Interesting how this thread turned into shaving. LOL Being a Program Owner and basically not interacting much with other Program Owners (except via ICQ, GFY, etc) it does surprise when people say there's a "summer slowdown" but, as I said, I am fairly isolated here in NYC.
I started this thread because, after looking at my own numbers for the past 4 summers (how long I've been in business), I don't see sales slumps in the summertime BUT - and this is a BIG BUTT, hehe - BUT I also add new websites in the summertime, thereby increasing my revenue and the rising tide lifts all boats so, again, I have a limited/distorted perspective here.
As far as 'reverse shaving' that is a wild, wild thing! "Let's give legit sales from Affiliate A - or from type-ins - to Affiliate B because once Affiliate B sees more "magic joins" he will (theoretically) promote your Program more. Wild.
I'm assuming here for this kind of snarky "reverse shaving" to occur a Sponser (and Affiliate B in this example) would need to be sending enough volume to make this kind of shady thing worthwhile. Crazy shit. I'm not even sure there are enough programs still out there with enough volume and enough Whale Affiliates to do this. But who knows, affiliates would know better than I.
Is it wrong? Yes.