this.

        THAT is the fair way. But since we can't do split commissions in IM, it
        really should be the guy who closed the deal. Hey, if the first salesman
        was really doing his job, he would have done 1 of 2 things.

        1. Closed the deal right then and there.

        2. Told the customer when he comes back to personally ask for him and
        give the customer his card with his hours.

        Also, he should tell the customer that he will take good care of him when
        he does come back. And yes, there are many incentives that he can use
        to do this and the dealer will back him up on those.

        If you don't close the deal, you shouldn't get the sale.
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        • Profile picture of the author cremaster
          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          Obviously there are people here who have no idea how Internet Marketing
          works.

          There, fixed it for you, Steve!
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          • Profile picture of the author Justin Michie
            I'd have to agree with most... the person who makes the sale (last cookie) should get the comission. It might be their bonus or recommendation that does it, and they should get the credit where's it's due.
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            • Profile picture of the author Ephrils
              I'm in favor of the last cookie. Eliminates stuffing to a point and it goes a long way in making sure the person who actually made the sale gets paid for it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Chris Lockwood
        Originally Posted by JonnyAndrews View Post

        I'm 100% behind this. I think last cookie will screw all the small affiliates out of most all of their sales. Especially because of the massive prelaunch.

        With this particular promotion we're all chatting about this is one of the worst ways to sell JV partners I've ever seen.

        Sure it's a high $$$ item but think about it: in order for people to trust enough to put up that sort of dough there needs to be A LOT of social proof, communication and trust built up. This comes from a lot of people mailing all at once...

        How can I mail with any level of hope if the dudes with the 300K+ are hitting "send" at the same time?
        What does that have to do with last vs. first cookie? Aren't you still having to compete with all those people? Aren't the odds high that one of them will get to the customer first, meaning you lose?
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      • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
        Originally Posted by JonnyAndrews View Post

        I'm 100% behind this. I think last cookie will screw all the small affiliates out of most all of their sales. Especially because of the massive prelaunch.

        With this particular promotion we're all chatting about this is one of the worst ways to sell JV partners I've ever seen.

        Sure it's a high $$$ item but think about it: in order for people to trust enough to put up that sort of dough there needs to be A LOT of social proof, communication and trust built up. This comes from a lot of people mailing all at once...

        How can I mail with any level of hope if the dudes with the 300K+ are hitting "send" at the same time?

        The car sales remark is pure perfect.

        Just from my perspective I put a MASSIVE degree of effort into my JV promos... videos, reviews, interviews, constant blogging and unique bonus creation.

        If I'm going to drive traffic I want to know if I take all that time, effort, energy I'll see it pay off. With last cookie I don't see it happening.

        At the end of the day guys like me with under 100K on their lists (or people with no list) lose hands down to the big players.

        It's a very interesting way to push a "newbie" sort of program as it completely kills the chances for newbies to make any money.

        My vote: 1st cookie.
        It's first cookie that tends to screw the smaller affiiate.

        I certainly don't disrepect smaller affiliates, but if I'm going to have a major launch, I want some of the biggie marketer's in there with me, and that means giving them a lot of of prior notice and preferential treatment affiliatewise.

        If you do last cookie in a major launch, your bigger affiliates are going to be really peed off with you. first cookie is their "prize" for helping to sell your product. Diss them and see what they say when you ask for help again.

        So have the best of both worlds. Use first cookie for your launch period, then last for afterwards.

        And before anyone moans it doesn't help the "smaller" affiliate doing it this way, with respect, your selling a product and you want to make it as successful as you possibly can. (Blunt but true)

        Kim
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  • Profile picture of the author Lynn Terry
    I prefer last - great discussion!
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    • Profile picture of the author sylviad
      Simon_Sez is exactly right.

      We all know the customer has to be exposed to the product 6-7 times before making a final decision - in most cases. If the first marketer takes the steps to introduce the person to the product - gives them a "look inside" - the customers leave already half-way to making that decision. While we can reintroduce them to the product through emails, they aren't necessarily going to keep clicking the affiliate links.

      When the customer has seen enough and is ready to buy, it's quite feasible they will type the name of the product in their browser and pick the first result they get or scan down for the best deal - which might well be another affiliate promoting the product. There is no selling involved at that point.

      So how is that fair to the first person?

      Regardless, either way you have no guarantee you will get the sale, whether you are the first or last click. You cannot control it. The best you can do is give an ace presentation that gets them to buy right away.

      One time, you're first... next time, you're last. I don't really see the point of the question... even if I DO believe strongly in first come first served.

      Sylvia
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      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by sylviad View Post

        I don't really see the point of the question...
        With all due respect Sylvia.. this is a discussion forum and I chose to discuss this topic because I am interested in people's thoughts on the topic. I happen to be involved heavily in a market that has plenty of launches throughout the year so if the cookie issue affects people's decision making, then I wanna know about it.

        Thankyou ALL for your views and opinions.. much appreciated

        Peace

        Jay
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        • Profile picture of the author sylviad
          Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post

          With all due respect Sylvia.. this is a discussion forum and I chose to discuss this topic because I am interested in people's thoughts on the topic. I happen to be involved heavily in a market that has plenty of launches throughout the year so if the cookie issue affects people's decision making, then I wanna know about it.

          Thankyou ALL for your views and opinions.. much appreciated

          Peace

          Jay
          I wasn't dissing your question... I was merely trying to figure out how it helps anything when you can never be sure you will be the last (or first) referral. Warriors seem to prefer last click because, supposedly, they worked harder to get the sale, but regardless of how hard you work, there's no guarantee someone won't beat you to last click. Someone doing less work, or no work, could just as easily get the sale. You can only build the most mouthwatering offer to go with the affiliate product and hope it's enough.

          At best, it will improve your chances of getting the sale because your offer is too irresistible to pass up. Not that they are, but all affiliate marketers should be doing that anyway, right?

          Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    Also - if it were the first cookie all of the time, then the price of PPC ads would shoot through the roof. Everyone would be bidding for that first spot, just to get their cookie in. You'd also see a major increase in the adware cookie stuffing business.
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    • Profile picture of the author sylviad
      Originally Posted by garyv View Post

      Also - if it were the first cookie all of the time, then the price of PPC ads would shoot through the roof. Everyone would be bidding for that first spot, just to get their cookie in. You'd also see a major increase in the adware cookie stuffing business.
      I voted for 1st click, but after reading all sides being offered, 1st click is making less sense to me. Clicks with 30 days, 60 days or whatever are better for everyone, it seems to me. I'm not really clear on how that works, but if I'm not mistaken, it means your click lasts that long and if you are the first one on the list, you get the sale, until your link expires. Then, it goes to the next first affiliate. Seems more fair.

      Jay, have you seen affiliate programs with 1st click priority? Because it couldn't be first click forever, because that doesn't make sense, as garyv points out.

      What I'm getting from the responses is that people who are voting last click feel they would be cheated out of all their hard work if it were otherwise. What about the rest of us? If we offer a great deal but the sale goes to the last click, we'd feel cheated, too.

      I'm not sure there is a good answer to this one.

      Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author Terry Hatfield
    I think I like first cookie is best.

    If the person never knew the product existed until they saw my email from me mailing to my list , or seen my ezinearticle, or saw an ad that I paid money to run then I fell it is only fair that first cookie is used.

    Because of my marketing they go and type it in google and order from someone else.

    I spent my time and money to make the customer aware of the product therefore I feel I should get the commission.

    But I agree if you spend all your time marketing it then you should spend your time to make a good bonus so they don't order through someone elses link.

    Terry
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  • Profile picture of the author JFrost
    Always the last cookie. Persistence dictates.
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    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Thankyou ALL.. VERY, VERY much for your thoughts opinions and feelings on this...

      you have no idea how good it is to have all these views...

      Thanks for sharing

      Much Love

      Jay
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