How to give the webmaster total confidence that an affiliate programme doesn't shave?
 

Just throwing an idea up in the air to try and get some feedback -

Shaving does exist in this industry, and confidence has been instilled through use of certain affiliate programme software, but is that all that can be done?

I ask because I may finally get around this year to getting an affliate programme running, but I want to use in-house affiliate managing software, so how to bring back confidence that the program absolutely won't shave?

Cookies won't work, because the surfer would never likely end up back at the affiliate's site.

Popunders neither since they can be manipulated.

There isn't a credible central "affiliate managers programme" to use.

The best I could think of was a 1pixel gif upon signup pulling from the affiliate's site, but unless it came from my cc processing company, that could be fiddled with too.

Is NATS the only solution to this problem?

who told you NATS is a solution to the problem? it isn't - the only thing NATS claims is that their software has no built in shave feature and if they pick up on anybody shaving they'll suspend the NATS license. there are lots of way to shave whether you're using NATS or not.

there is no such thing as a shave proof program.

Either you trust an affiliate program or you don't. The best thing you can do is develop a relationship with your affiliates. If they know you, and know what kind of person you are and what kind of business you run, then they will know you are not stealing.

Otherwise you'll be looked at with the same suspicion any new/unknown program gets.