Buying through an affiliate link to get a discount

"workarounds" sound like 'ways to get around the rules'.

I've had sellers TELL me to buy through an affiliate link - because I was considering promoting their product.

I have never become an affiliate in order to get a product at a 'discount'. If I can't afford the price, I don't buy the product.

I realize that is not how everyone thinks - but my point is YOU set your ethical standards. Others can't do it for you. Some people think it's fine to become an affiliate in order get a 'discount' - others don't.

And that seller of the product is worse off because of your "ethics".

If you can't afford it, don't buy it - that's NOT allowed on many affiliate networks (that's up to you to figure out) - and many sellers have a strongly bad stance against that.

How so? No sale. Obvious.

I'm a ClickbBank vendor. People do it all the time and I don't care. I expect to pay affiliate commissions when I set the product up. There is no way to stop it do why complain about it. Been a ClickBank Vendors for 13 years.l

Exactly. I cannot see the logic in any virtue signalling about this issue. Is it really ethical to deprive the seller of your hard earned dollars so you can say to yourself and others how virtuous and ethical you are? Why not think about the financial benefits to the seller that result from your purchase? If we followed this type of ethical standard, there would be less trade and sellers would be financially worse off.

The ethical thing to do is to help your fellow seller, rather than hold your money back due to some misguided ethical standard.

have a friend buy it for you, that simple..

I don't see how it's a big deal, but I'm not a company providing products. I have noticed that some networks advise against it. It's probably just personal preference of those making the rules. Someone's "wrong" is often someone's "right".

Now if you really want to talk about abusing the system, I know someone who "rents" games from GameStop. Meaning, he buys a game, uses it, and returns it during the return period, effectively paying nothing. I doubt it has anything to do with affordability. And ya'll thought an affiliate buying through their own link was bad.

It's a bit like game theory. There are 3 scenarios for the buyer and seller:

1. Full price sale - best (win-win)
2. Affiliate link sale - good (win-win)
3. No sale - worst case (lose-lose)

The "ethical" are arguing that lose-lose is the correct course of action.

You started the thread to argue your point rather than ask for opinions?

Not at all - what I would do has nothing to do with YOUR ethics. I only have to live with my own.

If the only way you can afford to buy a product is to sign up as an affiliate to buy that product....you probably shouldn't be buying anything until you have more money.

The idea isn't new. I've had people tell me "I refuse to pay commission" as the excuse to sign up as an affiliate and then buy the product. Often, later, they are trying to SELL affiliate products and it's a different mindset.

OP, are you purchasing the product so you can review it? Or do you just need to use it? Or both?

Let's get this straight - my responses (MY opinion) were based on the above sentence. You don't ask if sellers allow it, or whether other marketers think it's an acceptable practice. You are asking how to 'get around' the seller's restrictions.

After defending several times (and becoming defensive, too) - we get to the real question:

You are asking how to falsify your purchases so as to pay a lower price for a recurring subscription product.

I'm a moderator here.

You are asking how to go about 'misleading' a seller in order to obtain a lower price for yourself. That indicates you know the seller does not allow buying through your own link - and this forum does not give advice on how to avoid the TOS of other sites or products.

In the affiliate programs I joined, buying from your affiliate link is forbidden and credit is given to the original affiliate. That's pretty much fair to the affiliate and a reason to join such programs.

It's a no brainer.

Let me be clear. I do not want to pick a fight with anyone here. I do not wish to break any law. I am not looking to falsify anything. I don't think it is wrong for me to defend my position. I do not wish to break forum rules. I do not wish to break the sellers rules.

Having an alternative identify of some sort does not mean you are breaking any affiliate rules. If the rules say you cannot purchase through your own affiliate link, they are not saying you cannot purchase through a third-party affiliate link, such as a company. A company is a separate entity. You and the company are not the same entity. You may own the company, but there is a clear delineation between you and that company.

From my perspective, there is no difference between what I am trying to achieve and going to a tax specialist or accountant who then tries to do your accounts in such a way that it minimises your tax liability. They structure your income and costs to maximise profit.

You as moderator have the right to decide what can or can't be discussed here (I run a forum myself), so I will respect your wishes and leave it at that.

If it's cheaper to buy it through the affiliate program, then buy through it to get your discount.

If you're then able to resell the product as an affiliate as well, then you should be able to make your money back hand over fist, once you follow the program step by step, and actually start making sales for yourself online

You might also consider another option which would be contacting the seller to discuss your desires, or concerns. I've noticed some sellers provide an affiliate discount which is far greater than any discount you might receive buying through an affiliate link - I'm referring to material goods which can be worn, specifically. However, they may ask for a product review, or have stipulations for that discount as well. You may never find out about such a discount without contacting them, or vice versa.

In the past I've purchased Solo Ads from Clickbank sellers and have used my affiliate link for there product which saved me up to 50% on the Solo Ad.

Be sure to contact the Solo Ad seller first to check if it is ok if you do that though.

Buying through your own affiliate link isn't ethical, and it's agains the tos of affiliate marketplaces.

As long as the affiliate network you join allows that, otherwise all commissions will be canceled.

You can choose to pay someone in advance for the product and get the person to buy it from your affiliate link. You will also gain sales and positive reputation from the merchant that you are presenting.

You can also use this as an opportunity to review the product that you're promoting as an affiliate and request from the merchant for a sample so you could better promote their product. If you're a big affiliate in terms of sales, they will usually accede to your request.

Hope the above works for you.

If it serves well, I have no objection. Become an affiliate and buy what you want. The trouble is that it may require that you become an affiliate each time you want to buy something.

I don't know the rules from other networks but for example when you do it with clickbank this makes only sense when you are able to generate sales as an affiliate because otherwise you can not pay out the commission from yourself

I've always wanted to do this.

If you own an organization, that's a separate legal entity to yourself. If the corporate buys it through AN affiliate link the individual creates, is that unethical? it's at intervals the principles.

Sometimes it's even better to buy from an affiliate cuz some of they offer bonuses. And when it comes to discount I have never heard of it. Unless you can contact the seller to ask for a discount. If you're looking for a ways to learn online marketing let me know maybe I know some people who can let you buy their products in payments

Well, most reputable affiliate programs and vendors will catch your sneaky little attempts to break their rules and not only will you not get an affiliate "rebate" you will be banned from their system completely.