Things that make you GO Hmmmm

[AussieDave]

What's good for one, may not be seen as good for another. Really, when it's opinion based, it all comes down to what is relative to each individual. NB - I said opinion, not fact.

Speaking of that magic word, fact...Lets be crystal clear, here. There are casino affiliate programs out there who STILL pay 100% of their advertised commission percentages. If they say they pay the following, your paid the following:

• 25% = 25%
• 30% = 30%
• 35% = 35%
• 40% = 40%
• 45% = 45%

A 2%, or at max 3% difference, in the above commission payment figures was always accepted by the majority of casino affiliates. It's a small deduction, which, was likely because of the depositing method used, bonus/comp or loyalty points given. Whatever the reason, no one felt like they were being scammed by these Admin Fee(s).

Point in question... A thread title today, caught my attention.
https://www.affiliateguarddog.com/community/threads/new-year-in-cash-out.16318/
It was posted by one of AGD's paid sponsors.

The contextual puffery (sell) of that post is irrelevant. However, what is important, what actually had me thinking WTF... was the pathetically low (true commission) payment percentages. AGD audit figures:

• 25% = 13.44%
• 30% = 16.128%
• 35% = 18.816%
• 40% = 21.504%
• 45% = 24.192%

Last time I checked (just now), AGD logo still states: PROTECTING AFFILIATES INTERESTS

IMHO I would think the cornerstone of "protecting" affiliates interests, would be to ensure: paid sponsor programs didn't rip-off AGD members with piss-poor commission percentages.

Now this is just my opinion, but I reckon the crew at LCB Network who operate AGD, would have secured (negotiated - over and above the sponsorship payment) a far better commission % than this top tier 24.192%.

Yet, sadly, it seems, there's no concern that an AGD Paid Affiliate Program Sponsor is scamming members and casino affiliates in general, with these scammy commission percentages, payments.

Yes my friends... Things that make you GO Hmmmm!

 

[CL-Ed]

Interesting. I couldn't even find this program's forum. I thought it was hidden or something. Then I worked out that the sponsors forum index section is hidden by my ad blocker. I've never even seen it before today and wasn't aware it even existed. Even so, I've been trained by years of looking at GPWA that anything marked "sponsored" is worth a fart in the wind to me as an affiliate, so it doesn't impress or influence my decisions at all.

I agree that calculation is so bad that I would not want to sign up with them. If you look at the audit thread there's a post lower down by melcb that points out that the result is probably even worse than the audit shows as they changed the calculation method after the audit.

On the other hand at least AGD is doing these audits and publishing the info freely for everyone to see and make up their own mind. Its a whole lot more than any other affiliate forum has ever done. There are other programs listed here running more or less rogue casinos that pay 100% of advertised rate, so I would argue that is but one of many things to consider when choosing a program.

One thing I reckon AGD could do is make the audit result threads sticky at the top of a program's forum. 21 has filled their forum with promo posts that bury the audit report down on page 4 or 5 which makes it easy to miss.

 

[AussieDave]

One thing I reckon AGD could do is make the audit result threads sticky at the top of a program's forum. 21 has filled their forum with promo posts that bury the audit report down on page 4 or 5 which makes it easy to miss.

Great idea!
I too have trouble finding these audits.

Let me say, in comparison to the GPWA, AGD does go to some extent to help its member base. Yes the audits, and also contacting a program, to have a rep, contact a member. It's 100% more than the aforementioned does.

I think one of the big issues here is, most members are 1-person operations. We don't have the luxury of extra paid staff. much less, a staff of 60+ employees. Hence the information posted by those said staffers, may work for suits and such, but it doesn't really help their member base.

Unlike the other place, AGD isn't ruled by post edits or worse, post deleted, if or when the topic/discussion becomes abrasive. Free speech reins here, and that's a good thing!

As I've said before, and I'll reiterating again, these forums give us ALL a voice. That's good. However, because of member activity, we put dollars in the pockets of these forum owners. If there were little to no activity by members, the place would be a Ghost Town. Just so we're 100% clear, I have no issue with AGD making money. But I do expect a level of service, which also includes, paid sponsor programs who are not scamming affiliates with crap Rev-share deals.

@CL-Ed unfortunately there's rogue programs in our industry - high or low Rev-Share doesn't determine that

 

[MissExposé]

We have a section 'AGD Audit Results' for every program that has been audited - this section shows in the specific affiliate programs thread on the right hand side menu. <More info> option under the AGD Audit Results takes you directly to the thread to see all the audit details.

We have also taken member Cl-Eds advice and will ensure every audit is made sticky to provide easy access to this information for AGD members.

 

[KasinoKing]

While we are on the subject of these audits, there is something that makes ME go Hmmmm...?

@MissExposé what EXACTLY is the point of the polls at the top of each report???

To me, this is meaningless.
Maybe if you added more options, it would become more relevant?
e.g. something along these lines:

• Yes - and I'm happy.
• Yes - but after this audit, I will consider LOWER positioning.
• Yes - and after this audit, I will consider HIGHER positioning.
• No, and I won't try them.
• Will consider giving them try.
• I will definitely give them a go.

KK