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| | | Author: | DadsAFOL  | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 18:06 | | Subject: | Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 468 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | | Status: | Open | | Vote: | [Yes|No] | |
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| Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
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| | | | | Author: | FigBits | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 18:24 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 67 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
|
I vote yes, though I'd like to see it be for more than just new members (this
is what I read in your suggestion).
As a seller, I'd be willing to give 2 to 5% of any sales sent to my store through
an affiliate link.
--
Marc.
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| | | | | Author: | LEGOMASTER | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 18:30 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 60 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
|
I vote no.
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| | | | | Author: | waltzking | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 18:33 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 74 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
|
Sorry, but I do not want to have to pay more in fees. One of the reasons BrickLinks's
fees have been kept low is in part due to not having a referral program. Maybe
if this could be a seller opt-in service with their own level of referral percentage
paid it would be fine.
Jonathan
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| | | | | | | Author: | beelzibus | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 18:45 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 72 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, waltzking writes:
| | In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
|
Sorry, but I do not want to have to pay more in fees. One of the reasons BrickLinks's
fees have been kept low is in part due to not having a referral program. Maybe
if this could be a seller opt-in service with their own level of referral percentage
paid it would be fine.
Jonathan
|
I don't like this idea much either. The way I see it, just like Ebay and Amazon
now, it will only benefit the large sellers who sell new sets in quantities that
the small shps can't compete with. They would get more sales, helping to make
them bigger still, the small guy would get hit with higher fees.
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| | | | | Author: | Timothy_Smith | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 19:12 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 68 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
|
What about the other way around?
Let other sites use our info for a fee, which then lowers seller fees by some
percent?
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| | | | | | | Author: | beelzibus | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 19:34 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 63 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Timothy_Smith writes:
| | In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
|
What about the other way around?
Let other sites use our info for a fee, which then lowers seller fees by some
percent?
|
Sounds like a better idea.
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| | | | | Author: | bb113115 | | Posted: | Oct 31, 2010 19:24 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 56 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| i vote note
this site is for AFOL's to buy and sell parts for their projects and such. yes
some profits are made at market rates but we need to be carefull not to loose
site of what makes this site what it is
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| | | | | Author: | Huw | | Posted: | Nov 3, 2010 19:13 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 86 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
|
Thank you for suggesting this, Jason. I am sorry to see a lot of negative responses
to your suggestion, it looks like the same old people who were negative to my
ideas who may not have a complete understanding of modern marketing and website
promotion techniques [1], or indeed an appreciation of the online AFOL community,
are being negative here too.
I will throw a few questions in to the mix:
Every other AFOL site promotes the sale of LEGO from Amazon, eBay and/or LEGO.com,
does it make sense for BrickLink to not follow suit and potentially see its market
share and visibility shrink?
Is it better for BrickLink for other high traffic sites (Brothers-Brick, Brickset,
MOCPages) to promote for example, just Amazon, or Amazon and BrickLink?
Unless people stumble across BrickLink by accident, they won't find it: it's
hardly linked to anywhere else. Is that good for the future growth of the site
and sales?
What's needed is a means of making the assets here available for promoting BrickLink
and an infrastructure for tracking referrals so that sellers who opt in know
where they've come from and advertisers can be paid on a per sale basis.
Your database here is one of your greatest assets: exploit it to your advantage.
Huw
brickset.com (which incidentally is currently #1 in Google for 'lego sets' and
'lego database', above LEGO.com, and #3 for 'buy lego', 2 above BrickLink)
[1] may I respectfully suggest they read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate_marketing
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| | | | | | | Author: | Brickwilbo | | Posted: | Nov 3, 2010 19:20 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Huw writes:
| | In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
|
Thank you for suggesting this, Jason. I am sorry to see a lot of negative responses
to your suggestion, it looks like the same old people who were negative to my
ideas who may not have a complete understanding of modern marketing and website
promotion techniques [1], or indeed an appreciation of the online AFOL community,
are being negative here too.
I will throw a few questions in to the mix:
Every other AFOL site promotes the sale of LEGO from Amazon, eBay and/or LEGO.com,
does it make sense for BrickLink to not follow suit and potentially see its market
share and visibility shrink?
Is it better for BrickLink for other high traffic sites (Brothers-Brick, Brickset,
MOCPages) to promote for example, just Amazon, or Amazon and BrickLink?
Unless people stumble across BrickLink by accident, they won't find it: it's
hardly linked to anywhere else. Is that good for the future growth of the site
and sales?
What's needed is a means of making the assets here available for promoting BrickLink
and an infrastructure for tracking referrals so that sellers who opt in know
where they've come from and advertisers can be paid on a per sale basis.
Your database here is one of your greatest assets: exploit it to your advantage.
Huw
brickset.com (which incidentally is currently #1 in Google for 'lego sets' and
'lego database', above LEGO.com, and #3 for 'buy lego', 2 above BrickLink)
|
Bricklink is #3 for "Lego parts" in google (after TLC). 
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| | | | | | | Author: | therobo | | Posted: | Nov 3, 2010 19:31 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 64 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Huw writes:
| | In Suggestions, DadsAFOL writes:
| | Based on the discussion raised in the thread (http://www.bricklink.com/messageThread.asp?ID=102699)
regarding Brickset usage of BrickLink's inventory data and pictures, I think
its approriate to discuss whether BrickLink should create a referral program
to draw new users and increase sales.
In times past, any suggestion regarding the "business of BrickLink" would have
been ignored, and everyone would have respected Admin's right to privacy and
run the business his way. Now that we have a new Admin, one who is also very
familiar with e-commerce, I think this should be seriously considered.
I'm not suggesting the financial structure of the program at this time, as that
should be designed by Admin, should he decide to proceed. However, as a seller
I would consider an additional fee - like 0.5% - on new member purchases drawn
through the affiliate program.
As we have seen by example on Brickset, both eBay and Amazon have affiliate programs
to draw click-through purchases. These are a very successful business model,
and used all around the world.
I would also like to make a special request to our new Admin to comment. You
have been on the periphery of our community for a long time, but now that you
are at the center, I think it will help us get to know you, and what management
style you plan to use with BrickLink. I'll respect it either way, but it would
be nice if you post something.
Thanks. -Jason
|
Thank you for suggesting this, Jason. I am sorry to see a lot of negative responses
to your suggestion, it looks like the same old people who were negative to my
ideas who may not have a complete understanding of modern marketing and website
promotion techniques [1], or indeed an appreciation of the online AFOL community,
are being negative here too.
I will throw a few questions in to the mix:
Every other AFOL site promotes the sale of LEGO from Amazon, eBay and/or LEGO.com,
does it make sense for BrickLink to not follow suit and potentially see its market
share and visibility shrink?
Is it better for BrickLink for other high traffic sites (Brothers-Brick, Brickset,
MOCPages) to promote for example, just Amazon, or Amazon and BrickLink?
Unless people stumble across BrickLink by accident, they won't find it: it's
hardly linked to anywhere else. Is that good for the future growth of the site
and sales?
What's needed is a means of making the assets here available for promoting BrickLink
and an infrastructure for tracking referrals so that sellers who opt in know
where they've come from and advertisers can be paid on a per sale basis.
Your database here is one of your greatest assets: exploit it to your advantage.
|
Why did you remove the links to BrickLink's and Peeron's inventories from your
page?
Ronald
| |
Huw
brickset.com (which incidentally is currently #1 in Google for 'lego sets' and
'lego database', above LEGO.com, and #3 for 'buy lego', 2 above BrickLink)
[1] may I respectfully suggest they read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate_marketing
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | Huw | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 04:22 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 59 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| | | Why did you remove the links to BrickLink's and Peeron's inventories from your
page?
Ronald
|
They are still there, but I've put them in the 'links' tab along with others.
Huw
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| | | | | | | Author: | bb219749 | | Posted: | Nov 3, 2010 20:05 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Huw writes:
| | Unless people stumble across BrickLink by accident, they won't find it: it's
hardly linked to anywhere else.
|
Google for "sell legos" and Bricklink is the top result (that's how I found this
place). When you Google for "buy legos", BL is the fifth result.
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | RobErNat | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 05:52 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Brickkyou writes:
| | In Suggestions, Huw writes:
| | Unless people stumble across BrickLink by accident, they won't find it: it's
hardly linked to anywhere else.
|
Google for "sell legos" and Bricklink is the top result (that's how I found this
place). When you Google for "buy legos", BL is the fifth result.
|
Maybe it's location related (I'm in Belgium): but those results show differently
to me:
When I google:
buy lego
buy legos
sell lego
sell legos
Bricklink is allways top result  (except for the 'sponsored' links in the
'buy' search)
Eric
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| | | | | | | Author: | BLUSER_106751 | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 10:09 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Huw writes:
| | Unless people stumble across BrickLink by accident, they won't find it: it's
hardly linked to anywhere else. Is that good for the future growth of the site
and sales?
Huw
brickset.com
|
As a very happy buyer here on Bricklink (and BTW an extremely happy almost daily
'user' of Brickset - excellent site Huw - thank you!) I have to agree with this
comment - in my particular case - 100%.
Now that I am a part of BL - it is hard to imagine how I would complete my MOC's
and Lego projects without it and how every-one (Lego obsessed) couldn't also
know about it. BUT it was purely by accident or good fortune that I came across
BL in the first place!
I had bought some new parts from that place we don't mention ( ) and
they had been damaged en route - the Seller involved (you'll see they are not
all bad) had the replacement parts mailed to me direct from his contact on a
site I had not previously been aware of - BrickLink!! ... and so my Lego life
was complete!
So I think Huw does have a point....
Paul.
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| | | | | | | Author: | AndersPaludan | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 10:43 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, Huw writes:
| | Unless people stumble across BrickLink by accident, they won't find it: it's
hardly linked to anywhere else. Is that good for the future growth of the site
and sales?
|
A rough calculation based on the last 3 years shows that
the current growth is exponential  at about 30% per year
both in number of new members and in orders placed!
Anders
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| | | | | Author: | Mrco | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 08:34 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 65 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| Little reminder that there are other sites too that are also interested about
this possible change, but my ideology has been that links to Bricklink are like
a return of favour for permission to use Bricklink's data & images.
That maybe sounds naive, but my site is created to help AFOLs, not to increase
the paycheck.
I would be very disappointed if I need to pay something in the future for using
the data, because my paycheck is negative already. Well ok, clearly positive
if you count AFOLs gratitude given for my work!
My site is not on the top of google search results, I don't care about those
things. Slowly going forward.
Marco
Creator of Basebrick.com
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| | | | | Author: | CinciBricks | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 09:22 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 61 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| Voted "yes". How can anything that brings more buyers to the site be wrong?
For the whiners: I would imagine that the extra affiliate fee (whatever % it
is) would come ONLY from sales generated through the use of the affiliate link.
So you would only be paying fees on sales you otherwise would never have received.
-Billy
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| | | | | | | Author: | ToriHada | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 09:43 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 81 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, fwlynch writes:
| | Voted "yes". How can anything that brings more buyers to the site be wrong?
For the whiners: I would imagine that the extra affiliate fee (whatever % it
is) would come ONLY from sales generated through the use of the affiliate link.
So you would only be paying fees on sales you otherwise would never have received.
-Billy
|
There is no need to be rude and call those who disagree with you "whiners". Don't
make these discussions like politics where those who disagree with you are belittled
and demonized making things too polarized for civil discourse. No one in this
thread has whined. They simply have not been convinced of the merits of this
suggestion or how it would help them or BrickLink. Instead of insulting them,
educate them.
I think this suggestion has potential. But it needs to be explained more, particularly
the fee part and whether it would, in fact, necessitate increased fees for all
sellers or only those who opt into this feature. I agree with others who believe
BrickLink should make no payments to Peeron, BrickSet or others for this. BL
allows them to use BL's inventories, images and catalog and that should be enough
for BL to get something in return. If so, there would be no need for any seller
to pay increased fees if this suggestion is implemented.
Thor
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | Huw | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 12:07 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 61 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
|
| In Suggestions, fosterbengoshi writes:
| | In Suggestions, fwlynch writes:
| | Voted "yes". How can anything that brings more buyers to the site be wrong?
For the whiners: I would imagine that the extra affiliate fee (whatever % it
is) would come ONLY from sales generated through the use of the affiliate link.
So you would only be paying fees on sales you otherwise would never have received.
-Billy
|
There is no need to be rude and call those who disagree with you "whiners". Don't
make these discussions like politics where those who disagree with you are belittled
and demonized making things too polarized for civil discourse. No one in this
thread has whined. They simply have not been convinced of the merits of this
suggestion or how it would help them or BrickLink. Instead of insulting them,
educate them.
I think this suggestion has potential. But it needs to be explained more, particularly
the fee part and whether it would, in fact, necessitate increased fees for all
sellers or only those who opt into this feature. I agree with others who believe
BrickLink should make no payments to Peeron, BrickSet or others for this. BL
allows them to use BL's inventories, images and catalog and that should be enough
for BL to get something in return. If so, there would be no need for any seller
to pay increased fees if this suggestion is implemented.
Thor
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One reason I commented on this thread was that I was prepared to act as a BrickLink
affiliate *for free*, by displaying the inventories on Brickset and providing
links back here should my visitors need to buy any parts in order to complete
the set they are looking at but my offer was vehermently opposed by some people
who could not see the benefit to BL.
If there was a formal affiliate programme then that would have to address this
issue.
And, to be clear again, Peeron and Brickset do NOT use any data about sets from
here. Brickset uses minifig data only after express permission was given by Dan
some years ago, and Peeron compiles its own inventories.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | ToriHada | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 12:29 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 60 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, Huw writes:
| | In Suggestions, fosterbengoshi writes:
| | In Suggestions, fwlynch writes:
| | Voted "yes". How can anything that brings more buyers to the site be wrong?
For the whiners: I would imagine that the extra affiliate fee (whatever % it
is) would come ONLY from sales generated through the use of the affiliate link.
So you would only be paying fees on sales you otherwise would never have received.
-Billy
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There is no need to be rude and call those who disagree with you "whiners". Don't
make these discussions like politics where those who disagree with you are belittled
and demonized making things too polarized for civil discourse. No one in this
thread has whined. They simply have not been convinced of the merits of this
suggestion or how it would help them or BrickLink. Instead of insulting them,
educate them.
I think this suggestion has potential. But it needs to be explained more, particularly
the fee part and whether it would, in fact, necessitate increased fees for all
sellers or only those who opt into this feature. I agree with others who believe
BrickLink should make no payments to Peeron, BrickSet or others for this. BL
allows them to use BL's inventories, images and catalog and that should be enough
for BL to get something in return. If so, there would be no need for any seller
to pay increased fees if this suggestion is implemented.
Thor
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One reason I commented on this thread was that I was prepared to act as a BrickLink
affiliate *for free*, by displaying the inventories on Brickset and providing
links back here should my visitors need to buy any parts in order to complete
the set they are looking at but my offer was vehermently opposed by some people
who could not see the benefit to BL.
If there was a formal affiliate programme then that would have to address this
issue.
And, to be clear again, Peeron and Brickset do NOT use any data about sets from
here. Brickset uses minifig data only after express permission was given by Dan
some years ago, and Peeron compiles its own inventories.
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Perhaps you need to explain this more. My understanding is that this suggestion
is for a link on these other sites that would send buyers to BrickLink. Those
buyers could be tracked as coming from those referring sites and compensation
may or may not be payable to the referring sites for such referrals. Is this
correct?
I am not against this suggestion BTW. I am still undecided. What concerns me
is why BrickLink would have to pay anything to these referring sites, especially
if there is a reciprocal link on BrickLink which would refer BL members to those
other sites (like BL already has for Peeron, TBB, BrickSet and others).
Furthermore, if BL does not already do this, I think any other site (e.g. BrickStore)
which freely uses BL assets and resources (such as BL images, inventories, Price
Guide data, etc.) MUST - as a condition to that free use - include a prominent
link on their website referring people to BrickLink. If some already do then
how is this different than the affiliate program you are suggestion?
Please educate us and maybe this idea will have more support. Right now, all
some people read and react to are the comments saying there might be additional
fees for implementing this feature. If this fear is overblown, explain it to
us.
Thor
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | Huw | | Posted: | Nov 5, 2010 05:06 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 99 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, fosterbengoshi writes:
| | Perhaps you need to explain this more. My understanding is that this suggestion
is for a link on these other sites that would send buyers to BrickLink. Those
buyers could be tracked as coming from those referring sites and compensation
may or may not be payable to the referring sites for such referrals. Is this
correct?
|
That is correct.
| | I am not against this suggestion BTW. I am still undecided. What concerns me
is why BrickLink would have to pay anything to these referring sites, especially
if there is a reciprocal link on BrickLink which would refer BL members to those
other sites (like BL already has for Peeron, TBB, BrickSet and others).
|
In Brickset's case that is true and in all honesty I don't require or expect
payment to continue to link to BrickLink. In fact, I am trying to increase the
number of links I provide to BrickLink (by using and displaying BL's set inventories)
but, because I also link to eBay and Amazon, as an affiliate, there has been
opposition here to me doing so.
It's particularly frustrating because I found this site, http://www.toysperiod.com/,
which is blatantly ripping off BrickLink's pcitures and inventories e.g. compare
http://www.toysperiod.com/lego-set-reference/space/space-police-2/lego-6957-solar-snooper/
with http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?S=6957-1. There are no links
back here that I can see and it even watermarks the pictures as if they are its
own!
If there was an affiliate framework then as part of that there'd be agreements
between publisher (e.g. me) and advertiser (i.e. BL) which would lay out the
terms under which the advertiser's assets could be used. At the moment there
aren't any. Some sites, like the above, rip them off anyway. I had the courtesy
to ask first only to be refused by some people.
| | Furthermore, if BL does not already do this, I think any other site (e.g. BrickStore)
which freely uses BL assets and resources (such as BL images, inventories, Price
Guide data, etc.) MUST - as a condition to that free use - include a prominent
link on their website referring people to BrickLink. If some already do then
how is this different than the affiliate program you are suggestion?
|
Agree entirely, but the conditions under which other sites can 'freely uses BL
assets and resources' is not clear.
| | Please educate us and maybe this idea will have more support. Right now, all
some people read and react to are the comments saying there might be additional
fees for implementing this feature. If this fear is overblown, explain it to
us.
|
It doesn't have to be that way: eBay and Amazon do not charge sellers more if
their items are sold through affiliates: they take the hit.
Personally, I don't think an affiliate scheme would work here due to the nature
of the business model unless 'BrickLink inc.' took the hit, which probably would
increase fees across the board. As I said before, I only jumped on this thread
because if it did have one, some of the blockers that I've come up against would
have to be removed.
Huw
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| | | | | | | Author: | Rolf | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 16:15 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| In Suggestions, fwlynch writes:
I have no standing on this suggestion, but insulting and belittling people who
disagree with you just isn't best way to gain support.
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| | | | | Author: | dvsntt | | Posted: | Nov 4, 2010 11:21 | | Subject: | Re: Suggest: BrickLink Affiliate Referral Program | | Viewed: | 57 times | | Topic: | Suggestions | |
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| My mother is the director of sales for an American sunglasses company and she
over-sees and online affiliate program. I happen to also be an affiliate for
this program, so I kind of get to see how both sides operate.
Affiliate programs work very well. Legions of people (not employees) doing all
the leg-work, deploying advertising, driving traffic, and creating sales. However,
it takes a lot of management, relations, and statistical analysis to be successful.
I think that first one would have to figure "What is the average order total
on BL, how large is the 'non-retail' LEGO buyer market, and how much of this
market is not buying from BL already?" If the answers to those questions, applied
through fiscal and statistical analysis lead to the conclusion that an affiliate
program would be sensible, then one would confidently proceed to the next step
in planning.
Which would be: you need to attract affiliates, and it could be difficult; There
is no reason for someone who is looking to make money by being a middle-man salesmen
to make $1.00\sale when they could be making $15\sale on another product that
has a larger target market, such as sunglasses and ski goggles, those are not
difficult to sell, and they make a nice commission. I don't know if BL could
entice affiliate with %10 of $3-$20 orders that has a narrow market and few outlets
serving that market. As another reason for an affiliate program is that there
is so much competition and saturation of the product you are selling, that it
becomes necessary to have an army of advertising, and sales agents to obtain
sales.
Those are my initial thoughts and reactions, I would support an affiliate program,
and even promoted it, if BL offered it. I'm concerned it wouldn't be viable though.
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USA, California
Canada, Ontario
United Kingdom, England
Netherlands, Gelderland
Germany, Berlin
Belgium, Flemish Brabant
Croatia, Dubrovnik-Neretva
Denmark
Finland, Uusimaa
