I just don't feel like I am wrong about this...help me out here :)
 

This whole AFF drama has me really conflicted.

I don't think I am wrong, but others have posted that I am in the wrong

AFF has affiliates place ads on websites, some of those sites are warez, torrent, pic sharing, etc...the ones I have REAL issue with are the sites that AFF is on that basically post whole members areas in the forum areas.

Now, I understand that if you contact AFF about this, that they will look into it and cancel the account if there is any real violation going on

but here is what I dont' agree with. When someone posts a thread on GFY pointing out a site that has shitloads of members areas totally posted online, and the site is advertising AFF on the site, Lars claims that not one sponsor has contacted them and questioned the practice of it all, but why would Lars not contact the sponsor himself, or have one of the employees do it as a professional courtesy?

I know when I have an affiliate that is obviously cheating a sponsor, I contact the sponsor directly and start a dialog with them and get to the bottom of it.

Now, I understand that Lars and AFF are way busy and don't have time to check every single account, but when someone brings up such a serious issue, and Lars basically in not so many words says it isn't his problem, isn't that kind of fucked up?

He is basically saying that he will never go out of his way to help out or help protect any of your interests because it might affect his sales, after all this sites DO probably do some serious business with AFF

While I did think about it and know there is probably no legal issue on AFF's part, I do think that with Lars speaking out the way he did speaks volumes about his business practices

bottom line, if I ever see a friend/associate getting cheated, I speak up, even if it does affect my sales

it's all about the $$$, welcome to the real world...

Good post Jace. About all one can do is pay attention to the way people conduct business and decide whether or not to do business with them, because Woj is right.

i agree, and I try and do that to the best of my ability. I just don't get why there isn't more professional courtesy in this biz, especially from people that everyone else says are such great people.

Well I am one to believe that money talks and bullshit walks and without getting on either side of the Jack v. Lars deal I can say that my ratios on SexyAds has been better than AFF.

I do agree that when it is brought up on this board it would tke less time to check it out and do something than to post a long message about how their lawyers have checked into it and the are inculpable.

Good post.

About the only positive thing to be said about Lar's comments is that people need not bother reporting such sites to AFF and then wonder why they get no response. Otherwise his attitude pretty much sums up a great deal of what is wrong with this industry.

Shabby business practises always involve a cost for those who work honestly. In this instance, not only the sponsors whose content is being used lose out, but so do all the AFF affiliates who do not give away stolen content to get eyes on their sites. Anyone who effectively endorses such practises, shows contempt for everyone else and is relying on no-one caring, or if they do, having very short memories. Whether or not that is an accurate assessment of reality, it still speaks volumes about the people concerned.

It is also an attitude which assists cheats make money and encourages others to cheat as well. That's incredibly short-sighted, because you may not be the target of today's cheat, but if you work in the marketplace you have helped make dirty, your turn will come. In the meantime, you might as well hang out a sign saying you think that everyone who does business the hard, honest way is a mug.

Well I am one to believe that money talks and bullshit walks and without getting on either side of the Jack v. Lars deal I can say that my ratios on SexyAds has been better than AFF.

I do agree that when it is brought up on this board it would tke less time to check it out and do something than to post a long message about how their lawyers have checked into it and the are inculpable.