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Barnes and Noble Here I Come ... Bye Bye Amazon

by The Niche Man
66 replies
Now that Amazon has kicked me and other California Affiliates to the curb. I plan to sign up as a Barnes and Noble Affiliate.

There has been this ongoing battle for online bookstore supremacy between the two. So B & N is the natural choice now.

Anyone from California or any of the other states Amazon is giving the boot joining me? Or will you allow me to keep all that money to myself?
#amazon #barnes #bye #noble
  • Profile picture of the author AmandaT
    I've been set up with both for a while... I try not to depend too much on one source of income.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brad789
    Niche Man

    Brad here - I agree with the other posts - Multiple Streams of Income are the key.

    B & N is a great enterprise - for the US. Have you looked into other facilities in the UK or Australia? Seems we (that is all of us internet marketers) should be "going international" to undercut the influence of any one national brand like Amazon.

    Remember General Motors once said "what ever is good for GM is good for America! Now look how that has changed.

    Amazon could learn the hard way that mistreating their affiliates have long term effects - hitting the bottom line.

    What do you think of setting up other accounts internationally? Any contacts?

    Cheers !!
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    • Profile picture of the author aurathas
      Originally Posted by Brad789 View Post

      Niche Man

      Brad here - I agree with the other posts - Multiple Streams of Income are the key.

      B & N is a great enterprise - for the US. Have you looked into other facilities in the UK or Australia? Seems we (that is all of us internet marketers) should be "going international" to undercut the influence of any one national brand like Amazon.

      Remember General Motors once said "what ever is good for GM is good for America! Now look how that has changed.

      Amazon could learn the hard way that mistreating their affiliates have long term effects - hitting the bottom line.

      What do you think of setting up other accounts internationally? Any contacts?

      Cheers !!
      I don't know a lot about the situation, so please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking. From what I understand, can we really blame Amazon for what they did? Don't get me wrong, it really sucks for the California affiliates, and I feel for them, but wouldn't the blame really lie with California and the way they are reaching for a way to deal with their budget/debt issues?
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      • Profile picture of the author jerytohn
        Originally Posted by aurathas View Post

        I don't know a lot about the situation, so please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking. From what I understand, can we really blame Amazon for what they did? Don't get me wrong, it really sucks for the California affiliates, and I feel for them, but wouldn't the blame really lie with California and the way they are reaching for a way to deal with their budget/debt issues?
        I kind of think that way too. Is it really the fault of Amazon?
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      • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
        Originally Posted by aurathas View Post

        I don't know a lot about the situation, so please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking. From what I understand, can we really blame Amazon for what they did? Don't get me wrong, it really sucks for the California affiliates, and I feel for them, but wouldn't the blame really lie with California and the way they are reaching for a way to deal with their budget/debt issues?
        You hit the nail on the head.

        Amazon is one of many companies giving California the special finger ... Not the affiliates- but the State Government Bureaucrats.

        I can't blame Amazon, I'm sure they hate to lose all their Affiliates and the income they generate as well.

        Amazon's loss is Barnes and Nobles gain. And the beat goes on!
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        • Profile picture of the author Conjur
          The CA law will apply to Barnes and Noble as well. If they use CA affiliates they will have to add sales tax for buyers in CA or absorb it. They are not going to absorb it. People will quickly figure out that if they are in CA and buy from B&N they pay sales tax but if they buy from Amazon they don't. What do you think that will do to B&N's online sales to CA?
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          • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
            Originally Posted by Conjur View Post

            The CA law will apply to Barnes and Noble as well. If they use CA affiliates they will have to add sales tax for buyers in CA or absorb it. They are not going to absorb it. People will quickly figure out that if they are in CA and buy from B&N they pay sales tax but if they buy from Amazon they don't. What do you think that will do to B&N's online sales to CA?
            You're right, but at least for now B&N hasn't given us the boot ... Yet! :confused:
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          • Profile picture of the author SeoVancouverWa
            Originally Posted by Conjur View Post

            The CA law will apply to Barnes and Noble as well. If they use CA affiliates they will have to add sales tax for buyers in CA or absorb it. They are not going to absorb it. People will quickly figure out that if they are in CA and buy from B&N they pay sales tax but if they buy from Amazon they don't. What do you think that will do to B&N's online sales to CA?
            Think about that!! And now you know why Amazon kicked thousands of affiliates to the curb!!! They do not want to charge sales tax so they have a competitive advantage....so do you think they really care that much about YOU....their affiliate? LOL.

            Amazon is basically trying to say that they don't have to charge sales tax because they do not have a physical presence...but they actually do...through THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of affiliates in the state!

            That is why they dumped the affiliates. They can still sell to California but do not have to charge the sales tax if they dump the affiliates. Now do YOU really think Amazon was watching out for YOU?
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      • Profile picture of the author SeoVancouverWa
        Originally Posted by aurathas View Post

        I don't know a lot about the situation, so please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking. From what I understand, can we really blame Amazon for what they did? Don't get me wrong, it really sucks for the California affiliates, and I feel for them, but wouldn't the blame really lie with California and the way they are reaching for a way to deal with their budget/debt issues?
        Well it certainly seems like Amazon is the bad guy here...at least that is what I think. All they have to do is charge the sales TAX!!! Then remit that sales tax to California just like any other store has to do that has a physical presence in California! Is that really that hard?

        They would make the same profit. Why should Amazon be able to make sales to residents of California and NOT have to charge a sales tax, while the stores in California DO have to charge the tax.

        Unless there is something I am really missing it is Amazon where the anger should aimed.
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        • Profile picture of the author focusbeyond
          yeah the whole thing stinks but that is Calif for ya - one of the worst states to try to do business in - we are domiciled here and now going either to another state or offshore just because this knuckle head Brown thinks he can collect money from internet marketers and it just doesn't make sense -
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        • Profile picture of the author SeoVancouverWa
          Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

          Why should Amazon act as a tax collector for the state of California? They have no store there.
          Because through their affiliates they DO have a presence there. Don't you get it!!!!!!!!!!!

          That is why they are dumping their affiliates. Once they dump them then they can say they have NO physical presence there! So instead of stepping up to the plate and charging the sales tax...like they do in my state...they dump their affiliates.

          All Amazon has to do is collect the sales tax and send California the the tax...do you think in this day and age that is hard to do? Of course not! But they do not want to do that because it gives them a sales advantage.

          They can save all California residents roughly 9%. Now you get it?
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          • Profile picture of the author joolkano
            Originally Posted by SeoVancouverWa View Post

            Because through their affiliates they DO have a presence there. Don't you get it!!!!!!!!!!!

            That is why they are dumping their affiliates. Once they dump them then they can say they have NO physical presence there! So instead of stepping up to the plate and charging the sales tax...like they do in my state...they dump their affiliates.

            All Amazon has to do is collect the sales tax and send California the the tax...do you think in this day and age that is hard to do? Of course not! But they do not want to do that because it gives them a sales advantage.

            They can save all California residents roughly 9%. Now you get it?
            That's BS! Affiliates are independent contractors and not viewed as representatives of Amazon. The state wants to make it look that way because they need to close a big budget gap and that goes for all other states that try to get Amazon to pay taxes where they do not have a physical store.

            What if Amazon tells YOU, if you consider yourself an Amazon rep to collect taxes for every sale you make then be responsible for remit it to the gov't, would you do it?

            If you're an Amazon affiliate based in CA and you're making a great income doing it, then form an entity based on another state. A registered agent for that state to represent your business would run you a couple hundred a year at the most.

            If your Amazon income is worth fighting for then fight for it. Don't just lay down and die.

            Lastly, I love B&N but unless all you do is sell books, its really not the same as Amazon.
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            • Profile picture of the author SeoVancouverWa
              You can use word play all you want but when you have thousands of people in a state ACTIVELY promoting Amazon products AND getting paid to do it then Amazon does have a physical presence in California.

              The bottom line, and I will say it one more time, is that ALL Amazon has to do is collect the tax and then send California a check....JUST LIKE EVERY STORE IN CALIFORNIA HAS TO DO!

              But nope, Amazon protects their affiliates by dumping them. And why do you think that is?

              No more UNFAIR price advantage maybe?

              I am an Amazon affiliate that lives in another state....I LOVE Amazon! But they are DEAD WRONG on this one until they can win it in court.

              Did California make a mistake? Probably, but Amazon is right now cutting of their noses to spite their face. Not very smart or mature.

              Oh by the way, you California affiliates that got dumped on your rear by Amazon...you can still buy Amazon products!! Amazon just wanted to make sure you knew that in the letter they sent you dumping YOU and YOUR income to the curb. How nice of them!

              Originally Posted by joolkano View Post

              That's BS! Affiliates are independent contractors and not viewed as representatives of Amazon. The state wants to make it look that way because they need to close a big budget gap and that goes for all other states that try to get Amazon to pay taxes where they do not have a physical store.

              What if Amazon tells YOU, if you consider yourself an Amazon rep to collect taxes for every sale you make then be responsible for remit it to the gov't, would you do it?

              If you're an Amazon affiliate based in CA and you're making a great income doing it, then form an entity based on another state. A registered agent for that state to represent your business would run you a couple hundred a year at the most.

              If your Amazon income is worth fighting for then fight for it. Don't just lay down and die.

              Lastly, I love B&N but unless all you do is sell books, its really not the same as Amazon.
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              • Profile picture of the author HigherPrThanGod
                Originally Posted by SeoVancouverWa View Post

                You can use word play all you want but when you have thousands of people in a state ACTIVELY promoting Amazon products AND getting paid to do it then Amazon does have a physical presence in California.

                The bottom line, and I will say it one more time, is that ALL Amazon has to do is collect the tax and then send California a check....JUST LIKE EVERY STORE IN CALIFORNIA HAS TO DO!

                But nope, Amazon protects their affiliates by dumping them. And why do you think that is?

                No more UNFAIR price advantage maybe?

                I am an Amazon affiliate that lives in another state....I LOVE Amazon! But they are DEAD WRONG on this one until they can win it in court.

                Did California make a mistake? Probably, but Amazon is right now cutting of their noses to spite their face. Not very smart or mature.

                Oh by the way, you California affiliates that got dumped on your rear by Amazon...you can still buy Amazon products!! Amazon just wanted to make sure you knew that in the letter they sent you dumping YOU and YOUR income to the curb. How nice of them!
                California has no right to that income, anymore than you or I do. I disagree with you.
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              • Profile picture of the author Ben Holmes
                Originally Posted by SeoVancouverWa View Post

                You can use word play all you want but when you have thousands of people in a state ACTIVELY promoting Amazon products AND getting paid to do it then Amazon does have a physical presence in California.

                So people who have no employee benefits - you still believe are employees?

                Surely you must believe that - for simply having some sort of business arrangement surely cannot mean a "physical presence".

                I just ordered an MP3 player that arrived via UPS. UPS has a physical presence in every state... So I now owe taxes to any and all states where I might purchase an item that is delivered via UPS? (in fact there was a court case on this, where USPS was involved rather than UPS - and the 'nexus' created by the USPS was struck down... this is currently federal law)


                The bottom line, and I will say it one more time, is that ALL Amazon has to do is collect the tax and then send California a check....JUST LIKE EVERY STORE IN CALIFORNIA HAS TO DO!
                But those stores benefit from California taxes... they use the roads, their employees send their kids to publicly funded schools, etc.

                What benefits does Amazon get?

                But nope, Amazon protects their affiliates by dumping them. And why do you think that is?

                No more UNFAIR price advantage maybe?
                What's "unfair" about it? It's perfectly legal - indeed, it's the California law that is currently illegal by federal law... and I suspect (as many others do) will be struck down in due course.

                I am an Amazon affiliate that lives in another state....I LOVE Amazon! But they are DEAD WRONG on this one until they can win it in court.

                Why can't they be "dead right" until the state can show their law legal through the court system?


                Did California make a mistake?

                It's either legal, and valid tax due to California, or it's not.

                My Amazon affiliate income is only in the low hundreds, so even going with an LLC will take a few months to pay off, but switching to other affiliate programs is entirely feasible. Amazon didn't take away my knowledge of product selection, how to find a good domain name, how to write reviews, how to build backlinks, and so forth.

                In fact, it's now a good time to try switching from the system I'd been using (Reviewing 5-7 closely related products) to an authority site system. I'll let my current Amazon sites just site and gather some time under their belt, and either sell 'em or move 'em under an LLC in the future.

                In fact, just picked up one of those really cheap ($1.18 if I remember right) domains available right now at Godaddy. I'll be spending the rest of the weekend formatting my new site - which will affiliate with sites other than Amazon.
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          • Profile picture of the author Dianaiad
            Originally Posted by SeoVancouverWa View Post

            Because through their affiliates they DO have a presence there. Don't you get it!!!!!!!!!!!

            That is why they are dumping their affiliates. Once they dump them then they can say they have NO physical presence there! So instead of stepping up to the plate and charging the sales tax...like they do in my state...they dump their affiliates.

            All Amazon has to do is collect the sales tax and send California the the tax...do you think in this day and age that is hard to do? Of course not! But they do not want to do that because it gives them a sales advantage.

            They can save all California residents roughly 9%. Now you get it?
            I see.

            So, even though Amazon neither hired us, pays FICA contributions, checks on our citizenship, provides any benefits or, in fact, has absolutely no say in when we do, or do not, work, they 'have a presence' here in California?

            Sorry, but no. Now it is true, it is the California buyers who pay the taxes, and are, supposedly, getting the benefits of the taxes paid. However, no business is reimbursed by the state for the costs of collecting those taxes, paying for the accounting, or for the costs of getting them to the state.

            ........so why should a business that has no physical presence in a state, and receives none of the benefits that it's customers receive (...and that's a laugh; after all, I'm a California teacher who was kicked to the curb by the California economy; I'd LOVE to see some of those vaunted benefits...) have to put up with that?

            The only solution for them would be to raise the prices to pay for the cost of collection--and that would cause quite a few more problems.

            Now I can't say that this is affecting me, since I haven't made any money yet (rank newbie, here) but I DID spend some money on a program specifically aimed at getting me up to speed on being an Amazon affiliate. So I lost something...

            Anyway, even so, I do not blame Amazon. Whatever it takes to get the PTP's in Sacramento to get their heads out of their collective food buckets and actually seeing what works, I'm for.

            I'll figure something else out. I've always wanted a really good excuse to move back to Utah, anyway, if all else fails.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kirk Ward
          Originally Posted by SeoVancouverWa View Post

          Well it certainly seems like Amazon is the bad guy here...at least that is what I think. All they have to do is charge the sales TAX!!! Then remit that sales tax to California just like any other store has to do that has a physical presence in California! Is that really that hard?
          And once they have established a precedent, every other state in the US will jump on the bandwagon with Amazon and good old Amazon will not have any legal defense.

          And then, there goes the pricing advantage.
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          • Profile picture of the author bigbug
            I like B&N. They ship out their books much faster than Amazon. I buy books online from them. I live in California, they DO collect sales tax on the online sales for my book purchases.

            And I think Amazon will also collect taxes from any California residents. Getting rid of CA affiliates is to punish CA. But will Amazon ignore a valid tax law by not collecting taxes from CA residents?:confused:
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        • Profile picture of the author OrangeBull
          Originally Posted by SeoVancouverWa View Post

          Well it certainly seems like Amazon is the bad guy here...at least that is what I think. All they have to do is charge the sales TAX!!! Then remit that sales tax to California just like any other store has to do that has a physical presence in California! Is that really that hard?

          They would make the same profit. Why should Amazon be able to make sales to residents of California and NOT have to charge a sales tax, while the stores in California DO have to charge the tax.

          Unless there is something I am really missing it is Amazon where the anger should aimed.
          Nail this is head, I think we see a connection!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jaymark
      Definately multiple streams of income is the way to go. With the tremendous changes we see on the Internet, what's hot today isn't tomorrow. And changes to pay plans or companies being sold, etc. can have a big impact on our impact. So reduce the risk by diversifying. Just don't get spread too thin.
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  • Profile picture of the author Presto Smith
    Good idea! I need to start setting up shop there too. It's a sad day for the CA Amazon affiliates out there (myself included).
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    • Profile picture of the author davidjames42973
      It really wasn't a surprise that the nexus law was passed in California. They've been trying to get it to pass for years now.

      Barnes and Noble is definitely a great idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    Wow - when I saw this thread I was thinking "Who cares about B&N they just sell books" but before I opened my big mouth, I went over there to see and turns out they sell a lot more than books!

    This is very cool because they already have a physical location in most states therefore the whole nexus thing would be no problem!

    Now we just need someone to make a plugin that pulls in the products for us and we are all back in business!

    Lee
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    • Profile picture of the author Allegra Sinclair
      Originally Posted by cashcow View Post

      Wow - when I saw this thread I was thinking "Who cares about B&N they just sell books" but before I opened my big mouth, I went over there to see and turns out they sell a lot more than books!

      This is very cool because they already have a physical location in most states therefore the whole nexus thing would be no problem!

      Now we just need someone to make a plugin that pulls in the products for us and we are all back in business!

      Lee
      Lee,

      This is good to know! Amazon kicked North Carolina to the curb a long time ago so I was planning to turn to Barnes & Noble but had the same misperception you had. I figured B&N was too limited. Thanks for the heads up, I'm off to check them out.

      Let me know when you find that plugin!

      Have a powerful day, Allegra
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  • Profile picture of the author ladywriter
    What are B&N's percentages like?
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    • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
      Originally Posted by kstark View Post

      What are B&N's percentages like?
      Flat 6%

      Kickin it on Amazon

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      • Profile picture of the author netlexis
        You can argue the politics of this all day long and it won't mean a thing. Right now what's important is how some of us small affiliates can survive. Big affiliates probably have more options like forming their corps or LLCs in another state or moving out altogether. For the rest of us, concentrating on retailers that already have brick and mortar presence in the state (and therefore already collect taxes) may be our only answer. Good idea about B&N, but also check out other in-state retailers, too, like Walmart, Kmart, Target and so on.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by kstark View Post

      What are B&N's percentages like?
      6 percent commission.
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      • Profile picture of the author fitz10
        Don't forget that Walmart, Target, Sears, Overstock, etc. are all options as well. Last time I looked Overstock was offering up to a 7% commission with the others being lower than Amazon. Still, it's better than nothing. If you have a niche site it's also worthwhile to go over to Commission Junction and Shareasale to see some specialty affiliate programs. Last Halloween I made some costume sites and worked with a few party places on CJ offering 13%+ commissions. Amazon certainly isn't the only physical product affiliate.
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        • Profile picture of the author netlexis
          Originally Posted by fitz10 View Post

          Don't forget that Walmart, Target, Sears, Overstock, etc. are all options as well. Last time I looked Overstock was offering up to a 7% commission with the others being lower than Amazon. Still, it's better than nothing. If you have a niche site it's also worthwhile to go over to Commission Junction and Shareasale to see some specialty affiliate programs. Last Halloween I made some costume sites and worked with a few party places on CJ offering 13%+ commissions. Amazon certainly isn't the only physical product affiliate.
          I'm not so sure about Overstock, but those retailers that already have brick and mortar presence are good bets. Also, Buy.com is another option. They're based in CA and collect taxes already. And they're a want-to-be Amazon. They're in the LinkShare Affiliate Network.

          Also, if you use Squidoo, you can still use the Amazon modules and share revenue with Squidoo (they're based in New York so it'll be okay for a while, or at least until this whole mess is finally resolved at the Supreme Court).

          I know folks are talking about starting LLCs or Corps in other states, but I would be careful about that, too. CA is going to come looking for "their money" and they will look under every rock to get it. I'm going to concentrate on working with retailers that are a safe bet, and yeah, that means I'll be working a little harder.

          Good luck to all.
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        • Profile picture of the author LeahRae
          Originally Posted by fitz10 View Post

          Don't forget that Walmart, Target, Sears, Overstock, etc. are all options as well.
          I don't know about other states but Overstock kicked Illinois affiliates to the curb when Amazon did.
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  • Profile picture of the author GirlyGurl
    I'm not a Amazon affiliate, and I'm not in CA, but this whole BS law really ticks me off. Thought I'd share this article I found with some ideas for moving on from Amazon, and it also recommends Barnes and Noble. There are other ideas too, such as moving your virtual business to another state.

    I can't post links because I'm new here, lol. This isn't my site or anything, but thought it may be helpful to someone:

    informationweek.com/news/smb/ebusiness/231000830
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    • Profile picture of the author dibee
      Originally Posted by GirlyGurl View Post

      I'm not a Amazon affiliate, and I'm not in CA, but this whole BS law really ticks me off. Thought I'd share this article I found with some ideas for moving on from Amazon, and it also recommends Barnes and Noble. There are other ideas too, such as moving your virtual business to another state.

      I can't post links because I'm new here, lol. This isn't my site or anything, but thought it may be helpful to someone:

      informationweek.com/news/smb/ebusiness/231000830
      GirlyGurl thanks for that info!
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew S
    I keep seeing the Barnes and Noble mention on Twitter search and now here.

    For the record Barnes and Noble can't even hold a candle to Amazon.

    Why?

    1. People love shopping on Amazon and they trust the brand, this translates to higher conversions for you and your affiliate links.
    2. I don't even think you can compare Amazon's marketplace to Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble is a bookstore with some other products to sell. Amazon is a marketplace that easily rivals E-Bay.

    I have about 20 sites that hold Amazon affiliate links and none of them are for books, I imagine most of you guys are the same way.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sparhawke
      Originally Posted by Andrew S View Post

      I keep seeing the Barnes and Noble mention on Twitter search and now here.

      For the record Barnes and Noble can't even hold a candle to Amazon.

      Why?

      1. People love shopping on Amazon and they trust the brand, this translates to higher conversions for you and your affiliate links.
      2. I don't even think you can compare Amazon's marketplace to Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble is a bookstore with some other products to sell. Amazon is a marketplace that easily rivals E-Bay.

      I have about 20 sites that hold Amazon affiliate links and none of them are for books, I imagine most of you guys are the same way.
      People don't trust Barnes and Noble, one of the best known bookshops in the world and famous DECADES before Amazon came along?

      B&N are primarily a bookshop and they were set up that way from the beginning and that is what they have gained a reputation spanning over a century. Amazon on the other hand does not have any central stores and can operate from anywhere they want if they just have a warehouse packing facility.

      They are two very different models and you cannot just expect B&N to be able to compete with that. How about telling Amazon to get a store you can walk into and see how fast they go bankrupt? :p

      People go where the commissions are, if Amazon did not have a commission structure in the early days there is no way in hell that they would be as well known as they are now...lets see how many Californians still show Amazon the love now they wont get any cash from them.

      Whats that I hear you say, them thar hills are alive with people running from Amazon?
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  • Profile picture of the author InternetMarketingIQ
    That's great for people who only sell books... NOT.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by HelpingYouBeAnExpert View Post

      I think that is a great idea I need to do the same!
      Hopefully Barnes and Noble will recognize this gap in the market Amazon left when they stopped the Affiliate program in Califfornia. Hopefully they'll make us a sweet deal or an offer we can't refuse. :p
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  • Profile picture of the author Underground SEO
    never even knew Barnes and Noble had an affiliate programme
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  • Profile picture of the author zenmack
    I smell a potential product here...I have never created a wso but this would be a good one for someone.
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    • Profile picture of the author zenmack
      Sparhawke..You got me dog. I clicked on your "click here for pussy". I am in the dating niche and I just hadda click...lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lyanna
    Ah! You just gave me a great idea, thanks a lot. The B&N site looks great, I don't know why I didn't think of them before.
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  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    If someone really was making huge amounts of money with Amazon, and lived in California, it would be quite easy to set up a virtual office and incorporate a business in another state. If this is your main source of income, you would be crazy not to do that.

    If you make a few bucks here and there, however, there are other options that may or may not bring more commissions for you. I would be interested if people are making more with options other than Amazon than they are with Amazon.
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    • Profile picture of the author CraigX
      Originally Posted by redicelander View Post

      If someone really was making huge amounts of money with Amazon, and lived in California, it would be quite easy to set up a virtual office and incorporate a business in another state. If this is your main source of income, you would be crazy not to do that.

      If you make a few bucks here and there, however, there are other options that may or may not bring more commissions for you. I would be interested if people are making more with options other than Amazon than they are with Amazon.
      I totally agree. I do live in California and I'm not too worried about this only because I only make a tiny little bit from amazon but If I made a huge amount of my income from amazon I would be out of California so fast it would make your head spin.
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    Ricelander is right. It's not like they're deleting your website. All you have to do is replace your affiliate links with some from another state. Then transfer the money to your bank account.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamie Charles
    Diversify Diversify Diversify, you have to think, "what would I do if Barnes and Noble closed my affiliate relationship?"

    Never just depend on one stream. Good Luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Justin Newcastle
    Good idea. I'm in CT and got shut down by amazon too. Maybe transferring my review blogs to B&N is good option
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  • Profile picture of the author pizzatherapy
    I live in Hawaii... a few years ago Hawaii passed a law taxing all affiliate retailers.

    I was informed of this fact by amazon and my affiliate account was suspended. I was left with hundreds and hundreds of amazon links that went no-where. (All links went directly into Amazon...no commision for me...)

    When the law was vetoed by our Governor, I was reinstated.

    I think the hand writing is on the wall... IMO it is just a matter of time before other states do the same thing.

    Jamie Charles is right on the money:

    Diversify Diversify Diversify, you have to think, "what would I do if Barnes and Noble closed my affiliate relationship?"
    You can't put all of your eggs in one basket.....
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  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    When did B&N start selling things other than books on their website? Seems like I was there just a month or so ago. I don't recall them selling any other items.
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  • Profile picture of the author CraigX
    Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

    Now that Amazon has kicked me and other California Affiliates to the curb. I plan to sign up as a Barnes and Noble Affiliate.

    There has been this ongoing battle for online bookstore supremacy between the two. So B & N is the natural choice now.

    Anyone from California or any of the other states Amazon is giving the boot joining me? Or will you allow me to keep all that money to myself?
    So you plan on making a killing selling books with Barnes and Noble to make up for what you losing with amazon.

    I would venture to say that more money is made through the amazon affiliate program selling products other then books. The commission from a book just don't pay like more expensive products do.

    But Hey! Good luck in the book business
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  • Profile picture of the author HigherPrThanGod
    Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

    Now that Amazon has kicked me and other California Affiliates to the curb. I plan to sign up as a Barnes and Noble Affiliate.

    There has been this ongoing battle for online bookstore supremacy between the two. So B & N is the natural choice now.

    Anyone from California or any of the other states Amazon is giving the boot joining me? Or will you allow me to keep all that money to myself?
    I'm curious.. the new law that angers amazon, does it not affect or cause any problem for Barnes and Noble? Perhaps they don't generate enough revenue for it to be a problem (from their affiliates)? :confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
    Well, for one, there is a way of being an amazon affiliate even if you live in California. There was recently a thread opened related to LLC's - You can open one in Delaware and still become / stay an affiliate with Amazon.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ben Holmes
      Originally Posted by Jake Gray View Post

      Well, for one, there is a way of being an amazon affiliate even if you live in California. There was recently a thread opened related to LLC's - You can open one in Delaware and still become / stay an affiliate with Amazon.
      I'm looking into Wyoming - it seems a tad more friendly to LLC's. Your mileage may differ...

      The cheapest I've seen so far can be found on a website that comes up first if you search for 'free registered agent' - which is only free for the first year, but it's still a pretty good deal.

      I'm not a lawyer, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I believe that having an LLC is not enough, you must have a 'registered agent' in that state... if you have relatives in that state, that might be a free solution... otherwise it looks like it's another $100 a year.

      Unfortunately, it might just be cheaper for me in the long term to partner up with other companies, and simply sell the Amazon sites I have (or convert 'em to some other affiliate offers)
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      • Profile picture of the author LeahRae
        Originally Posted by Khadaji View Post

        I'm looking into Wyoming - it seems a tad more friendly to LLC's. Your mileage may differ...
        You might might find this article interesting:

        news.yahoo.com/special-report-little-house-secrets-great-plains-113759191

        I am too new to post links so just put the .html on the end.

        Basically a tiny little house in Wyoming is home to over 2000 shell companies. The Fed's seem to be a tad ticked off if the article is anything to go by.
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        • Profile picture of the author danieleB
          Everybody has a bookworm in their life, or they are one. All of us know the type; people consuming books at a frantic speed. Buying publications, if one is buying them new off store shelves, can become very an expense, but there's no reason why one cannot get a lot of reading material for quite inexpensive.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by Jake Gray View Post

      Well, for one, there is a way of being an amazon affiliate even if you live in California. There was recently a thread opened related to LLC's - You can open one in Delaware and still become / stay an affiliate with Amazon.
      I've also just read where Amazon is working on a (a-hem) creative way to go around this problem. Stay tuned, I don't think it's all the way over yet! Meanwhile B and N here I come!
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    • Profile picture of the author Ben Holmes
      Originally Posted by Jake Gray View Post

      Well, for one, there is a way of being an amazon affiliate even if you live in California. There was recently a thread opened related to LLC's - You can open one in Delaware and still become / stay an affiliate with Amazon.
      Not a lawyer, so take this with a grain of salt, but I've discovered that California wants $800 per year for all out-of-state LLC's.

      I found another way to go, with the help of others here on the Warriors Forum who mentioned Skimlinks & Viglink. I'm giving both a try, but Skimlinks appears to be the more mature platform. Basically, they are the affiliate, and they keep 25% for their trouble. I think, though, that they'll be dealing with a higher commission (since they're aggregating lots of other affiliates), so my income should be roughly the same.

      I'm only a few days into trying both, so I don't have much to report - but if forming an LLC looks too expensive, and you aren't interested in illegal methods, you might give Skimlinks a try!
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      • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
        Originally Posted by Khadaji View Post

        Not a lawyer, so take this with a grain of salt, but I've discovered that California wants $800 per year for all out-of-state LLC's.

        I found another way to go, with the help of others here on the Warriors Forum who mentioned Skimlinks & Viglink. I'm giving both a try, but Skimlinks appears to be the more mature platform. Basically, they are the affiliate, and they keep 25% for their trouble. I think, though, that they'll be dealing with a higher commission (since they're aggregating lots of other affiliates), so my income should be roughly the same.

        I'm only a few days into trying both, so I don't have much to report - but if forming an LLC looks too expensive, and you aren't interested in illegal methods, you might give Skimlinks a try!
        Thanks that's another option I'll investigate, the more options the beter!
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesGw
    How is B&N's affiliate program? I might check it out.
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Barnes and Noble does not convert anywhere near as well as Amazon. If you have been making significant income with Amazon, there are options discussed in other threads to continue to do so.
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  • Profile picture of the author simplewealthmaker
    I live in North Carolina and had to switch to B&N about a year ago as we too got kicked to the curb with Amazon.

    I have really grown to love B&N. I have not seen a drop in my income either as they sell basically the same products and the same prices.

    This may be the "push" that B&N has been looking for lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author blillard
    Amazon blows for doing that to us in CA. As a website flipper that really make sit herd for me to monetize some sites that would od well with products as apposed to adsense.
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  • Profile picture of the author nelaffiliate
    Hahahaha.... I think using the two sites could bring in some good income. Anyway wish you all the best with Barnes and Noble.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mreese601@gmail.com
    Amazon is not the only affiliate program out their! You should have multiple stream of Income working online. If You don't shame on u! The Internet is always changing, so do what you have too do, if you want to keep marketing amazon products, then form a llc in another state. It cost less than $1,000 bucks. If you not making that on amazon well move on to another affiliate program.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

    Now that Amazon has kicked me and other California Affiliates to the curb. I plan to sign up as a Barnes and Noble Affiliate.

    There has been this ongoing battle for online bookstore supremacy between the two. So B & N is the natural choice now.

    Anyone from California or any of the other states Amazon is giving the boot joining me? Or will you allow me to keep all that money to myself?

    Lol, it's funny that you bring this up, sure Amazon is losing all it's affiliates to BN and other places, but I'm wondering how much actual "business' they'll lose from former affiliates boy-cotting them and such, and purchasing books and everything from B&N, and generally spreading the Amazon Hate. lol
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