Skimlinks trial on MSE forums

jdsaint

If MSE gets a abit from me for clicking a link I've no problem... as long as I get my CB

AFAIK Skimlinks don't pay per click. MSE (and indeed any site working in affiliate marketing) tends to only earn when someone clicks, sets a cookie and then (and only then) purchases within the cookie period.

If you want cashback then you have to make sure that the cashback link is the last one you click on before purchasing. That way you get your cashback, the cashback site get their cut from your activity and MSE (and any other sites you used to clickthrough to the retailer beforehand) will more than likely get nothing.

Jdsaint

Minerva69

Horlock wrote: »

Basically I've just wrongly accused a fellow money saver of disguising affiliate links - when in fact it is MSE who is disguising the links.

To me this is DISGRACEFUL.

If MSE were open and honest about them as they used to be about affiliate links then I would be happy. The truth is the link is being disguised!

Exactly the point I made earlier - this Skimlinks trial needs to be notified to all members of the site, not just hidden away in the Site Feedback board, otherwise more incidents like this will occur. I only found out about Skimlinks by accident and now I know more about it I'm not happy either about the way it's been dealt with.

meher

I know I shouldn't laugh but this is the funniest thread for me at the mo on the board. Personally I think cash back problems should be taken to cash back sites - if skimlinks has overridden theirs, it's upto skimlinks and cashback sites to sort their issue out. Why should mse lose out for being cleverer than cashback sites. But what amuses me mightily is actually that people are so enthu about using this site and yet having reservations about the site fetching some source of income for it's upkeep, maintenance and for it to be more resourceful. May be more money coming in might mean mse have it's own software one day instead of relying on skimlinks which I'm sure will rob mse a chunk out of any income coming this way anyway. Now the issue is going to be, any cashback site problems, even none to do with skimlink affiliation, will be assumed to lie squarely with mse if mse legitimises concerns at this stage. I thought this is a trend on every sites and in which way does this enhanced system of financing the site compromise with the site ethos? Once again thanks for the laugh I always find it amusing when I find people panicking over imaginary problems.

robt_2

I don't think you understand what the problem is or how cashback sites work sorry.

furndire

Are the powers that be trying to scupper the competition forum. Many on the comp sites are not happy that MSE'ers enter their comps, and with this b.... skimlink thing they know exactly where we are entering their comps from.

robt_2

furndire wrote: »

Are the powers that be trying to scupper the competition forum. Many on the comp sites are not happy that MSE'ers enter their comps, and with this b.... skimlink thing they know exactly where we are entering their comps from.

I don't really follow - they already can tell where you are coming from unless you copy and paste the link to the competition into your browsers address bar.

poppy10_2

There should definitely be an opt-out for this. I block all affiliate links on my computer, for good reason.

BLT_2

poppy10 wrote: »

There should definitely be an opt-out for this. I block all affiliate links on my computer, for good reason.

There is an opt out, just don't bother using the site, or avoid clicking on any links in the posts.

poppy10_2

BLT wrote: »

There is an opt out, just don't bother using the site, or avoid clicking on any links in the posts.

Yes, hilarious. Thanks for your contribution.

thelawnet

meher wrote: »

I know I shouldn't laugh but this is the funniest thread for me at the mo on the board. Personally I think cash back problems should be taken to cash back sites - if skimlinks has overridden theirs, it's upto skimlinks and cashback sites to sort their issue out. Why should mse lose out for being cleverer than cashback sites.

This site provides information on cashback sites. Obviously most people don't use them, and skimlinks provides an automated way of grabbing money from those people.

It's not the intention to 'defeat' people's cashback at all, so yes mse should 'lose out' - people that want their cashback should get it.

But what amuses me mightily is actually that people are so enthu about using this site and yet having reservations about the site fetching some source of income for it's upkeep, maintenance and for it to be more resourceful. May be more money coming in might mean mse have it's own software one day instead of relying on skimlinks which I'm sure will rob mse a chunk out of any income coming this way anyway.

Rob? All the outbound links currently provide zero income. There is nothing to rob.

Now the issue is going to be, any cashback site problems, even none to do with skimlink affiliation, will be assumed to lie squarely with mse if mse legitimises concerns at this stage. I thought this is a trend on every sites and in which way does this enhanced system of financing the site compromise with the site ethos?

Because the site is (purportedly) about saving money. If people are trying to save money and the site is actively conflicting with that, then clearly there is a problem.