Originally Posted by Quickdraw

As far as teh original post is concerned, a lot of sponsors use to say they couldn't do anything with the 401 error and redirect surfers would get when they tested the members link. So the affiliates code would get lost in the shuffle. That lame excuse worked to soothe most affiliates.

But now, these same companies are using forms for logging into the members area, which also have links at the bottom saying something to the effect of "Don't have a membership?" or "join here" or some other shit without the affiliate ref code.

I haven't heard any reasonable answers from many companies about these issues, which is why I was curious as to the program Smokey was talking about.

There was a thread here last year some time about the dirty practices of affiliate programs, it's a pretty good read.